Our Amazing Announcement

OUR AMAZING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Its official. We started the process in October.

Tiny toes and little baby shoes will be invading our home and 

we whole-heartedly accept them!

Many HAPPY tears have flowed in the past few months...

We are still in awe at what we're doing and SO excited!!! We

We can't wait to experience all God has for us. We are privileged and very humbled that God would choose us for this. Adoption is an amazing picture of God's love and care for His children. 

This is such a powerful verse I have come to cherish...

Eph. 1:5-6
"Having predestinated us unto the ADOPTION of 

children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace wherin he hath made us ACCEPTED in the beloved."

We don't know yet when we're getting a baby, but our precious baby is 

already growing in our hearts!!!

 "Not flesh of my flesh, 

nor bone of my bone, 

but still MIRACULOUSLY my own. 

Never forget for a single minute, 

you didn't grow under my heart 

but in it!" 

"Adoption is when a child grows in it's mommy's
 heart instead of her tummy!"

* * *

Right now there is just a lot of paper work, interviews, home prep, etc...that we are doing. So much to do to get certified! Our desire is that we have a baby by the fall, but there is no guarantee on time, and as we have learned, GOD'S TIMING is best, so thats exactly what we want : ) As we wait, we just pray daily for our precious little one - that God will protect and care for it. In God's hands is the best place for our baby to be cradled and loved.

Jeremiah 1 "...before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee..."

Psalm 27 "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up"

We know there will be a lot of questions for us so PLEASE ASK!!! We want you all to be involved in our journey! We are blessed, beyond words, knowing many of you have prayed for us to have children, and you are now seeing your prayers answered! We plan to keep everyone VERY informed of the process and what's going on.  *I know there is a lot of curiosity, so after I sign off below, I have posted some common questions&answers that a lot of our family and friends have already asked us...

We love you all dearly and covet your prayers as we continue in this unbelievable journey!!!

LOVE, Neil & DeAna

Questions We've Been Asked Over the Past Few Months:

Q. Who are you working with?

A. Bethany Christian Services is our agency. It's in Modesto, actually right behind the complex where Seth and Malinda live. I think the Lord had that worked out long ago...don't you? : ) Our social workers name is Mona - we've already interviewed with her and we really like her

Q. How much does adoption cost?

A. Around 20-25,000. We will be doing some fundraisers(alread did one), and also possibly applying for a grant. Also, there are special programs for funding adoptions...We know God will provide.

Q. What if you get pregnant now that you're adopting? 

A. Well, Praise the Lord!!!!! Then we will have 2 precious children to love and raise for the Lord!

Q. What is involved in the adoption process?

A. A LOT!!!!! :) haha. To keep it simple, I will give you the tip of the iceberg... 

You choose your agency, have orientation, start a series of interviews with your social worker, do a Home Study,  and also fill out a TOOOONNN of paper work!!! We are getting ready to start our HomeStudy - which is  a several month process that consists of a LONG list of things to accomplish, such as: background check/fingerprinting, physicals, an interview & written report about our home/personal life, turn in pet records & birth & marriage certs, have a home inspection, update CPR, etc.. etc... etc... and of course preparing for baby(which is the fun part) : )

Q. Is it closed or open adoption? How does that work?

A. Our desire is to do a semi-open adoption. Closed adoptions aren't really done anymore. It's a lot to explain, but I will probably post some things about it on Facebook.

Q. How long will the whole process take?

A. Anywhere from 6months to 3years. The process is dependent upon SOOOOO many things!!!!! We will just work towards our goal(getting a baby by this fall) but we ultimately trust God for HIS TIMNG.

MORE INFO...

~Yes, we plan to still live in Davis in our apartment... I've been getting it all ready for baby : )

~Yes, we can choose a gender with adoption, but if we do we'll keep it a sceret for a while. Once again God is in control, so we are open to anything He has for us.

~No, it's not foster care based...just strictly an adoption process

~Yes, there will be ways for you to donate and help in the process

~YES, I will register and have a baby shower : )