Its official, we have selected another agency with which to pursue domestic infant adoption! This past week we completed the mandatory 8 hour orientation and brought home our new mound of paperwork. There are still some residual stings of starting over and lingering fears of being rejected again during the interview process. For now, we are enthused to be on our way again.
This agency has a slightly different process to the same end. Paperwork, including a draft of our family profile photobook, must be complete before the series of four homestudy interviews begin. The paperwork and interviews would have been done in parallel with the first agency. Two books are required, one of which we've already read (score!). Some of the legwork we already completed will transfer over, such as the physicals, but will expire after 6 months. We'll have to repeat them if we are not certified by that time.
The orientation itself was very inviting and we felt at home right away. There were about 10 couples attending, and three were returning for second adoptions, which we took as a good sign. After opening in prayer, we were walked through the paperwork and were introduced to many aspects of domestic infant adoption through presentations and videos. A lot of the concepts we've already been exposed to through our research and the other books we've read and classes we've attended, but it was helpful to see the attitude of this new agency reflected in their presentation. Many outstanding questions were answered and we got acquainted with some of the other adopting couples. This agency claims to be very grace filled and the Q&A session reflected their advertised attitude of education and working together. We have no way of predicting how they will respond to us as we move forward, but at this time we do feel welcomed and not pre-judged, which is very refreshing.
Please continue to pray for God's clear hand in this journey as we move forward. Of course we will also be praying for a smooth, efficient process and a short wait time before we get to meet the first new member of our family.
Good Luck with Everything! :)
ReplyDeleteLove. I'm so glad to hear it went smoothly! I miss you lots!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you guys ;)
ReplyDeleteSo glad that things are better with this agency! We pray all the time for this process and for your future little one. You are so amazing with CJ, and I just know you are going to be fabulous parents! We love you guys!
ReplyDeleteUncle Mike and I continue you to lift you up in prayer continually. We trust in the Lord and are praying HIS will is for the Bristol family to be blessed this year in regards to an addition to your family. We too, are encouraged that YOU are encouraged and hopeful. Returning families for second adoptions speaks volumes!! May we be rejoicing with you both soon. We love you both and look forward to loving a "little" too.
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