God doesn't waste anything, and He doesn't make any mistakes.

I haven't had much to update lately, but today was a big day. First of all, the Lord has consistently shown Chris and I that our decision to adopt is in His plan for us. We are truly blessed. This morning in our Adult 1 Sunday School class, Aaron did a lesson on Creation. A godly woman with a sweet heart, who is new to our class, shared that lately, since becoming pregnant, she has had a hard time understanding that if we were all created in His image, why are so many children allowed to be concieved in sin. And many parents don't even want them, or see them as a burden that can easily be discarded. Not knowing our situation, she tearfully shared that she has even found herself wondering why Godly deserving couples who can't have children are not blessed with such a gift from God's most precious creation. (something I have struggled with) Aaron and his wife Laura had an answer for her burden, as did Chris and I. Because God doesn't waste anything... those are the children we want to take into our homes and raise as our own. I feel every day that our journey is meant to be our witness. That our children, our heirs, though not our blood, will be our legacy of faithfulness to the Christ who makes no mistakes, who provided that child for us to love, and care, and nurture into Godly servants of Him.

It gets better :) After Sunday School, Chris and I decided not to go on to church (we always do). Chris was very tired from working all night and he had to go back to work this afternoon. As we were driving home, I got a call from the Adoption Home Study caseworker (I would have missed that call had we gone on to church). She would be in Altus in less than an hour and would like to come by and meet us for our 1st of 3 home visits. So we blazed through the house making it spotless, not knowing if this was the home study where they open cabinets and lift cushions on the couch. Of course those of you who know me well know how much of a neat freak I am, so it wasn't too bad.

I had butterflies in my stomach because I am so excited about this process. A van pulls into our drive and a lady comes to the door with a clipboard. I open the door and say "hello, you found us!" ...It was a census lady! She started giving her bit about how many people live in our house and what's our last name. She barely spoke english and it was hard to understand her. I was so taken aback at the fact that it wasn't the home study lady (who was now 30 minutes late) that I quickly told the census lady that we've given our count to all 15 people who have come by and knocked on our door. She would not let up. She kept asking for our last name, and I wouldn't give it to her. I ended up having to shut the door in her face because she wouldn't stop pushing for personal info.

Anywhoo, our caseworker showed up and was so sweet and personable. She needed a long list of documentation from marriage certificate to pay stubs to car forms, but because our local DHS caseworker is awesome, we had all that stuff ready. The lady stayed for about 10 minutes. She said she noticed in our packet that we were Christians, and so she told us that she was too. She asked if she could share a prayer request with us and we said yes. Her father-in-law died last night and that was why she needed to travel to Altus today. She had just received our packet yesterday so she thought she could get the first visit in if we were home. Again, God makes no mistakes.

She said she loved our house, and that she would be back the first week in August. At that time she needs: a complete family history on all our parents and siblings from marraige dates to arrest logs :). She also wants a scrapbook of Chris and I and our close family, that our future child will be around, to show to prospective birthmothers/fathers, etc. So, Mama is coming tomorrow and we are having scrapbook day!

All in all, huge day. Our caseworker said she would have our home study (2 more visits) completed by September. Our background check and fingerprinting from the FBI should be back mid-September. We take 32 hours of parenting classes on 4 Saturday's in October. SO- our profile, she said, should be ready to put on the placement list by November 1! Our child(ren) could come any time after that.

We are so excited! Thank you to all of our friends and family who are joining us prayerfully on this journey! Love, Audra