Home Study Approved!

    I remember back in December when we received all of the packets of information that walked us through what we needed to do for the home study I honestly thought to myself that we would never be able to get everything completed. It was overwhelming to say the least. When we first pulled everything out and read through all that we had to do I told Joey to just put it all away because I couldn't do it. Then together we made a plan, we made a check list and every week we conquered something on our list and by golly we finished it all. Here we are 5 months later and we are officially HOME STUDY APPROVED. There were tears, countless appointments, countless phone calls and emails, hours of education and training, neglecting my children, neglecting my home, you name it. It was just hard. Not that I didn't know it would be hard but, when you're walking though it you just feel it first hand. I've been told that the home study is the hardest part aside from the waiting. It feels so good to have that behind us now. Regardless of how hard it is, has been, or will be, HE or SHE is worth it and we won't stop working to get them home! 

In the middle of our home study is when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Fortunately, for us it didn't slow down our process much. It did a little as we are still waiting to receive our passports. We can not be CARA approved (India's Central Adoption Resource Authority) until we receive our passports. We have been told it could be months which is discouraging but I know this is just one of many bumps in the road and ultimately we trust the Lords timing. My heart breaks for the many families waiting for court or waiting to travel. India has been on lock down since March 24th. 

What's next? 1-800a approval. This is the approval we need from the U.S. to bring a child into this country. Our paperwork has been sent off and we are praying this is approved quickly. After that, CARINGS registration is our next step. We can't do that until we receive passports. Typically, we could register right after the home study finalization but due to the shut down and passports being extremely delayed we are having to wait. Once we are able to complete our CARINGS registration we will be waiting for CARA to review our registration and grant us initial approval. The wait time could potentially be 3-5 months waiting for that approval. There again, we trust the Lords timing and I know can he can allow this to happen as fast or as slow as he sees fit.

I created a little visual to show you where we are and what we have left. This is a VERY simplified version as there are many little steps and documents to be completed in between these but this shows you a better look at where we are and what we are working towards. Something about checking each of those little boxes off as we continue moving forward just feels good! 

FUNDRAISING UPDATE:

We were able to pay our Agency Fee B of $3,562.50 and our 1-800a Fee of $945. 

Our next fee is Agency Fee C $3,562.50 which is due once we are CARA approved.

We are currently preparing for our Adoption Fundraising Yard Sale. We originally had this scheduled for April but due to the quarantine we had to post pone. Luckily, this allowed so many families to do some spring cleaning and we have almost completely filled up our garage with donations. You guys went above and beyond in donations. Honestly, we have some really good stuff! I have sold several items that were donated on local resale sites and have been able to make over $600 in doing so. The amount and quality of things people have given us to sell has just made us so grateful. I have been praying specific prayers over this yard sale. I'm looking forward to a fun sale and the opportunity to continue funding this adoption all while raising awareness and making memories with special friends and family coming along side of us to help. 

PUZZLE UPDATE:

We have sold 114 pieces out of 300!

We are getting so close to half way there! 

We have raised $12,322!!! We know we still have a ways to go to meet our goal of $45,000 but we are so thankful for what the Lord has done thus far in only 6 months. It still overwhelms me when I think of what all other people have done to support us during this journey to bring our little one home. That day still seems (and truthfully is) so far away but I know that every day that passes is another day closer. I still feel the same type of excitement and anxiousness of not knowing who this little person is and not knowing their gender that I felt while I was pregnant with Emerson and Eden. Little one we can't wait to know you and to love you!

With Love,

Whitney