October 14th Adoption Meeting Update

It's the holiday season, so imagine having encouragement, knowledge, overwhelming emotion, and relief all packaged together in three hours with a nice red Christmas ribbon to seal the gift. That's what October 14th was for us.

Covenant Care Services requires two mandatory meetings be attended before a couple can even turn in a portfolio. These are three-hour informational meetings. At least 15 couples were in attendance this time (less than the first meeting).

October 14th meeting schedule:
- director of the agency spoke about the process overview and adoption details
- another agency worker spoke about the Biblical meaning of adoption
- adoptive family testimony
- birth mom testimony
- question/answer time for adoptive family and birth mom
- meet with case worker

The adoptive family testimony was a true encouragement. The couple that spoke lived out in the sticks in a really old trailer with chickens in the yard. They already had biological children, too. They thought that no one would pick them, but they said that them being chosen just shows that where you live doesn't make a huge difference. In fact, the birth mom that chose this family for her adoption plan of her twins liked the chickens pictured in the portfolio. This couple was very honest and transparent. They shared about the challenges and joys of the adoption process. Waiting was the hardest part for them, which is the part we are in now. It is hard! The wife suggested finding other adoptive families to stay in contact with for support and encouragement. This couple was so sad that they had not received a placement phone call by their six month waiting point, but it turns out that that was actually the date their adoptive kids were born (they did not find out until several months later). Their testimony was truly an example of God's perfect timing and perfect plan!!!

The birth mom testimony was extra special and insightful. Some people have the misconception that with an open or semi-open adoption that the birth mom will change her mind. Although this does happen sometimes, this birth mom expressed that receiving pictures and information about her children actually reassured her that she made the right decision in making an adoption plan for her girls. Receiving periodic pictures allows the birth parents to see that their child is being well-taken care of and loved for life. We definitely gained more confidence through her testimony. Having a face with a story makes a huge difference because many people have negative ideas about birth moms. Regardless of the situation that led a birth mom to make an adoption plan, she is a beloved creation of God who shares the same needs as the rest of humanity.

There are various perspectives about adoption. Some people see adoption as Plan B when they cannot have their own children. Others see adoption as waiting for God to bring along a child. For others, adoption is a desire acquired within one's heart to parent those without the current state of family, regardless of fertility or infertility. Some view adoption as a calling. One perspective shared at the meeting is that adoption is ministry. It is about the adoptive family being available to receive a child in a time of need or crisis. Adoptive families are also available to reach out to the birth parents. Unfortunately, birth parents are often left by the wayside. Thankfully, Covenant Care Services supports birth parents well after a placement has been made. 

Erin signing the agency financial form.

Although the meeting was extremely informative, our awaited time came after the meeting was over. The close of the meeting meant that we were able to meet with our case worker. That is when we signed our financial form in agreement of the adoption fees. The signing of this notarized form was followed by the surrender of our portfolios that you have viewed in previous posts. This was a BIG deal, because we were told in early June that we had to wait to do anything until the 1st meeting in August. Then we were still not able to begin our portfolio until after we met with our case worker in late August. In addition, we were not allowed to turn in the seven portfolio copies until the October meeting! We completely understand the reasoning for this, but waiting is hard! We were so excited to finally have the portfolios submitted!

Relinquishing our portfolios into the hands of our case worker and hearing the testimonies of God at work in adoption were both worth the long drive to Macon on October 14th!