We haven’t posted an official “update” in a while, so I feel like we should. We have nothing incredibly solid or exciting to share, other than yes – we are still in the midst of the process. We’ve been asked by those involved, to not post specifics about where we are in the process, due to obvious concerns of safety and privacy. But I can give bits and pieces.
The more we learn, the more we realize we need to be learning. We had to write “book reports” as part of our application process, about raising an internationally adopted child, and the books we read seemed to give a lot of words to the topic of “becoming a multi-racial family”. They can just about make you over-anxious about any silly thing someone might say to you or your kids. They recommend being prepared for just about every conceivable situation/conversation. The list goes on from there. There seems to be a never-ending list of ways you can truly mess up your children, by even the simplest and innocent of means. Thankfully, it’s not about keeping a list with you, freezing time to pour over the options, and then pressing play when you’ve found the situation in your references. It’s simply about training your heart and mind to be aware of what is happening here. That there may be unique circumstances, and certainly will be special ways this will transform our experience as a family.
Actually, the entire process has made us think, not only about adoption, but big-picture about our marriage and family/parenting as well. If only having kids required everyone to go through this sort of process, it could be helpful. Page after page of answering “big questions”, examining why we are who we are, and where we believe we are heading as a family. Too often, it seems people are either very unprepared for what changes parenting may bring, or to answer the large questions of “why” to many issues involved in becoming a family. If only there was a book that helped prospective/young parents think and pray about what God may want to accomplish in their lives through the act of parenting…..oh wait...:)
We got our first “anonymous” donation toward our adoption in the mail recently…so if that was you…thank you. If you read that last sentence and thought “What a great idea!”, simply click the “Adoption Journey” link at the top of this page, and you can find instructions if you’d like to give!
We are looking forward to getting our Home-Study approved. Once that has happened, we can hit the ground running with some grant-applications, fundraising efforts (Wanna buy a t-shirt? Got a donation for a silent auction?), and letter writing. I don’t think I can get on any Game Shows before the adoption happens…but if any producers are reading my blog – I’m open! Here’s my Wheel of Fortune from 2007!!! 🙂
words from wick 
You are going through quite a process but learning so much. And your girls are going to learn so much through this as well. There is no better picture of what our adoption as God’s children looks like than what you are doing. May He continue to bless you in the journey.