This evening we had our first of 4 interviews with our social worker. She is great. We basically talked about why we want to adopt, what got us to this point, etc. It was easy :) Our next interviews will be on Wednesday. That will be 2 and 3. We also found out that lately fingerprints have been coming back a little quicker than what they had been 6-7 weeks as opposed to 8 weeks. That's exciting, because that means we would be approved that much sooner.
This Saturday we plan to work on our profile book (basically a scrapbook of our family). So if you have any pictures of us with you, email it to us before noon on Saturday.
Prayer requests this week:
~we finish our profile book and that it portrays an accurate picture of us
~financially that we are able to keep the process moving
~our baby - wherever he or she may be and that the birthmom is taking good care of herself and the precious life she is selflessly carrying.
We thank you so much for the love and support that you are showing to us each and every day. We praise God for the family and friends in our life. You are truly a blessing.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Meeting
Thursday night we had our meeting "Discover Adoption" at Bethany Chr. Services in Orange City. There were 4 other couples there. We enjoyed this opportunity to attened (it was rescheduled from an earlier date). Some info that was presented were things that we already knew, but there was also an opportunity to network with some people and ask any questions that we might have had (which was a lot).
Wednesday we have the first of our "Home Study" section of the journey. What is the Home Study? It is a series of 4 "interviews" we have:
1st: We both get interviewed by our social worker from Bethany.
2nd: Nate gets interviewed.
3rd: Mary Beth gets interviewed.
4th: Our social worker comes to our home to make sure that it is "fit for living" for a child.
The 2nd-4th meeting dates have not be set up yet.
We are also working on our "Profile" which is a scrapbook about us. It lets birthmothers "see" who we are. We include lots of different aspects of our lives in this book. There is a good chance YOU are going to be included in this book. We will make up a total of 3 books that we will give to Bethany. They will make them available at their 3 Iowa locations (Orange City, Council Bluffs, Mason City). This will increase our visibility for birthmothers.
That's all for now!
Prayer requests:
-Getting our Profile done so that it looks good and represents us well
-Writing our letter to a birthmother
-That the Lord will bless us with finances to continue to pursue adoption
-That our baby will be prepared for us and that the mother will be safe and healthy and smart within pregnancy.
Wednesday we have the first of our "Home Study" section of the journey. What is the Home Study? It is a series of 4 "interviews" we have:
1st: We both get interviewed by our social worker from Bethany.
2nd: Nate gets interviewed.
3rd: Mary Beth gets interviewed.
4th: Our social worker comes to our home to make sure that it is "fit for living" for a child.
The 2nd-4th meeting dates have not be set up yet.
We are also working on our "Profile" which is a scrapbook about us. It lets birthmothers "see" who we are. We include lots of different aspects of our lives in this book. There is a good chance YOU are going to be included in this book. We will make up a total of 3 books that we will give to Bethany. They will make them available at their 3 Iowa locations (Orange City, Council Bluffs, Mason City). This will increase our visibility for birthmothers.
That's all for now!
Prayer requests:
-Getting our Profile done so that it looks good and represents us well
-Writing our letter to a birthmother
-That the Lord will bless us with finances to continue to pursue adoption
-That our baby will be prepared for us and that the mother will be safe and healthy and smart within pregnancy.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Updates...
Its been a few days since the last post...here is what happened since...
On Monday we received news that the meeting hosted by Bethany Christian Services was postponed. We were pretty bummed out about that, but nothing we could do. We will try to attend at a later date.
This week we got all of our paper work turned in! Woohoo!! It took a good deal of determination to get some of it done, as it was pretty long. We made our medical appointments that we had to get done, and got them done. Mary Beth isn't a big fan of shots, thats for sure. But she was brave and its all taken care of now.
Friday, we went to Sioux City and did some shopping. We went to Hobby Lobby and got lots of scrapbooking materials for our Profiles that we submit to Bethany. That was fun to pick that out. We also went to Scheel's and found that awesome Cubs outfit (on clearance might I add). So we had to get it! There's a picture there for you to look at.
Next step is to wait for our interviews that Bethany will conduct. We are working on setting up meetings now.
One other item...
You may now subscribe to our blog so that when we update it, you will get a notice of it. I will try to figure out how to subscribe and put another post up here. Of if you can figure it out, just do it yourselves
Love you all...thanks for your prayers!
On Monday we received news that the meeting hosted by Bethany Christian Services was postponed. We were pretty bummed out about that, but nothing we could do. We will try to attend at a later date.
This week we got all of our paper work turned in! Woohoo!! It took a good deal of determination to get some of it done, as it was pretty long. We made our medical appointments that we had to get done, and got them done. Mary Beth isn't a big fan of shots, thats for sure. But she was brave and its all taken care of now.
Friday, we went to Sioux City and did some shopping. We went to Hobby Lobby and got lots of scrapbooking materials for our Profiles that we submit to Bethany. That was fun to pick that out. We also went to Scheel's and found that awesome Cubs outfit (on clearance might I add). So we had to get it! There's a picture there for you to look at.
Next step is to wait for our interviews that Bethany will conduct. We are working on setting up meetings now.
One other item...
You may now subscribe to our blog so that when we update it, you will get a notice of it. I will try to figure out how to subscribe and put another post up here. Of if you can figure it out, just do it yourselves
Love you all...thanks for your prayers!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Hey
Its Sunday night now. We had a great church service this morning. We had a guest minister who did a great job of making the service interesting. We heard about Jesus' earthly father, Joseph. Joseph was called by God to listen to him when he left Bethlehem and went to Egypt. Joseph was obedient and listened to what God asked him to do. He took care of the little baby we serve today. We feel we are being obedient to what God wants us to do in pursuing adoption!
There's today's thoughts from us.
Monday we will be attending a meeting put on by Bethany Chr. Services which speaks more about adoption. We anticipate good things from this.
Enjoy the week.
Nate and MB
There's today's thoughts from us.
Monday we will be attending a meeting put on by Bethany Chr. Services which speaks more about adoption. We anticipate good things from this.
Enjoy the week.
Nate and MB
good days and bad days
Through our journey we have had as the title says...good and bad days. A while back, before we found out we weren't going to be able to have children, I decided on the song I wanted played/sung at my child's baptism - "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris. The words are at the end of this post. Anyway, heard the song today and just started crying. Longing for that moment to hold a baby to call mine, wondering what that child will do some day, and leading them in the truth. Then, tonight I wanted to listen to a song by Mark Schultz, a favorite of mine, he wrote a song about adoption (he was adopted), "Everything to Me". What a great story about a birthmother giving life.
We have been busy attending adoption meetings, meeting others just beginning the process and those who are about to bring their child home. And those who have adopted in the past as well. It's been comforting being with others who are/have experienced what we are or will to come. We have a few medical hurdles to get through before we can submit our application, but the finish line for this stage is in sight. :)
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow
Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings
May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
Chorus:
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
Chorus
We have been busy attending adoption meetings, meeting others just beginning the process and those who are about to bring their child home. And those who have adopted in the past as well. It's been comforting being with others who are/have experienced what we are or will to come. We have a few medical hurdles to get through before we can submit our application, but the finish line for this stage is in sight. :)
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow
Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings
May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories
Chorus:
It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly
Chorus
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Our status today
As you now know, we are beginning the adoption process. Our current status is working on submitting all the necessary paperwork. Everything from references to our assets and debts, family, jobs, background checks, finger prints, HIV and drug screening, and a 9 page self-reflection survey.
We had been trying to conceive for two years and are now excited to grow our family through adoption! We are happy that our families are supportive of our decision and the excitement that they share with us.
We had been trying to conceive for two years and are now excited to grow our family through adoption! We are happy that our families are supportive of our decision and the excitement that they share with us.
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