Homestudy complete?

(by Mandy)

I haven’t posted an update on the adoption in a while because it has been at a standstill while we waited for our letter from Panama.

We waited one month!

The letter finally came in and our social worker said she has everything ready.  Now we wait to see if our agency is happy with it.  I’m a little nervous because our “letter” from Panama was more like an incomplete form – they filled in his name only and stamped and signed the bottom that his criminal record was clear.  I would feel much better if it looked more like our letter from Texas – written on state letterhead and stamped with the state seal.  It was very pretty.  I think I covered all of our bases though because while we were waiting for the “letter”, I also requested a letter from the Freedom of Information Act and the National Archives – both stating they have searched the records from Panama and Tony is not a criminal.  I had some time on my hands.

Now we just wait.

Patiently.

Fortunately, I have lots of catching up to do after the Christmas festivities and lots of New Year’s resolutions to make – and break.  That should keep my mind off the waiting.

It really hasn’t been that bad.  On one hand, it seems like we started this process a long time ago; but, on the other, I haven’t been thinking about it too much.  I think it’s been good.  So far.  I’m sure it will be much harder once we see our little boy’s face and we want to bring him home.  Okay – thinking about bringing him home makes me want to squeal!  That’s a pretty good sign it’s going to be much harder to be patient!

On those same lines – Tate was asking us questions the other night about what else we need to do before we can bring our little man home.  When he started talking about getting to meet him for the first time, he got teary eyed!  As his mom, I was very touched to see him so moved at just the thought of meeting his little brother.  Sweet!

Hopefully, it will not be long before I have another update about more progress.

Waiting for a message

Our family has been in the adoption process since about October.  We already have four beautiful biological children but we wanted to share our family and our love with a child that otherwise would be without a family.

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Open Mouth, Insert Foot

(by Mandy)

It’s official!

We had our first “Brad and Angelina” comment this past weekend.

I did not get offended or give a sarcastic response. I was really pretty shocked that someone would even think of that. It’s just funny that anyone would look at a family that is adopting from Africa and think of it as following a trend. And then actually say it!

When I think of following a trend, I think more along the lines of Chuck Taylor shoes, Twilight books, and… I can’t even think of anything else because I really don’t pay that much attention.

One thing I don’t think of is adopting a child. Following a trend is something that takes no commitment. Even the fashion experts advise us not to spend too much money on trendy accessories because they are not going to last.

Adopting a child is permanent. Our hearts are committed to a child we have not met. This decision was covered in prayer. It affects every member of our family - plus this little guy. We would all be crushed if something happened and it did not work out.

I don’t need to defend myself against this comment. I was just surprised anyone would say that. Hopefully, it was just a bad joke. This person does not know us very well, but I would not like to be thought of as someone who would adopt a child so our family can look cool.

Remember - I’m already Hipp.

What made you choose Ethiopia?

This is a common question my wife and I are asked when we share with people that we are in the process of adopting.  I wonder sometimes if there is a question behind the question.  However, I’m sure in most cases it is really an inquisitive question.  Why choose an international adoption over domestic?  Why Africa instead of Eastern Europe or China?

The reason I often give for Ethiopia is that it’s one of the poorest countries, so if we’re going to help somewhere, why not where it is needed the most.  I then explain how there may be countries where the need is greater but that Ethiopia is also one of the more adoption friendly countries, at least for now (this can change at anytime with international adoptions).

However, as our family has studied more about Ethiopia, I’ve come to realize that I am really becoming enamored with this country.  It’s a country with a rich Christian heritage to go along with it’s great African heritage.  It’s a country of great beauty as are many countries in Africa.  It’s a country with a proud history of royalty dating back to King Solomon (yep - Israel’s Solomon) and the Queen of Sheba.

A lot of countries have a great history and culture.  So why has Ethiopia’s warmed my heart so much?

Because this is my son’s country and his heritage.  That’s why I love it.

I can’t explain what has happened over the last couple of weeks.  But I’ve started to feel my new son inside of me.  I have an excitement growing as if my wife was pregnant (I know this feeling as we have four birth children).  We have not even been referred to a child, but I know God has him set aside for us already.  I can feel it.  I couldn’t feel it when we started this process, but I can feel it today.

I have a new answer whenever someone asks me why we chose Ethiopia.  We chose Ethiopia because that’s where our son is from.  Where else would we choose?

Take This Road Lord? Really?

This is a guest post from my wonderful wife, Mandy.  She actually wrote it for her own blog but when I reviewed it I asked if I could post it on Seeking Things Above.  For those of you that have been following along on my journey, I think you’ll see why I wanted it over here.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Am I going to walk down this road?

I keep asking God this question.

He has told Tony and me that we are going to one day walk down this road. But, I have questions. My number one questions is…

Really?

I know - it’s a pretty deep question.

This road is the road that leads from a hotel in Ethiopia to an orphanage called Hannah’s Hope.

Really? Is that what you are calling us to do?

I keep questioning this because I have been positive in the past that God is telling me to do one thing, only to lead me in a different direction than I thought. Of course, it has always turned out better and I can see in hindsight what He was doing when I thought I was heading in the first direction. I am fully confident that if this is not what God has planned for us, He will use this to lead us where He really wants us to go. Until then I still ask -

Really?

You have a child that will not have any parents to take care of him and you want to place him in our family?

I don’t feel worthy of God allowing our family to participate in this awesome plan. But - Yes, Lord. Please use our family and be glorified through the entire process.

I’m pretty sure there will be some people who question what we are doing. We already have four kids, there are lots of kids in America that needs homes, our family is white and Ethopian babies are black.

Somehow, I think I can handle the critical comments better than the complimentary. What I don’t want is to be glorified for what our family has done for this child. This is what God laid on our hearts. He is clear in Scripture that we are to take care of the poor, and He put this adoption on our hearts at the same time. On all of our hearts. The kids started asking for a baby right when God started opening our eyes to this. They are so excited.

I am having a hard time getting excited over this. I just keep waiting for God to tell me this was just step one and He actually wants us to do something else. I want to be excited about adoption. I want to get frustrated with how long the paperwork takes because I just can’t wait any longer.

I will trust that God has a sovereign plan and this step is part of it. I can know that if He is going to lead us in another direction before we go through the entire adoption process, then all of this is just part of where He needed to take us first. It will be okay because God is in control. Not me.

Until then, I think I’m ready to get excited about starting this adoption process. I’m getting excited about praying for a child that may not even be conceived right now, and praying for his parents, and for our family that will see that the orphans and the poor are real people that we need to love and take care of. I’m getting excited because I know this child will be a way bigger blessing to our family than we will be to him. And, I’m getting excited about walking down that road to meet a child that God knew long before now and planned to place in our family.

This journey will take us down new roads. I’m ready to see where God leads us.

Really.

- Mandy