Week 17: 288 pieces funded 712 more to go!

We are almost to the 300 piece mark!

Thank you to the Criswells and Atchleys!!!

REwriting my story

My minister Lea has started a women’s group and the study is centered around the book Namesake by Pastor Jessica LaGrone. It’s a weekly study about when God rewrites your story.  Oddly enough God is rewriting my story as I type. How is He rewriting yours? The author also struggled with infertility so when she relates scripture to her struggles I really zone in. I love how she relates her story to scripture and is not ashamed to tell her stories of struggles and discontentment. She realizes her story is God’s story.

She talks about using the phrase “I’ll be happy when…” Mine was I’ll feel better when I’m a mom. Well after years of that not coming true I realized I better start feeling good now. Or else I’d be one unhappy camper! I talked about me choosing the Voice of Truth over Bitterness in a past post. Jessica states, “Those answered prayers are too often followed by another prayer request. This is proof that having contentment doesn’t lie in having our every whim fulfilled.” I mean I want all this adoption stuff to go fast. I mean I’ve been waiting long enough to be a parent, right? God? God? That little question I was asking God was wrong. You see God has a life he planned for me to live. There were times I was so focused on the blessings of others that ignored my own sometimes.

This journey has made me work on my trust in Him. Sometimes I think I've got it all planned out. But then when I'm disappointed I'm reminded that its on in His time and that He is transforming me and all involved for the moment that's just right. I can't even fathom  what's in store. I'm sure it will be better than I can imagine. In the meantime  I stay busy. I am improving my relationships, getting involved in my church, getting my fitness on, enjoying my work and writing every week about our journey. All of it is slowly changing my perspective.  I love how Jessica writes, “Knowing the love of our Heavenly Father means knowing there will always be more than enough to go around.”

SO as I wait I try to breathe and take in the beauty of this journey. Truth is it will be an amazing story worth sharing again and again because it will be His.

 Check out how to order her book for yourself or for a book study contact her @ jessicalagrone.com

There is a PLAN: Chapel's Adoption Story

Chapel's Adoption Story | the feature from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Week 16: 275 pieces funded 725 more to go!

         Thank you Great Aunt Connie for your donation this week!

                           

Louie Dog is always there to help.

We Are Adopted Plain and Simple

I can’t believe this journey we are on. We take small steps everyday getting closer to our children. I wish I knew what will transpire. But this journey has brought me closer to my Father. No not James Wayne but our Heavenly Father upstairs. I am not minister or writer but I am an ordinary person trying to figure out this crazy thing called life. I try because I know that God made me and you to be extraordinary and he has a plan for all us. (Don't you feel that tug at your heart?) I was born to my mom and dad but I’m adopted by Jesus Christ. All Christians are adopted into the family of God. But, how did we become adopted? The Bible tells us that by receiving Jesus into our lives and believing in His name we gain the right to become God’s children.

John 1:10-13 says of Jesus,

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” (NIV) 

The Man upstairs does not show favoritism between His family members and neither should we. In His eyes we are united together as one family, a family that is connected through His son, Jesus Christ. I personally know a couple of families that have adopted. And by the natural eye you can see the children are adopted because of their nationally or racial background but if you close your eyes you can hear their conversations. In their conversations you would never be able to construe their differences.

God’s intentions are clear in Ephesians 1:5,

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” (NLT)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:14-16, NLT)

When Tim and I become instant parents we will be committed to our children, like God committed himself to us, His adopted children. He is also a father to the fatherless, loving His children unconditionally. It is comforting to know that regardless of our parent’s failures (though mine were perfect), we can rest in the unfailing love of our Heavenly Father.

Jeremiah 29:11 reassures us of the Lord’s dedication,

“For I know I have plans for you." declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you  and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

How cool is that?

Love,

Tim and Greta

Week 15: No new puzzle pieces funded this week

265 puzzle pieces funded 735 more to go!

Snapshots

So last weekend we had a small photo shoot to capture what our current family looks like. This is for the photo book we have to put together for our open adoption. This book will help a birth family pick us to be parents!! Then of course I captured some fun in between. Hope you enjoy!!! Oh and Thank you Aunt Laura. Good thing I have tons of picture past and present to put in this book.

Team Pitcher!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Pretending they are dogs

crazy kids :)

Poor Louie

Week 14: 265 puzzle pieces funded 735 more to go!

A BIG thank you to Lori Reynolds. The Williams, The Peters, The Curtis Family, Becky Rothe and Chris McDonald!!

Sunshine and Warmth

Things are looking up in the Pitcher household. Maybe it’s the warm weather or that there is no more ice on the ground, I am not sure.  I think we are all READY for SPRING!!! With this anticipation comes a burst of energy and a need to re-energize.

On the adoption front:

This last week on our ‘ice vacation’ I researched and found 9 grants we will be applying for to fund the rest of our adoption. It’s a relief now that we are organized and know which ones we are going to shoot for. There are no guarantees in this process as for everything in LIFE.  It’s kind of like applying for scholarships for college. There are tons of adoption grants out there but each grant is looking for different criteria, of course. Each one has different guidelines and procedures, award amounts and dues dates. Good news; these applications are lengthy but they are not as intense as the home study process- thank the Lord! But we have to wait to send off applications until we get the letter that says that our home study has been approved. So we wait.

 Let’s Do This!

While we wait we are challenging ourselves. We want to be around for our future kids. Though some might call us “old”, we sure don’t feel like it. So we started a 90 days challenge. Coach Pitcher said, “If you can do anything for 90 days it will become a habit! “ We are on day six so we will see. 

Here’s the picture and guidelines.

My guidelines are little more refined I am choosing to eat for my hormones from the book Woman Code by Alisa Vitti.  Basically we eat clean and exercise.  Through this process we are learning healthy alternatives to foods we crave.   It’s kind of fun to think outside the box and try different food. I have not found an alternative for a warm right out of the oven brownie or chocolate chip cookie, YET.   If you want to join just let us know. Support is key. 

The Lamp Unto My Feet:

 On the spiritual side of things we are getting more involved in our church. I am now the chair of the nurture committee and Tim is the co-chair.  The responsibilities of this committee are to meet the physical and emotional needs of our church (and community) through ministries. We are still figuring out this role being it’s still new to us but are excited to get more involved and use our gifts.

I am in the process of acting on what my heart has called on me to do.  And it kind of scares me. When we were going through infertility, we desperately wanted to talk with someone else/other couples who understood what we were going through in a small group setting. Moving to a small community there wasn’t any in my area. So starting an infertility support group has been weighing on my heart for some time.  Thankfully my pastor Lea encouraged my little idea.  I am now in the process of finding a book to be in the center of this small group. Does anyone know of one that they would recommend? I am open for suggestions.

So things are ‘growing’ in the right direction here at the Pitcher household for now.  We continue to keep the faith that our family will grow here soon. Some days are a struggle while others are filled with hope. But we try to take care of each other as much as we can. As we walk through this adoption wilderness I pray I can resist the temptation of you know who telling me it won’t happen. GO AWAY!

2 Corinthians 1:24 NIV ...it is by faith you stand firm. Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming we feel them! Thank you!!

 

Enjoy your week!

Tim and Greta

 

 

 

 

Russian-born U.S. Paralympian Tatyana McFadden's story

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An Adoption Story to share...

I wonder how our story will unwind everyday. Here's a family's amazing journey that embodies an open adoption.

Week 13 update: 248 puzzle pieces funded 752 more to go!

Thank you Laura Thomas, Allison Atchley and The Allens!!

home study visit

Before going through the adoption process I thought a home study consisted of one visit to your home and that was it. Well actually it all of this:

..a 23-hour education and self-assessment process. It explores communication styles. It helps families to understand the feelings of grief and the loss that children can experience. It helps identify family strengths and in what situations you can most successfully parent. In general, the home study process is a combination of education for you about the realities of adoption and information about yourself and your family. The final written home study will include a description of your family, verifications, medical and financial statements and references. You will also be asked to identify and describe the type of child you feel that you can successfully parent. (http://www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/state-adoption-and-foster-care-information/tennessee)

So last Thursday was the final written part of the home study.  This was the part where Rhonda our adoption specialist comes in and checks out our home and describes it. I thought she was going to look through our drawers and closets and take out a white glove and inspect all out furniture for dust. But that was not the case.

First I greeted her at the door with a hug. She’s kind of like a long lost relative because he knows all our business.  We talked for a while and we introduced her to Louie Dog Pitcher.

She seemed to like him. Louie loved her because well he’s never met a human he didn’t like. Then she asked us to show her around the house. She walked around with her clipboard and wrote down the facts of each room of our home. Like how many windows and closets are in each room. She asked for the number of fire alarms in the house, dead bolts and then asked to see the fire extinguisher.  That's all folks!

 

Finally we sat down and went over our service plan again to see if we wanted to change anything. What’s a service plan you ask? Well it’s the plan where the adoptive parents specifically outline the child that would make a good fit in their family. The ethnic and racial makeup and age of the child are a few of the things on the service plan.  For example, we would like an infant but we are also open to multiple births. This includes any other siblings.

I asked how long will all the paperwork take to finalize and it takes 30 business days. Then we get a letter in the mail that says that our home study is finalized! This piece a paper will be used to apply for grants and loans. Now this home study is good for a year and if we don’t adopt in a year we have to update our home study. That requires fees and such-more money. After finalization our photo book is shown to birth families and our profile becomes active on line for anyone to view. Don’t worry I’ll share the link when it’s up. She also said that if she has any news, like a family that wants to meets us she will call.

We handed over $1450.00 to process the paperwork and a check for $140.00 for all three of our background checks. Thank you for your donations we didn’t have to worry about writing those checks. Once the home study is finalized we have to send Bethany a check for $2500.00. So, if you are planning/willing to donate this would be a good time. Those donations mean the world to us!

 

After an hour Rhonda left. We won’t see her until we meet with a birth family. I’m gonna miss seeing her! Maybe we will see her sooner than we think- who knows. Now it’s all in GOD’s hands.

So now I need to get our photo book together! All those photos I’ve taken through the years are going to play off -I hope. In the front cover we need to write a letter to the birthmother.  Hopefully those words will come easily. Tim's mission to look up grants and loans to fund the rest of the adoption cost.

Now we wait.