How Is the Adoption Going?
Nathan and I get this question fairly regularly, so I thought I'd write an updated post. We are actually still in the early pre-adoption stage, as we have not yet even applied to an agency to begin our home study. Currently we are working on saving and raising money. Just a heads up, some fundraising will begin this summer including a garage sale (which anyone in close proximity is welcome to donate items towards), an online private auction, among other small things here and there. More will come on those later.
Something to pray about is our finances. I have been told that the U.S. government looks at our amazing work benefits (housing and more) as strictly benefits and doesn't take that into consideration when looking at our annual income. So, our annual income looks somewhat low for a family of going on 6. I of course think this is utterly ridiculous and unfair, but "the world is not fair, honey," and I'm sure there will be many other situations come up throughout this journey in which I have a similar reaction. There are some things we can do with assets to help this situation, but your prayers in this area would be greatly appreciated. In the fall we will have our adoption agency look over our income and finances to make sure that we can in fact go through with this adoption.
And besides that, of course I have been...reading!
Here's a list of the books I have read since January. Maybe you'll see something that would interest you as well. Just a plug for our amazing library at Heartland Christian College (for those in the area), there is a great selection of books available. We are always expanding our library and purchasing new books, so if you have a book you would like to read that is not currently in the library but would fit in a Bible college library, you can make a request to the Librarian, and most likely she'll be able to purchase it for the library. And now, on to the books!
Adoption/Parenting Books:
The Complete Adoption Book, Laura Beauvis-Godwin - A book of details such as types of adoption, home study, paperwork, child adjustment, etc.
The Complete Book of International Adoption, Dawn Davenport - some similarities as book above, but goes into more details such as choosing a country, choosing an agency, and issues to work through with internationally adopted children
Called to Adoption, Mardie Caldwell - I got this free from Amazon Kindle. Easy read. It has some practical aspects of adoption, but focusing on hearing and being led by God in your adoption
Orphanology, Tony Merida and Rick Morton - A call to families and churches to recognize that we all are orphans that have been adopted by God, and a call to action for each person and church to become involved in orphan ministry in some way. This book points out repeatedly the call that we have in the Bible to take care of the orphans and widows
Parenting in the Pew, Robbie Castleman - A book about training your children how to love God and how to worship Him
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, Sherrie Eldridge - This was actually a tough book to read because many parents of adopted children or parents-to-be don't want to think about these issues that may arise with their children. It was a huge eye opener for me, especially about how important communication is with your child, specifically concerning their adoption
Historical Fiction Books:
Acts of Faith Trilogy, Janette Oke and Davis Bunn - Set in the time just after Jesus' death. The first book begins just a few days after his ascension to heaven, and the last book ends at Paul's conversion.
An American Family Portrait Series, Jack Cavanaugh - There are actually 8 books in this series, but I had previously read the first four. This series goes through several generations of the Morgan family. Through the wars and trials in each book, it shows how each generation comes to find a faith they can call their own. I absolutely love this series!
The Pioneers - setting is towards the end of the pioneer movement west
The Allies - WWI
The Victors - WWII
The Peacemakers - Vietnam War
Books Currently Reading:
Adopted For Life, Russell Moore - This book begins with our adoption as Christians and goes more in-depth than Orphanology. The rest of the book is more focused for those considering adoption. It includes practical things each family should think about, and points to the Word of God and our call as Christians with each practical step.
The Connected Child, Karyn Purvis, David Cross and Wendy Lyons Sunshine - I have just started reading this, and though I probably won't agree with everything, these phycologists have some helpful tips for working with challenges that may arise in parenting, especially with adopted or troubled children. They focus on not using medicine to solve problems, but finding out the route of the issue, and working from there.
What's So Spiritual About Your Gifts, Henry and Mel Blackaby - I haven't actually started reading this book yet. The HCC faculty and staff are reading it as our yearly group reading that we do in the spring. The back of the book says, "Surprises are in store when we explore biblically what spiritual gifts really are, how they fit with out natural strengths and talents, and how they match our calling and assignments from God.
Something to pray about is our finances. I have been told that the U.S. government looks at our amazing work benefits (housing and more) as strictly benefits and doesn't take that into consideration when looking at our annual income. So, our annual income looks somewhat low for a family of going on 6. I of course think this is utterly ridiculous and unfair, but "the world is not fair, honey," and I'm sure there will be many other situations come up throughout this journey in which I have a similar reaction. There are some things we can do with assets to help this situation, but your prayers in this area would be greatly appreciated. In the fall we will have our adoption agency look over our income and finances to make sure that we can in fact go through with this adoption.
And besides that, of course I have been...reading!
Here's a list of the books I have read since January. Maybe you'll see something that would interest you as well. Just a plug for our amazing library at Heartland Christian College (for those in the area), there is a great selection of books available. We are always expanding our library and purchasing new books, so if you have a book you would like to read that is not currently in the library but would fit in a Bible college library, you can make a request to the Librarian, and most likely she'll be able to purchase it for the library. And now, on to the books!
Adoption/Parenting Books:
The Complete Adoption Book, Laura Beauvis-Godwin - A book of details such as types of adoption, home study, paperwork, child adjustment, etc.
The Complete Book of International Adoption, Dawn Davenport - some similarities as book above, but goes into more details such as choosing a country, choosing an agency, and issues to work through with internationally adopted children
Called to Adoption, Mardie Caldwell - I got this free from Amazon Kindle. Easy read. It has some practical aspects of adoption, but focusing on hearing and being led by God in your adoption
Orphanology, Tony Merida and Rick Morton - A call to families and churches to recognize that we all are orphans that have been adopted by God, and a call to action for each person and church to become involved in orphan ministry in some way. This book points out repeatedly the call that we have in the Bible to take care of the orphans and widows
Parenting in the Pew, Robbie Castleman - A book about training your children how to love God and how to worship Him
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, Sherrie Eldridge - This was actually a tough book to read because many parents of adopted children or parents-to-be don't want to think about these issues that may arise with their children. It was a huge eye opener for me, especially about how important communication is with your child, specifically concerning their adoption
Historical Fiction Books:
Acts of Faith Trilogy, Janette Oke and Davis Bunn - Set in the time just after Jesus' death. The first book begins just a few days after his ascension to heaven, and the last book ends at Paul's conversion.
An American Family Portrait Series, Jack Cavanaugh - There are actually 8 books in this series, but I had previously read the first four. This series goes through several generations of the Morgan family. Through the wars and trials in each book, it shows how each generation comes to find a faith they can call their own. I absolutely love this series!
The Pioneers - setting is towards the end of the pioneer movement west
The Allies - WWI
The Victors - WWII
The Peacemakers - Vietnam War
Books Currently Reading:
Adopted For Life, Russell Moore - This book begins with our adoption as Christians and goes more in-depth than Orphanology. The rest of the book is more focused for those considering adoption. It includes practical things each family should think about, and points to the Word of God and our call as Christians with each practical step.
The Connected Child, Karyn Purvis, David Cross and Wendy Lyons Sunshine - I have just started reading this, and though I probably won't agree with everything, these phycologists have some helpful tips for working with challenges that may arise in parenting, especially with adopted or troubled children. They focus on not using medicine to solve problems, but finding out the route of the issue, and working from there.
What's So Spiritual About Your Gifts, Henry and Mel Blackaby - I haven't actually started reading this book yet. The HCC faculty and staff are reading it as our yearly group reading that we do in the spring. The back of the book says, "Surprises are in store when we explore biblically what spiritual gifts really are, how they fit with out natural strengths and talents, and how they match our calling and assignments from God.
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