AAHHH!! The mountain of paperwork we were warned about! It's been two months since we committed to this journey and we are still trying to find the time to finish the home study!
The first big hurdle to really getting this adoption process going is the home study! We cannot move forward until we have been investigated and approved by a licensed social worker. This is the part of the journey that takes a lot of effort on our part. There is what seems to be an endless amount of paperwork: obtaining documents, photos, background checks, fingerprints, physicals, ect. (you name it... they want it) and trying to find the time to get it all done is very frustrating!
The part of the home study that is most nerve wrecking is the fact that our lives are COMPLETELY exposed! We are working closely with a social worker (who is a very easy-going and kind woman) but, she has to know just about every detail of our lives. We have been asked questions about how we were raised? what our finances look like? what our marriage is like? what our debt looks like? what our future plans are? what our home is like- yes, she will even be coming to inspect our home! We are very grateful to have such a compassionate social worker and by God's providence, we have mutual friends which help ease the intimidation factor.
We understand the importance of being thorough with making sure we are qualified to parent and care for a child. We would not expect a child to be handed over to just anyone. We want to be as open and transparent as possible, but it is very humbling to have someone dig so intimately into your life!
We are hoping to be completely finished with the home study by the end of the year. Once the home study is complete, we will move forward with adoption agencies and into the waiting pool. Oh, and our family profile book is just about ready. Can't wait to share what a great job our consultant, Susan, did with that!
Until next time...
