This was a week of firsts.
Yesterday, I got fingerprinted for the first time as an adult. As part of our homestudy, we have to get our fingerprints taken and then our agency submits them to the FBI for a background check. (It’s called an Adam Walsh background check, which is fitting, as the last time I had my fingerprints taken, I was in elementary school, and it was shortly after Adam Walsh was kidnapped. Do schools still do that?)
We live solidly in the suburbs, but our house technically sits within the borders of a small town. So the police department is straight up Mayberry—one employee working the desk and the chief, I assume, behind a desk in the office. They still use ink (Aaron went downtown and it was all electronic), so it was the full experience.
Another first this week: our profile was shown to an expectant mom. She isn’t due till late November, so they felt comfortable showing us to her, even though our home study is still pending.
Talk about ups and downs! We found out about her last week, and decided that we wanted to be presented to her, I overnighted our book and got an e-mail on Wednesday morning that she was reviewing it that day.
Which brings us to our final first this week: our first time not being selected. Yesterday morning we heard that she’d chosen another family.
I was surprised how bummed I felt when I heard, even though I didn’t expect (at all) that we would be chosen by the very first bmom who looked at us.
It’s all very surreal. And even though I was fairly well educated about the domestic adoption process, it’s still very strange experiencing it firsthand.
We have faith that God is in this, and just as he is preparing us (our hearts and our home), he is preparing the others whose lives will intersect ours— the expectant mom who is choosing adoption and the life He is knitting together in her womb.
It’s a roller coaster. But one I am so excited to ride.
adoption, sept blog-a-thon
How exciting and understandably disappointing at the same time. The ball is certainly rolling though – congrats on that!
My best friend and her husband were similarly not chosen by their first expectant mom. So my best friend asked that mom what they should do differently going forward in the process. They heeded her suggestions and were chosen by their second expectant mom. So, the initial rejection led them to the daughter they were *meant* to have. May your adoption journey have an equally happy outcome!
I don’t know if you have ever seen this poem, but it is a favorite of mine. I apologize for not being able to credit the perso who wrote it; he or she is unknown, or at least is to me.
Not flesh of my flesh,
Nor bone of my bone.
Yet miraculously, I call you my own.
Don’t ever forget for a single minute,
Though you didn’t grow under my heart,
You grew in it.
God’s blessings to you and Aaron on this amazing journey!
You and Aaron continue to be in my prayers. I can’t wait for the day that you fish your wish.
So many firsts for you and Aaron to experience together. It is an exciting process but one that I am sure will be wearing on you. Love how you keep your eyes and heart on the Lord. Trusting in Him!
Just getting caught up on your blog today. Will pray for you in this time of waiting. I know the Lord is growing you into the Mom he wants you to be through this process as well – reeping patience and joy despite your circumstances!! I can’t wait to meet this child and for them to experience God’s love in and through you.