Where we are at today

Monday night, Adam and I met with Carol, our social worker to just catch up on where we stand in the adoption process. I thought I would just give you all a quick update on what's been done and what we are currently working on:

We are working on acquiring the last few forms we need to submit to Carol so that she can write up our home study. Our goal is to get these things done this weekend. I'm laughing as I type this because I am thinking of the five million things that need to be done the week before Christmas. Carol hopes that she will be able to have it written by sometime in January.

Next step will be for the home study to be handed off to US-CIS which is a branch of Immigration to be reviewed. They will then release it to Carolina Adoption Services. Then the real fun begins...putting together all of our international paperwork.
Could you pray for one specific thing right now?
1. My medical report: THANKFULLY it is current enough for Carol to write it for our home study (I just found out today) However, because of the date it was done, we only have 6 months for it to be valid with US-CIS so the home study can be approved. This brings us to March 1, 2012. I am fervently working on getting another doctors appointment ASAP, but right now the earliest one I have isn't until April 26. Please pray that I am able to get another appointment and/or that we can get the last of this paperwork done quickly so we can submit it for approval.

Update on Moldova:
A representative from Carolina Adoption just returned from Moldova in which she helped 2 families finalize their adoptions. These families had been in limbo for quite some time and CAS was able to help them bring their kids home! Such awesome news. Currently, a meeting is still waiting to be scheduled with the head department that runs the adoptions in Moldova. Unfortunately a date hasn't been set yet. This meeting is supposed to help smooth out all the kinks and finalize their regulations surrounding adoption. Knowing Moldova as we do, it could be awhile. So we continue to wait...and pray. Carol asked us how long we wanted to wait and asked what our next plan would be if we decided against Moldova. We just looked at each other and were honest: we don't have another plan. We told her very clearly that we have faith that God has placed us on this path and has brought us to Moldova. Right now neither of us have felt that God has closed this door for us so we will continue to press on. I know it sounds crazy. Those close to Adam and I know how much we desire a family and would do anything to have it happen right now. Yet, we truly believe we are on the path God has laid out for us. And He is requiring us to trust completely in HIS timing not our own. The Bible is full of examples in which God asks His followers to follow in complete faith, to listen to only HIS instructions, even if it didn't quite make sense to others.

So that's where are right now...walking in faith, trusting in God's voice to guide us, and enjoying what He's teaching us along the way.

I was reading this verse this morning:
Psalm 138:8~ "The Lord will work out His plans for my life- for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me."
So comforting. Thanks for checking in :)

Joy

Joy vs. happiness. Two words often confused to have the same meaning. Happiness is fleeting, temporary because at any moment, somthing can happen to make us sad, mad, angry, etc. But "joy" is a matter of the heart..a heart filled with thanksgiving despite circumstances surrounding us. I am convinced that joy is not possible without Jesus. Through only His power, love and grace can He usher us into the spirit of joy.
This has been the journey of my own heart, really over the last several years...to be joyful despite circumstances and to give thanks no matter what. It has been a discipline because it is something that just does not come naturally!
So this lesson of joyfulness continues as we carry on in adoption. It has taken me up to a couple of weeks ago to get to this point.  I have so much joy in our adoption and so much joy that our babies are somewhere in Moldova (ok, i say "babies"...Adam just laughs and goes with it.) and so much joy that our family is being made by adoption. I haven't been able to say that honestly until recently. The Lord has been working on my heart to rid me of thoughts of jealousy of other families that get to have their family in a quick 9 months.
Our family is being made by adoption. Nothing sounds sweeter than that to me. Adam's sweet cousin, Heather, posted a link on my facebook page of a book called "Mommy's Heart Went Pop", a book about a mother adopting a child and how her heart grew through the whole process. As a woman who is physically pregnant "pops out" so it is in adoption with the mother's heart. It was at that moment, reading that link, that the Lord just filled me with so much love for babies I can't see or feel physically..but could feel in my heart. There is so much love...and so much joy that this is the calling God has placed over Adam and I. God is good. This is His "Plan A" for us..NOT "Plan B".  Adoption is the heart of God! So awesome. Thankful for turning points and lessons of God's grace and compassion.

" Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Orphan Sunday..a few days late:)

Every year, Christian Alliance For Orphans ( http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/ ) sets aside one Sunday in November to raise awareness for the world wide orphan crisis. It always comes with many emotions attached for me. This past Sunday was it! In my mind, I see several faces of kids I have met and have essentially seen grow up over the past six years in Tocuz, Moldova. I see Vica, Christina, Olga, Rodica, Irina, Zina, Marin, Gheorghe...just to name a few.  And now that I have started working in foster care, I work with children as young as 10 months old who are in the care of the state. Last week I had to move one of my kids into her 4th foster home. She is only 14 years old and is waiting to be adopted.  Kids shouldn't ever have to worry about if "this home" is going to keep them.
So, on "Orphan Sunday", I had a variety of faces flashing in front of me; some from Moldova and some from Massachusetts.

As believers, we are commanded to take action. Isaiah 1:17 says "Defend the cause of orphans." James 1:27 declares "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God means caring for orphans and widows in their distress..."
What does this "action" look like?
1. Pray and pray some more. Pray for God to ignite a burden in your heart. But be prepared..He WILL honor your desire and WILL guide you to a specific place of action.

2. Know a face, not a statistic. I remember reading "The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. He said that when people are given statistics, they just hear and see numbers. However, when people connect a person to a statistic and know their personal story, they are impacted and changed. For example, become involved with "Face of a Child" in Moldova and fill up a large bag or backpack for a specific child who will not receive anything else all year. You will receive a picture of specific child in need! (http://www.lsmglobal.org)

3. Consider being a parent through fostercare or adoption. There are tens of thousands of children all over the world who do not have a place that is considered their permament home. This permanency has become so real to me over the past 8 months at my current job. Unfortunately, I have had to move several kids out of homes into new ones. There is nothing worse than this~seeing kids being bounced around, having to adapt to new homes, new schools, and leaving friends behind.  Do you want to see some of the precious faces who live in Massachusetts who continue to wait for a mom and dad? Check out this link: http://www.mareinc.org/Index.html It's for MARE (Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange) and their goal is to provide profiles and stories of children in fostercare to those who are looking to adopt. If you are reading this and live in another state, I guarantee your home state has something similar.

We are all commanded to act! What does that look like for you?

Slow

Over the last few days, the Lord has laid random words on my heart to focus on. One of them is "slow". Really, "slow down". Hasn't our culture become one that is always trying to get to the next "thing"? Rushing, rushing, rushing until it is accomplished.
That is how I have become with our adoption. In my heart, I have been wishing away the next 18 months so that we could have a family. 18 months is a looong time to wish away. To not enjoy. To not enjoy the moment...these moments that are fleeting and ones I will never get back. To be too busy focused on me and not on God's voice.
Adam had texted me a couple of days ago and said he wanted to surprise me with something that would be fun for both of us. When we discussed how much it was going to be, I said I don't think we should do it because we could be saving that money towards our adoption fund. He agreed that adoption is expensive, but (and I love this..) he reminded me that "we can't lose sight of the small things in the mean time." There is a whole lot of life waiting to be enjoyed in 18 months.
And there's a whole lot of work God is doing..daily! It's scary to think how easy it is to be self-absorbed and miss out on what God is trying to speak to me each day. I am reminded of the passage in Luke 24. Jesus had been dead for 3 days. His followers were in deep mourning. 2 guys were walking down the road discussing the events of the past week and along came Jesus, alive, and was walking beside them, talking to them. They had no idea it was their Jesus who was speaking right to them. They were too focused on their hurt and the tragedy of losing Him. How often am I that guy..Jesus right next to me, walking, talking, trying to get my attention..but I am too focused on my own stuff. Too focused on getting paperwork done as quickly as possible so our 18 months can be over and done with.
It's this time in between that I don't want to miss out on. Really. This is when God's voice is loudest, He shines the brightest, and is most glorified.
So as I wait, I do have peace. Hard, yes. But it is there...most days:) And I am giving all I can to enjoy today, each day...time is such a gift.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Stretchmarks of Faith

So many of you have been so sweet and asking if it is OK to ask us how our adoption is going. Of course it is!:) Unfortunately, we continue to have no new news. Carolina Adoption Services have been approved to be re-accredited in Moldova and they are waiting on some of the final steps from the Moldovan government. So, this is positive. When will we find out? Who knows! We just keep pressing on..we have to complete a bunch of pre-adoptive education online and we just have not had the time or energy to do it. If you could pray for us to get this completed, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!:)

Counting the blessings:
A close friend of mine e-mailed me about a month ago and said that she was praying for us. Her specific prayer was that I would find another mom who was trying to adopt from Moldova so we could help support each other. Sure enough, I got a message on Facebook a few days later from a friend who lives in Colorado. She had met a woman at her church that was trying to adopt from Moldova and wants us to stay in touch. God is good, isn't He?

Every so often, I wish we had something physical to remind us that a baby is on the way. An ultrasound. A growing stomach. A sure timeline of 9 months. Anything. But with those fleeting thoughts comes conviction. Sometimes a whisper. Sometimes a shout. Jesus reminding me "I AM enough". His fingerprints have been on this whole journey. I don't want to miss Him~His voice, His convictions, His encouragement. The Lord HAS to be my number one desire. HE has to be the source of my joy. Nothing else can bring full satisfaction. Friends can disappoint us. Jobs can leave us. Marriages can fail. Kids can make bad decisions. Jesus is the only constant. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His grace is sufficient in our weakness. Through pain, He brings peace that passes all understanding. His love is unfailing. He came to give us fullness of life. I was reading yesterday how the name that God calls himself  "I AM" is present tense. He loves you today, He is with you today, and He wants to be your number one ...forever.

My deepest desire is to be a mom and have blessed chaos in our small apartment. But if it never happens and the only thing I come out of this is with a deeper relationship with the Lord..not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him...I will have won. Actually, I already have won.

So, come and stretch with me:) I would love to hear what God is doing in your life. He loves you like crazy and so do I! Thank you for checking in on us:)

Psalm 91:2 "This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God and I trust Him."

So Let It Grow

There have been two verses that over the last few weeks that God has used to speak to me and I wanted to share them because there are several of you that I pray for who are in waiting period. Whether it is for a family, a spouse, a new career, or direction in when to move again, the waiting is hard...but...can also be a time of great joy.

I personally don't wait well and it's apparent that God knows that because here we are, once again, waiting. There have been several occasions throughout our 9 years of marriage where we have had to wait, and it has been hard. Really, really hard. But God is merciful, gracious, and compassionate and I am so thankful for those times in our past to reflect on as we wait on God's timing for a family.

The first verse that has been such an encouragement to me over the last few weeks in James 1:2-4:

 "When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

We simply have a choice to wait or not. To wait for the Lord or take the easy way out of whatever trial we are going through. If we choose to wait, we are allowing God to do amazing things and are allowing Him to bring us to perfection....to bring us to a closer relationship with Him and to know Him in a deeper way than what we had before. Adam and I are choosing "to let it grow."

The second verse I wanted to share is found in Isaiah 45:3:

"And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness-secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord."

Sometimes waiting does feel  like a dark time, that there isn't really a light at the end of the tunnel. It can feel lonely as everyone else seems to go about their daily lives. But I love how God promises to send us reminders of Him in the dark times...reminders that He is still there, He is working, and He is moving...even when it doesn't always seem like it. For me, these "treasures" have come in many different ways. But over the last several days it has been through e-mails, phone calls, and texts from friends and family. And they often come at random times, but right when I needed to read it. A friend texted me early morning last week and my sister in law texted me at midnight..both including verses that talked about God's timing and His promises. And there have been many other occasions that this has happened and we are so grateful. They have reminded us that God is active and is speaking to us. Another great provision this week...we received a note from our landlords saying that they wanted to cut our rent almost in half for the month of July so we could save the rest for the adoption! They are so generous and needless to say we were quite surprised.

God has been so good to us..so we are embracing the waiting and are excited to see Him "make the impossible possible." (Mark 10:27

Thanks for checking in...please know how grateful we are for each of you:)

Continuing to wait

Just wanted to send you all a quick update..this will probably be the quickest update ever, because there isn't any new news. We heard from our social worker out of North Carolina and everything is still at a standstill and they predict it will be like this until late summer. So we continue to wait. And that's OK
But I haven't been so "OK" with it over the last few weeks. I've been mad, frustrated, sad during Mothers Day and Fathers Day, and just not happy. I was tired of waiting.  Some of you have heard me talk about two little girls on my case load at work. They are sisters and are pretty much the office favorites. They are the highlight of my week when I get to visit them at home. They are waiting to be adopted and their social worker expects that they will be adopted by the end of summer. I started thinking how Adam and I could adopt them and how much joy they would bring to our home. I spoke with the girls' social worker after a case meeting last week and asked what we would need to do if we were interested. She said their case is moving fast but she would move us right along if we were truly interested. I knew in my heart that God was saying "No" but I continued to argue with Him...which never turns out in my favor. Ha. So you can imagine how the conversation went when I told Adam "So, there's these 2 girls who are waiting to be adopted...." He continues to use Adam to remind me of where God has called us and that we have committed ourselves to Moldova until that door closes.
I so want to take the easy way out in all of this but I know we can't. We would be missing out on so much that God wants to show us and teach us. I was reading this morning in Matthew 16:15. Jesus asked Peter "Who do you say that I am?" I felt like it was Jesus asking me that question..."Who am I to you?"  I immediately thought of the power He has over death..He is victorious over everything and has power over everything. And He reminded me this morning that He can make the impossible POSSIBLE.  If I have learned anything over the last few years it's that during these waiting periods the Lord shines the brightest and I know I don't want to miss out on that.
Adam and I are praying over this verse today: Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."
We appreciate your continued prayers...thanks for checking in:)

Verse For Today

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me the right path, O Lord;point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

Thankful for God's presence in the waiting and that He is actively guiding each step.

Delays...

When Adam and I submitted our application for adoption to Moldova, the social worker told us that this program is going through a transition, so we are not surprised about the delay. Sad, yes...surprised, no.
So this is the reason: Moldova's Minister of Labor and Social Protection is running for a new position. Unfortunately, everything is being put on hold until she either gets elected or resumes her old position. This could be as early or June or it could be indefinite. Because of this, our adoption agency is not able to accept any new dossiers (all our international paperwork) at this time. Adam and I were just starting to work on this.
What's the good news in this? We haven't yet submitted our official contract with Carolina Adoption Services (we were about to this week) Along with this contract is a big sum of money that is due and we are so thankful that we didn't send it in yet, just in case it was non-refundable. The other part is the new law that is trying to be passed by Moldova is that they want all adoptive parents to spend 1-3 months IN COUNTRY to bond with the baby. This would be completely impossible for us. So, we are thankful that the news was NOT that this bill had passed.
We would appreciate your prayers for discernment and wisdom as we continue on. We have said from day one that we will continue with adoption from Moldova until the door absolutely closes. So it's not closed yet, but we do have some things to pray about.
Thank you for your support..we are so appreciative.

All Our Needs

Adam and I have had such a busy month and it's hard to believe we are heading into June. I was looking at the last time I had posted something, and it was right when we started our homestudy. Well, we have one more visit with our social worker and this part will be complete! Carol comes to our house next Tuesday to finish up our interview and check out our house. I can't believe how fast time is going.

I have been reminded of a verse in the Bible that says "My God will supply all your needs." I have always loved this verse because it is so simple yet such a powerful promise. But God was quick to convict me in how I read it. I have been quick to assume that it was just talking about my material needs. Of course, I do believe it does refer to Him providing in that way. But He has taught me over the last month that He also supplies our emotional and spiritual needs...always. Over the winter, I participated in an online Bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through this study I have met some amazing women all over the world who have become genuine friends. One in particular is my friend Noelle. When I shared with the group that Adam and I were in the very beginning stages of adopting, Noelle contacted me immediately. Her and her husband, Ryan, have adopted their beautiful daughter Sierra from China about 7 years ago. Sierra is now 8 years old. Noelle has been an amazing source of encouragement to me over these last few months. Really, words can't do it justice in how her friendship has been a gift to me over the last several weeks. Noelle owns her own fitness bootcamp in California and, within a month or so of us becoming friends, she e-mailed me that she had told all her bootcampers about Adam and I and was going to donate a portion of their fees for the month of March to our adoption! About a month ago, Adam and I not only received their donation but the most beautiful letter from EACH PERSON that participated. Adam and opened it before I had gotten home and when he handed it to me he said "You're going to need some tissues while you read this. No, seriously, you will." He was right. Adoption has its' waves of emotion that I can't really explain and that day was one of those days where it felt like it was impossible. But after reading the words of encouragement from people we have never met, God's peace just flooded me. And he reminded me that He does supply ALL our needs. The way the Lord has been speaking and the people He has been using along the way to speak His Truth has been such an encouragement to us both and we are just humbled by the Lord's care for us.

Needless to say, Adam and I are planning a trip out to California when Hope or Noah comes home so we can meet all our new friends. :) I can't begin to tell you how grateful we are for each of them. We have read and re-read their letter often! (I wish you could see their picture. Noelle sent me a pic of all of them, but for some reason it's not uploading right)

Please pray for adoptions in China~ Noelle and Ryan have been waiting 5 years to bring home their second daughter and are expecting another 2-3 year wait. Join us in praying little Presley home and please pray for Noelle and Ryan that they continue to have the perseverance needed during this long and hard wait.

Thank you for praying and checking in:)

Ryan, Noelle, and their daughter Sierra






Our Homestudy Has Started

This past Thursday, Adam and I started our homestudy process with Wide Horizons For Children in Waltham. Our meeting with our social worker, Carol,  took almost 2 1/2 hours and were a bit tired by the end, to say the least. We talked mostly about our marriage: how we met, what attracted us to each other, what we think each other's strengths/weaknesses are, how we handle conflict, etc. It was fun to think back to when we started dating and talk about how our relationship has grown. I couldn't help but think that we have alot of FUN together. I feel so blessed to have Adam as my husband.

The other great part about our time with Carol was that we were able to share why we wanted to adopt. We got to share a little about  our faith and that adoption to us isn't JUST a means to start a family. We also were able to talk to her alot about Moldova and how much we love the country and what we have been doing there for the last 6 years.

We have 3 more visits to complete our homestudy: 5/2~Adam meets with Carol individually; 5/15~I meet with Carol individually; 5/31~Carol comes to our apartment to check it out. And on 5/21 we have to attend an 8 hour adoption workshop to meet the requirements for our homestudy. So, needless to say, May will be a busy month!

We decided on names: "Hope" for a girl and "Noah" for a boy.  When you pray, will you pray for him/her by name?  Hope/Noah is probably around 6 months-1 yr old right now. Please pray for protection as well as pray for the caregivers in the orphanage, that they will be filled with genuine love for the kids there so that when Hope/Noah comes home he/she will already know what love feels like and will be able to attach to us easier.

Psalm 139:16,17~ "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."  Can't wait to read this verse to Hope/Noah:)

We  pray you had a beautiful Easter! As I get older, Easter has become my favorite holdiay. There is so much joy in the fact that the tomb was empty and Jesus is alive. There is victory, power, and hope for our lives in it. Our church had a beautiful service and afterwards, Adam's family came over to have dinner with us. After they left we made our annual trip to CVS to find leftover Cadbury Mini-Eggs:)

We appreciate each of you..thank you for praying!!

Faithful Reminders

Over the month of March, I have been trying to raise money for our adoption through my Pampered Chef business. Starting out, my prayer was to raise at least $1000 to help offset the cost of our next round of payments to our adoption agency. For me, this was a big goal because I don't make a huge commission off the products and knew to take home $1000 would require some big sales. So i just kept praying through it.
One of the women who responded to host a show for me sent me an e-mail this past week. She had been discouraged that she hadn't been able to collect as many orders as she had hoped for so she started to spend some time in prayer over it. That afternoon the doorbell rang. It was the mailman delivering certified mail. In the envelope was a note from a friend of a friend stating that she heard about Adam and I's adoption and didn't really need any kitchen items, but felt burdened to give towards our adoption fund. Attached to the note was a check for a $1000!!! Of course, I had to read it a hundred times and then I started crying.:)
Isn't God amazing? It is these moments that Adam and I cling to when we start to doubt or feel anxious. 2 Corinthians 9 talks about God's generous provision and we have certainly felt that this week. I know there are some friends out there who are taking some steps of faith..I encourage you to keep trusting~God is there, is sovereign, and is the Ultimate Provider.
We are hoping to re-schedule our home study soon and get the process moving again. We received the green light from Carolina Adoption now that I am working:) (Oh P.S. I LOVE my job:)
We'll keep you posted! Thanks for checking in:)

Back To Work!

Last year, while I was working at the jail, I had interviewed for a job at an agency that does foster care counseling. It seemed like the perfect job for me and I was desperate to get out of the work situation I was in. When they called me to tell me that they were offering me the job, I was so excited. But the hiring manager told me not to accept it right away, that he really thought I should take the weekend to think about it. At that time, Adam and I were almost done paying off debt, and with this new job, there would be a paycut and it would take us a bit longer to pay off the last amount we had left. So after much deliberation, I turned the job down. We knew God was telling us not take it right then, but it was so hard to turn down, knowing that I had to go back to a job I disliked so much.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago when our social worker called us to let us know that I had to find a job. The next day I went online and saw that the SAME JOB I had interviewed for had come back around and was available again. I was hesitant in sending my resume again because I had already turned it down once, but I did anyway. The hiring manager called me that night to let me know they were very excited to see my resume come through again and he scheduled me for an interview a few days later. And..I got the job! I am going to be a Clinical Coordinator and will be doing counseling for foster families. I couldn't be happier!
It's amazing how God times things. His "No's" are sometimes "Just wait.." He knew that I was going to need this job at this moment....and had already been paving the way to provide me this job last year. In the mean time, He provided abundantly for Adam and I in which we were able to pay off our debt and increase our savings..all in preparation for our adoption. We know without a doubt that His hand is constantly guiding us and we are so grateful.
We are taking things one step at a time because when we start to look forward, passed the present, it is overwhelming because we have no idea how we will get there. But we are dwelling on these reminders of God's faithfulness to us thus far and it's enough to keep us moving:)
My dear friend, Colleen, sent me this verse a couple of weeks ago, and I have been reading it every day:

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping-

believing that he would become the father of many nations.

For God had said to him, " That's how many descendents you will have."

And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though at about 100 years of age,

he figured his body was as good as dead.

Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise.

In fact his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God.

He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.

Romans 4:18-21

A Few Hoops

Tuesday night, Adam and I were literally on our way out the door for a church dinner, when our placement agency in North Carolina called me to discuss our registration form. They were concerned with me not working and come to find out, my unemployment does not count as income to the Moldovan government. So take away that, they were concerned that the Moldovan government would deny us.

So, after a brief meltdown and a few "I'm screwing our family up" rants, Adam (so level headedly) said "You can easily find a job. That is not out of your control." So true. And later that evening, our Pastor was speaking to us and reminded us that this is one of the many hoops that we will be jumping through over the next year or so. He so confidently reminded us that this was NOT the end to us starting our family, but really just the beginning. So I am on the job hunt with full force:) Please pray I find one quickly! We would so appreciate it.

We start our homestudy on Monday! We will meet our social worker, Carol, for the first time and spend 2 hours with her discussing Adam and I's relationship, how we came to pursue adoption, etc.

Over the last month I have been part of an online Bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministries and it has been absolutely what I needed. Through it, I have met a woman who has been waiting for a daughter from China..for 5 years! It has been a roller coaster of a journey for her, to say the least. She has become a wonderful source of encouragement to me and I am deeply thankful for Noelle's friendship. I love how God places and orchestrates people to come into our lives at just the right time. I shared a verse with her this morning that I am continually meditating on today:

Psalm 119:45-50

" Remember your promise to me;

it is my ONLY hope.

Your promise REVIVES me;

it comforts me in all my troubles."

I love the word "revives" because to me, I picture something coming back to life; something that became lifeless even for just a brief moment, but has new hope and new energy. In the midst of all our "unknowns", God's word is constant and breathes new life to us.

Thanks for checking in and for your continued support. We love you:)

We have a social worker:)

Adam and I just got a letter in the mail today that we have been assigned to a social worker and that our homestudy will start in the next couple of weeks.
We are so excited:) Thanks for your prayers!

2nd Week In

Only 2 weeks in...I actually have to laugh because we have about a GAZILLION more to go. However, I am reminding myself that every day that goes by, is one step closer:) It is definitly not a "sprint".

The other night at dinner:
Me to Adam: "Are you sure we're doing the right thing?"
Adam: "Are you seriously asking me this?"
Me: "Well, I'm overwhelmed by the cost of this."
Adam: "Oh well."

HA! I love his directness and bluntness sometimes. He is not usually so blunt but whenever he is, he is serious and I take a step back to listen. Adam is such a leader in all of this and I am thankful. In all honesty, we truly ARE peaceful about our adoption decision..God has been so faithful in speaking TRUTH. Last night, God laid on my heart to read Psalm 139~ I love this chapter because it is all about us never being out of the sight of the Lord. Verse 5 jumped out and was just the reassurance I needed for this week:

"You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of
blessing on my head."

It is so comforting to know that God is surrounding each of us and is wanting to bless us. What a promise:)

Some small updates:

1. Our application was received by our agency and they said we will be assigned a social worker shortly! Once we are assigned one, we will start the home study process. We are excited!

2. I am SO thankful for friends and family, near and far, who have reached out by hosting a Pampered Chef show for me or by ordering products. 100% of my commission is going to be used to offset our adoption fees. If you are interested in hosting one, message me, even if you are out of state. I am only doing catalog shows and everything can be done online. Or, if you just want to buy something, that is fine too. Check out my website: www.pamperedchef.biz/colleenyoung

One last thing:

While I was working at the jail and hating every second of it, my sweet mother-in-law gave me a card with some quotes about God's promises in it. I found one in my Bible today and was so reassured by it. I hope it blesses you too:

There is a guide that never falters,

And when He leads I cannot stray,

For step by step He goes before me,

And marks my path, He knows the way.

Oft-times the path grows dim and dreary,

The darkness hides the cheering ray,

Still I trust, tho worn and weary,

My Savior leads, He knows the way.

He knows the evils that surround me,

The turnings that would lead astray,

No foes of night can ere confound me,

For Jesus leads, He knows the way.

Thanks for checking in on us:)

Deeply Rooted

One of my favorite verses (well, one of my many) is found in Psalm 1:2-3

"But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do."

This verse paints an image to me that no matter what is going on around this tree, it is still standing, because its' roots go so far beneath the surface nothing can move it.

The same is with us and the promises in the Bible. The more we know them and entrench ourselves in them the more steady and stable we are. The more we prosper and live fruitful lives. Of course this doesn't prevent chaos from happening, but it helps us to weather the storms that much easier.
This verse has been a challenge to me the last few weeks and has been challenging me to live my life like this..constantly meditating and dwelling on the promises that God has given me. So Adam and I have decided to pick one verse a week and just dwell on it everyday. We'll have them hanging up in random places in our apartment, so if you come over and see them, you'll know why:) When our adoption process has ended, we should have about 70 or so verses~ that's a lot of promises:)
This week we are looking at Psalm 33:20-22:

"We put our hope in the Lord,

He is our help and our shield.

In Him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,

for our hope is in you alone."

I hope these verses encourage you too. I have received a bunch of e-mails and messages on Facebook the past few days from those who are struggling. I'm praying that these verses take root in your hearts.
Thanks for checking in on and Adam and I!

And..we're off!

First of all, Adam and I are so thankful for each of you. We have loved reading through your e-mails and your messages on Facebook...we are blown away by all of the encouragement so many of you have already sent our way. Thank you!:)

Last night, Adam and I started the first part of our application. There is a "Part A" and "Part B". Part A is just about complete. All I need to do is attach our latest 1040 and will then be mailed out today. Yay! This application is being mailed to Wide Horizons in Waltham and once they receive it, we will be assigned our social worker and start the homestudy process. Part B of the application is filled out during the homestudy.

I am currently looking for part time work. I am not looking for anything random, but a job that could turn into full time down the road. So for all my praying friends/family, I would love for you to pray over that. :) We are looking to save as much money as we can and any money that I make through this part time job will be deposited right into a separate account we are setting up for the adoption.

I read this familiar verse this morning and what a promise it is:

"Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet

and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105

In other news, Adam's grandmother died yesterday morning. We were so sad to hear this news but are comforted that she knew the Lord and is in Heaven with Jesus right now. And, she is reunited with her husband Ralph, Adam's grandad. Here is a picture of them:

If you have ever heard Adam talk about his grandad, the state trooper, this is him. I love hearing Adam talk about him..his face instantly lights up:)

Thanks for your prayers and for checking in on us:)

We're Adopting!

Adam and I are beyond thrilled! We have always wanted to adopt and for quite sometime we have been praying for a child. Last month, over dinner, we started talking seriously about looking into adoption. I can't explain the peace and excitement that came over us at that moment~ we knew it was from the Lord.
The more we talk, the more we see how God has been paving this way for us...and it all started about 5 years ago when I took a last minute trip to Moldova with my church. Since that trip our lives have not been the same. We have returned once a year ever since. Each time we came home, we were more and more burdened for the kids there as well as the country as a whole.

So it was a natural choice to pursue adoption in Moldova! To bring a child home from the country where we have been serving for the last 5 years brings so much joy to us!
But this adoption goes beyond us wanting to start a family. It is also about being obedient to the commands that Jesus gives about loving the orphans and caring for them in their distress. The Bible is FILLED with commands for us to care for the fatherless and the widows. So, truthfully, this is not "Plan B" to start a family. In fact in reality, it is "Plan A". Why? Because we truly believe that God has brought us to this point and is burdening us to step forward. We have come to learn full well that God's plans are ALWAYS "Plan A". Not everyone is called to adopt, we know. But Adam and I are going into this with open hands and open hearts and are so excited to see where God leads.


Poiana, Moldova.
"The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you." Psalms 32:8

Some information we have now:

1. We will be going through 2 agencies. Wide Horizons For Children (Waltham, MA) will be doing our home study and post-adoption follow up. Carolina Adoption Services (Greensboro, NC) will be our placement agency who will be placing us with a child. Because Moldova is a hard country to adopt from, only a handful of adoption agencies are accredited for placing children from Moldova. These 2 agencies that we chose are very reputable, not only for their ethics, but also for their humanitarian involvement in Moldova. Adam and I were drawn to that.

2. The process in total will be about a year and a half. Adam and I will be submitting our applications to both agencies this week and will then wait to begin the home study process. The home study will be about 3 months long, where we will meet with our social worker about 4 times and she will be interviewing Adam and I about EVERYTHING.

3. After the home study Adam and I will begin our dossier, which is a packet (about 45 pages long) of medical forms, immigration forms, fingerprints,etc. Once the dossier is complete and handed into the Moldovan government, we will wait for about 3-9 months for a child.

4. The youngest age of a child we will be able to adopt is 2 years old. We will not be specifying gender either. We have learned that there are more boys available than girls. We are also praying about a sibling group. We are undecided about this but are praying about this possibility. The cool thing~more than likely, the child the Lord has created just for us has just been born or is just about to be born!

Prayer requests:
1. For continued clarity and discernment as we start the process.
2. Finances. As everyone knows, this is not a cheap process. Quite frankly, Adam and I are stepping out in faith and placing all of our trust in the Lord, knowing that He will get ALL the glory in the end. When our child comes home, it will be all because of what God has done. We are researching some fundraising opportunities and would love prayer in regards to this. We continue to praise God that He led us to the "Financial Peace" class 2 years ago. We are debt free and would not be able to do this if our finances had not been in order. (another way that God has been preparing us!)
3. The Moldovan government. Currently they are in deliberations about changing their adoption laws, which could result in a longer wait time for a referral.

In closing, please know that Adam and I have covered this in prayer and each step of the way, we have already seen God leading us down this path. We continue to pray and covet your prayers as we begin this adventure. It is not going to be easy and we value your love and support.

Happy 2011! (2 months late:)

Adam & I New Year's Eve

At the beginning of January I was trying to think of what verse summarized my 2010. A few came to mind, but this one was instrumental for me:

"Now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more

than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

to HIM be glory ..." Ephesians 3:20-21

This verse was God's voice to me in April~I had been praying over a burden for almost 8 years and needed to hear from Him desperatley. I was convicted of praying in a way that was limiting Him~limiting the power that He possesses. I started to pray in faith, through my doubts. And soon after, He answered and took the burden completely away. Truly a miracle.

What He taught me:

1. He is so much more powerful than what I give Him credit for.

2. Persevere.

3. The Lord is compassionate.

4. Pray big.

So as 2011 is in full swing, the verse I am praying through this year is Ephesians 2:10:

" For we are God's masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the things he planned for us long ago."

As most of you know, I am in transition..I took a voluntary layoff back in November and am currently seeking out where God is going to place me next. I am already excited to see how God is at work:)

Praying that each of you make the most of every day of 2011 and that you experience the Lord's blessings every day:)