Home Study Update

I just wanted to give a quick update as to where we are in the home study process. Randy and I have been working hard on completing the (huge!) autobiographies, as well as gathering all of the necessary documents to send to International Family Services. As of today, I only lack two things to be finished: a report from our doctor and Randy's autobiography. Randy preached last weekend and will be preaching again this weekend, so he's had two messages to write in the midst of going to Galveston with our students for a Spring Break mission trip this week! He is close to being finished, though, so I anticipate being able to send off our whole packet early next week.

For those who are curious about what we have to compile and turn in, here is a list:
- birth certificates (all 4 of us)
- marriage certificate
- local police check for both Randy and me
- high school or college transcript or diploma
- medical clearance letter for us and for the girls
- tax return
- copies of Social Security cards
- monthly budget
- net worth spreadsheet
- statement from our mortgage company that we are current on our mortgage
- latest pay stub
- copies of our passports
- copies of our insurance cards
- statement from our insurance company that our child will be covered under our insurance from time of placement.
- sketch of our house floor plan with dimensions and use of each room
- photos of the outside of our home
- veterinarian letter saying that Molly is current on vaccinations and not a threat to children
- signed fee schedule
- signed adoption placement agreement
- signed Prohibition Against Child Buying
- signed Duty to Disclose
- application completed and notarized
- AND our two autobiographies. Believe it or not, these autobiographies have taken more time than gathering all the other documents. They are SO detailed!

Once we get all of this paperwork turned in, IFS will begin scheduling our interviews and home visits!! That whole process and them writing up the report should take about 4-6 weeks.

Hopefully next week I will have a post saying that we have turned everything in to them! It will be a relief to get all of this mailed off. I have also been brainstorming ways to raise extra money to pay for the home study and our next agency fee. I have a fun, creative idea, so check back soon for that!