Wednesday, February 1, 2012

adoption: an update for February 1st

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You probably already know that we are in the thick of the "paperchase" to adopt an infant from Ohio.

What for a while was a slow pace to take our time, to spread out the ages of our children a bit has turned into a full out sprint to this baby.

We decided two weekends ago that if this is the thing we are called to do right now, then we must move at full throttle to that end.

That and the fact that the adoption tax credit hasn't yet been extended past adoptions finalized in 2012, so we hope to be on the receiving end of at least a good chunk of that $12,600.

Finalizations occur 6 months after the placement of a child, so if you're following along and doing the math, you  may be wondering if we realize we're be hopefully getting a baby by the end of June.

Yup, we did the math too -- and we know that pretty much means we could be about 5 month "paper pregnant right now.

As I write this, I am nursing our 11 1/2 month old, carrying his tired, limp body to bed for the night. To a crib.

Yup, we realize that we will need two cribs. That our kids may be less than a year and a half apart. And yes, that this may be the hardest thing we've ever done. But at this point, we know what we know and there's no convincing us out of it.

To say we're thrilled and terrified would be an understatement. But we know what we know and what we know is that we are supposed to adopt, so we run, sprint, pant out of breath to that finish line that we pray comes by December 31, 2012.

And we know it may not. But we also know that if we don't make the cut off, and don't get the $12,600, the Lord has still got this and he will provide.

And you know what, we're really not stressing. Even apart from the government rebate (that would come in 2013, so we still have to come up with the $ upfront) and apart from the $5,000 Curtis' company will reimburse up as part of their adoption program, we are still looking at a larger-than-we-can-handle sum of money.

And although a whopping $25-30,000 total has the potential to scare any sane, budget-conscious family to flee - we, like so many other families we know, do just the opposite.

Although we have moments (many actually) of being scared, daunted and doubtful, we know, know, know that God's got this. He's not daunted by that sum. And better yet, He already knows (cuz He planned it) just how we'll pay this bill.

This is not too big for Him. And in our best moments we trust that.

So what's next?

We are trucking through the last check boxes in our over an inch-thick stack of paperwork. We are starting our home study, we are figuring out a finance plan.


To be honest, we're not sure how we're going to pay. We have some money saved from my working, we know ( or hope more like it) that we'll be getting $17,600 back next year from the government and Nestlé) but we still have to fill the gap and come up with that $ up front.

We're debating fundraising. We're compiling a list of grants. We're debating about asking for a loan, tapping into our home equity (what little we have), using a credit card. The bottom line is we will do anything to bring this baby home. we are even praying about asking folks for support. It takes a humility that just doesn't come naturally. Honestly, we don't know what to do, but what we do know is that it is just one of many opportunities to trust.

After all, it's not our money anyways. Last week, on our chalkboard in our kitchen Curtis wrote out this verse from 1 Chronicles 29:14

"But who am I, an what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you. And of your own hand have we given you."

It is all His. Every last penny. And whether friends, family or strangers give generously or we fill up a credit card limit for this baby, it's not our money. And while it's humbling, it takes the pressure off.

So we're not sure what we're going to do, how we're going to pay, but we do know lack of money will not be a deterrent to adopt. ever.

So, if you will, pray with us that we will obediently, humbly walk this road not in any confidence in ourselves, but in full confidence that He who called us will make a way.

And we look forward to sharing here exactly how that way will unfold.






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