Conversation With Our Social Worker

Today I had an appointed time to talk to our social worker.  This appointment was set-up last week, but what I failed to take into consideration was the possibility of snow and a slow commute.  Everything had to be just perfect for me to be home at the appointed time.  Well, the snow started falling this morning.  I would glance out a window from time to time and try to gauge how fast the traffic was going.  As the day progressed, the traffic slowed, and at times, the cars and trucks were just sitting on the highway.  Now, it became apparent that I was going to need to leave early.  It wasn’t too long after I had that notion that the department “worrier” came around and told me, “You need to head for home.”  She, being older and wiser, I heeded her wisdom and left work.  My commute was two hours long and I arrived home late for the appointed time. I tried calling Elizabeth, our social worker, on my cell phone and received a lovely message from my Verizon operator, “That all circuits are busy.” I tried calling again, and received a busy signal. Just then our land-line rang and it was our social worker.  Finally, we connected and we would get an update on our “locked in” son. 

Our “locked in” son wants to be adopted.  He doesn’t mind if he has brothers or sisters. He likes playing games, drawing, being on the computer, and watching Kung Fu movies. He enjoys running, but doesn’t consider himself a fast runner. He likes to ride a bike. His favorite color is black, followed by gray.  He would like to be a police officer when he grows up so that he can help people.  He likes cats and dogs, but likes dogs a bit more than cats.  And his favorite subject is physical education.   Sounds like a typical boy to us.

Then Elizabeth, our social worker, proceeded to mention she had spoken with the CCAA today.  The CCAA? I’ve wanted to hear those 4 initials, but did I want to hear what they had to say? Elizabeth blurted out, “You’ve been approved for your second son from China!” I can’t express how sweet it was to hear those words.  We are grateful that the wait from the CCAA is over and we rejoice that we have been approved for two boys from China, who will become our sons.  Giving thanks to God!

The Gifts

On Friday, we received two letters from Department of Homeland Security.  One envelope was addressed to Terry and the other was addressed to me.  Upon opening the letters I discovered this was our long awaited fingerprinting appointments! We will be visiting the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in St. Paul, MN in January, 2011.  As if this wasn’t enough, we received and email from our Social Worker.  She was hoping that she could set up a little bit of time to talk on Monday or Tuesday next week!  They’ve almost got all of the updated information ready to go for Ya Hui . Or as we refer to him, son number three. Just getting this news was such a great gift.  Is this Christmas?!  But as I thought I just received two wonderful gifts, I was reminded of the perfect gift given to us over two thousand years ago. His son, Jesus, was born in a stable in Bethlehem to a humble carpenter and his engaged, a virgin named Mary. There was no get-together to celebrate the blessed event, only a star casting down its light from the night sky. This Christmas, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, thank God for the life-changing gifts he gives the believer: a faith that works, a hope that is alive, and a love that last forever.

Waiting

Have you ever had the chance to sit in a waiting room? The waiting room, a place where time seemingly stands still. It is a place where life is put on hold. Right now, we feel like we are in a waiting room.  We are awaiting word from our social worker on whether the CCAA has approved our second child.  We are waiting for updated photos, video, and answers to our questions for our approved son.  And as much as we dislike waiting, we are told to wait. Lamentations 3:25  When we enter God’s waiting room we are not to just sit as one might in the doctor’s chair. Rather, we need to spend time seeking Him.  So as we wait, we pray for God to protect our son(s) from harm, to guard their heart, and to keep them healthy.  And if you would, please pray with us. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. So as we wait we are seeking the Lord.

News From our Social Worker

Well, I  intended to post this yesterday, but fell short of time.  We heard from Elizabeth, our adoption agency social worker. She had good news!  Elizabeth’s Social Services director signed off on us adopting both boys at once.  So, now, the next thing is to wait for China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) to approve us for adopting two boys at once. 

Elizabeth also wanted us to know that her colleagues are leaving this week for Beijing First Children's Welfare Institute and wanted us to prepare questions for our “locked in” son. That is adoption terminology and it means he is being reserved for us.  That was exciting to hear.  We can get answers to questions that we have.  Elizabeth’s colleagues also plan to photograph and videotape our future son.  I can hardly wait to hear the responses to our questions, along with the photos and videotape!

What We've Been Up To

Welcome to our blog.  We would like to keep you updated on what is going on in the Mattson household.  After our sons moved out, we looked at our home and realized it’s big and it’s quiet.  After several months of evaluating our lives and working through the deaths of family members, we decided it was time to add to our family.  We started by researching adoption agencies, looked at countries we qualified to adopt from, and consulted our sons Tyler and Troy. After Tyler and Troy gave us their approval, we then needed to choose to adopt a boy or a girl, and what age. This turned out to be a large undertaking.  Thrown in the mix, was settling my parent’s estate, finishing my master’s program, and preparing to celebrate our 25^th wedding anniversary.

In July, we settled on an adoption agency and a home study agency.  Within a day of settling on an adoption agency, we were notified that a young boy from China was in need of a home (12 years old).  We asked for his file, had his file reviewed by a doctor, and felt led to pursue him as our son. This started the process of completing mountains of paperwork and several interviews by a social worker.  As we walked through this process, it became apparent that adopting two children is the way to go. They would be companions for each and will have security in having someone from their own culture. At this time we are committed to one child, and awaiting word on a second boy (12 years old).

We share this information with hopes that you support us in this process, and that you will pray for us, our sons, and our future sons.

In the near future we hope to post photos of our future sons.