-

"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow into them."

Pages

Monday, July 7, 2008

What Happens when you ask and God and HE answers...

I want you all in "blog land" to know that my reason for posting these journal entries is to show how we came to the decision to be foster parents (adoptive foster parents).

It all happened so quickly I think it is my way of processing everything.

I think that I will try to stick to posting them every Tuesday so I have it "scheduled".

Here are my 2nd & 3rd entries:


June 2, 2008

 

Today was my Great Aunt Anna’s Funeral.  Over the past few days I was able to meet my Dad’s cousin who adopted a child from Russia several years ago.  She is 7 now and Kobe and her had a pretty good time hanging out which was nice for both of them.  Jamie was adopted at 18 months (officially adopted) and has a pretty neat story about some of her medical records and how she was supposed to have something wrong with her brain but it ended up that the doctors over in Russian were actually just lying to make it look like she has something wrong with her.  Anyway, it is so precious to see Jamie’s Mom still tear up as she talks about how God brought Jamie into her life and how perfectly they fit together.

 

So, I still am wondering, is there a child out there that we are meant to adopt?  Are they born already?  Is it a boy or a girl?  Will they fit in with our family right away or will it take lots of time?  When will we meet them?  Will we know they are “the one” the first time we see them?

 

It is so weird to have so many questions and no answers.  No sense of a reasonable time line…nothing.  But I have God and He knows.   That has to be good enough.

 

 

June 3, 2008

 

I called the Lapeer DHS today; I was referred to a lady named Karen.  She was nice and very honest.  She said most, if not all, children that are “wards of the state” are considered special needs children.  She said I should really educate myself about special needs kids and see if that is something I am equipped to deal with.  Also, when I mentioned Kobe she made sure I was very aware that a lot of these kids have been molested, whether we know about it yet or not, and they may have issues like that that they try to re-enact or have other problems because of and that you need to be very careful bringing this into your home if you have a child.  Obviously I agree.  I will not be bringing any little one into our home that is even close to Kobe’s age I don’t think.  I think I am going to have to stick to 3 or under.  As I talked to Karen she referred me to a private adoption agency and I called them and they gave me lots of figures to think about.

 

$2000 Home Study Fee

$200 Application fee (to be sent in with half the Home Study fee)

If we adopt a White child the cost will be $12,000

If we adopt a black or bi racial child it will be $8,000

If we find our own birth parent it will be $6,000

Also, there will be a few hundred dollars in legal fees if the adoption is uncontested by the birth parent.

Also, after the child is ours there will have to be two visits done afterwards by the agency that will cost $450 each.

 

Karen gave me the number to the Genesee Office (calling it a “zoo down there”) and I called and listened to some of the recording before hanging up…I couldn’t handle much more information this morning.  Maybe tomorrow…

 


To be continued...

7 comments:

Alyssa said...

Thanks for sharing all of that, Leah. It is nice to know all the details. We love you guys and are praying for you with this big decision.

Have a great day. I will call you soon...I promise:).

cindy said...

We are so glad that you are looking at all the aspects of fostering or adoption and how it could effect all of you in the family. I know that GOD will guide you and Ben in your path to a new family member. I am so thankful for the honesty of the lady at Lapeer high school. To many times we don't get the whole picture and fall in love with the idea and not the reality of what we want to do. You know that Dad and I are praying for every step you take that it will be a positive step for all of you.
Love you bunches,
Mom

Leah Wentzel said...

Lapeer DHS = Lapeer Dept. of Human Services :)

I just wanted to make sure you knew who I had talked to :)


we covet your prayers and are anxiously waiting on GOD :)

cindy said...

You know why I said high school, boy it goes back a long way...Dexter High School. All I saw was DHS. :}

Love you!

Vicki Aeschliman said...

Leah, thank you for letting us in on your private thoughts and prayers. I know it must be hard. You are such a special lady and I love you to pieces. I am so glad that I have the honor of calling you my niece. Sorry if this is gushy. I have a headache and took my medicine and I guess it's just letting me type. Whatever child you, ben and kobe bring into your family will be so lucky and loved.

gram said...

Wow it does give you a lot of issues to consider. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lindsay said...

I think it's neat that you are sharing all of your thoughts with us! I love to read about your journey! Lots of love and prayers!

Linds