These blog posts are always centered around scripture.  Here are the verses from the previous two postings:

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Today’s posting is about a verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

The Lord has led me down this journey and has directed my path.  It started over 2 years ago with a yearning to adopt from China.  Then India was put on the pathway as an option and interest.  Both countries were avenues Lifeline provided, and I was planning on utilizing Lifeline for the adoption.  But as we know – the Lord works in mysterious ways.  A little less than a month ago, a friend told me about a friend of hers who adopted through the foster system – twice!  Unbeknownst to me, that was a thing – so I went to the internet and found information on foster care adoption.  The very next day, I submitted an online application.  A few short days later, I received a phone call and things began moving quickly.  That week, I got fingerprinted and scheduled a home inspection for the next week.  At the home inspection I was given a list of things to do: documents to gather and to complete a medical examination.  Today, a week later, I have checked everything off the list except for a TB skin test which will happen next week.  Tonight, I have orientation for the foster care & adoption program, next week I’ll have online training, and the week after that, I’ll attend a training event.

So what are the details?  Until I have a placement for a potential adoption, I will provide foster care to children in need.  I have opted for a girl who is 4 or under – 2 girls if they are siblings and both 4 or under.  I am both excited and nervous!  I have read blogs and articles about fostering and have done some preparing.  As one person recommended, I bought a few outfits ranging from 3 months to 4T as well as some baby dolls, books, and bath supplies.  There will be more items I’ll be getting once I get a placement and know the age of the child I’ll be fostering.  As one blogger recommended, I’m utilizing a wish list on Amazon as a shopping list.  There’s been some people who have expressed interest in wanting to help, so I am sharing the list here.  I’ll be updating the list as items are needed and are purchased.

Blessings.

When God gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4), He provides.  Matthew 7:7 NKJV: ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

When I first began looking for information on adopting from China, the requirements were overwhelming, leaving me disappointed and feeling hopeless.  Still, I continued searching for details.  The good news: China accepts single female applicants.  The bad news: the age requirement is 30.  The upsetting news: the required net worth for single applicants is $100,000.  My thoughts started racing.  First: I have to wait three years (presently, two years) to even officially start the process.  Second: how am I going to meet this net worth requirement?  I’m only starting out.  I just bought a house and recently traded in my car.  I have student loans.  I have credit card debt.  It seemed impossible.

Then I took a breath (more like 58931726 breaths) and took a step back.  If adopting this little girl from China is God’s plan for me (and I 100% believe it is), then it will happen.  So I have put my focus on the “small picture” instead of the “big picture.”  And just this week, something HUGE happened.  I paid off ALL of my credit card debt.  The impossible is possible.  The Lord will provide, and my faith rests in Him.

And now, all I can think of is that I am one step closer, and my heart is bursting with joy and filled with so much love for a little girl who is yet to be born.