A secret fundraiser

We just want to take a moment and say thanks to some friends who decided to hold a yard sale to help us raise money for our adoption. They raised over $400 on one Saturday morning, and all without us knowing about it.

We have never been too concerned about how we would come up with the necessary funding to afford this adoption because we believed God called us into it and that He would provide everything we need to see it through. So far we have not been in need of anything, there has always been enough money to pay for whatever it is we needed at the time.

These friends weren't put up to doing this yard sale, they were never asked to do it - they just decided they would do it! Wow, that's what kindness really looks like.

I was reminded recently that humble servitude says, "Sure, I'll do it." It's with that attitude that people accomplish great things, and the same attitude that desires no credit for the services rendered. This is why we'll refrain from mentioning their names. While some might know who they are, I'm sure they'd prefer to remain as anonymous as possible.

But they know who they are. And we thank them.

"Greater love has none than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

July 2011 Update

Once again we have fallen short of the original plan to keep our family and friends updated on our adoption through the use of this blog. All we can do is apologize for our lack of communication (for those of you who periodically check here to find new information) and ask for more grace and mercy from you. The root of the problem is organization and time management - two major factors we have been struggling to balance recently; however, we are still moving along in the process, it is just moving at a slower rate for the time being.

We have nearly completed the home study process! We are more than 75% of the way through finishing all that is required of it and are hopeful to wrap it up very soon. The paperwork has been absolutely daunting because of all the information we have to compile. We have to produce official documents for our entire life history, from birth until now. These documents include, but are not limited to, complete medical history as well as detailed medical exams, vaccinations and preventatives. Other information pertains to employment, financial standing, autobiographies, and so much more! Suffice it to say that there really is a lot of work that goes into this and we are taking it one day at a time.

Thank you for those of you who have continued to support us through prayer and encouragement. We really would struggle much more than we have been without this love that you have shown us. How can we say thanks for all that you have done and continue to do?

Although we have been hit with speed bumps and hard turns, we are not giving in. We have the end goal in sight before us and will not be giving up. We are reminded of the Apostle's words in Philippians 3:13, "...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Although we have been called to a greater purpose: adoption into God's family through Christ, we have also been called to adopt children into our own family, and it is that purpose that we continually seek.

Please continue to be in prayer for us; that we would not be hindered by time management or disorganization, and that we will continue to move along by God's grace and timing.

We thank the Lord for you always.

In Christ,
The Waits Bunch!

Thanks for your help!

After much hard work on Saturday, our first major work day was completed.  We just want to publicly say THANKS to those who came out to help us work on some much needed house repairs. 

Special THANKS! to:

Gary and Mallory Bilger

Josh and Candice Rose

Chris and Hope McDonald

Amanda Hall

Michelle Brown

The jobs that we completed were: stripping wallpaper, sanding, puttying, painting the first coat of white over top of some really ugly 70ss green color in our hallway, and lots of woodwork cleaning.  Extra special thanks to Mr. Bilger who helped Michael pull up what was left of our orange 70s carpet!  That was one of the roughest jobs. 

The Waits' family is truly blessed to have some really great friends who desire to help us despite what the tasks are.  We were humbled at the turn out of support and help from each of you.  Know that you have a had a large part in helping bring our children home.  We love you all!

Cleaning and Repairs

So, I am cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning our house in prep for our home study visit in 2 weeks.  I haven't deep cleaned in a while and let me say that I remember why I don't like doing it.  LOL!  With that said, we are still planning on having a work day on March 26th.  We would love for anyone that might want to help out to come and join us.  We have plenty of large tasks and small ones.  When living in an old home there are just mounds of things that can be done, constantly.
God is teaching me that I am prideful.  I often feel like I don't want others to help me, I should be able to do things myself.  Then when I can't, I feel disappointment.  Well I am working on it, I am trying to humble myself and realize that I am completely unable to anything without the strength of Christ first and foremost; but also that I have loving family and friends who desire to be supportive.
My house may not be a lovely mansion inside or out, but we have a loving home that is eager to share Christ's love with 2 adorable Ethiopian children.  Can't wait!!!!  It can't come fast enough.  Please continue to pray for our adoption journey including our children who are waiting to come home.
-Z

Work Day Saturday March 26th

The Waits family will be having a work day at the house to get ready for our home study with our new social worker. This next home study session will be conducted at our home, and so we have some things we would like to have done in preparation for his visit - so we are asking for volunteer help!

Normally, we wouldn't want others coming into our house to help us work, but there's an exception to every rule. We have projects such as hanging smoke detectors, removing wallpaper, sanding, painting, fixing windows, etc. If you think you would like to help, please let us know.

Lunch will be provided. We'll begin sometime around 9 a.m., so come on out if you want to help. We can use it! Call Zehra or Michael if you want more information. Thanks!

One of Four for our Home Study

The Waits Family had a small step toward moving forward in our adoption over the weekend.  We had our first meeting with the social worker for our Home Study on Saturday.  For those of you who don't know exactly what that is, I will briefly explain.  It is a conglomeration of several things:

1.) 4 interviews with the social worker- 1 with us both (got that covered Saturday), 1 interview at our home with all 3 of us present which they check out all kinds of things, and then 1 interview with each Michael and I separately.  (Kentucky requires at least 4 interviews) 

2.)  Approximately 20 (give or take) documents of various kinds that tell about our entire lives that we submit to the social worker.
3.) A long lengthy report the social worker then write on our behalf to tell if we are an appropriate stable family to adopt children.
All of which he puts together in 1 large document called our Home Study.   

Back to my original thought:
So this first meeting was more of just an orientation meeting for our family and he asked us a few questions regarding our desires to adopt, who, what, when, why, the generals.  For something that is suppose to be laid back, I (Zehra) was less than laid back.  (No laughing for those of you who know me well.)  The meeting was informational for us as well.  We received MORE paperwork.  Let me just say that prior to deciding to adopt, paperwork has never nor will it ever be a love of mine.  All in all it went really well, Michael only made me really nervous once so I find that profound.  :) 

The next interview will be in our home, which only continues to foster my nervousness.  But I know that God is in control, and despite that I live in a really old home that has gas heaters and paint that is chipping on the outside, He has called us to adopt.  I know that because of that call, He will see us through this entire process. 

Please continue to be in prayer for our family as we seek God's will for our family in adoption.  We are so excited and blessed that He has chosen this path for us. 
Here are things that you can specifically pray for:
1.) The Home Study process
2.) Finances- we are still in need of over $35, 000 dollars, through donations, possibly grants or loans
3.) Talks of slowing adoptions in Ethiopia- which would delay the process of bringing our children home.
These are the most immediate needs. 

Thanks to all of you for your love and support!

Adoption Fellowship

This past Saturday night, we attended an adoption fellowship at Highview Baptist Church, and for the first time really connected with other adoptive families. While it seemed at first that the opportunity was coincidental in how it came about, by the time we had left we knew that God has providentially arranged our attendance.

Although we were apprehensive to attend at first, we are so glad we did! We met many couples that have traversed this road that we are on, and others who are only a few steps ahead of us. It was encouraging to share our fears and insecurities with others who have experienced them too, and relieving to find that we shared much in common with others who have gone before us.

How exciting it was to see a gymnasium full of children who had been not just adopted, but made part of a family where love and grace abounds. Our hearts melted as we watched the children play and love on their parents, and our eagerness to move forward increased as we were given opportunities to interact these precious gifts from God.

Insecure? Definitely. Frightened? Absolutely. Normal? You got it. What took place in our hearts on Saturday evening was confirmation from God that we were moving in the right direction, and affirmation to the plans that we have made. The Bible says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

How blessed we are that God has chosen us to be part of this awesome plan to adopt into our family, as he has adopted us into His.

Love,
The Waits Bunch