Matt and I have decided to say YES to the calling to adopt, and we would love to share this process with you. We know that within the body of Christ there is much prayer, support, and encouragement. Some of you know this announcement has been a long time coming. The Lord has been working seriously in our hearts. There was such an excitement in our hearts as we submitted our application today!
One of the first decisions in adoption process is what country and what agency. We have decided to use Holt International and the Country is South Korea. Holt has been working in South Korea for a very long time and we have heard good things about this agency. One unique part of our process is that we are including the waiting child program. This means that the country has decided the child is not considered "healthy" for one reason or another.
This was our hardest decision in the process, and some of you might gasp at the thought of that. The Holy Spirit really broke my heart that BOTH of our boys would be on that list if they were in that situation. Bryson, our oldest had chronic ear infections causing hearing impairment, which required tubes and speech therapy for about 6 months. Rhett, our youngest boy is almost 10 months old. He has or has had the following: hydrocele, tight frenulum, knee joint contracture, cord that fell off late. All of those things would place him on that list as well.
We have prayed and will continue to pray for the little GIRL that God will place into our home. We are so thankful for so many friends who have adopted, are in the process, or who are foster parents and have been instrumental in God's work and encouragement. We ask that you join us in prayer as we begin this long and at times stressful process. We are so not in control and have many uncertainties (finances obviously) but know that if God calls you to it he will help you through it!
We will keep this blog going until our sweet girl is brought home. If you have any advice, questions, etc please feel free to share! ! It is our hope that by sharing this blog, it might light the fire in others to care for orphans. Happy Valentines Day, sending special LOVE to our girl to be, she may or may not be born yet!! :)
Step 1: Done! :)
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
