Adoption Journey

A couple weekends ago we dropped Judson off at Matt's parents house and headed to Birmingham, AL to attend Lifeline Children's Services adoption conference.  Why did we go to this conference?    Because we are  ADOPTING  through Lifeline Children's Services!

We have just completed our home study to adopt a baby from here in the States and are at the point in the process where we WAIT.

We started the process last September.  Here is the timeline of our home study (for memory sake):

09/09/14 - Submitted Application to Lifeline Children's Services

09/15/14 - Phone Interview with Lifeline Social Worker

09/24/14 - Interview at Lifeline Office in Topeka

10/29/14 - Individual Interviews/Home Interview

11/01/14-12/03/14 - Paused Home Study Due to Foster Placement

12/03/14 - Last Interview-Profile Complete

02/06/15 - Home Study Finalized

We feel blessed and excited to be adopting through a agency that puts the Gospel in the center of all they do.

Lifeline's Mission (http://lifelinechild.org/christian-adoption-services/)

Lifeline Children’s Services exists to equip the body of Christ to manifest the Gospel to vulnerable children.

Our purpose is to provide a hope and a future through the Gospel for vulnerable children around the world by discipling, engaging and equipping the body of Christ towards adoption, foster care, orphan care and support.

Lifeline exists because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection made a way for those who would trust in Him as Savior and Lord to have everlasting Hope. He died so that we might live, as children of God. The reason our staff comes to work each day is for the Gospel of Christ to be made known in all nations.

We acknowledge that it’s not America, a nice home, a great education, three meals a day, adoption or even a family that is the hope for children. Christ is the hope and the future in our mission. It is by Him, to Him, and through Him we are able to accomplish the work set before us. We are grateful for the opportunity to love and serve birthmothers who are often in despair, children who cry out for the love of a family, and men and women who long for a child.

Matt and I were very excited to attend the conference for many reasons.  One of them being that we were getting a mini-trip together!  We actually extended our trip a few days so that we could spend some extra time together to focus on our relationship and even to soak in and process all that we learned.

We are thrilled at how Lifeline has come along side us in the adoption process to educate, equip, and support us. 

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

WE ARE OFF!

Our sweet little ride.

Chick-Fil-A is a big deal in Birmingham.  We had to get in on the action.

Mom Kaeb sent us a few updates on how Judson was doing.  As you can see he had a fun time at grandpa and grandmas.

Skyping little man.

Our conference was held at The Church of Brook Hills (David Platt's former church).  We got to attend church there on Sunday which was neat.

We had a wonderful little getaway together.  I could get away with this guy any day! :D

Here are a few takeaways from the adoption conference:

*There are many reasons to adopt, but the end goal is to advance the Kingdom of God!

*Comparison is the thief of joy.  Remember God's sovereignty in YOUR family's adoption story.  God is in every detail.  No one's adoption story will look the same.

*To have not only compassion for the birthmother but also a desire for her to know Christ's redeeming power through the Gospel.

*That a birthmother deserves honor for making this selfless adoption plan for her baby.

What does the timeframe look like for us to be matched with a baby?  WE HAVE NO IDEA!  Like I said earlier, we are at the point in the process where we WAIT.  While the waiting will not be easy-peasy, we have peace because God knows every detail of our adoption journey.

REST IN HIM!

Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."