Perry Journey Part 2

I hope you all enjoyed the little glimpse of history earlier this week. I’m so grateful that Sarah and her family were willing to let us get a more personal look at this adventure on which they are embarking. Here’s the first part of the interview we conducted:

Sarah, what prompted you and your family to pursue an overseas adoption?

Our love for children and our love for the gospel.

Are your kids excited about it?

YES:) I don’t think they understand it all, but we try to explain the best we can so they do. They all say they want to share a bedroom with her. [the baby sister they're planning to adopt] On their own, they pray for her which is too freakin cute!!

Are there any books/resources you would recommend to someone thinking about adoption of any sort? Specifically overseas/African?

The Bible, Adopted for life by Russell Moore, countless blogs. Literally 6 months before we officially said we were adopting we read, read, read & prayed:)

To us, it has been like a three step process (not counting fund raising….that is ongoing).

1. Get our home study done – which is where a social worker requires an obscene amount of paperwork and several interviews are conducted, one including even a study of our home – COMPLETE!!! We’ve been working through all of this since January.

2. Compiling our dossier – which is a big bunch of official paperwork for the Ethiopian government. We’re just waiting on ONE last paper to come in…out of about 40.  After our dossier is sent to Ethiopia, we will officially be on the wait list. Average wait for an infant girl is 15 months right now.

3. Wait, Wait, Wait! is the last thing. When we get a referral for our baby girl, then the hustle and bustle of traveling over there 2 times will begin. We have to make 2 visits.

Were you mentally prepared for the red tape?

Josh was. He is able to keep a little more distance from it. He knows it is a long process and has just submitted to it (kinda like a pregnancy huh?). I, on the other hand, am a little more emotionally involved. I knew it would be a long process but I also struggle with control and therefore try to look for ways to speed up the red tape. When there is something to be done on a time line (which is about once a week) I literally work on it non stop…not good….but being honest. So for me, NO! I wasn’t ready but just had to jump in and start somewhere right? Even if you are prepared, more red tape will pop up…it is endless…but worth it!