Adoption Update!!

This week, our home study was completed!   This is just the beginning of the process, but it is a large portion of the paperwork that we needed to fill out. The home study is being sent to DCFS for final approval.  Of course, we still need to complete our dossier and countless other forms, but like I said, this is the first step .. and it is a big one!

We have so many people to thank for getting us this far along.  So many that rearranged their schedules to help with childcare, wrote reference letters, went out of their way to get appointments changed and information gathered.  Thank you for your helping hand in getting us one step closer to our waiting child!

Also, can I say .. I LOVE technology today!  Not only is this blog thing new to me (of which I'm finding it to be scary and interesting all at the same time), but so is the fact that we can order a vital record on-line (even from another state!) and have it sent to 2 different offices to get the proper certification needed for our dossier!  That saved us a day traveling around WI!  woo-hoo!

Remember Him, Who We Celebrate This Weekend

As we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of our heavenly father, we take a few moments to realize how grateful we are for the wonderful savior we have that gives us hope and mercy to overcome our sins in this world.  Without the sacrifice of His body on the cross, there would be such despair and and overwhelming pressure, but through His grace, we are forgiven and set free.  

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."Colossians 1:13-14 

We also praise the Lord for making it clear to us that we are to pursue International Adoption.  He has placed the right people and the right situations in our lives this year that has convicted us on no longer pursuing a foster to adopt child, but rather a child in a foreign land.  We never had a country in mind, but through the works of God, China choose us!  We know that is a special child waiting for us and can not wait to meet him/her.  

Some have asked why we would want to adopt.  We can only point to the commandments of our Heavenly Father:

James 1:27

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

The following song and video describes what God has instilled in our heart and why we are persuing this adoption:

Kings and Queens - Audio Adreniline