The Long's

The Long's
Wind River Ranch - where our journey to Chazz began!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Pre-homestudy documents


I received an email last week that contained 6 documents I needed to fill out, sign, and mail to our agency in order to start our homestudy.  Wow - after printing the same documents for the kids 3 times, I finally have them completed!  I hope this is not the way the paper chase is going to go!  I guess I shouldn't try to do important paperwork at 9:30 at night while watching TV!  Anyway, I have the documents completed, the family photo uploaded to one of our local print places, and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow...  Hard to believe that this dream is becoming a reality again!  God is so wonderful and works in such mysterious ways!  It is not for us to comprehend His plan - just go with it!  From our family to yours - we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Current Status

Decision made to adopt..check
Formal application...check
Formal application approved...check
Initial payment made...check
Contract signed...check

Now we are ready to begin our homestudy!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

It's really happening

We submitted our formal application on Monday and paid our first fee.  Today we spoke with the branch manager of our adoption agency and she approved our application and will send it on to headquarters.  Then we pay our homestudy fee, sign a contract, and begin the process. 
We think we know the child already, but we're waiting on God to let us know His plan - and China too.  You never know in international adoption.  Be prepared for anything and everything.  We know that we'll adopt a waiting child, so we're hoping the adoption can be finalized in about a year!  As soon as we can, we'll post a picture of our child.  The kids are already saying that the van will be crowded our next trip to Florida!  But Brooks is excited, because he'll get to drive some.
Our plan is to keep everyone informed of the process - where we are - and our timelines here.  
The two main issues for us with adoption are not being in control of the timeline and finances.  Unfortunately it is expensive to adopt.  We've worked hard the last several years to try to be in a financial situation to adopt again, we're saving money each month, but it looks like we might come up a little short.  We don't like the idea of going into debt, but if we have to, we will.  We may try to do some fundraising in the future if we see it is needed.  We'll keep track of our adoption experience right here.  It is our hope people will follow us and spark interest in adoption. 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Crazy Love

This summer, Jerry and I read Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  It certainly is convicting!  Ever since we got home with Hanna, we've constantly thought of adopting again, but tried desperately to put those thoughts far away.  Well, God kept bringing them to the forefront and we wouldn't listen.  Then we vacationed at Wind River Ranch in Estes Park, Co.  It is a Christian family guest ranch.  We did much praying and listening that week - and read the book.  God was speaking loudly and this time we actually started listening.  We've come up with all of the reasons why we shouldn't adopt...expensive, crazy, we have 3 great kids...but God kept saying Yes!  So here we go again!  We actually have 2 extra seats in the van and 2 extra beds upstairs.  Jerry says we can't get anymore beds, nor can we get a vehicle that holds more than 7!  We don't know where, we don't know when, but we do know that we are going to Adopt Again!