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Home Study- Check!

Our home study lasted two hours yesterday.  We met with a social worker and a lawyer, which I thought was an interesting combination.  I wanted to make a good impression so I made sure the kitchen smelled like cookies, I fresh squeezed orange juice, picked flowers from my garden and had a beautiful bowl of fruit on the table.  Over and above outward appearances,we have been praying every day that during the interview they could sense the love of Jesus in us.

The two ladies were very kind and asked us all kinds of personal questions such as:

What has been the most difficult experience you've faced in your life?
What is your relationship with your parents like?
What is a normal day in your home like?
Why do you want to adopt?
What do you do for a living?
What is your educational background?

They did not ask us ONE question about what the particulars of the child we want to adopt.  While we're sure it's coming, it was somewhat of a relief they didn't ask.  We both freely expressed our faith in God and that our adoption journey started because we all are adopted by God.  We are not really sure how the women reacted to our expressions of faith, but there is NO WAY we can talk about adoption without referring to God and His love for me (and you).  The two go hand in hand.

They took a tour through our home and they shared with us more specifically about the Paraguayan adoption process.  Once our home study is approved and we complete the training, we will enter the waiting list!  

The interesting thing about the waiting list is that we will be assigned a child from our state (Itapua) and since there are very few parents that adopt from our region (we are the first in our city!), we could be high on the list.  We asked if there were children from Itapua and they told us there were children from our area!  They also try to make a "good fit" with the adoptive family and the child, so if they feel like we have a really good profile, they would try and match us sooner than others who have been waiting longer.  All that said, we really don't know how long this process is going to take, we just know we're one step closer!

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