Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Post Adoption-Training Update

As you've probably already heard, Benson and I attended the 2-day adoption training class this past weekend.  It was great and filled with lots of practical as well as in-depth information.  There were various speakers including a birth mom who had put her children up for adoption as well as an adoptive family, an adoption lawyer, a nurse, etc.  It was put together wonderfully and even though at times it felt like information overload, everything we heard was information we needed to hear. 

Hearing from the birth mom was especially impactful and really makes you think about what it's like on her end.  Any birth mom who chooses adoption is an amazing, strong individual who is choosing life for her child and doing all she can to make sure they are raised in a home where they can have the best shot at life.  So many of the birth moms want to hear from the adoptive parents through letters and pictures so they can just know that their child is well taken care of.  We never want the birth mom who selects us to have to wonder if her child is doing well.  We want her to feel secure that she made the best decision. 

I could go on and on about the class.  There was just SO much and we are so thankful that we are working with an agency that takes such measures to make sure you are as prepared as you can be for adoption.  So, the class is complete. Now what?!?!

Thankfully, we were able to pick up our home-study packet at the class. It consists of a bunch of paperwork including physician reports, background checks, emergency plans, family history info and lots more!  We will start working on this and get it turned in as soon as we can get it all completed with our next payment of $2000. Then, we will be scheduled to start receiving a total of 4 visits from our social worker which will range from them taking a look at the home we live in to "interviews" discussing our family backgrounds and plenty more!  Let's just say...you can't go through this adoption process unless you're ready to be very transparent! We're cool with that.

They made it very clear that this is not a pass/fail assessment.  They are not looking for perfection but real people who are ready to open their home to a child and love and nurture the child to the best of their ability.  And, while we're filling out paperwork and getting physicals and finger print checks (yes, really), we'll still be working on the fund-raising. We still have a long ways to go but we are actually started now which is pretty exciting! We we're told that upon approval of the home study, the average national wait time currently for a child is 10 months (although it could be longer or shorter) so I'd say we're definitely closer than we've ever been.  Please continue to pray for us as we sort through all the paperwork of the home-study and start to look at possible grants to help with the additional funds needed.

On a fun note, we started to arrange Abigail's nursery this weekend which was pretty cool! I found this super cute colorful rug (below) that I love and can coordinate so much with all the colors in it. Yep, it's shag and super soft :)
The room will serve as a nursery/office since we live in a small house so I'm looking for ways to blend the two in a fun girly way for Abigail and Mommy!  I'll post some pics once we get it more together :)
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We started feeling a tug on our hearts toward adoption many years ago and we started praying, researching and talking about it. Even though we felt we were being called to adopt a little girl (and even knew what her name would be!), we did not feel like we were being led to do it at that moment in time. Well...5+ years later the desire is still there and we feel confident that is because God is the one who planted the desire in us in the first place.

We'd love to say that everything has fallen into place perfectly (including the funds to adopt) but that's not the case. Regardless, we believe God is telling us it’s time to take a huge leap of faith and act on the desire He planted in us to adopt. We have no idea how it's all going to work out but we know we serve a mighty God!! Without a doubt, we can’t do it on our own and don’t think God intended for us to. So, with His help and yours, we hope to be able to introduce you to Abigail Grace in His perfect timing!

There are many ways that you can help. First and foremost, we ask for your prayer through this journey! We know that it is likely to be a long process. We need God's guidance and peace for as long as it takes and for any obstacles we may encounter.

Secondly, the simple fact of the matter is that we need funds to make this happen. In that regard, you will see a "Donate" button if you would like to make a direct donation which will be applied at 100% to Abigail's adoption fund. In addition, we have some great fundraising links that you will find here including SendOutCards, T-shirts, Coffee and Flowers. Please know that anything you can do is greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!

Love and Blessings,
Benson and Heather


1994

Our Love Story

Ours is an unusual story of love and committment. We met at a very young age. It didn't take us long to realize that this was the real deal so we made the "crazy" decision at the ages of 16 and 20 to get married. Twenty years later we are still going strong and ready to add a little girl to our family.

1994

When people ask us for marriage advice, the first thing we tell them is "Please don't assume we have it all figured out because we don't." But, there is one thing we know without doubt! God brought us together. He means for us to be each other's for life and we don't pretend to know better than Him. As anyone in a good marriage will tell you, it's not always easy but it's worth it. With God at the core of our relationship, we believe it will only get better as the years go on! And, we're looking forward to sharing future years with Abigail Grace in God's perfect timing.



Prom (1997)

Our Wedding Day (July 8, 1995)