No child abuse!

Fear not, for as far as the state of Pennsylvania is concerned, we are not child abusers!

We were not terribly worried anyway (laughing) because of course we've never done such things.  Still, as we all know, papers are required to "prove" this, and now we have (some of) the proof.  My stack of documents is growing as we prepare for our social worker's visit next week.

We also had the joy of sharing our news (at last!) with our remaining family and friends.  In true 21st century style, we shared it on Facebook, of course!  It was honestly the easiest way to let the world know.  Now that we are matched, we can speak a bit more freely about things, although of course we are bound to keep certain details more private.  We haven't yet shared the details with our family about where our future child is currently living or what his life is like right now.  And frankly, his life is probably full of sadness.  He may not understand that there is so much more to life than what he sees, but the deprivation he is suffering in the orphanage he lives in in Bulgaria is so upsetting. It is sad to us when we tell people where he is (privately) and then hear or read their stunned words of, "Oh....I've heard of that place."  It is all the more reason why we are going to work tirelessly to pluck this child out of the jaws of that place and bring him to our home, with us, loved and cherished forever. 

Writing checks is a large part of this process, and we have written several, and have several more to write.  We are beginning to get to the end of our initial influx of cash and will now wait on Jon's bonus from work to carry us through the next bit of this process.  At some point, we expect to do some fundraising with our church, family, and friends.  The cost of adoption is staggering.  My mother constantly remarks that she cannot understand why adoption is so expensive when these children are considered outcasts in their own country and are unwanted.  I confess I must agree with her, but also must push past that because we cannot allow price to get in the way.  This is a child that we want in our family, and this is a child that deserves a family like ours.  The mechanism to bring him into our family is somewhat unfortunate, but necessary, and must not deter us from our ultimate goal. 

In the midst of this craziness, I am trying to finish my college paper.  I am a full time college student, although I'm certain that will change as we get closer to traveling to Bulgaria.  I am prepared to sacrifice that, at least partially, for this little boy.  But for now, we prepare home study papers and simultaneously work on college, raise our daughter, and try to spend time as a family.  It is so exciting and yet scary to know how our family is going to change over the coming months and years. 

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.