Climbing the mountain... of paperwork that is :)

Well as many of you already know, Will and I have decided to begin the adoption process. We have tried to conceive for one year with no success, and one half of a year on fertility drugs with little success. We did conceive in December of last year, but unfortunately we were not able to maintain the pregnancy and lost the pregnancy the day before Christmas. We were both devastated, however, God gave both of us such a peace through those rough days.

My personal journey has at times been like riding a roller coaster. There have been moments at the very top only to find myself back at the bottom again. I have tried my best not to let having a child consume me, but it is so much easier said than done. I never in a million years could have ever imagined that I would have difficulty carrying a child. However, every month brings more disappointment. I have had my tubes flushed, which by the way was not that pleasant, and experienced the "joys" of Chlo-mid (fertility drug); the night sweats, restless leg syndrome, and mood swings like never before. There have also been many other unpleasant side effects, but I will not go into detail.  Will has been a saint! I am talking about my journey, but I assure you that he has suffered too. He has had to put up with me!! I love him, and I thank God he picked me. Needless to say a year and a half sounds like such a short time to many people, but when you are living it, well it is a completely different story.

We prayerfully decided to begin the adoption process in March 2011. We are currently working on the enormous amount of paperwork required to begin our home study. The home study involves our social worker coming to our home where we will discuss in more detail about the adoption process, multi-racial adoptions, and for her to ensure we are suitable candidates. We are going through Volunteers of America locally and are really loving their program and attention to detail. We will be listed as first available as far as race is concerned. This means that we could be adopting a baby with brown, yellow, black, or white skin. We are so excited and wait with anticipation for the blessing God has picked to be our precious child.

We wanted to share this with you in order for you to be directly involved with this process. We have a few prayer requests that we would ask you to consider committing to praying with us about.

• First for Will and I. Our struggle to conceive has been difficult and has caused frustration with the situation, each other, and at times God. We ask that you would pray that we would continue to seek Christ and trust in His faithfulness.  Please pray that His mercy would be new every morning.
• Second, for the adoption process. Prayer for a smooth transition through the large amount of paperwork and into the home study.
• Thirdly, for our gift. Please pray for protection for the birth mother and baby; health, living situation, and comfort for the birth mother with this very difficult decision she will be making. Be in prayer for an immediate and unquenchable love and connection with our child the moment we meet.
• Fourth for child care. I know I am getting a little ahead of myself here, but it can't hurt to get started on this early :) We are praying that God would allow for our child not to have to attend daycare. Please be in prayer that God would prepare a way for this to occur. 
• Fifth for fund raising ideas. The fee to adopt begins at $15,000 and is on a sliding scale based on your income. We will likely fall in the $18,000-$21,000 range. This being said, we are game for any ideas you may have!
• Sixth and final. Prayer for support and love for our child regardless of color. We strongly believe that God sees no distinction in color as far as love is concerned. Will and I have the same belief and ask for your support and prayers .

We are so excited and nervous to begin this new chapter in our lives together. We are stepping out in faith, waiting with expectation for our blessing.  Thank you for your continued love and support! I will keep you all posted on our progress.

I want to leave you with a quick video of another couple who adopted domestically. It makes our hearts swell with anticipation! Until next time :)

Will and Charity