We are getting closer...

Ok, I know, its been like a month since we updated this thing, but we really had nothing to update. We really are getting very close to being licensed. Our homestudy is complete and has been submitted for final review. I am anticipating this will be in the next week or so. After we are licensed, it will just be a matter of waiting for a child to be placed with us. It could be the day after we are licensed, or it could be 3 months from now, we just have to leave that up to God and His perfect timing.

Our Sunday School class has started studying James. We are just going through it chapter by chapter. Let me just say, the first chapter always kicks me in the rear. (Especially the first 3-4 verses.) I always try and be aware that my hard times can and will be used for Gods glory, but most of the time I choose not to be joyful at the time. Why is that so hard? I tend to find myself mad at God and then frustrated with myself for being mad at God. Eventually I get around to understanding that God is strengthening my faith and growing my endurance, but why does it take so long for me to get there?

God,
Help me to trust you fully. Thank you for the trials that You bring forth in my life. I know and trust that You are using them for Your glory. Be with the child/children that You are going to bring into our lives. Help them to be safe and to know that they are loved by You and by us.
Julie

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that CK is coming to do our homestudy on Monday. YEA!!! Hopefully we will be licensed in January and then the waiting begins...

This has been kind of a crazy couple of weeks. This week there are going to be two huge funerals at our church plus a night of visitation. On Saturday we have a church work day to clean/organize some things that have been neglected. Sunday is always busy, but this one is particularly so, we have our children's Christmas play that morning, our church wide Christmas lunch that afternoon, followed by the community wide lighting of the park. And then Monday is our home study. (Am I crazy?)

I still have a few things to take care of around the house to be ready for our homestudy, but I don't think a lot. Bobby put in the tot locks already this week. I just have to go through the fridge, pantry, and medicine cabinet and make sure nothing is expired, etc. Bobby also has to go through the garage and move some stuff to the shed so it can be locked up. So I should probably get started on some of that and not be sitting here blogging. :)

Lord,
I'm choosing to give you my heart and my emotions today, please help me remember to do so tomorrow and every day that comes my way. Be with our child who is out there somewhere. Protect them let them know that they are loved even though we are not there to show them yet. Bless their family and lead them into a relationship with you. Help me to trust you more and even when I feel like You don't know what You are doing, give me faith.
Julie

Seminar

Just thought I'd update you on the latest goings on. Its been kind of slow because we have been busy and not able to get things done on our side very quickly. Nevertheless, we are slowly but surley moving forward in the process.

Bobby and I will attend the Buckner adoption seminar on September 18-19. We are very excited about it. This is one of the major steps toward being put in the book. ( being put in the book is the final step before we can be chosen by a birthmom) I'll explain more about that later if you don't know what I'm talking about. For now, just know that it is a major step forward. :) The seminar is basically a big long training/orientation. We get our state required training done and get lots more info from Buckner about things specific to their agency.

Since we have lived out of the state of Texas in the past 5 years, we have to get another set of FBI fingerprints done (we have already done this once in OK to be foster parents). Sometimes its complicated and other times it goes smoothly. Please pray that it will go quickly and without complications.

We now have a case worker assigned to us, so our homestudy process should begin soon. Yea!!!

I think that is all for now. Pray for peace and patience on our part. We are ready to be parents NOW, but we also know that His timing is perfect and so here we are waiting.

--Julie