Many of you have been asking for an update about how our adoption journey is going. Yesterday, I realized that I hadn’t posted an update since last July.
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We are still in process. For the newer readers, Michael and I are adopting a sibling group (not sure how many, but could be upward of 4 children appropriately 8 years old or younger) from the foster care system, we do not know the children we are adopting.
Right now, we are being held up by our living arrangement. When we moved here (to Louisville), we weren’t sure if we wanted to continue adopting right away, since we would be moving out of state, moving away from family, adjusting to me working outside of the home, as well as Michael starting seminary.
Well, right away, we felt God nudging us to continue. So, last fall we did all of our training and have been waiting for our lease to end so that we can move to a larger house (we are only in a one bedroom right now).
However, our lease has ended, and months have passed and we have yet to find a new place to live.
We are still looking for a place to live. However, we are also considering the option of buying instead of renting, since we are planning on being here a while for school. So, we might not be moving until late October.
We are still praying that God would lead us to a house, quickly, and bring our children home to us. However, we are feeling peace in that we might not have a placement until near the end of the year, or maybe even early next year.
This is not what we thought would happen, however we have found that our plans are not always in alignment with the Lord’s. So, we are continuing to trust Him as we seek to be parents and raise children that would serve Him.
Here’s how you can pray for us right now:
- Pray that we would find time for each other, even though this current season we are in (both of us working outside of the home) is quite stressful. Pray that God would give us adequate rest and relaxation so that we do not get burnt out.
- Pray that I would not grow weary emotionally as I continue to wait and seek to be content in where God has me right now, there are still days when I struggle in all this waiting.
- Pray that the Lord would lead Michael and I clearly as we are seeking a new place to live, and whether we should rent or buy.
- Pray that the Lord will grant us wisdom, when the time comes, to know whether or not a potential placement is a good fit.
All of you, my friends and readers, have been such an encouragement to me through this whole process (which has now lasted for over 5 years total, including our infertility, and over 3 years specifically in pursuit of adoption which has included one failed adoption and one ended process without a placement).
Through this whole process, although difficult, God has taught me {and continues to teach me} that He is my Rock, my Strength, my Portion, and the only place where I find my ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment.
Oh Ashley! I can’t even imagine. I would be so weary.
Praying for you this morning.
((hugs))
Oh, it sounds like you all have been through so much, and I know it can be hard to fight burnout when everyone’s working outside. Praying for you!
Believe it or not, the prayer points you requested is the same issue and feelings most mothers struggle with almost weekly. The Lord is preparing you for your next season as he grants you the desire of your heart.
[...] What a great training ground as I am preparing my heart to welcome children into our home, as well as returning home full time once we get a placement! [...]
[...] We weren’t expected to move right now, but obviously those were only our plans, not God’s plans. We will be moving in to our new home over the next two weeks. Then we are hoping to get our license finalized in September to adopt! [...]
Wonderful news! So happy to read that God is moving things along for you!
[...] We are moving next Monday! Moving was all that we were waiting on to be able to move forward in our adoption process. Therefore, now that we are moving we are ready to continuing [...]
[...] It’s the next step to bring home our children! [...]
I pray that God give you the children you are so longing for and that He will give you the strength necessary for His awesome plans for you.
Proverbs 16:3
[...] mean, I’ve never been a parent before, and here I am taking responsibility for up to four children. It is [...]
[...] used to get this question a lot when people heard that we were adopting a sibling group from the foster care [...]
[...] you’ve read this blog for very long at all, you know that Michael and I have had a difficult journey to parenthood, and we aren’t there [...]
I just wanted to stop by and encourage you on your adoption journey. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is SOOOO worth it. It is hard and it is long, but adoption matters and it can be a beautiful thing. Five of our kids are adopted and though it was a long road at times and sometimes, we couldn’t see God’s timing, He had it all planned and had exactly the right kids planned for our family. All the best to you on the road to your kids!
You are so right that adoption is not for the faint of heart!!! Thanks for stopping by and encouraging!