Taking on the Beast… of Paperwork

I have no idea how it got to be September, but finally the Kansas City August is mostly over, and after a blistering summer of humidity, scheduling chaos, ministry, lots of time with extended family, and curve balls (not necessarily in that order), we are on to a new chapter in our lives. Several weeks ago we began the early stages of the semi-long process of adoption by submitting a pre-application to an adoption agency called Hannah’s Dream . It was the first of many little steps of faith to come, but after a short waiting period we were accepted by them as prospective adoptive parents! Excitement ensues.

About a month ago, Zack and I were finally able to sit down over a smooth cup ‘a Joe to discuss our time line for adoption. For us, it was never a matter of if, but when. Even before we got married, adoption seemed like such a no-brainer that we kind of took the whole idea for granted. Now for some reason things always seem to happen all at once for us, so much so that we have grown accustomed to the recurring theme in our lives of “go big or go home”. Sometimes it’s a good thing, but most often it is a huge inconvenience. We wouldn’t have it any other way, but let’s just say that there are few dull moments around the Hensley home front.

First we find ourselves needing a new place to live, then we find out the Lord is leading us down the adoption road in a big way and telling us to “ask big” in regards to our next house, then we land in a house we never thought could be ours, and then we have a crazy summer with Zack directing the biggest Awakening Teen Camp to date. After all of that we were hoping for a vacation to get some rest buuuuut…

Last week, on the day we received a letter telling us that we had been approved to continue the adoption application process and to begin the home study with Hannah’s Dream, I got a phone call. My Grandmother on my Dad’s side of the family had passed away pretty suddenly, and two days later we were off to Minnesota to attend the funeral and spend time with the family. I was struck that day with the kindness of the Lord. On the day that a life came to its final chapter on the earth, a letter came to me telling me that we were getting that much closer to welcoming a new life into his or her first chapter. It was a painful realization to think that my Grandma would not get to meet the first adopted child into our family, but I was so thankful to receive our approval on the same day that she died. My heart was so comforted at the thought of it.

Our choice to go through Hannah’s Dream was an easy one to make. The agency itself is composed of a stellar God-fearing, child-adoring staff who work closely with birth parents to offer unique support and care within the process of helping them find a loving and nurturing home for their child. They strive to keep the cost of adoption low with the intent of finding homes for as many children as the Lord entrusts to them, and serve tirelessly to ensure prospective adoptive parents understand the process and have all the backing they need to bring their child home. See what I mean? Easy.

So now we are on our way to tackling all the paperwork. We sat down a few nights ago reading through the first wave of information we needed to collect and I had to chuckle. Having given birth once already, I have to admit that I wondered why all of the information necessary for adoption didn’t matter to anyone when we gave birth to our own child. In adoption, they ask you basically EVERYTHING except for your preferred nail polish color, but all we had to do was walk out of the hospital with our Natalie after a brief tutorial on breastfeeding and a couple of fingerprints.  Hm…

There is a sense of anticipation in our hearts right now. According to our adoption coach, we could be finished with the home study by the New Year, which means we could be a family of four by Spring. Often the adoptions through Hannah’s Dream take somewhere in the vicinity of 9 months or so, but some have gone significantly more quickly. You may have heard that it takes about 2 years for an adoption to be finalized, but this is generally because adoptive parents are so specific in the look of the child they adopt, that the wait is painstakingly long.

We have not fully decided on every scenario, but race, gender, and mental or physical conditions are not nearly as important to us as obedience to the Lord and what He is asking of us. Meaning we plan to prayerfully consider taking a broad range of children. Our main concern right now is asking who the child is that the Lord wants for our family. The rest is secondary.  It’s exciting to think that He already knows who our baby is.

Throughout the next few months, we will be focusing our energy on preparation. As with any addition to the family, whether by birth or adoption, there are things that need to happen which require money. The adoption process costs money, budgeting for a new family member costs money, and getting our home ready for another baby costs money. That’s where you come in.  PLEASE pray!!!  Pray for favor, grace, protection, and finances. If you would like to give, we welcome it, but we want more than a simple monetary gift; we covet your prayers. We are so aware that God is in all of this, and that the funds will come as we are faithful to steward what He gives us with diligence. But we also know that with great obedience comes great warfare. Would you please back us in prayer during the next 9 months in a very focused way?

The beauty of this is that your partnership with us in this means you get to also share in the eternal reward of caring for an orphan. A real one. In a real way.

Love to you all!!

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