“The Lord is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his works.” Psalm 145:13
This past Wednesday, Aaron and I celebrated our 14th year wedding anniversary. While we have been abundantly blessed, we have also had our own share of struggles and sorrows. A family and children of our own being a constant. With each passing year, this prayer of ours seemed for whatever reason out of reach. At times, it has been hard to not feel hopeless. I am not proud of it, but at times I even questioned if God heard our prayer and hearts, wondering what work He was working in our lives. Although, even in those moments, the depth of my heart knew the promise of God is true, and he would, in His time, send us the desires He had placed in our hearts. God would send us children or instill in us new desires to share our love with others. Thus, through years of miscarriages, infertility, beautiful children coming into the families of our loved ones & not ours, Hope remained.
Trusting in God’s great plan, His unending love and mercy, and abounding graces and providence is hard. Letting God work in our lives in His Time is hard. But, If I know anything, it is this, God is always faithful and true…even if we do not see it right away.
As I mentioned in my FB post last week, 2020 has been a year. Not only did the Corona Quarantine hit us, but Aaron lost his job (still seeking a replacement). Then within 3 weeks of that, due to an AC leak, we did some major (unexpected) home improvements that included a new AC (thanks Uncle Rudy ;) ), new floors throughout the second half of our house, some wall patch work, and a new electrical panel. It has been a stressful time for us with challenges and some truly deep moments of prayer and answer seeking.
I would have never thought 2020 would turn for us the way it has. Sometime about 6 weeks ago, through some un-named angels, God answered that prayer in the most perfect way. His timing isn't always ours, but The Lord is Always Right on Time. ;) We are on the journey to becoming adoptive parents and could not be more full of joy!
So, where are we? There are actually two agencies involved. The Adoption agency itself (Angel Adoption Network), and the Home Study Agency, Little Flower out of San Antonio, TX. We are in the works so to speak with both. With Angel Adoption, we are working on our booklet and in talks gathering everything needed that they will present to their list of potential birth mothers. With Angel, we have already been tentatively approved with the agency as a whole, baring the outcome of our home study. With the Home Study, we are finishing paperwork and all that goes along with that. At the same time, they are reviewing and formatting what we have already turned in. They have assured us that we should not have an issue getting approved, it just takes time to do all the government background checks, and a bit more so with any potential COVID delays. Within the next two weeks or so, Aaron and I will have a set of virtual interviews with our Home Study case worker. After which, they will schedule a time to come to our home for a quick 10 min. tour (this is shorter than typical, due to COVID.) After Little Flower gets everything they need back from background checks and our interviews, they will write and submit their approval report. Once we have been approved through Little Flower in the state of Texas, we are officially able to be selected by a birth mom through the adoption agency. Until then, they will only be able to look at our profile.
After the home study is complete, the agency has told us we could have a child before Christmas. Aaron and I would be over the moon with this to say the least, but we are thinking it will be early next year. We have told them we are open to multiples, but of course, will cross that bridge should an option arise.
This past week has been an overwhelming exercise in God’s perfect plan and His Deep, and unending Love for us. Aaron and I would have never in our wildest dreams, imagined the response we have gotten. In addition to the scholarship the agency is giving us, some dear friends have started a funding site. We are both awestruck at where we are, and there are not “Thank You”s enough to share our gratitude for those who have donated. Although the scholarship covered a good portion of the adoption fees, there was still a difference to cover. What has currently been raised will help to cover that, as well as the fees occurred with the Home Study. Once we are selected, and a baby is coming, there will be travel and other expenses involved. The agency has told us to expect to not only travel, but end up staying wherever baby is born/from for up to 10 days. There very well, could be additional medical and legal fees that come up, we just do not know at this point. Thus, the remainder of the fundraising would go towards those expenses.
Thank you for sharing in this journey and greatly welcomed new stage of life for us. Thank you for praying along side us, many of you, for over a decade. Thank you for showering us with your love this past week through your messages, social media likes, calls, donations, and emails. These past 7 days have been a beautiful and life changing example of the Mystical Body of Christ.
“The Lord is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his works.” Psalm 145:13
-Kristin
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