Harder than it looks...

Well today we sent in an inquiry about a sibling group of two, a boy and a girl, that caught our attention on the TARE website.  I know I know, exciting times!  Of course that's not to say that these are definitely our children because there is really so much that goes into finding the perfect match but it's definitely a step forward.  The only thing that sort of concerns me is that ever since I sent the pic of the kids to Bobby he's been smiling about it and showing it off to everyone and I feel like it's going to be hard for him not to fall in love with every pic/match we receive.  I mean really we have a lot more matching to do to be getting all pumped about the 1st inquiry.  I'll be honest, I'm not really concerned for myself much because I have always had the ability to be very objective about things and I am very good about considering all aspects before jumping in, but Bobby sort of wears his heart on his sleeve and falls quickly.  Don't get me wrong, the fact that he is naturally sensitive is one of my favorite attributes about him and I wouldn't change that for the world but I would really like for us to get through this matching process as painless as possible. Not sure how that's going to work out at this point though.  I mean it's one thing to say you're not going to get attached right away, but it's another thing to see them and experience the possibilities without getting attached; that is so hard!  I guess what it really boils down to is that humans were created with the amazing ability to fall in love and bond to one another all the while that same amazing ability can be the cause of a lot of heartache and pain.  All we can do at this point is to hope and pray that we hear God's unmistakable voice leading us to the children he created for us so that we will not be scathed and sidetracked by all the wrong ones.

Please say a prayer for us!!

Photobook Complete!

Here is our COMPLETE Adoption Photobook. Geez it only took me a hundred years to finish. Our Caseworker had us print 3 copies as well so the order is in at Kinkos as we speak. I should be able to pick them up tomorrow if all goes well. After I turn those in, we can officially inquire about the matches sent our way. YAY! Send lots o' prayers!
Biffel Adoption Video from Hannah Biffel on Vimeo.
Hannah

Home Study Approved!

FYI, we received our Home Study Approval today!! So we are officially headed to completing our family.  Here is our Home Study cover sheet for those readers who might have available kiddo's in mind. 

^{18 "}I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:18

The Biffel Family

Ft. Worth, TX

 
Seeking to Adopt
Bobby and Hannah are seeking to adopt children as a sibling group of two or individually, between the ages of 0-10 years. They are open to boys or girls of any bi-racial background. They are excited about providing a forever home and family to the kids that God has chosen for them!

Mom and Dad
Bobby and Hannah have been married for 5 1/2 years. Bobby is a driver for DHL. He loves all sports, is an avid memorabilia collector and enjoys video games as well. Hannah is a LMT/Program Coordinator for Health Care Therapies, a company devoted to providing in home therapies to people with disabilities’. She loves to sing and do creative things. Bobby and Hannah are active in their church and love to fellowship with their church group. They have a large close nit family that live close by with whom they spend time frequently. It doesn’t matter what they are doing, they just like to be together!

Their Home
The Biffel family desires that their home be a place of great joy and unconditional love. They seek to protect, provide structure for, and encourage each child. They are excited about adoption and can’t wait for their family to be made complete.

Fun Times
The Biffel family is full of laughter! They love cracking jokes and watching funny movies regularly. Playing board games or video games is a favorite past time that keeps things lively in the house. They enjoy watching and playing sports, taking road trips, and participating in church activities at Hope Outreach Church in Fort Worth, TX.

Please contact:
Emily Behrens 817-922-6064
Emily.Behrens@gladney.org

Tanya Houk 817-922-6078
Tanya.Houk@gladney.org

Countdown disasters

So we're less than a week away from getting our approval to begin the matching process and all hell has broken loose on us since we finished our home study in addition to going downhill the closer it gets.  I know things could always be worse so I really should be counting my blessings but considering what has happened that is the only way I can describe how I feel right now.  Just to give you an idea without going into too much unwarranted detail, we've been hit financially several times, I've been sick twice, my hours at work have been cut back significantly temporarily, Bobby got a kidney stone, I've been having nightmares about the adoption/losing sleep, and tonight our water heater went out flooding our hallway and new carpet. At this point I am no longer surprised when additional things are thrown our way.  Bobby and I always say that nothing ever comes easy for us, because it really doesn't and there's a proven history of that.  Since day one we've had to work really hard to get where we are in all aspects of our lives together when it seems like others have it so easy so there isn't any reason why this situation should be any different.  Granted, adoption, let alone becoming a parent in general, is never easy and I never expected it to be. However, I did at least expect a nice little two month rest and maybe even a vacation in between the time we finished our home study and the matching phase but who am I kidding?!  Anyway, I don't want to be a negative Nancy, that's just where I'm at right now. 

One thing that's been a great help during this time is our Chosen Ones Support Group and attending the Mom's/Dad's night out.  Meeting with like-minded others has given me the chance to share what's been going on in the meantime and that alone has made our recent hardships a little easier to endure. I've never met such compassionate people in my life and I feel blessed to be in their company. I mean really, each one of those ladies are the closest you can get to Super Woman in real life.  For every nightmare I could imagine happening to us, they can match it with a true story of redemption and grace through adoption.  Some of them have adopted their foster children and some of them have even ministered to the abusive parent and have helped them to change so they can provide a better home for the children they lost.  It's just amazing the things they've shared with me and I always walk away feeling refreshed and encouraged about our journey.

The one thing I've learned through all this adversity so far is that no matter what comes our way, Bobby and I are choosing to press forward and we refuse to let the enemy stop us from doing what we feel God has called us to do.  I can say one thing for sure, this adoption journey has strengthened our marriage immensely and I honestly feel like I look at him with different eyes than I did before we started.  I cannot imagine having children with anyone else in this world and I would not pick anyone else to face adversity with.  He's my rock and my everything and it's going to be amazing to see him with our children.  Though I am presently having a tough time staying positive through all the mess we've been going through, I refuse to harbor doubt about our choice.  We are exactly where we should be and that's all that matters.  Going forward, please keep us in your prayers as we move on to completing our family.  :)

Hannah

Better late than never

I realize I am way overdue on posting the details of the home study but something is better than nothing so here we go. : )

On the morning of our home study Bobby and I both woke up early and got our butts in gear.  We were able to eat some of our breakfast but both of us struggled to eat because our stomach's were in knots! The funny thing is after we left, the closer we got to the agency the worse it got and by the time we pulled into the parking lot, our hearts were pounding.  When we got to the door, I looked at him and said, "I really think we should say a prayer together before we go in" and he agreed so we took each others hands and said a quick prayer right there on the front porch.  Once we did that it seemed like the nervousness backed off a little bit and we were no longer as flustered.  What's crazy is the moment we stepped inside it's like we both came to the realization of just how magical this place was and immediately felt blessed and humbled that Gladney was going to be a part of our lives forever.  Gladney is a place with 125 years of history in Texas and it has seen so many stories of pain, heartache, joy, and laughter that those feelings and emotions are knitted into it's very atmosphere.  This is a place where women of older era's could/would go to live and have their babies in support and privacy; safe from the outside world that would ridicule them and refuse to accept their baby out of wedlock. Those valiant women would carry their child to term only to bless it with a new family and give another woman the opportunity to be a mother. To us, Gladney is a place that is giving our child a new beginning and who is also walking with and supporting us every step of the way.

As our case worker came down the long stair case, she smiled and said, "Are you nervous yet?"  and of course Bobby and I both laughed anxiously and said, "YES" in unison.  She smiled a little bit and quickly quenched our nervousness with her laughter.  It was nice to know that she understood! She led us to the counseling center where they meet with children/parents and brought us to a room with a big comfy couch and a few chairs etc. that was neatly decorated.  After we set down she explained what was to happen during the interview and we began. Our joint interview was first and lasted all of 4 hours. We talked about and elaborated on our marriage, our families, the child(ren) we desired to adopt and she answered so many of our questions.  We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more, and we had her laughing as well.  There were also moments of quietness met with a few tears when she would bring up tough subjects about abuse and neglect and what our kiddo might have gone through.  All in all, she was extremely easy to talk to and we found ourselves being completely honest with each question we answered.  She didn't seem to have one single judgmental bone in her body and no matter how crazy/weird some of our answers were, it didn't seem to effect her one way or the other.  As the the morning turned into the afternoon we were both already so tired but were only three fourths of the way through.  Once our joint interview was finished it was time for the one on one's and Bobby volunteered to go first. When I left the room I had to get something to snack on since the breakfast I had was meager to say the least.  I had time to eat in the car and go inside to snap a few pics before he came out and said it was my turn.  When she called me into the room, I was no longer nervous and was ready to get the show on the road; after all, I couldn't imagine what else she wanted to talk about as we had already said so much.  Ha!  During my personal interview we discussed my health and my strengths/weaknesses as well as asking me about my opinion of Bobby's.  We talked about the abuse I faced as a child and how I was able to resolve that and that's when the tears flowed again.  I felt blessed to be able to tell her about how I came to a place where I could accept it and forgive my abuser and move on.  For the most part it was pretty intense but before I knew it, we were finished and were on our way out the door.

Once we left we both agreed to get some lunch as we were nothing short of starving.  We thought we'd sit over lunch and discuss the goings on of the day but we were both surprisingly quiet and in deep thought. To be honest, I couldn't imagine myself uttering another word after talking for five and a half hours.  Upon arriving home, I was so exhausted all I could think about was climbing into bed!  Though that was probably the best three hour nap I have had in a long time, when I woke up I was still drained and that in its self seemed to last for about two days after our home study.  Bobby said he felt the exact same way and the only thing we could attribute our exhaustion to was the emotional roller coaster we had just gotten off of.  All in all we are so glad to have that behind us.

As for the walk-through of our home, we were again met with some nervousness but her visit lasted all of about thirty minutes and she was out the door.  All she did was ask a few questions and asked for a tour.  She complimented our home and didn't seem the least bit concerned at all about the environment we have prepared for our kid(s).  Bobby himself said her walk-through was way less of a big deal than he made it up to be but was also glad for that as well.  So from this point on, all we can do is wait. She's got everything she needs from us and now the ball is in her court to type up our family report and get it ready for the Approval Coordinator that reads and approves/disapproves the families for the matching stage. 

Bobby and I are welcoming the break we are getting for the next couple of months and feel like we should plan a weekend trip somewhere to get away and spend some time with each other. Any suggestion as to where would be nice.  Ha!  Just you know, since so many have asked, we still have no idea how long it's going to be until we have our kiddo home with us but at least we are on our way to finding him.  : ) Thanks for all of your love and support!  

Hannah

Home Study Eve

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So here we are on the eve of what we have been preparing for since last October/November. It seems so surreal!! There are so many emotions running through our home I can't begin to imagine what it's going to be like when we actually find and meet him. Curiosity, excitement, nervousness, anxiety, etc.! God only knows if I am not sleeping tonight I sure won't be sleeping when that happens. I just have to keep reminding myself that this has all been divinely orchestrated and he wouldn't have brought us this far for it to end here. We have worked so hard and have put more of ourselves into this than we have anything else so I am confident everything will be okay. Now if we can make it through the hard conversations and tell our story the way God has had it unfold up until now we will be on our way! ::shew:: I feel like I am rambling so I guess I better cut this one short and at least try to catch some Z's. 

Please say a prayer for us.

With love,

The Biffel's

Perseverance

Per·se·ver·ance  

/ˌpərsəˈvi(ə)rəns/

Noun

1. Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
2. Continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory. 

Pa·tience  

/ˈpāSHəns/

Noun

The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.


Up until now I don't think Bobby and I have ever really grasped what perseverance really meant.  This whole time I thought God was working patience in us through this process but really when I read the definition of patience, it's plain to see that it doesn't match what we've gone through at all. Through this entire journey this far, we have been delayed, we've suffered, we've gotten angry, and we've gotten upset at certain aspects and also at each other.  There have been many times where we've both lacked grace and at adversity had a hard time seeing the glory in it all.  There have been days where we both questioned God if this is really what He wants for us but every time we asked He made it very clear to our hearts that this life was chosen for us to lead and that He has set this path for us to be on.  Over this entire six months of preparing for our son to come home, we've watched the pieces of the puzzle fall gracefully into place and things we thought would be impossible God made possible.  We've received help from unlikely sources and things have been taken care of in ways that only God could have orchestrated and it's simply been amazing to see just His provisions come through.  Though emotionally this has been the toughest thing we've done so far, for every tough feat we've faced, it has been met with God's grace for us coupled with reminders that He is in control.  Currently at this moment we are done with all of the home preparations and are waiting for a case worker to be assigned to us for our home study.  TGBTG! :) Ever since I sent the last email to our file builder at Gladney I have been over the moon excited just thinking that we are one more huge step closer to having the kiddo come home. There is literally nothing that puts all of this in perspective more than walking into that bedroom and seeing it painted, furnished, and waiting to be made complete by our little boy.  WOW WOW WOW! :)  At this point all we have to do is wait because the ball is now in Gladney's court. Maybe this is where the patience comes in. Ha!  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Hannah