It has been a while since we last wrote an update on our adoption. In the past few months, we’ve continued to see God move as we’ve taken baby steps toward the adoption goal.

Last May, when we did our first update here is what we said:

Where are we now? We picked Christian Homes and Family Services in Abilene as our agency and have begun the process of filling out papers. We went to orientation in April, where God confirmed again that this is the path for us, but our faith will definitely be stretched! Before we can get on the “waiting” list that is given to birth parents, there is a mountain of paperwork, a home study and the not-so-small chore of coming up with $13,000. When birthparents choose us, we will need at least that much more to complete the process.

A year later, we have raised the $13,000 needed to get us on the waiting list, and we have almost finished filling out the mountain of paperwork. We’ve got three mostly finished forms to complete, three more hours of a parenting course, CPR/First Aid, and a photo album to put together. Once we have finished that little bit, a home study will soon follow. After the completion of the home study and finishing our portfolio, we will get approval to go on the “wait list.”

Other than adoption agency hoops, we have also been slowly working at gathering things that we know will be needed by any child and getting the bedroom set up for when our baby comes home. It is exciting and scary to go shopping for the child who will join our family sooner or later. We realize every time we shop, how much God will have to be involved in the process when the time arrives. There are so many things we can’t buy in advance, like clothes and diapers, because we don’t know whether it will be a boy or girl or how old. We are certain that He will be faithful and provide exactly what is needed at just the perfect time. Joyce is looking forward to making blankets and bedding this summer when she is enjoying time off from school.

Next Steps? The “waiting” time will likely be the hardest time for us, because there is nothing we can do except wait and pray. Whenever the Lord wills, we will get the “you’ve been chosen” call. At that point, we will need to pay the match-placement fee and legal termination and post-placement supervision fees, which is another $13,000. We have updated our online fundraiser to reflect this second half amount.

While we are waiting, we will continue to do fundraisers and apply for grants to help offset the costs. We have a garage sale planned for June 18th. If you live in the Abilene area and have things you’d like to get rid of, we’d gladly take them off your hands for the garage sale. We also plan to do another spaghetti dinner this summer.

We are so grateful for the love, encouragement and support we have received from our family and so many friends. God has used many of you to get us this far, and we look forward to someday telling our child about all the people who helped to bring them home.

In the coming months, we ask that you would continue to help us in one or more of these areas:

Most importantly, pray for the child, the birth parents, and us.

Share our story with others who you know might be interested!

Donate to our adoption fund if you are able to do so.

We can’t wait to share more good news with you soon!