A FORK IN THE ROAD

It’s been quite a while since our last post.  A few things have happened in our journey to adopt a child from the Congo.  First, we have officially completed the home study phase of our adoption. The next step is additional paperwork with a lot more money that has to be turned in.  At this point, we are kind of at a stand still due to the Congo not issuing exit visas.  Congo has also decided to rewrite their adoption laws and do not have a time frame as to when it will be completed.  Our agency assures us that this is just one of those things and other steps are being completed in country, but we have no idea how long it will be before these things are resolved. Due to these uncertainties, Michael and I do not feel comfortable at this point continuing on.  We could get a referral now (if we had the additional money to complete that paperwork), but with that acceptance we would then be required to pay $500.00 a month for foster care in country.  While we know that goes to a great cause of taking care of our child, we also know that we are at least 14 months out on exit visa and the wait could be much longer if they don’t lift the ban on exit visas.  We are now at the point of looking at what other doors might be open to us.

While all of the issues with the Congo were going on, we heard about an organization through a local church in Nashville called Jonah’s Journey.  It is a group of families who foster infants of women currently in prison.   It is not a program run through the Department of Children’s Services, but through the church.  It could require short-term care, long-term care or even adoption.  We sent in our paperwork and so far they have accepted every piece of paperwork that we had completed for our adoption, even the home study.  This is pretty significant because the time and money spent on our adoption paperwork was not in vain. The only thing lacking is our CPR certification and some training which will take place on Saturday, June 28.  Once that training is complete, our file will be complete and we could be the foster parents of an infant.  One interesting part of this, while reading books for the adoption dealing with attachment, I would read the scary stories to Michael and he would say “maybe we need to adopt an infant.”  We would look at each other and say “Nahh!” Who knew when we started this journey that we would say yes to Foster Care if it came up.  God did.  I am too emotional and yes I have seen the news of those who care for children for long periods of time only to have to give them back to their biological families.  That is one reason we said we would NEVER foster children.  (Be careful of the things you say you will NEVER do.)  I know that the Creator of the universe cares deeply about my family and about the least of these.  I know that if we are seeking Him daily, he will protect us and guide us to be right where he wants us to be.  I am reminded of a man whom God told to do something specific and he refused and did something entirely different.  God caused a great fish to swallow him up for three days and then he was thrown up out of that fish and decided to do what God told him to do.  While we think we are headed in the right direction with either of these options, we have felt his leading and know that the right door will open or close at just the right time.  I just know that I don’t want to spend any time in the belly of a fish so I will say yes to whatever He has for us to do.   It reminds me of a line of a song that says if you just keep opening doors, I promise to keep testing the locks.

If we do end up fostering, we will not be allowed to post pictures or any details of the situation, but we will let you know if the door does continue to stay open.  

$103 Bologna and a Small, Small World

This past weekend we had our dessert auction and spaghetti supper to raise adoption money for the Davis and Lytle families.  It was a huge success.  The members of Bethel church are such a generous, caring and loving part of our extended family.  I am so blessed to be a part of this group of people.  I don’t know the total number of people that attended, but I do know that a small group of people generously gave $1,942 for the adoption cause.  Our auction is a little unique in that we do not have the desserts at the event, but people buy the opportunity to get the donated dessert when it is most convenient for them.  That way, if you leave with five desserts, you will not go into a sugar coma the next week.  You can space it out over a period of time.  Well, this year we had a donation of BBQ bologna. That sounds like a really weird item for a dessert auction, but it was clearly what the people had been longing for. (Michael wrote that last line in case you couldn’t tell) Michael hates sliced bologna but he loves this stuff.  This tastes so different and in the words of my friend Todd Ford, if you put it on your head and tie your hands behind your back, your tongue will beat your brains out trying to get to it.  We had two three pound “chubs.”  The first one went for $85.00 and the second went for $103.00.  It was such a hit that two others donated $75.00 each for one as well.

Yesterday, I went to the Doctor to have paperwork filled out for our home study. I must have verification from a doctor and blood work to prove that I am healthy and disease free.  After sitting in the waiting room for well over an hour and watching the drama unfold with another patient, I was glad to FINALLY be called back.  Once I got in the room it was several more minutes before the Dr. came in because the drama queen in the waiting room got bumped ahead of me.  I am typically pretty patient in these matters, but we had a dinner to go to that started at 6:30 so I was getting pretty antsy because his office is well over an hour away from my house.  At 4:30 I started to panic a bit.  When my Dr. finally came in, he asked about this home study.  He asked what country we were adopting from, so I answered the Congo.  He asked if we had talked about this before and I said no.  Turns out he lived 10 years of his early childhood in the Congo.  His sister-in- law has adopted from there and they are waiting for exit visas to be issued again to bring their child home.  After that conversation, I didn’t care that I had waited over two and a half hours and even when the nurse wasn’t able to draw blood, because apparently I was all “dried” up, I was thankful for that little nod from heaven.  I do not believe in coincidences.  I believe that every good thing comes from the Lord and that he cares about EVERY SINGLE aspect of my life.  I am thankful for the little gifts that God gives each day to say “keep walking with Me in this small world for I am much bigger than you can even imagine.”   

5th Grade Rocks!

Today we met with our home study agency in Nashville.  We answered several questions and got a lot of details of what to expect during this time.  We were sent away with tons of homework.  Basically, it will take about 10 weeks if we get our fingerprinting done quickly.  It takes 8-10 weeks for the FBI results to come back on those fingerprints.  While that is being processed, all our homework (filling out a ton of questions and family background information) can be completed and once the fingerprinting is complete and we pass the home inspection, it is finished.

Today, was the last day of school for the kids until January 7th.  Christmas parties were had by each classroom and each classroom participated in a "Christmas Project."  Elliot's class collected money in baby bottles for the Hope Clinic For Women in Nashville, TN.  During his party, I was told by an office staff member that my presence was needed elsewhere.  My first thought was that a preschool student was throwing a fit and my assistance was needed to help calm the child or the teacher. Since there has been a full moon this week and Christmas activities galore this was a real possibility.  She took me to the gym, which is not in the territory for screaming preschoolers.  The 5th grade class was in there and they presented me with a check for $206.00.  Our family was their Christmas Project this year.  This was the only time in my life I ever remember being speechless.  I am humbled at their generosity and have been shown over and over that this really is the path our family is to be taking.

God is so good to us.  To date we have raised over $5,000.  I can't wait to see what happens when we really get serious about fundraising!  It is our hope and prayer that next year at this time, we will be on a jet plane heading to pick up our "Little Lytle."  

Thankful for our Blessings!

November is one of my favorite months.  I LOVE the cool, crisp air and the beautiful scenery that surrounds us.  I also love Thanksgiving Day and spending it with family and friends.  We have so much to be thankful for. As I sit here at the kitchen table with my cup of coffee and listening to my children in the den talking and watching tv, I can't help but think of the many blessings they have brought to our lives.  They are smart, healthy, funny, tender hearted, sometimes compassionate and down right adorable. They are interested in pleasing God and figuring out what His will is for their lives.  Just the other day when Elliot had the dreaded stomach virus, he said "I guess God has a reason for this."

As I think about these two, I can't help but think about the other one we will have across the globe who may not be so healthy.  He/she may not have basic needs met.  I can't help but wonder what he is doing right now.  How hungry/thirsty is he?  Is someone there loving on him? Is he too hot, too cold? I am trusting in MY FATHER that since he knows every detail in this little ones life and is taking care of him until we can get there.

So where are we in this process?  We are planning to begin our home study next month.  That includes a social worker coming to our home, checking it out to make sure it is safe and clean and various other things as well as interview us and some of our friends and family.  I have been told that our social worker will know more about us after this process than our families may know about us.  We will also be required to take parenting classes that deal with the effects of institutionalization, the developmental and social delays and a whole host of things that scare me out of my mind when I think about it.  Another great blessing is that MY FATHER will help me through each step of the process.

Last thing, we are currently in the middle of a Pampered Chef fundraiser.  If you are in need/want of any products for yourself or anyone for Christmas, you can see me or Michael for a book or you can go to pamperedchef.biz/laurenforrest  click shop online and type Diane Lytle in the host box.  We will be closing on Friday, November 22.

Thank you all for all your support and prayers during this process.

31 Fundraiser Going On Now!

The next step in the process is to complete our home study.

I have a wonderful friend, Andrea Orton, who is donating her 31 commission for this fundraiser, to our adoption.  This is a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early or to shop for yourself.  There are two ways to order.  You can see me or Michael for a catalog and order form, or you can easily shop online at www.thirtyonegifts.com.  

If you shop online:

1.  Click shop with a consultant.  
2.  Click I have a consultant.
3.  Click locate consultant by her name:  Andrea  Orton  State:  TN
4.  Click select this consultant.
5.  Click My Parties tab at the top.
6.  Find Diane's 31 Fundraiser Party and click Shop Now and begin your shopping.

This month when you spend $35.00 you can purchase Travel items at half off.  
Those items include:  City Weekender, Retro Metro Weekender, Uptown Roller 
Weekender, Cosmetic Bag Set, Flat Iron Case, Timeless Beauty Bag, 
Uptown Jewelry Bag.

This fundraiser will end on Monday, October 28.
Thank you for all your help in getting our little one home.

August Fundraisers are now complete!

August was a busy month with school beginning and three different fundraisers.  We had a "Scentsy" catalog order, a yard sale and a BBQ supper.  We raised over $3,000.  There were so many people involved in each of these events.  The Lord has truly blessed our family by giving us supportive, loving, sacrificially giving and serving family and friends in our lives.  We have seen HIM move mountains and we know that he will continue to move them until our little one is home.  We will be sending in our contract with our agency this month and will be starting our home study really soon.

Thank you to all who donated items for the yard sale, the Silent Auction,  purchased "Scentsy" and auction items, and ate delicious BBQ for the cause.  Your generosity did not go unnoticed.  We love each of you and can't wait to share with our little one all the sacrificial giving and praying you did to help bring him/her home.

We have been asked by numerous people to set up an online giving opportunity.  We are trying to make a decision on which option to use and as soon as we do, we will let you know.

    

And the Fundraising Begins!

This is the part of our journey that we are the least comfortable with.  We know that it takes A LOT of money to adopt.   We know that the Lord will supply every penny we need, but we know it will also require a lot planning and work on our end.

We are trying to get the money this month to complete our contract and start our home study.  We will be doing 3 different fundraisers this month.  First is a Scentsy order.  It will end on August 9. We are very thankful to Sarah Sanford for her generosity and love she has shown our family.   I have some catalogs or if you would like to shop online here is the link.  https://sarahsanford.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=170703145.  


The next fundraiser will be a joint yard sale with Will and Casey Davis.  They are also on an adoption journey bringing home a child from Poland.  The date for this is August 24th.  If you have anything you would like to donate for us to sell, let me know and we will arrange to come and pick it up.  

The final fundraiser for August will be a BBQ chicken dinner on Saturday, August 31.  My brother is an awesome pit master and he and his wife have volunteered to help with endeavor.  I will post further information when it becomes available.


If you would like to be involved in any of these fundraisers, we would love your support.  Hopefully the fundraisers will provide services that you can benefit from.  More important than any financial support, we would love to have your prayers for our family during this journey.