Adoption-ISM

(ISM standing for Information Sharing Meeting. )

There were not really any expectations leading up to Monday's meeting.
It was mandatory.
If we wanted to proceed with the adoption process we needed to attend.
I did as much background homework as I could so that I didn't get blindsided with the unexpected.
So we drove an hour down to Lincoln for what would be the first in a long line of hoops we had to jump through.

The room was full as we got there right at 7pm. I tried not to noticeably stare at the people already seated so I did a quick scan of the room as we made our way to the front.
There were between 15-20 other couples in attendance, ranging in age from what looked like early 20's to late 40's early 50's.
No one spoke above a whisper and only to the partner next to them.
This was clearly not a crowd that intended on being social.
So we took an empty seat and did like the rest of the group, sat quietly, looked over our paperwork we picked up on the way in...and waited to start.
The feeling as we waited was somber.
Deafeningly quiet.
The one thing I kept thinking is how different this is from having a child the conventional way, with privacy.
There is not much privacy here.
You are exposed.
raw.
vulnerable.
Whether you are battling infertility, or simply hope to give an unwanted child a home like me and Isaak, you're all there with the same intention.
We all desire a child.
And that alone makes you vulnerable, regardless of the circumstances that brought each of us there.

The meeting was exactly what is sounded like, an information sharing meeting.
Our first formal introduction to the Nebraska Childrens Home, their history, programs, run down of what the adoption process entails in Nebraska, that kind of thing.
We received a ton of information, some we knew already, some we were hearing for the first time.
But the process is very long.
The next step after Monday night is paperwork,
then an interview with a social worker,
then a two day 16 hour parenting workshop (geared towards couples with no kids, but me and Isaak still have to attend)
more paperwork
being assigned a permanent case worker
starting our home case study which entails 5 background checks,
more interviews,
more paperwork,
references,
more interviews...

and then once that is complete, which could take as long as 6+ months,
we are finally put in the waiting pool.
And then......only God knows how long we wait.

It seems like a lot to go through.
Well, no, it IS a lot to go through.
And if I'm being honest, I'm not looking forward to any of it.
However; we are looking forward to the day when all the paperwork, interviews, and background checks result in a baby being carried through our doors.
That's why we're doing this.
That's what makes all this worth while.
Knowing that somewhere out there, there is a soon to be mom, about to get pregnant, scared, alone, not sure what to do- she is going to make the hardest decision of her life, and trust us with her baby to love as our own.

That's my motivation.

I'm praying for you, whoever you are, wherever you may be. I love you for the sacrifice you are going to make, that you may not even know yet. I pray that you would not feel helpless or overwhelmed during this time in your life. I look forward to meeting you, and God willing, getting the chance to know you, hold your hand, speak love and encouragement into your life...not because you are going to trust me with your child, but because you too are a child of God, valuable and important, and worthy to be loved, just like your baby. Blessings and prayers being sent your way sweet momma....