Our Son

It's time to let the cat out of the bag, more or less.  Those who rub shoulders with us on a regular basis know that we have started the adoption process again.  We've been more tight lipped this time around due to the age of our son.  He turned 13 in July.  Not knowing if he has access to internet and such, we won't be posting pictures of him, only keeping you posted of our progress.  However, I always have a picture handy and am happy to share in person or by private message/email.

We vowed to pay for this adoption as we went, even if it took longer than our adoption of Isabelle.  We decided to be patient.  BUT GOD.  He placed an aging out child in our hearts.  For those of you unfamiliar with the China adoption process, once a child turns 14 they are no longer able to be adopted.  Our son turns 14 on July 6.  The clock is ticking.  God has already begun providing financially.  Due to our son's age, our agency waived most of the agency fee.  What a blessing.

We began the home study process back in July and thought by now we'd have it approved and moved on to the next step.  Unfortunately, that isn't the case.  I have had the opportunity to review the initial draft and that was exciting, but we ran into a few hiccups.  On Wednesday, our social worker informed us that Toby had failed to mention living in ND.  I'm not sure how that was missed.  Due to the omission, a ND background check has to be completed at this point.  He signed the form and returned it Thursday morning.  Hannah (our social worked) figures it should be back in a week since that's all the longer mine took.  Friday afternoon Hannah contacted us again stating Austin hadn't signed the box on his FBI fingerprint card so the information could be released to our agency.  Fortunately, the form could be signed and faxed to the FBI.  Toby works relatively close to Austin so he quickly ran the form to him, Austin signed, and he emailed it back to Hannah who faxed it to the FBI.  And then, she received a phone call from the FBI stating we needed Kenzi to sign a form too.  Problem here.....Kenzi was on a charter bus near Mitchell on her way to youth convention.  I am so thankful for technology!  She downloaded an app which allowed her to sign on her iPhone.  I emailed the form to her, she signed and returned it to me.  Then, emailed on to Hannah and faxed to the FBI.  What a day!  I was slightly stressed because we ran into a hiccup and there isn't anything I can do about it.  Think God is trying to teach me to let Him take control?

So we wait some more.  The FBI will mail us the official letter of clearance.  I am praying that will show up this week as well as Toby's ND background check.  Once they arrive, the home study can be finalized and reviewed by our agency in Alabama.  At that point, once the bill is paid, it will be released to us.  Please pray for us that the finances for the home study come in.  Again, God has this covered.  We believe He led us to adopt again and where He leads, He provides.

In comparison with our previous adoption, we're behind schedule.  We began the process almost the exact same time of the year with Isabelle as this time.  However, by this point, we already had our approval from the Department of Homeland Security and were about to send out dossier to China.  Our dossier was submitted in early December.  Once we receive our finalized home study, we still have to submit our form to the Department of Homeland Security.  That is about a 4-5 week process to get fingerprinted and receive our approval.  That will be the last form to be authenticated for our dossier, everything else will be done and waiting for that piece of paper.  Again, trusting God has the timeline in His hands.  Behind in my mind is right on time in His.  He's never late.  I rest in that.