Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Adoption Seminar Recap

I've been trying to think how I can summarize the adoption workshop Bryan and I went to on Saturday. There's just no way. Perhaps the biggest statement would be it was very enlightening, informative, and convicting. And at the same time it was also a very sweet time to share with Bryan. There were 13 breakout sessions but you could only go to 3 and they were 45 min - 1 hour long. I wanted to have more opportunities for breakout and longer sessions!! The information we received was very valuable.


The workshop was hosted by Hope Ministry. Their theme verse is "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their distress." James 1:27. I got tears in my eyes when this came on the screen. Poor Bryan was probably thinking.....this is going to be a long day! :) But seriously, think about that verse....Pure and LASTING religion involves caring for the orphans.


Our day started with hearing a story from an adoptive mother's perspective. At lunch, we heard the testimony of a birth mother and her experience of giving her child for adoption. The choice for adoption proved to be a pivotal event in Crystal's life that God used to lead her away from a life of abuse, drugs, and alcohol. Since her daughter was born she has lead an abortion alternative ministry and is an advocate for pro-adoption, pro-life legislation in Oklahoma. To be completely honest, I had not put much thought or prayer into our birth mother. I had viewed it as a means to get what Bryan and I so desperately want. But God used her testimony to show us both we MUST begin praying for the birth mother now. Pray for her well being, guidance, and spirituality. God showed us Saturday we can use this adoption to minister to the birth mother. That was just one of the BIG lessons we learned.


Bryan and I chose to go to these 3 breakout sessions: Domestic Adoption, Creative Ways to Finance Your Adoption, and Home Study 101. There were others on Transracial Adoption, Profile Books, Ages and Stages of Adoption, Mentoring, and Fostering. We chose these 3 because this was the areas we really wanted some clarity and factual information on at this point in our journey. We are interested in the others but we couldn't get past these 3 until we understood it more. Does that make sense? I could have sat for hours in each session but time was very limited... :( Would you believe I cried and kept crying in the Finance session!!! Who would cry over the federal tax credit!! I'm crazy!! I felt like a crazy doedoe. The presenter went over the tax credit in detail and how that plays out over a few years. It just really showed us this is completely possible and we can do it. It isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was just grateful God has blessed us and provided a way. The numbers do not look as bad as I had thought they would. Bryan was quick to remind me he never doubted we could do it!! :) In short the financial session was very encouraging. We left there uplifted.


All along I had thought there were only about 3 agencies available that facilitated adoptions. Nope!! I learned there are several more in the state of OK!! Thank you God!!! I truly saw the grace of God throughout this day in just giving us information and then in encouragement. It is very hard to explain. Thank you for being patient with my rambling. But Praise God Today!!!


Dinner last night:

Would you believe I cooked last night for the first time in a very long time (I know exactly how long but I'm not going to tell you for fear of shame and judgement..hee hee). I know breathe, everyone take a breath. I was shocked too. I tried something new Bryan and I found at the grocery store.

I love boneless Buffalo Wild Wings and I had been buying the Tyson frozen already season bag. We found this wing sauce and decided to try to make our own. I cut up 3 chicken breast, seasoned them with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper. Coated them with egg and flower and then fried the little pieces. Then I poured this sauce mixed with butter over the cooked chicken. My husband loved them!!! Absolutely loved them!! He was so complimentary! The finished product looks scary in picture but they were pretty crazy good.

I have a goal to eat at home every day this week! Seriously. Tonight is roast, green beans, and scalloped potatoes. Wish me luck!

14 comments:

Lindsey said...

Yay!! For both the seminar and the cooking:)

It will happen. I'm praying:)

Anonymous said...

I am on vacation, but I could not resist reading your blog!! I love boneless buffalo wings!! How exciting that you are going to DC. I am already looking forward to the pictures!!

The Hickmans said...

Oh Girl, I am so happy for you! God is so good, and He is really blessing you for your faith. I hope everything works out- you are in my prayers!

Heather said...

Oh, Julie, God is SO good!! I am so happy He met you there and showed you that it is possible. I don't think it's crazy that you were crying about the tax credit. The IRS has a way of making people cry, and I think it's about time that meant crying for joy!!

Those wings look fabulous. I have been trying so hard to cook, too. We were doing really well until we went to Florida, and then after eating out for a week, it has been difficult to get back into it. I've been trying to cook new things to make it more exciting. Maybe we can swap some recipes!

Caroline said...

Julie,

PRAISE GOD
PRAISE GOD
PRAISE GOD that He directed you to the financial session and showed you that it can happen. Oh I ALREADY KNOW HE WILL PROVIDE!!!! i AM PRINTING THIS OFF TO KEEP IN MY FOLDER FOR YOU. i AM JUST SO EXCITED TO WATCH THIS ADOPTION PROCESS PLAY OUT!!!! FOR WE WILL GIVE OUR GOD ALL GLORY AND PRAISE

Kelly said...

I'm so glad you got answers and that it is so much more in reach than you thought!!! I've been praying it would be easy!
I'm so excited for you and Bryan. I hope you know I am praying!!! I'm praying for your heart also. (You know what I mean)

Candy said...

Julie,
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD? I just feel like singing that song right now. I'm so happy for ya'll! The information you found out sounds great!!

Angela said...

Oooh, the food looks yummy! I have made those one time and they were so spicy, this Louisiana girl could hardly handle it. Good for you for cooking at home. It is easy for a couple to eat out ALOT...we ate out a ton before we had kids. I kinda of miss that part!

I'm so happy the adoption seminar went well. It seems very informative and I know God will provide everything you need.

Kristen said...

Those wings look great! I admire you for attempting to eat at home this whole week. I always make that statement, but am terrible at staying true to my word...it's so hard with two people sometimes. :)

I will keep you my prayers regarding the adoption!

Betsy said...

Julie-I know God has big plans for you. The seminar sounds like it was so helpful! We will keep praying!

Your wings looks yummy! Dinner tonight sounds good, too!

Unknown said...

A friend of mine just started a blog of her own for the purpose of documenting their adoption journey. Here is her blog address rebekahpinchback.blogspot.com go visit her, she is so sweet!

Faith said...

Hey Julie, I am so grateful that the Lord spoke so clearly through these sessions. I am praying for you as you continue to follow the plan He has for your family. He is working!!!
SO impressed with your dinner! I need to be better about cooking...it's just no fun cooking for two and having a bunch of leftovers that we don't eat. Oh well, you encouraged me to try!

Brooklyn said...

those wings look really good. i may need your recipe, seeing as how my cooking is questionable. hope we are still on to work out tomorrow...i wanna hear all about bryan's lunch.

valerie said...

Yum...the chicken looks great!
I'm gonna have to try that.

I'm so glad the seminar went well.
I've been praying for y'all.
I would have been just like you - crying through even the finance part. I truly believe that's when the Holy Spirit is very present with me. It's more than just emotional tears. They are different....special tears. I feel very close to God then.
I get a little embarrassed sometimes in church because it doesn't have to be a time or a situation that's obvious to everyone else and I always think (and shouldn't care) that people will think I'm having problems or that it's a sad cry.
I know I'm rambling....but want you to know you're not crazy. God was pouring out a special blessing on you that day.
Have a great day!
Love,
Valerie