The ending to the next beginning

We are one home study away from beginning the next big steps in our adoption journey.

Our final home study will be this Friday from 2-4.  After the home study is officially APPROVED by the China team, we start filing our 1800-A (USCIS-United States Custom and Immigration Services), which is approval from the United States government for us to adopt.  So, begins a mass amount of paperwork and more waiting .

One set back is that somehow our set of fingerprints to be sent to Pierre, got lost?    Just a little delay and another trip to the police department to re do our fingerprints, but it could always be worse for sure.  

Our home study last week was a bit heart wrenching as we had to go through our special needs forms, which have a check list of special needs/conditions that many of the children in waiting are dealing with.  You are asked to make a yes/no/willing to discuss answer on each need.  It's extremely tough and words cannot really explain how you answer.   All we know and trust is that God has already chosen this little boy for our family and is preparing us for what is to be.   We know that we will love our child unconditionally and that sums it up.  

We are filled with praise that our first bill for our home study has been PAID in full.   We are praying for continued saving and fundraiser support for our next set of expenses to come.

Currently, I have been making connections through adoption blogs and support groups.  It's amazing to connect with those currently in the journey and those who have gone.  Seeing the waiting children  now in their forever homes is amazing.
We also know that everything may not be filled with bliss, but we have peace knowing that there are so many support groups out there who share their openness throughout their journey.

Thank you for reading along......stay tuned.  (:

Coffee house chat

Sometimes, the best conversations happen spontaneously at a coffee shop.  I've been really struggling with this whole fundraising thing.  I'm even embarrassed to be writing this, but I'm being honest.

   Last week, I was sitting alone having my daily brew.  A guy (from my church) approached me and asked about our adoption journey.  I answered briefly and then figured he needed to get going as he is a busy person.  He stayed around and wanted to talk and listen and encourage.  For what I assumed to be a quick walk by hello, turned into a 20 minute genuine conversation with someone who was there at that time, saying just what I needed to hear.   I felt like God has placed him there at that exact moment, because He knew I needed someone there.

I was able to express my struggles in regards to asking for support throughout our adoption journey, and his words gave me a new hope and a new perspective.   I'm thankful for that person, that day, at that exact moment when I needed someone.

......stayed tuned.  

One down, 3 to go.

We had our first of 4 home study visits yesterday.   The kids were prepped for their interviews ( we just wanted to remind them of their undeniable love for each other and how they always get along LOL), the house was clean, the brownies were fresh out of the oven.   When the social worker pulled into the drive way,  there was the subtle spoken words of "She's here! She's here!"  

Once we settled into our chairs, the discussion began with just Les and I first.  The questions mainly consisted of how we work as a family, how we discipline, how we were raised, our moral compass,  relationships with members in our family,  how we met, and more.   We had previously filled out a long questionnaire, and we basically spent that time, going over in more detail what we had checked on our forms.   And then she said:   It's the kids turn.    Les and I had to leave the room, and just wait patiently for their time to be over.  Curiousity of what they were saying was driving me crazy.   Les was just chilling out, as I was pacing the floor.  

After 2 hours of answering questions, this first visit was over.  We scheduled the rest of our visits, of which will happen every week.  April 17th, 25th, and May 1st.

Once our visits are complete, it will take about a month for the social worker to put our official home study paperwork together.  It will then be sent to the China Team for their approval.  We are hopeful that by the end of May, we will have our APPROVAL.  That means that we can then really start moving forward by filling out our 1-800-A form (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).  This is approval from the U.S. government for us to adopt internationally and then we'll start filling out our dossier paperwork (legal documents needed to adopt internationally).

Prayer requests:   Pray for this little child in China whom we want to be at home with us.
Pray for each step in our process.  There are SO MANY, and we've only just barely begun.
Pray for fundraising.  This is personally MY biggest struggle.  

Stay tuned.

(:    

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed."

This promise encourages me today.    God meets our deepest needs and is faithful in all circumstances and I am learning daily to trust in this.     I admit, it's not easy sometimes, especially as I place doubts ahead of my faith in some specific areas of this journey.  

I had found a little note written on a yellow piece of paper tucked inside my Bible and it said:
When our hearts are rested and mind is of Christ, think of the encouragement we can give out.  When praise is in us, it will flow out of us and many lives can be changed.  An encouraging word can renew our minds.

To fulfill God's purpose and will in our lives, we need the content and substance of His Word in our hearts and minds.

I knew I needed to hear this today.  I've been too busy worrying and not letting my heart and mind be rested in the promises of God's love.   Psalm 59:10 says:  "My God is changeless in His love for me."

We have our home study on Monday from 2-4.  We are all very much looking forward to this.  It means we are moving along in our process and that feels AMAZING.  Continue to pray for our journey and the fundraising.  God is good all the time, and all the time, God IS GOOD.

Sharing of heart. Part 1

In 2000, my husband and I had heard of these twin 10 month old girls from Haiti (Isabella and Grace), who were  waiting for a forever family.  A missionary who was there at the time, had heard of us through a fellow preschool teacher of whom I worked with at that time.  When Les and I saw the picture of these twin girls, we both fell in love immediately.  Although, it wasn't meant for us to be their parents, it did create a desire in us to adopt.

As is was meant to be, our journey took us elsewhere and in 2001, God's plan unfolded in an extraordinary way and we received our son after 7 long years of infertility.  Looking back, we could not imagine it any other way.

Our hearts were set in motion again years ago.   We had talked about international adoption off and on for many years.    We always hoped for three children.  We have said, and still say today, that someone is missing.  Years go by, businesses get established, and day to day living keeps you busy.   Many times, you pause and think about that third child and wonder when and if it will come to be, or not.  Another year passes by.   

About two years ago, we decided to go and talk with an adoption agency.  Once our kids learned of our desire to adopt from another country, they got excited and started asking questions.   After our meeting with the agency, we talked on our way home and agreed we both thought that China would be where we would adopt from.  We were comfortable with our decision at that time; however, it seemed like our conversations became more seldom and the timing didn't seem to fit with what we had going on in our lives at that time.

I started  to wonder if we'd ever have that third child we so wanted and hoped for.  Maybe our family was complete as is.   As hard as I tried to let my mind deal with regular daily routines, my heart was still longing.   

I also got scared when I learned of how much it would cost to adopt internationally.   It truly stopped me in my tracks and made me doubt.    How in the world could it be possible to raise over $30,000.  It seeemed impossible and then.....

Some friends of ours had recently brought home their daughter from China.  I had followed their blog/journey from the beginning and shared in their joy when their daughter was home.  My heart tugged even harder.  I talked to my husband more during that time, and we started opening up more about pursuing adoption to China.   Our kids were talking about it more and asking when are we going to bring home our brother/sister from China.  

   

With the support of our entire family,  encouragement from friends, we are moving forward and trusting our entire journey to GOD.    It takes many hearts to complete this journey and God knows the desires of our hearts and He loves to make His plans known in ways that surprise us.  I love that.  

Stay tuned.  

Our GO FUND ME campaign and some NEW NEWS!!!

 UPDATE!
The paperwork has left my hands and is at the post office! EXCITING!!!

 Also wanted to make sure you all had the link to our GO FUND ME campaign. Any little bit helps friends! Thanks so so much!

GOD BLESS!
-The Rowlands


CHECK IT OUT! ---------->

http://www.gofundme.com/rowlandsadopt 

The 5 for FIVE challenge

People who know me, know of my heart to help others.  It's never a question for me to give to others, period.
  On the other side, one of the most difficult challenges I am facing during our adoption process, is asking for financial support to bring home our son/brother.  I feel more comfortable being on the other end.
I've been constantly thinking about creative ways to get people wanting to support with little investment but BIG results.
We have decided to post on our Go Fund Me campaign the amounts needed at that time in our process.   Currently, our home study cost is $3000.00

I came up with this 5 for FIVE challenge.  

Here's what I am hoping happens.

We are asking that people who want to donate, can give $5 and then SHARE our story/blog/go fund me campaign with 5 of their family/friends.  If those family/friends can SHARE IT FORWARD, then think of how fast those $5 contributions will add up!  

My ultimate goal and hope would be that we can raise above and beyond what our family needs and give the rest to another family in their adoption process!   That would be amazing and it is so possible.  

Thank you in advance and please:

SHARE IT FORWARD

-The Rowland Family (soon to be 5).