In late November of last year, we wrapped up the parenting classes, the home study, and all the other preparations for becoming foster parents. KVC, the agency we were working with, was willing to promote our case with the state in hopes of getting us licensed. We were told that it could be two months before we heard anything. If we were turned down, then we would have become parties to the ACLU lawsuit against the state. So, we were very much in waiting mode.
But a few years ago we were told that we needed to share that we wanted to become parents, because it was likely that someone would know someone who would be putting a child up for adoption and that they would mention us as a potential couple. I guess many adoptions happen this way.
At church our Advent these was "What's Your Wish?" and on the Second Sunday of Advent we did a Wishing Tree during worship. Everyone wrote their deepest wish on a card and hung it on the tree. Introducing this idea, I couldn't help but share my own personal wish, to be a father. So, I talked about it in this sermons, "Your Heart's Desire."
Afterwards, while I was standing in the Narthex shaking hands like I do every Sunday, a church member came by and said, "How can I help?" And I said, "I don't know, how can you help?" He mentioned some of his political connections and that he'd be willing to talk to some folks on our behalf. I told him that I would call him on Monday. I did, and we talked further.
Less than two weeks later we received the call that we had a foster license. From two months, unsure what the response would be, to two weeks and a positive response.
The next day, a Sunday, I said to the church member, "I guess you did it." He said, "I didn't do anything. You all did it. You deserve this."
-- Scott
