Saturday, January 24, 2009

I used to like roller coasters.


Really I do like the real ones.  But lately the emotional one has taken over and I am not enjoying the ride.  
About 3 weeks ago, I spoke to someone who is trying to help people who want to adopt from Uganda.  He told me I could probably travel in April or May.  WHAT?? Are you kidding me?  OK I have got to get busy.  I have most of the required paperwork.  I just need to get my homestudy completed and raise some money.  The climb of the roller coaster car has begun.  So I sit down and complete the 10 page application.  Two days later I mail my application for my homestudy.  The agency called me the next day.  I didn't know the US Postal Service worked that fast.  Still climbing.  I call the agency and they are mailing my initial paperwork and the Contract Homestudy Manual.  Two days later I receive my envelope.  Inside is a folder containing a few forms, fingerprint cards, and a zip drive.  My roller coaster car has just jerked to a stop at the top of the hill.
I plug the drive into my computer and start to browse the 98 pages of documents that I have to read, fill out, and spill my guts on.  No problem I can do this.  I hate paperwork, but it is all going to be worth it.  I fill out the first set of forms that need to be returned and call to see about getting fingerprinted.  They only do fingerprinting on Wednesday or Saturday, so I plan to go on Wednesday.  I was told I did not need an appointment, so as soon as the buses left the school I was right behind them.  I rush down to the office, only to be told that I can only be fingerprinted on day shift.  OK,  would have been nice to have been told that when I called on Monday.  Thanks for pushing my roller coaster car over the edge.  
I get home and I have a message from my social worker.  She wants me to call her on Friday, so I really get started on the manual, so I can have questions ready.  Maybe I am not going completely over the edge and plummeting down hill.  


This is a sidebar---Are they really serious with some of these questions?  Do I want to make a lifelong commitment to a child? No I just thought I would pour my heart and soul into a 2 year stint.  Is this not a timeshare kind of thing?   Where do they get this stuff?  I have about 20 of these jewels to answer.  Anyone who knows me can tell you, I hate an essay question.  


Ok I'm back from my rant.  So Friday I get ready for my first phone call with my social worker.  She is only in the office from 8am-2pm.  Not exactly the best hours for a teacher to try to reach someone, but we do have some down time.  Oh I'm sorry,  we have a meeting durning my planning period.  Can't do it then.  I'll try to get someone to watch my class for a few minutes.  Sorry again, it's the 100th day of school and we have celebrating to do.  So finally at 1 it is break time.  Here's my chance.  I can make this phone call with 200 5, 6, and 7 year olds sitting right outside the lounge.  I do get to talk to my social worker.  She sounds very sweet.  I ask her my questions and she is able to answer them all.  Maybe my roller coaster car is reaching the bottom of a very short hill.  We talk about setting up our first of four appointments.  I'm hoping for next week.  I really have to jump on this thing quickly.  She is only in the office 3 days a week from 8am-2pm.  OK I can take 1/2 day of my precious off days to go.  I really need to save them.  I am planning to travel in April or May.  She says she doesn't know if that will be possible.  What?   She informs me that it will take 4 months to complete my homestudy?  WHAT?  I thought it was only supposed to take 6-8 weeks.  So we make an appointment for Presidents Day.  At least I don't have to take a sick day.   So I hope at this point my roller coaster car is at the bottom and is starting back up the next hill.
I did get my fingerprints done today and the lady was very nice.  I went right next door to the post office and mailed them off.  
I'm glad that God is in control of my roller coaster car.  It is going to be a great ride.  I just have to look for the thrills in those down hill falls.  
I would appreciate any advice from those who have taken this ride before me.  
Prayer and wise counsel will get me through.
Thanks and God bless.


 

Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Party is over:(

As a teacher, I am sad and glad to see the Christmas holidays come to an end.  I will miss sleeping late, but I miss seeing those 15 little faces much more.   I will miss the silence of home, but I miss the giggles, laughter, and excited voices more.   I can't wait to hug each one of them and hear what Santa brought and what happened in their lives in the last two weeks.  I now get to spend the next 18 weeks helping these kids learn to love learning.  Something that I hope lasts them through the rest of their lives.  I LOVE my job!!!

What else do I hope to accomplish this year?   In another blog I read a woman say the she was making no resolutions or plans.  She is giving this year to God.  That is what I hope to do also.  I am not going to say what I am going to do but what I hope God will allow me to do with his help and guidance.  I hope to live the life that God has planned for me.  I hope that my life is a testimony to His love and grace.  I hope to move forward with my adoption and be able to travel to Uganda in 5-6 months to  pick up my daughter.  I hope to loose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.  I hope to become a better witness, teacher, friend, daughter, church member, and business woman.  I hope that my business grows even more.  I hope this is the year God sends the man He wants to be my husband and the father of my children.   All of these things I hope and pray for.  Please pray for them with me also.  But I know that if these things do not happen,  it is because God has a better plan for me than I can dream of for this year.  I can't wait to see what the plan is.

Have a great and blessed 2009!