The Beginning/In Response to the Paper...

     It was just over a week ago that our story was published in the ABQ Journal. Not exactly how we expected to go public with the fact that we are adopting, but believing that our God is sovereign, we are excited for how He is going to use this! Everyone has been so positive, loving, generous and supportive! Even though the adoption process is expected to be very challenging and long, we know it will be much easier in light of our great support system and gracious Savior. 
   

Here are a few ways that God is already providing of our future family...

1. An Attorney has offered to donate all the legal services that adoptions require (court dates, paperwork, finalization, etc.) [estimated value is $2000-3000 - Wow!]

2. Friends, family & strangers have donated money to the bank account set up for us. So far, we have over $2,000! 

3. Dan Rosecrans interviewed us on the radio [730AM] last week, spreading our story.

4. Our 12 year old friend donated his money (mostly coins), that he was saving for a new video game, towards our adoption... he wants us to "get an asian baby".  

5. Bryan (from Bryan's Photography) has offered to photograph us in a family session when the time comes to bring a little baby home. 


    And those are just the things we know about so far!! While we are not expecting tons of monetary donations, we are anticipating our God to do great things!!!

     For the past 4 years (3 married), Jacob and I have been planning to adopt. Yes, the long term effects of Jacob's health/treatments also led us to that decision. However, we decided that we would pursue adoption even if God decided to bless us with the miracle of conception. As an adopted child (South Korea), I understood the importance of it and the great love and sacrifice that was involved - from both parties involved. We grew up with many friends, whose families had been built through adoption. It is something precious to us, and not a "last resort" or "second choice". Our Heavenly Father chose us, loved us and adopted us as His sons and daughters. We didn't (& couldn't) do anything to deserve such grace. Jacob & I love the idea that our family can proclaim the hope of the Gospel to a lonely, insecure, broken world. We are very excited to adopt, to rescue some little baby, to love our son/daughter and teach them about Jesus.
   
    We've shared these thoughts and plans of course with our immediate family and close friends... But now that thousands of strangers know our story, it feels very real! We are in the process of starting our home study. This includes, but is not limited to, background checks, fingerprinting, copies of EVERYTHING, proof of various insurances, questionnaires, general health medical release forms, financial asset list, individual & couple interviews, etc!!!! The average time for the home study process is about 3 months. However the agency completed one in as little as 2 weeks one time! Hopefully we will have more notice than that... lol. We are working with All Ages Adoptions Plus, a local Christian agency that several of our friends have adopted children through. 


    Initially, our hearts really felt led to return to Korea and adopt a little boy from there as our first baby. However, they have very strict physical requirements for adopting parents including specific BMI & Cancer Free status for 5 yrs of more. Since J has only been in remission for 21 months, they won't even consider us as potential applicants. That was heartbreaking, but we trusted that God has a greater plan & we are trying to rest in that. He gave us great peace about starting with a domestic adoption, with hopes of going to Korea for #2 in a few more years, Lord willing. Local NM adoptions are averaging 1-2 years right now (the slowness is due to the liberal NM Abortion laws).

  So, that's where we are at. I will try to post updates as often as possible. Know that we are grateful for your prayers, encouragement and support. We could not do this without you! Thank you all for loving us. To God be the glory!