God's Got This: A Strategic Prayer Guide for Your Adoption JourneyНамуна

"God is in Control!"

So you’ve been praying over the geographic location of your child. Maybe you have even decided upon a certain locale. A good next step is to consider different agencies, adoption lawyers or consultants. Immediately after deciding to adopt, I entered a state of confusion. The first obstacle came quickly as the options felt endless, and the requirements were extensive. Very often agencies, especially those focused on domestic adoptions, have state-dependent expectations. For example, some states require that you live in the state where they are based. Others will work with any approved family nationally. Internationally, it can vary country by country, and bonus - the rules can change somewhat unexpectedly.

There are so many ways to proceed, that it can feel overwhelming. Fairly standard requirements include medical paperwork, interviews, and fingerprinting before you can even be considered. Yes, I know! It can feel impossible.

But Jesus says this in Luke 18:27 - “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Let me encourage you with these truths: When you choose to move forward in an adoption journey, you have entered into a miracle in the making. You heard a calling from God. You have prayed extensively. You have listened to Godly counsel. You are actively walking out the will of God found in James 1:27. You are expecting, and you are expecting something good!

After a year of paperwork and prayer, my parents were finally matched with what they could only describe as the most wonderful and enchanting child: yours truly. Although the photo my orphanage sent them showed me with pillow prints on my face and only one eye open, they knew beauty when they saw it. Momma was ready to run straight to South America to start hugging on me. But alas, someone, somewhere, misplaced my parents’ FBI fingerprints.

Momma, with her sweet southern charm, called straight to the White House. Her baby was waiting, and fingerprints or not, she was hopping on a plane. Emotional but focused, Momma kept telling her story and was pushed up the chain until she finally found someone to expedite things. My parents travelled just days later, and I came home to my forever family. So no matter where in the world your child may be, remember - God is in control!