Home Study Part 2...complete

I don’t know about Brent, but I feel overwhelmed with paper work right now.  We are at the state in the adoption process where we are continually filling out forms, answering questions, providing documentation for everything under the sun, and reading and initialing boocoodles of paper.  The good news is that every piece of paper work and every signature just means another step closer to the end goal.

We are still currently in the home study process and recently had our second home study interview which was done at our house.  Our social worker Sherry joined us for lunch at our house before we got down to the nuts and bolts.  Brent and I had been praying, or rather pleading with the Lord, that the girls would behave and it wouldn’t be a mad house.  Lilly Grace and Alex were great!  Even Lucy, our miniature dachshund who notoriously tinkles with excitement, remained continent while Sherry was at the house. 

We enjoyed lunch, took her around our home for the required home tour, and then had our individual interviews.  Sherry is easy to talk to, so these interviews are quite laid back and unintimidating.  Much of the questions this time were about our families, childhood, and marriage.  Not to brag – well I guess I am – but Brent and I have fully realized throughout this process what incredible families we were born in to and what an awesome marriage the Lord has blessed us with.  We have been humbled as we realize this is not the norm, and we praise the Lord for the blessings he bestows.

Brent and I have also begun our required education.  Thus far, all we have accomplished is reading information on Colombia from the department of state websites, but will begin an online class and some other in depth reading specifically about adopted children in the near future. 

As we have been doing our side of the paper work, some of those we are close to have been selflessly putting their time and efforts into helping us as well.  We had to have references from family, friends, employers, and church members.  Sherry told us that most everybody responded immediately, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the promptness and helpful nature of those we listed as references.

Once we complete another chunk of questions, paperwork, and education, we will then finish up our home study interview process.  Following that, we will begin to fill out our I-800A Immigration application then compile the dossier for Colombia!  How exciting it is to say that we are not too far from compiling our dossier for Colombia… the birth country of our precious child. 

Like I have said many times, this is not a quick process, and we long for your prayers.  We also hope that you will pray for all of the orphans in the world.  We take it for granted that we are loved by a family, but there are so many who can only hope for that kind of love. 

-Becky

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”    James 1:27