WE ARE MATCH READY!
In August 2022, J. and I put in our adoption application. As expected, the process has been a roller coaster of bureaucratic tape, raising funds, and lots of waiting. We took our time to make sure we were giving everything our full attention, things such as education hours, home study, and our profile book. The one thing that seemed out of our hands was the financial requirements for adoption. As you know, we’ve done fundraisers, applied for grants, and saved as much as we can. With that, the number always seemed overwhelming and out of reach.
Here’s where the story gets good! While on the phone with our adoption counselor a few months ago, we asked how much money was in one of our accounts. Even though J. keeps meticulous records of finances, this account was one that we did not have control over and needed our agency’s assistance in accessing the funds. It took them several weeks to get and answer for us, but when we were told the number, we thought that there was an error. We didn’t raise that amount of money; it didn’t make sense!
We honestly do not know where the funds came from, but we praise God for making it happen. With that, and everything else settled, we are now in the matching phase of our adoption!
What does this mean? J. and I are ready to have our profile book shown to prospective birth parents. Our agency, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, goal is to match families together, not just a child. With that, when NCA is working with birthparents who are looking to have their child adopted, they show them profiles of people who match their preferences. From there, the birthparents pick prospective adoptive parents with whom they would like to speak about placing their child.
This matching process can be quick, but it typically takes well over a year. We cannot know how long we will be in this stage, but it felt like we’d never get here, and we are encouraged to have made it!
We are excited to see what is ahead. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. As we continue on, we’d love to ask that pray for the following things:
Pray that God will comfort us as we wait to speak with birth parents.
Pray that God will give us clear direction and understanding as we meet with birth parents.
Pray that God will open doors for us to share His love with those we meet throughout the rest of the process.
Pray that God will continue to provide the finances and support needed to complete the adoption process.