We believe children are a blessing from the Lord (Ps. 127:3). As we’ve desired to grow our family, we were open to the Lord adding to our crew through more biological children or another adoption. To us, it’s all the same. After 4 consecutive miscarriages, biological children are no longer an option for us. In all we’ve been through, this decision wasn’t hard to make nor did it grieve us. We grieve the lives of our babies, but not the loss of having biological children. Since then, we knew adoption was our next step. We’ve spent so much time praying and researching potential avenues and are excited to begin a domestic adoption process with Flourish.
When it comes to starting an adoption process, the need is so great, that it’s difficult to determine where and how to begin. This time, we felt the Lord drawing us toward domestic adoption. Most likely, we’ll adopt an infant. We talked to many wonderful agencies and law firms, but ultimately, landed on Flourish. After talking with them on the phone, we walked away refreshed and encouraged to begin another process. We absolutely love the care they provide for all members of the adoption triad- birth families, children, and adoptive families.
So, how does this work? Here is a brief overview of the process:
- Currently, we’re on Flourish’s waitlist. During this time, we’ll work on our home study, create a profile book which expectant moms will see, and fundraise. This wait could be approximately 6 months.
- Flourish will call us to let us know we’re “Active.”
- Once we’re “Active,” expectant moms will have the opportunity to view our family’s profile. We’ll also have a website and Facebook profile which will help spread the word of our heart for adoption in order to connect with an expectant mom. The average wait for this step is about 2 years.
- To be “Chosen,” we’ll say, “Yes,” for our profile to be shown to an expectant mom, and then she’ll say, “Yes” to us (a decision we’ll always honor and be forever grateful for).
Adoption isn’t cheap. We knew this was coming, so we’ve been trying to steward our finances well, prepare, and save, but we also will do fundraisers. We know money is tight, so anytime anyone helps us in any way, we’re completely humbled and grateful. We’re kicking off with Egg My Yard. Even getting to do this fundraiser is already evidence of God answering prayers. We thought our application would take longer to process, thus making it too late to do Egg My Yard. However, Flourish processed our application and got us on the waitlist just in time to kick this off! Praise God! On the evenings of April 17-19 (you choose the night!), we’ll fill your yard with plastic eggs stuffed with candy and/or trinkets. You can choose 30 eggs for $25, 45 eggs for $35, or 60 eggs for $45. Click here for more info and to sign up. If you have any questions, feel free too email me at cassiepattillo@gmail.com
As we begin this process, here are specific ways to pray:
- Pray for our future child. We’re already praying for his/her salvation and our bonding process with one another.
- Pray for the expectant mother. She’ll make an extremely brave choice to make an adoption plan for her child. We don’t take this lightly.
- Pray for the Lord to provide the necessary funds. We just launched our Egg My Yard fundraiser and will do more in the future.
- Pray for the timeline. Our process with Faith was over double what we originally thought, and honestly, we feel like we’re already 2 years into this process after all the miscarriages. Help us to trust that the Lord’s timeline will be best!
diariesofadaughter.com 