In all seriousness, adoption truly is a powerful picture of transformation. Consider the reality of what happens when God the Father adopts us through Christ His Son. In this adoption process, He changes our status. We go from being slaves to sin to being sons of God. Listen to the words of Galatians 4:
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
We who were children of wrath become children of God! All of this, Galatians 4 says, because Jesus came at the right time, with perfect qualifications, and with sacrificial resolve to give His very life for our adoption.
But it’s not just our legal status that has changed. When God transforms our status, He also changes our family. He calls us a new name (John 1:12-13), He gives us a new spirit (Romans 8:16), and He grants us complete access into His presence (Hebrews 4:14-16). Whereas we used to be afraid of God our Judge, we are now friends of God our Father!
And the transition continues. God changes our status, He changes our family, and He changes our future. Listen to Romans 8:16-17…
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
As His children, God promises us a full inheritance in His family. We are fellow heirs with Christ Himself, and His is an inheritance that will never spoil or fade. When God adopts, He doesn’t adopt temporarily; He adopts eternally. His adoption of us is literally forever. Amidst the many challenges we face in this world, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).
The paragraph below was also written by David about his daughter, but I think it is beautifully worded so I have taken the liberty to use Beau's name...
I praise God for all He has done to change Beau's status, family, and future. He is no longer an orphan; he is a son, and he now belongs in a family. At the same time, I praise God for all He has done to change my status, my family, and my future. I am no longer an orphan, enslaved to sin and destined for destruction. I am a daughter who has been adopted by an eternal Father into an eternal family with an eternal home waiting for all who have trusted in His Son for their salvation. Indeed, adoption is a glorious transformation.
What an honor it is that God has entrusted me to be Beau's mom! Forever! Thank you Jesus for my sweet, sweet son!!
Now, on to the details from today.
We arrived at the courthouse at approximately 2:30pm. We were scheduled to meet our lawyer at 3:00, and we didn't want to be late. It was very "serious" in the lobby. We went through the metal detectors upon entering. They "confiscated" my camera, but explained that we could request it later. Since we had about 30 minutes to wait, Beau enjoyed looking around and eating a few pretzels.
Right at 3:00, our lawyer arrived and introduced himself. Prior to today, all of our communication had been via email, although I did recognize him because his picture is on his law firm's website. He briefly explained what we would be doing...first to the judge's office and then to the clerk to get paperwork completed.
We walked around the courthouse and arrived at the judge's office. We were buzzed in and arrived in a little waiting area. Beau did not like this part, but I'm sure it was because the office closely resembled a doctor's office. Our lawyer had a court order asking that we be allowed to bring our camera. The court marshall took the order and had it signed and went to retrieve our camera. A few minutes later we had our camera back. Also during this time, another family arrived that was also finalizing an adoption.
The other family went back to the judge's office first. By this time, Beau had calmed back down and was walking around the office...with a little help, of course. :)
Pretty soon, it was our turn. We walked down a short hallway from the waiting area to the judge's office. There was a long conference table on one side of the office. The judge looked much older than I was expecting. You see, his picture is also available online and I had looked him up. :) He has aged significantly since the photo on the courthouse site. Back to the story.
The judge told us each where to sit and congratulated us on such a big day. He said that our lawyer had submitted all of the proper paperwork and also said that this was really a formality. We were told to raise our right hands and he basically had three questions...1) Are you who you say you are? 2) Do you live at the address listed on the paperwork? 3) Is this the boy you are adopting ?
We of course answered YES to all of the questions! And that was it! The judge signed the papers and said that it was official! Yippee!! Our precious Si-won was now legally Beau Tanner Si-won!
We then were allowed to take 2 pictures with the judge. Then the court marshall explained that our lawyer would need to carry the camera for the remainder of the time. There were lots of rules for such a little camera!
Next, we went to the clerk's office in the lower level of the courthouse. Our lawyer went to the window and requested our adoption decrees. I requested 10 adoption decrees and 10 US birth certificates. After about 10 minutes, our lawyer came back and gave us the decrees.
He explained that we should have our birth certificates in 2-3 weeks. He said that if he mailed our birth certificate request to vital records, it would take 2-4 months for us to receive them. However, he has found that if he hand delivers the request to the office, he has them in a couple of weeks. Since he was already downtown, he said he didn't mind to go hand deliver the paperwork.
We then shook hands and were on our way! I must say that if you are in Atlanta, I would highly recommend our lawyer. He has been very professional, timely, and easy to work with from the beginning.
Raleigh and I decided we should go celebrate with a fun dinner at Maggiano's! Yum!!
To make the day extra special, I made a cake and we gave Beau the book Happy Adoption Day!
We plan to read the book to Beau as often as he would like, but especially on December 12th of each year, his adoption day!
Here are a few pictures from the day!
