I feel like we're in that phase where we say "Lord-willing" at the end of every sentence.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lord-willing."
"Lord-willing, the baby will be born within the next week."
"If the Lord wills it, we will bring our new family member home soon!"
This part of our adoption journey is probably the most surreal...to be truly so close and yet potentially so far away. The promise of Psalm 33 is in the forefront of our mind right now:
"Behold, the eye of the Lord in on those who fear Him,
on those who hope for His lovingkindness...
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
according as we have hoped in You."
Tomorrow, September 8, is the baby's due date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Briana (the birthmom) had another check up with her doctor today. Both she and the baby are doing well...no big "labor indicators" as of yet! We've got all our hospital plans in order, though, so we'll be ready to leave for San Jose at a moment's notice.
And yes, I may be a bit obsessive about checking my phone right now.
I don't want to miss the call!!!
Ok...I'm having a hard time balancing out the "check the phone every 5 minutes in case I missed something." But give me a break: we've been waiting and working and praying for this child for 2 years! =)
So what's next?
*Briana goes into labor and calls us.
*We head to the hospital ASAP. Since San Jose is 3 hours-ish away, we may or may not make it to the hospital for the delivery (depending on when she chooses to call/text us and how fast Ben drives there...). Either way, it will only be Briana and her mom (Thea) in the actual delivery room.
*Bethany Christian Services has notified the hospital that we (the adoptive parents) will be there and some of the "special" needs we may have...such as: the hospital social worker's presence at discharge, extra security bracelets so that we can have access to the baby in the nursery, etc.
*When Briana is discharged from the hospital, the first round of paperwork will be signed. These are essentially papers that enter the baby into foster care through Bethany, designate us as the foster parents of choice, and allow us to leave the hospital with the baby (AHHHHHHHHHHHH!).
*Bethany Christian Services Pregnancy Counselor typically meets with the birthmom within a week after discharge to sign the actual relinquishment papers. She will also need to meet with the birthfather (who isn't overly involved in our case) to have him sign relinquishments. As you can imagine, the time between leaving the hospital as foster parents and receiving confirmation from the state about relinquishments is a high-risk period for us. (This is part of the reason why we've decided to wait until October to host a baby shower/open house).
*Once we receive the confirmation that relinquishments have been processed by the state and birth-parental rights have been terminated, we actually get to submit all OUR paperwork to the state to adopt this little one!! Finalization takes place about a year later and will be confirmed at our local court in Placerville!!
How can you pray and encourage everyone involved?
*Peace. For Briana and her family. For us and our family.
*Safety. For the baby and Briana. For us as we (furiously) drive to San Jose and back. For our precious Ethan as he stays with Mimi and Papa while we are at the hospital!
*Grace. With the hospital being a potentially high-stress time, we are desperately praying for the Lord to grant us supernatural amounts of grace to bestow upon Briana and her family...especially as we "wait our turn" with the new baby.
*Health. All the way around!
We have seen God's perfect timing in every area of our life: our marriage, the birth of Ethan, moving into our home, meeting Briana, etc. His will is perfect and we are honored to be used by Him to glorify His matchless name! AMEN!
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