Home Study Denied

I've had several of you asking lately about the boys, and we did receive some news today that I wanted to share with you all and ask you to pray over. Our case manager came to see us today and shared that one of the two biological family members being considered has had her home study denied. Of course, our hearts jumped a little bit when she said that, but she quickly followed up with some less than exciting news. Basically, although the agency has denied this home study, the judge has the final say. Our TPR date is scheduled for September 27. On that date, DFACS is recommending this family member not be considered for permanency, HOWEVER, our case manager made it clear that the reason for the denial (unemployment) is very little ground to stand on when making this recommendation. The judge could very easily say, "Was the biological family denied simply based on unemployment? If so, the court overrules that denial, and asks that the boys be placed with this cousin permanently." We know our judge, and we know that this is highly likely. The most unnerving part about this scenario is that if the judge overrules this denial, the boys will likely be moved that very day with no transitional visits. The reason for this is that if they did transitional visits, they would have to reconvene everyone 2 months later in order to grant full custody (heaven forbid). They will also begin the second family member's home study in the next few weeks, so that's another wild card out there somewhere.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

'For who has known the mind of the Lord,

or who has been his counselor?'

'Or who has given a gift to him

that he might be repaid?'

For from him and through him and to him are all things. 

To him be glory forever. Amen."

Romans 11:33-35

Please pray for all of us as we are trying to walk through this faithfully. Our hearts are doing somersaults these days - wanting so badly to believe that this denial is evidence that the Lord will keep them in our home, but realizing that we do not know the mind of God and we ultimately have to trust Him to do what is best, regardless of how it may appear to us.

"When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can flesh do to me?"

Psalm 56:3-4

Pray for K-man, especially. He began to test the waters this week by calling us "Mommy" and "Daddy." He has a lot stirring around in his heart. Pray that this momma would be patient and perceptive, and pray that the Lord would give K-man faith to trust in Him.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Pray that we will hold loosely to all of our desires, and praise God for his answer to countless prayers along this journey, including this one!

"But Jesus looked at them and said, 

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Finally, we are praying that, Lord willing, the boys will stay with us permanently. If the Lord wills otherwise, we're praying that the judge would be wise and tender to these boys' needs and would grant the 2 month transition period before placing the boys in a new permanent home.

Thank you all so much for praying and for riding this crazy train with us! We love you.