​Sometimes I forget all that He’s done for me.  Other times, I forget to even give thanks.  But today, I want to pause and remember God for all that He has done this year.
 
This blog post has been on my heart for over a month, but I had to remind myself just yesterday that God has been so good to us through our adoption journey and shown Himself throughout it.  It’s when I start to forget that I begin to be burdened.  When the “blah” of life starts creeping in, I need a reminder like the Israelites had that will knock some sense into this forgetful head of mine.
 
I was inspired by the Book of Joshua to create my own stone of thanksgiving for the past year.  This stone is now a physical reminder of all that God has done.  You see, in Joshua chapter 1, Joshua is established as the new leader of the Israelites after Moses’s death and the Lord tells him to lead the people “into the land I am about to give to them” (verse 2, NIV).  The first step: cross the Jordan River at flood stage.

I should preface with this: You can’t truly know what to expect in domestic adoption!  Praise God that He knows the plan, and the perfect plan at that.  Like the exiles in Babylon, we can trust that God knows the plans for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
 
You can expect every domestic adoption to be different.  Each agency, birthmom, and waiting family is unique.  I’ve learned so much in our adoption journey and I wanted to take some time to share with you on what can be expected in a domestic adoption and help prepare you for what is to come.
 
Starting the Domestic Adoption Journey
Before we chose an agency we did lots of research, mostly on-line, to find out more about adoption agencies.  Did they make promises that aren’t guaranteed? What did they stand for?  Were their fees online? 
 
I have to admit, choosing an agency was extremely overwhelming.  We chose ours because it was a Christian agency and that was priority because their mission aligned with ours.  It also came recommended from a friend who worked there which helped make this big decision much easier. 
 
To get started, our agency required a simple preliminary application with a small fee.  Nothing too crazy or time consuming, but would signal any red flags that we would not be a good fit with the agency.  (Some agencies have very specific requirements for waiting families such as number of years married.)
 
The Home Study
Leading up to the home study I felt overwhelmed because of what I read on-line. I’d see articles titled, “Surviving the Home Study,” and that doesn’t make anyone eager to go through it.  Y’all, it’s really not that bad.  Think of it as part of the labor pains of adoption; it’s not fun, but it’s going to lead to Baby. 
 
Our home study process was made up of three different components: Paperwork, Interviews, and Home Study.  It took about two months from the day we officially chose to pursue adoption to the time our home study was complete.  This is probably faster than most, but when Beth Burge feels compelled by the Good Lord to do something… watch out!
 
Here’s a list of what was involved in the home study process: 

​I need frequent reminders to stop.  To pause.  To take it easy.  I’ve given Craig the power to hit my off switch if I get too out of control.  He’s had to use it more than once.
 
It’s a challenge to be still.  And even when my body stops moving my mind doesn’t want to slow down.  I think about work, the future, family, the grocery list, and lots of little things that have no importance.  Can I get an Amen?  With the adoption journey, there are many elements that can’t be controlled that keep my mind working. 
 
But oh, when the stillness sets in, even for a moment, what a relief.