Home studies: they're nothing like the movies

At five til ten on the morning of October 28^th I anxiously paced the house and kept peeking out the window curtain every few minutes.  The doorbell rang, our case worker was here.  To my surprise, in walked a bright-eyed sweet young girl about our age.  From there she proceeded to “interview” Luke and I.  In reality, it felt nothing like an interview, but more like catching up with an old friend on everything from why our family chose to adopt, why Ethiopia, our marriage and of course parenting.

I look back and laugh at how worried I was about the home study.  I meticulously cleaned the house and we baby-proofed to the best of our ability.  She quickly skimmed the house and gave us a few instructions on things to fix before she returned the following day.  Prior to our home study, we had several adoptive moms and dads tell us not to worry about a thing and that the agency was on our side, but I guess I had to experience it myself.

 

It got me thinking about how I so easily define my experiences by what the world says they are supposed to look like.  When I catch myself playing this comparison game or telling myself lies about what the world can offer me, I need to, through His spirit, remind myself that Jesus is better.  Because of this truth, I am filled with an unmovable peace and an eternal perspective.  “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:2

 

So you’re probably wondering why the title Jen?  Well let me explain…

The only home study comparisons I had were those from the movies in which a crotchety old woman grills you to death and is out to get you.  Anyone familiar with this description I’m playing out?  Just like most things in life, the movies inaccurately portray everyday life.  Luke and I felt an instant bond with our case worker that went way beyond our paperwork, an eternal one.  Our God handpicked her to walk alongside of us.  I am consumed by the sovereignty of our Lord.  Sovereignty can be defined as “one possessing or held to possess supreme power or one who exercises supreme authority.”  When we confess with our lips He is a sovereign God, we can apply that to the big things in our world like the daily rising of the sun, to life’s details, like the countless steps and papers that fill our adoption journey.  He is King of it all.  I’m sure days will go by where I am walking in this truth wholeheartedly while we wait, and others where the ways of the world get me down and I need to be reminded of the freedom in these truths.

 

We are pleased to have the home study complete, as this is a big hurdle to cross in the adoption process and we will now send in our 1-600 to be approved by the United States government to adopt and allow the child to enter the US.  Then, we will continue with more and paperwork to complete our dossier which is sent to Ethiopia for translation and approval.  Then…the true wait begins.  It varies, but the average length of time we will be waiting is about a year before we receive a referral of our child.  We ask for your prayers that we can wait well.

 

One last thing I want to encourage you with is this:
If you or your family have ever felt that you may be called to adopt, but didn’t think you could either because of financial reasons or because you didn’t think your home was adequately equipped, we would love to share more with you.  We have been in utter awe of God’s provision and faithfulness to us through the whole process.  We thank you for your shared joy, love, and prayers.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  All our love.

 

 

Jen & Luke