That is what it is ... a process for us, for others, for our hearts and our minds. Scott doesn't like it when I say I need time to "process." I think it is because he is more impulsive with what he thinks and then says. But this time, I want the process to be faster than he does. Then again, everything of worth takes time and process. So what are we in the process of doing? We're in the process of adopting a child or children! One social worker likes to say "gift packages" for when two or more children come to you. We don't know what God has planned, but it's pretty incredible the amount of preparation that goes into becoming an adoptive parent. We're excited and nervous and cautious and curious and probably many other emotions I cannot identify at this time. We attended our first orientation class at Antioch Adoptions on April 11, 2011. Most of what they presented, I had read about or had some knowledge of it, but a lot of it was new to Scott. Like I said, I want the process to be faster than he does so I've done a lot of reading and analyzing. But it is good to be in it together. We do a lot of life separately sometimes and this is forcing us as a couple to walk the journey together. The following week, we received the 58 page application. Ok some of the application was just pages of information to read, but a lot of it requires filing out information. They want to know EVERYTHING about you: financial statements, credit reports, W-2, finger prints for background checks, family history, education, and because it is Christian agency, faith statement. We're ok with sharing all this, but it is quite overwhelming to be so transparent sometimes. We're nearly finished with all that is required for the initial application. After we turn it in, we'll be contacted to begin our pre-screening interview. In the meantime, we're taking PRIDE pre-service classes that are provided by the state. Talk about overwhelming and intense! If you aren't convinced about the brokenness of this world, you should be quite clear on it by the time you leave this class. We'll have 27 hours of pre-service training by the time we finish these classes next Friday. It's positively exhausting. I am probably more exhausted since I am just coming off of Holy Week and Easter at the church, but the emotional and mental requirements to engage in this class are wearing me out even more. Time to rest and process some more.
