Post by Christian Soldier on Apr 28, 2011 14:58:08 GMT -5
Dearest friends,
As has happened before, my family is in a time of crisis. Not unlike such before, but different too. In October of last year, we took a little baby into our home. She was supposed to be temporary, maybe a few weeks. Nothing more. ... but weeks turned into months, and months into more months, till we reach now. Next month, the State plans to terminate the mother's rights. Before today, this was to be a day of celebration. Before today, we had every plan to adopt.
Moments ago, my wife got a phone call from the Baby's case worker. The mother had lived in Arkansas when she had lost an earlier child. Pregnant, she moved to Texas. The adoptive mother of our baby's sibling got the mother to sign an agreement stating that any further children the mother would have would go to this woman.
Well, this woman wants our baby now. Understand, this is different than with our first set. Our first set we had warning. We were even a little tired of them, as much as it hurt. We also knew that they were going to someone who loves them very much, and someone we are still in contact with to this day. But you see, those children went to family. Their family. The people that the state of Texas says should have them. We were prepared for that. This mother has no family. She was raised in the system herself. There is no one for the state to turn to. The father's family has been forced to write him off due to his own actions. They asked the case worker one question: "Is the baby with a good, loving home?" Having gotten that answer, they said to let us have her. The people that count have all blessed off on it.
Here's the chink in the armor: this woman is a case worker herself. She knows the regs very well, despite her being from another state. She knows every loop hole, every gap. She knows every button to push and when to push it.
Now, we are not without allies. No, far from it! The baby's case worker is very pro-us, and she will testify on our behalf. The baby's attorney will too, I am sure. We have our own case worker and an entire adoption agency that loves us. Not to mention numerous family and friends. These allies, many of whom have been in this business for decades, also know the regs, and are willing to help and are researching this now. The problem is that most of them have come to the same conclusion: it all comes down to the judge. This woman from Arkansas has high standing because she already has my baby's sibling. That is a fairly strong bond right there. That is the only thing that gives her any legal leg to stand on, and, despite appearances, there is a very high chance the judge will swing in her favor.
Should we lose this baby, there is a very high chance that I will have to go home to bury my wife. This isn't me trying to be alarmist or gain attention. It is simply a statement of fact. One way or another this has the strong potential to kill my mate. The pressure caused by all this is incredible; the pain is unbearable. And there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing. All I can do is do what I am doing now: turn to the only friends I have that I know will pray, and pray hard, on my behalf. You are the strongest prayer warriors I have ever met, and I know that I can depend on you to blow up God's telephone with prayers. I plan to do that by myself, much less...
Thanks guys. Thanks for being here, to my sure knowledge and, at least somewhat, relief. Thanks for the support you have always given me, and thanks for the prayers that I know will go forth.
God bless you all -- Glyn
As has happened before, my family is in a time of crisis. Not unlike such before, but different too. In October of last year, we took a little baby into our home. She was supposed to be temporary, maybe a few weeks. Nothing more. ... but weeks turned into months, and months into more months, till we reach now. Next month, the State plans to terminate the mother's rights. Before today, this was to be a day of celebration. Before today, we had every plan to adopt.
Moments ago, my wife got a phone call from the Baby's case worker. The mother had lived in Arkansas when she had lost an earlier child. Pregnant, she moved to Texas. The adoptive mother of our baby's sibling got the mother to sign an agreement stating that any further children the mother would have would go to this woman.
Well, this woman wants our baby now. Understand, this is different than with our first set. Our first set we had warning. We were even a little tired of them, as much as it hurt. We also knew that they were going to someone who loves them very much, and someone we are still in contact with to this day. But you see, those children went to family. Their family. The people that the state of Texas says should have them. We were prepared for that. This mother has no family. She was raised in the system herself. There is no one for the state to turn to. The father's family has been forced to write him off due to his own actions. They asked the case worker one question: "Is the baby with a good, loving home?" Having gotten that answer, they said to let us have her. The people that count have all blessed off on it.
Here's the chink in the armor: this woman is a case worker herself. She knows the regs very well, despite her being from another state. She knows every loop hole, every gap. She knows every button to push and when to push it.
Now, we are not without allies. No, far from it! The baby's case worker is very pro-us, and she will testify on our behalf. The baby's attorney will too, I am sure. We have our own case worker and an entire adoption agency that loves us. Not to mention numerous family and friends. These allies, many of whom have been in this business for decades, also know the regs, and are willing to help and are researching this now. The problem is that most of them have come to the same conclusion: it all comes down to the judge. This woman from Arkansas has high standing because she already has my baby's sibling. That is a fairly strong bond right there. That is the only thing that gives her any legal leg to stand on, and, despite appearances, there is a very high chance the judge will swing in her favor.
Should we lose this baby, there is a very high chance that I will have to go home to bury my wife. This isn't me trying to be alarmist or gain attention. It is simply a statement of fact. One way or another this has the strong potential to kill my mate. The pressure caused by all this is incredible; the pain is unbearable. And there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing. All I can do is do what I am doing now: turn to the only friends I have that I know will pray, and pray hard, on my behalf. You are the strongest prayer warriors I have ever met, and I know that I can depend on you to blow up God's telephone with prayers. I plan to do that by myself, much less...
Thanks guys. Thanks for being here, to my sure knowledge and, at least somewhat, relief. Thanks for the support you have always given me, and thanks for the prayers that I know will go forth.
God bless you all -- Glyn