Adoption makes 3

One of the things that Ian and I have always dreamed of is adopting a child. The trick has always been trying to figure out the time. Well, we are pleased to announce that we are officially in the process. It all began with one of my volunteers on UpStreet telling me about he and his wife's journey through DFCS (department of family and children services). He told us that they were hoping to adopt with very little to no out of pocket expense. Three weeks ago, we began an exploratory class that teaches you all of the ins and outs and the lingo and legalities of adopting. 

At our second class we heard of a bi-racial baby being born in Florida due in January. What a cool possibility! Although we know this baby is a long shot, we are putting together our profile (which I'm taking a break from writing right now as I blog :-)) and sending it in. 

In the meantime we have been pursuing the DFCS route as well. We finished up our initial training into the foster care system last Saturday and we are all set for our criminal background checks. We have 20 hours of pre-service training to complete and then a home study before we are approved. Our hope it so bring a child under the age of 3 into our home whose parental rights are severed or are nearly severed. 

Today a friend of our family told me "Since you have 2 children of your own, it would be great to offer a home to another child who needs one." That sums it up very well. I don't know how long this will take and what all is in store, but I'm encouraged to know that He will be with us on the journey. After all, He loves adoption. That's what we he did for us. 

Someone just twittered a cool quote that I think is so fitting for adoption because let's face it, there are lots of unknowns and scary what ifs. The quote says " Achieving God-sized visions always invloves taking God-sized risks." Perry Noble 

The timing is surely not perfect, but I don't know if the timing will ever be perfect. The neat thing is that this dream that we have been thinking of for many years is now upon us and we are taking a God-sized risk for sure! 

Pray for us as we continue this pursuit and pray for our number 3 either yet to be born or out there somewhere. Pray that God would prepare their heart and protect them until he connects us as a family.