Paperwork and Progress!!!

This week we have been diligently working through paperwork and getting everything checked off of our check lists so we can complete our home study.  Here is what we've done in the last week:

1.  We have completed our physicals at the doc (should get tests results back today).  Mark's parents have to complete this as well.  PRAYER NEED: Pray that all our physicals would come back good and there would be no hold up or delay with them...and that our insurance will cover the tests that are required on these physicals.  Some of them like the TB test and the HIV tests aren't usually covered through routine visits.  But...we're believing they will be!!

2.  We have filled out our CA/N reports (child abuse and neglect forms) for each state we've lived in since we were 18 years old. Mark's parents had to do this as well.  Between the 4 of us there are 5 states that we had to send CA/N forms to.  We were told it could take anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months to get these back..YIKES!! PRAYER NEED: Please pray that these would NOT take very long to get back.  We are believing that it will only take the minimum of 6 weeks!! We'll keep you posted!!

3. We have our first home study visit this coming Tuesday.  Honestly...doing the home study visits were our favorite thing to do last time.  We really look forward to this portion of it.

4.  We've noticed this last week that as we are going through this process that it is causing Sadie to think a lot about her being adopted and exactly what all that means.  While we have been very open with her about it...she is just beginning to really understand it.  PRAYER NEED: Pray that God gives us wisdom to help her with her questions that she has regarding it....and that He helps her process it in her 7 year old mind.  We have begun to read the book "The Connected Child" - it is required reading for the adoption process.  (For all you adoptive parents out there...this is a wonderful book!! I totally recommend it!!) This is wonderful timing for us to read this because it is helping us help Sadie through this process!! Thanks for your continued prayers as we walk her through this discovery process.

5.  We have a PRAISE report!!! Yes...stepping out in adoption is definitely a step of faith...especially financially.  But we just had to give God glory for his provision over the last week. We currently have $2600 due this week for the beginning of our home study.  God's timing is so perfect!! Just this week, we received a $500 check in the mail from a family in Birmingham, we counted up all our change and had over $60 worth of change, AND through our bracelet sales so far...we have raised over $350 toward our costs! (Thank you to ALL of you for helping with our bracelet fund raiser!! We still have more and would love to sell more!!) With that said...God has helped us raise over $900 in a week to go toward our $2600!!! That is HUGE!!!   THANK YOU ALL for praying and for your support!!! PRAYER NEED: Please continue to pray for God's provision each step of the way!! We KNOW HE will provide!! He owns it all anyway!!

This has already gotten longer than I planned!! I just wanted to give you all an update for this week!! Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you all again for your prayers of love and support! They mean SO MUCH to us!! Love you guys!! We'll keep you posted on whats going on!! Blessings!
Mark & Buffi