More on the "Why"

Everyone grows up looking at things a certain way. Either the way things were, the way things were taught to them...everyone has their paradigm through which they look at life. Adoption is the same way. It may surprise you how many people have offered me names/numbers of a fertility specialist. For many people when they hear the word "adoption" they also hear "we can't get pregnant".  And I don't blame anyone for that perspective because I know that is how many people have come to know about adoption. We enjoy our opportunities to expose more people to the heart of why we are going to adopt.  

The verse under our picture (on this blog) is Jesus telling us to love others as He loved us. He loved us first and after we accept His love we then have something to offer others. I engraved that verse in Trey's wedding ring because my promise to him in marriage is to love him like Christ loves me; unconditionally. And that is the same way we view our commitment to our future children. 

A friend shared with me an article where a pastor acknowledges that God tells all Christians to care for widows and orphans, but warns that not all should adopt. He addresses the truth that adoption should not be to meet the needs and/or wants of the parents, but adopting and parenting for that matter is a selfless act of loving someone in need. Please read it and expose yourself to what may be a paradigm shift. :)  Click here to read: Don't Adopt!

Where We Are In The Process

Our agency is called Covenant Kids (will refer to as CK) and has locations in Arlington and Plano. We chose them for several reasons. First we knew others at our church had used them and had good experiences. Also since the agency provides all the training and on-going support, we wanted a Christian organization that would be coming from a biblical perspective. And lastly they only required us to have been married one year rather than two.

In June our official process began...and let me say it is a PROCESS. Here is an overview of the steps and where we are in them. (This can take from 4 months-1 year, depending on how much free time you have.)

1. Application - Completed and submitted in June.
2. Training - Started in July doing several hours each month. We have completed 25 of 30 hours.  Training includes all kinds of things including learning "the system", meds for ADHD & depression, CPR, first aid, abuse and neglect, behavior modification, SIDS and shaken baby syndrome, and everything in between. 
3. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork - We are making our way through this part. They want a copy of every official document you have had in your life plus things you have probably not thought about in your life. Here are some examples: driver's license, marriage license, SS card, transcripts, auto insurance, home insurance, pet vaccinations, health insurance, home floor plan (drawn) with escape routes, driving record, fire inspection, health inspection, house rules/consequences/rewards, disaster plan, daily routine (weekday & weekend), personal referrals. 
4. Required Reading: We are required to read The Connected Child and The Whole Life Adoption Book and recommended to also read Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control. (The links provided will take to sites where you can learn what these books are about.)
5. Home study: This will not be completed until all our paperwork and training is submitted. We are projecting end of the year. Once this is completed, reviewed (which can take 30 days) and approved, we will be a verified home. 

We have already learned SO MUCH. There have been many times we wished we could bring a group of family and friends with us. If you want to know more, and we hope that many of you do because you are close enough to us that you will be an intimate part of our family or because God is leading you down the same road, please read a book! CK suggests The Connected Child if you choose just one. 

For more information on our agency and because they have links to many more resources, check out:  http://www.covenantkids.org/