The last few weeks have been full of anticipation as we’ve wrapped up a few loose ends of the foster/adopt licensing process. We had to have physicals and TB tests done. We needed to make copies of our car insurance. Just little things like that, which I never even thought might be part of the process. Turns out, I’ve learned a lot these last few years!
Our social worker, Alexa, mentioned she was hoping to have our foster/adopt home study completed by the end of January so we’d be ready for placement beginning in February, but we actually heard from her last Tuesday. We also heard from our attorney, Andrew, on Monday. It was definitely an interesting week!
Last Monday, Andrew called Cliff to let him know that he had word of a newborn in Bellingham that would need a placement. He was calling to confirm we were interested. Of course we were! Andrew is an amazing attorney, an adoptive dad, a man who loves Jesus, and is a HUGE blessing to us. After three hours of waiting to see what was decided, Andrew called to tell us that the birth mom had chosen a couple she found online before the social worker arrived to share our profile. (Our profile is a brochure explaining who we are and why we are in the adoption process.) We were disappointed to be sure.
Then on Tuesday, Cliff got an email from Alexa, our foster/adopt social worker, about a possible placement of a toddler. We were interested, but there were some details we were unsure about. After discussing the possibility with Alexa and giving her a chance to read the child’s report, she recommended we not pursue the toddler placement. That was a disappointment, because we thought we had a possible placement.
It was definitely a week of ups and downs. There have been many of those for us in this process. Over the almost two years we’ve officially been in the adoption process and in the four years since we started trying to get pregnant, we’ve experienced a great deal of grief and loss. Certainly we’ve had joyful moments of unity, but also moments of disappointment and discouragement.
The only comfort we have is found in Jesus and knowing that he has a plan for us and that he is working all of this together according to his purpose. We have days in which we’re discouraged, but I’m thankful I have a husband, family, and friends who pray for me, love me well, and encourage us to stay focused on what God has called us to. We do believe that we are called to this. Otherwise, I’m not sure how we could possibly move forward.
I got a text from a dear friend last week amidst the ups and downs of the week, encouraging me to read Psalm 16. These verses were a great comfort and reminder to me.
Psalm 16: 1-2, 8-11
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We’re praying for:
Would you join us in praying?
