I just got an email from the worker with the paperwork to request that The Child be put on hold for us.
We need to print it, fill it out, have it notarized, scan it and email it back as quickly as possible then our worker will email the forms to the country where The Child is.
I am excited and terrified at the same time. Why do those two emotions walk hand in hand?
Once he is placed on hold, The Child is waiting for US. He isn't just another child living in an orphanage in need of a family. He is The Child who has a family working toward him and he is waiting for us.
He won't know that. His life won't change in the slightest during the next few months. He will wake up each morning to spend his day with the Workers and other children at the orphanage. He will play. He will have meals. He will laugh and cry and do all of his normal daily activities with no knowledge that he has a family working to come see him. A family working to bring him home.
He won't know until we visit him for the first time. And even then, he may not understand.
But We will know. We will know that he is waiting for us. And we will work as quickly and efficiently as we can to not make him wait any longer than he absolutely has to.
The paperwork asks, " Describe your motivation to adopt this child in regards to his special needs."
What is our motivation to adopt this particular child?
I could say that We feel very strongly about this child.
I could say that We haven't encountered a child listed before that has tugged quite so firmly on our hearts.
I could say that there is something in his eyes that makes me want to scoop him up and protect him from every evil in the world.
I could say that we aren't even concerned about his special need.
I could say that we were committed to this child before we learned of his special need.
I could say that we are willing and able to love, provide for, and raise this child accepting his circumstance, his past, his special need and the unknowns of his future as part of the package.
I could say that I feel that God has guided us to The Child and basically said, "Here. Go." and I can't imagine telling him "No."
I could say that it hurts my soul to know that The Child does have a special need that isn't being addressed in the orphanage.
I could say that We can not wait to get him the care and specialized attention he so desperately needs to be able to learn to function and excel in society.
I could say that I have no idea why we are motivated to adopt this child in regards to his special need, because his special need does not influence our desire to adopt him. We are motivated to adopt this child because we are drawn to him, specifically. His special need is a part of who he is. It makes him imperfect. His special need is not the reason why we are motivated to adopt this child.
This Child is the reason why we are motivated to adopt This Child.
I could say all of that.
But there is only enough space for about two sentences of five to six words each.
All I know is that we are, indeed, motivated.
=)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Mailed the Agency Application!
The story about the Agency.
There's a story about why we're using the agency we're using.
This agency happens to have The Child's file. That's how we chose this agency. Or, didn't choose this agency. That's how we came to the agency. Through The Child.
So there was no Agency shopping. This Agency is it because they have The Child.
Not much of a story, is it?
Monday, We emailed the agency letting them know that we are ready to begin the adoption process for The Child. The kind lady who answered my email directed me that our first step is to turn in an application to their agency where in She would then contact The Child's country to have them send us the paperwork to place him on hold while we complete our home study and dossier.
I emailed her back letting her know that we have the application filled out but we were working to gather the application fee to mail them in together.
Last night, around 10pm, i received an email from her. She offered to let us go ahead and send in our application to get the process started to place The Child on hold for us BEFORE we paid the application fee. She said we would need to pay the fee once he is placed on hold for us.
I don't know how long that gives us but it is a blessing and an unexpected kindness.
So Charlie and I sat down and filled out the Application together. (The first time I typed it out myself but decided to start over and do it by hand instead.) The application made it into the mail this afternoon.
That means that we will need about $2k within the next few weeks, though, to cover the Application fee and the initial agency fee.
Thankfully, We have fundraising opportunities planned all next month.
On Saturday, the 8th of September, We'll be having a Yard Sale to try and help raise the funds. If you'd like to help us by donating items to sell, we will gladly and thankfully accept anything you would like to offer us. If you'd like to help us by coming to shop the Yard Sale, we will gladly and thankfully welcome you. If you would like to do both, that's even better! =) We already have donations of items from three other households so there will be a large selection to browse through.
And we will be there Saturday, So if you would like to just stop by and visit, please do! I can talk more freely about our adoption journey in person than is allowed on blogs or Facebook. So if you see me out and about and would like to let me tell you our story, Please Ask. =)
I might even have a picture of The Child with me. =)
Also, On the 15th, we'll be continuing our Yard Sale if there are items left over from the week before or new items donated.
Each of these will be on my parents property by the roadside. "Down in the holler," as it were. We're on Highway 91, half way between Hanceville and Holly Pond. We'll put signs out to help guide the way.
On the 14th, 15th and 16th, We'll have items in the Kids mart Consignment sale so if you swing by there and shop, you might end up helping us out as well. I'm going to ask about putting the address to this blog on the tags for our items. =)
And on the 22nd, We will have a table set up at the Craft/ Yard Sale at Heritage Park in Cullman. We will have a selection of necklaces that my Mom and I are crocheting and also some cloth bracelets I've sewn and possibly a few other crafty items available.
The necklaces and bracelets are available NOW if anyone would be interested in getting one before the craft sale. We're asking for a $15 donation for each item. You're welcome to leave a comment here or message me on Facebook to let me know if you'd like to see our crafts. =)
These are the ways I have planned to help us raise the funds to pay the fees but I know that, ultimately, it's up to God to provide for the fees. We can not do this adoption on our own. We can not do it without Him. I spoke with a sweet friend today who encouraged me. She reminded me that this adoption can only happen in His hands. It is much bigger than any one of us can handle on our own. In that moment, speaking with her, I felt such a relief. I am trying not to stress so early on but I know that there is a time constraint (We now have exactly 6 months to complete our home study and the dossier) and the issue of paying the fee's, both of which are a Very Big Deal. Too big for me and Charlie alone. I'm going to continue doing whatever I need to do to get this adoption moving and I'm going to do these things trusting that it is God's plan and that He will provide.
He laid this Child on my heart. He gave me sleepless nights spent in prayer begging Him what Little 'Ol Me was supposed to do. He gave me time to work it out on my own. He gave me the gentle nudge that encouraged me to share The Child with Charlie. He dropped the, oh, so subtle hints that lead to our request for more information about The Child. And now He has provided a way to get the process started even though we are woefully ill prepared to pay any of the fees by having the Agency offer so kindly to hold our Application until The Child is placed on hold for us.
I think God enjoys working with us when we are working with Him.
=)
There's a story about why we're using the agency we're using.
This agency happens to have The Child's file. That's how we chose this agency. Or, didn't choose this agency. That's how we came to the agency. Through The Child.
So there was no Agency shopping. This Agency is it because they have The Child.
Not much of a story, is it?
Monday, We emailed the agency letting them know that we are ready to begin the adoption process for The Child. The kind lady who answered my email directed me that our first step is to turn in an application to their agency where in She would then contact The Child's country to have them send us the paperwork to place him on hold while we complete our home study and dossier.
I emailed her back letting her know that we have the application filled out but we were working to gather the application fee to mail them in together.
Last night, around 10pm, i received an email from her. She offered to let us go ahead and send in our application to get the process started to place The Child on hold for us BEFORE we paid the application fee. She said we would need to pay the fee once he is placed on hold for us.
I don't know how long that gives us but it is a blessing and an unexpected kindness.
So Charlie and I sat down and filled out the Application together. (The first time I typed it out myself but decided to start over and do it by hand instead.) The application made it into the mail this afternoon.
That means that we will need about $2k within the next few weeks, though, to cover the Application fee and the initial agency fee.
Thankfully, We have fundraising opportunities planned all next month.
On Saturday, the 8th of September, We'll be having a Yard Sale to try and help raise the funds. If you'd like to help us by donating items to sell, we will gladly and thankfully accept anything you would like to offer us. If you'd like to help us by coming to shop the Yard Sale, we will gladly and thankfully welcome you. If you would like to do both, that's even better! =) We already have donations of items from three other households so there will be a large selection to browse through.
And we will be there Saturday, So if you would like to just stop by and visit, please do! I can talk more freely about our adoption journey in person than is allowed on blogs or Facebook. So if you see me out and about and would like to let me tell you our story, Please Ask. =)
I might even have a picture of The Child with me. =)
Also, On the 15th, we'll be continuing our Yard Sale if there are items left over from the week before or new items donated.
Each of these will be on my parents property by the roadside. "Down in the holler," as it were. We're on Highway 91, half way between Hanceville and Holly Pond. We'll put signs out to help guide the way.
On the 14th, 15th and 16th, We'll have items in the Kids mart Consignment sale so if you swing by there and shop, you might end up helping us out as well. I'm going to ask about putting the address to this blog on the tags for our items. =)
And on the 22nd, We will have a table set up at the Craft/ Yard Sale at Heritage Park in Cullman. We will have a selection of necklaces that my Mom and I are crocheting and also some cloth bracelets I've sewn and possibly a few other crafty items available.
The necklaces and bracelets are available NOW if anyone would be interested in getting one before the craft sale. We're asking for a $15 donation for each item. You're welcome to leave a comment here or message me on Facebook to let me know if you'd like to see our crafts. =)
These are the ways I have planned to help us raise the funds to pay the fees but I know that, ultimately, it's up to God to provide for the fees. We can not do this adoption on our own. We can not do it without Him. I spoke with a sweet friend today who encouraged me. She reminded me that this adoption can only happen in His hands. It is much bigger than any one of us can handle on our own. In that moment, speaking with her, I felt such a relief. I am trying not to stress so early on but I know that there is a time constraint (We now have exactly 6 months to complete our home study and the dossier) and the issue of paying the fee's, both of which are a Very Big Deal. Too big for me and Charlie alone. I'm going to continue doing whatever I need to do to get this adoption moving and I'm going to do these things trusting that it is God's plan and that He will provide.
He laid this Child on my heart. He gave me sleepless nights spent in prayer begging Him what Little 'Ol Me was supposed to do. He gave me time to work it out on my own. He gave me the gentle nudge that encouraged me to share The Child with Charlie. He dropped the, oh, so subtle hints that lead to our request for more information about The Child. And now He has provided a way to get the process started even though we are woefully ill prepared to pay any of the fees by having the Agency offer so kindly to hold our Application until The Child is placed on hold for us.
I think God enjoys working with us when we are working with Him.
=)
Sunday, August 26, 2012
It's official!
We have decided to jump in and commit to the adoption process! We spent a few days prayerfully considering one Child that We had seen on a photo listing site. This Child has been heavy on my heart for well over a month but I wasn't sure what i was supposed to do with that. Was I supposed to advocate for him? Was I supposed to pray for him and his future family, like I do with so many of the children listed on that site? Surely We were not supposed to be his forever family. But after a week of discussion, prayer, discussion, and more prayer, We have decided to pursue an adoption of this specific Child.
It won't be easy. Mainly because we don't have the funds ready for an adoption. We were not preparing for an adoption. We had this laid on us out of the blue and are in no way set up to fund an adoption. I have no idea how we will pay all of the fee's involved. So i'm going to leave those fee's up to God. He'll pay them. He'll make sure we have the funds when we need them. I'll just worry about doing my absolute best to do what needs to be done to bring this Child into our home.
I can't share any information about The Child yet. We haven't even put in an application to the agency who has his file, yet. There is an $800 fee due when turning in your application. But we hope to be able to do that by the end of this week.
We are so excited to be sharing this news with everyone! And so glad that we have people to share the journey with!
Happy Sunday,
-Leslie
It won't be easy. Mainly because we don't have the funds ready for an adoption. We were not preparing for an adoption. We had this laid on us out of the blue and are in no way set up to fund an adoption. I have no idea how we will pay all of the fee's involved. So i'm going to leave those fee's up to God. He'll pay them. He'll make sure we have the funds when we need them. I'll just worry about doing my absolute best to do what needs to be done to bring this Child into our home.
I can't share any information about The Child yet. We haven't even put in an application to the agency who has his file, yet. There is an $800 fee due when turning in your application. But we hope to be able to do that by the end of this week.
We are so excited to be sharing this news with everyone! And so glad that we have people to share the journey with!
Happy Sunday,
-Leslie
Monday, August 20, 2012
Hello!
Welcome! Hopefully this blog will be helpful to keep our friends and family informed about our journey through the adoption process.
It is a long journey. It is not an easy path to travel no matter which options a family chooses to take. I know that our family will need support along the way. There will be difficult times. There will be joyful times. I truly hope to have you all take this journey with us.
Who are we:
We are Charlie and Leslie (Alle) Hughes. We have four children. Our older boys are 18 and 19. They are wonderful young men who will each make some young lady very lucky to have them. They currently live with their mother in Minnesota. Our younger children are Magdalena, 3 1/2, and Mordecai, 20 months.
We live in Alabama, on a little piece of land with lots of trees, a creek, a pond, and a few animals. My sister and her family live right next door. She has a little farm with donkeys, goats, rabbits and chickens. The kids love it!
My parents are also part of our household. Our day wouldn't be complete without a little chat with Grandma and Grandpa each day. Magda and Mordecai like to watch Grandpa work with his backhoe and bush-hog.
Charlie and I met a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away. We met online. We were engaged for a little over a year before we were married in 2001. Charlie served in the military until 2002. For a few years, we were blessed to be able to be Foster Parents. I still think about each of the children who we were able to be a part of their lives. We closed our home in 2006 with heavy hearts but we needed to spend time focused on our oldest son and our relationship with him. Fostering is a blessing but also an emotional whirlwind. In 2007, we moved in with my parents to be available to them any hour of every day. They do not necessarily need 24/7 care but it makes them (and me!) feel more secure to have us here. Our lives are much fuller having a multi-generational household.
In December of 2008, our beautiful daughter, Magda, was born. She is beauty and grace and funny and honesty rolled into this lively child. Her opinions are made well known. She is me in miniature, some days. Other days, I wonder where she gets her spunk and sass. =) She is calm and laid back most of the time. Magda can go with the flow but she can assert herself when she feels the need to. For two long years, She was our baby and then Mordecai made his entrance.
He was born during the 3 o'clock hour of a stormy new years morning. Jan 1st, 2011. We had an exciting birth experience with him and he is worth every moment. He is devout, loyal, playful and so eager to communicate. He thinks he is hilarious. He is "all boy" and we are informed of this every day. He is handsome with blue eyes and a mischievous grin that can charm any person we meet. Mordecai loves people fiercely. He is pure excitement and joy when he sees someone he loves.
He also loves his Linus blanket, too. Fiercely. And he seems to find it no matter where Mommy hides it. (But Mommy doesn't try too very hard to keep it hidden. hehe) He has named it, simply, "B" and I am sure that B is his favorite sidekick.
Charlie works locally. He has a job that he enjoys that is only minuets from the house. He works the afternoon shift, so that means our day is structured a little differently than most families but we manage it just fine. Lunch is our Family Meal instead of Dinner. Mornings are our Together Time instead of Evenings.
He also affords me the ability to stay home. I love spending the day with the kids. I am able to dedicate so much time to them. I am able to keep better care of my parents. I am able to do crafts and fun activities with the kids. Oh, and I do my chores sometimes, too. ;)
Why adoption?
It sounds so cliche but I've had the desire to adopt since I was a very young girl. Our time spent Fostering only encouraged this desire. We have been waiting, hoping that our lives would reach a calm happy place where adding a child to our family through adoption would easily fit into our schedules. That's just not how life works. Charlie says there is never a good time to have children so I am beginning to believe that there is never a good time to pursue adoption, either. We are hoping that Now will just be the time. Our family is no longer going to grow through birth and we feel that we have enough love, time, and space in our lives to grow our family through adoption.
We are just beginning on the journey. We are letting our family know our intentions. We are exploring agencies. We are discovering our options. We are eager to dive in but we know that each choice that we make is very important and weighted.
It is so very early on. We are still so very excited to be starting down this path.
I do not expect for God to make this journey easy for us. Adoption is wrought with unknowns, uncertainties, and heartbreak. However, I do know that God will be with us through this journey. I have faith in Him. I have faith in His plan. I have Faith in the face of Uncertainty.
I look forward to sharing our journey with you. I will try to fill in more details as the process continues. If you have any questions, words of advice or encouragement, please feel free to comment! Thank You!
-Leslie (Alle)
It is a long journey. It is not an easy path to travel no matter which options a family chooses to take. I know that our family will need support along the way. There will be difficult times. There will be joyful times. I truly hope to have you all take this journey with us.
Who are we:
We are Charlie and Leslie (Alle) Hughes. We have four children. Our older boys are 18 and 19. They are wonderful young men who will each make some young lady very lucky to have them. They currently live with their mother in Minnesota. Our younger children are Magdalena, 3 1/2, and Mordecai, 20 months.
We live in Alabama, on a little piece of land with lots of trees, a creek, a pond, and a few animals. My sister and her family live right next door. She has a little farm with donkeys, goats, rabbits and chickens. The kids love it!
My parents are also part of our household. Our day wouldn't be complete without a little chat with Grandma and Grandpa each day. Magda and Mordecai like to watch Grandpa work with his backhoe and bush-hog.
Charlie and I met a long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away. We met online. We were engaged for a little over a year before we were married in 2001. Charlie served in the military until 2002. For a few years, we were blessed to be able to be Foster Parents. I still think about each of the children who we were able to be a part of their lives. We closed our home in 2006 with heavy hearts but we needed to spend time focused on our oldest son and our relationship with him. Fostering is a blessing but also an emotional whirlwind. In 2007, we moved in with my parents to be available to them any hour of every day. They do not necessarily need 24/7 care but it makes them (and me!) feel more secure to have us here. Our lives are much fuller having a multi-generational household.
In December of 2008, our beautiful daughter, Magda, was born. She is beauty and grace and funny and honesty rolled into this lively child. Her opinions are made well known. She is me in miniature, some days. Other days, I wonder where she gets her spunk and sass. =) She is calm and laid back most of the time. Magda can go with the flow but she can assert herself when she feels the need to. For two long years, She was our baby and then Mordecai made his entrance.
He was born during the 3 o'clock hour of a stormy new years morning. Jan 1st, 2011. We had an exciting birth experience with him and he is worth every moment. He is devout, loyal, playful and so eager to communicate. He thinks he is hilarious. He is "all boy" and we are informed of this every day. He is handsome with blue eyes and a mischievous grin that can charm any person we meet. Mordecai loves people fiercely. He is pure excitement and joy when he sees someone he loves.
He also loves his Linus blanket, too. Fiercely. And he seems to find it no matter where Mommy hides it. (But Mommy doesn't try too very hard to keep it hidden. hehe) He has named it, simply, "B" and I am sure that B is his favorite sidekick.
Charlie works locally. He has a job that he enjoys that is only minuets from the house. He works the afternoon shift, so that means our day is structured a little differently than most families but we manage it just fine. Lunch is our Family Meal instead of Dinner. Mornings are our Together Time instead of Evenings.
He also affords me the ability to stay home. I love spending the day with the kids. I am able to dedicate so much time to them. I am able to keep better care of my parents. I am able to do crafts and fun activities with the kids. Oh, and I do my chores sometimes, too. ;)
Why adoption?
It sounds so cliche but I've had the desire to adopt since I was a very young girl. Our time spent Fostering only encouraged this desire. We have been waiting, hoping that our lives would reach a calm happy place where adding a child to our family through adoption would easily fit into our schedules. That's just not how life works. Charlie says there is never a good time to have children so I am beginning to believe that there is never a good time to pursue adoption, either. We are hoping that Now will just be the time. Our family is no longer going to grow through birth and we feel that we have enough love, time, and space in our lives to grow our family through adoption.
We are just beginning on the journey. We are letting our family know our intentions. We are exploring agencies. We are discovering our options. We are eager to dive in but we know that each choice that we make is very important and weighted.
It is so very early on. We are still so very excited to be starting down this path.
I do not expect for God to make this journey easy for us. Adoption is wrought with unknowns, uncertainties, and heartbreak. However, I do know that God will be with us through this journey. I have faith in Him. I have faith in His plan. I have Faith in the face of Uncertainty.
I look forward to sharing our journey with you. I will try to fill in more details as the process continues. If you have any questions, words of advice or encouragement, please feel free to comment! Thank You!
-Leslie (Alle)
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