Here Goes!

I'm not really sure where to start! Almost 2 1/2 years ago, my heart started to ache for more children. James and I wrestled for a long time whether or not we should reverse a vasectomy that we both agreed should never have been agreed upon. I personally spent a couple years asking the Lord to examine my heart...did I just want to be pregnant again? Did I think more children would simply complete me as a mother or the family as a whole? As I took time to dig deeper in my soul, I believe the Lord transformed on my heart, convicted me of my idols and strengthened what he, himself gave me.

The reality is I did love being pregnant and as I read the stories of Rachel and Hannah in the OT, I found my heart breaking. I had two healthy children, that are amazing and such a joy, but there was something that wasn't quite right. In our rush to grow up and travel and buy the things that would somehow fulfill us, I believe we missed something much deeper.

I remember a cold winter afternoon in January of 2009, Michelle Cody, my mentor and good friend, responded to my teary desires over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. I expected she would give me a verse about the desires of my heart being good or something, but what I got was: "Well, sometimes we feel the pain from the consequences of our decisions, but what we mess up, God can make into good." I was hoping for a story of someone like me, who miraculously had children despite themselves and I did not feel like she delivered!

Now, I see the wisdom and strength in it. As time went on, we ran into more and more families who had gone through the adoption process or were going through it. My sister's brother and sister-in-law adopted two adorable boys, who were biological brothers. I would hear the stories of their first holiday's together where these brother's would walk up and say, "...so, you're my AUNT?" and how that was such a new concept because these boys had no family to speak of.

We met up with friends at church who had ridiculous stories about God's timing and sovereignty in their adoption and birthing processes and how that inspired the two of us to move forward. We started researching other countries and trying to figure out where we wanted to adopt this third Iverson baby from. We met with a couple whom we respect and I remember one of them saying, "God probably isn't going to care which place you adopt from; he is probably just going to ask if you were faithful to what you feel he is calling you to do."

So with that, this summer, we started contacting adoption agencies and finding which one would be the best fit. That is when Joni, my good friend and neighbor, introduced me to a friend who connected me with God's Children Adoption Agency, in Fergus Falls. I met with a social worker, who wasn't what I expected.

She walked into my entry in a pink sundress, black flip-flops with matching black toenail polish and a cool tattoo. We talked about adoption and her agency and although I think I was being covertly interviewed, I felt like I wanted to invite her back for a play-date with our kids. We set up an exchange of paperwork and it all began.

We had our first home study a week ago and our next one is tomorrow. The process starts with the 3-4 month long home study, and then it could be anywhere from 4-6 more months before we have a baby...which is stinking fast, if it goes that way!

I think we'll be planning events to raise some of the funds, which cover the cost of living expenses for the mom, administrative fees for time spent dealing with our paperwork,  and unfortunately to offset the cost of advertising and PR. We have started reviewing grants and loans and will be selling anything that isn't nailed down to help in the process.

If you are reading...and you got all the way here...sorry for the novel, I ask a couple things: first, please pray. We know for a fact that this will not happen unless the Lord wills it. We trust that whatever the outcome, it will bring him glory and we want that to be the focus. Second, if you have time or ideas, I'm all ears on how to move the process along. I'm flying blind but willing to learn! Lastly, please get the word out. Any sort of word of mouth for the cause of adoption is helpful and anything helps offset these costs. It's not as far out of reach as I thought it was and I am so encouraged to see it moving along.

Until next posting, thanks for reading, praying and caring.  melanie