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.