Many have asked or thought why are you adopting? I thought I would take a few minutes to share my heart with you.
First, the need for adoptive parents is HUGE! There is a need here and all around the world. It is so sad to me that there are over 140 million orphans in our world. While most are not available for adoption, there are thousands that are.
Some have asked why are we not adopting domestically. There is no doubt that there is a need for adoptive parents for the many boys and girls that are in the US. The majority of children that are placed for adoption through the foster care system are adopted by their foster parents. We simply don't feel God directing us to be foster parents at this point in our lives. The wait to adopt a child without being foster parents is very lengthy. We also believe that we should not adopt a child that would interupt our children's birth order. Sam is almost 18 months old, so we are adopting a child that is younger then he is.
The next question we have been asked is why are we adopting from China? The first thing I will say is that both Jeff and I have a real love for the Asian culture. Before we decided on China I did a great deal of research about other countries. Many countries are far more costly and require a lot more time spent in their country. We had to factor those things into our decision. There are also many counties whose adoption processes are not very stable. Some only adopt older children and then others that we don't fall within the given criteria for adoption in that country. With all of that in mind and our love for the Asian culture, China was the right country for us.
I am going to close where I really should have started. The most important thing in our lives is Jesus. Our desire above all else is to be obedient to God. There is no doubt that my first encounter with orphans, while I was a teen was the the starting point of God preparing me for adoption. I am so thankful for the things that I have experienced and the confidence from God that this is the right choice for our family!
A verse that has become very dear to me is John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Our lives are full... they are blessed and I am confident that our obedience to God will fill us to overflowing! Oh, what a feeling!
First, the need for adoptive parents is HUGE! There is a need here and all around the world. It is so sad to me that there are over 140 million orphans in our world. While most are not available for adoption, there are thousands that are.
Some have asked why are we not adopting domestically. There is no doubt that there is a need for adoptive parents for the many boys and girls that are in the US. The majority of children that are placed for adoption through the foster care system are adopted by their foster parents. We simply don't feel God directing us to be foster parents at this point in our lives. The wait to adopt a child without being foster parents is very lengthy. We also believe that we should not adopt a child that would interupt our children's birth order. Sam is almost 18 months old, so we are adopting a child that is younger then he is.
The next question we have been asked is why are we adopting from China? The first thing I will say is that both Jeff and I have a real love for the Asian culture. Before we decided on China I did a great deal of research about other countries. Many countries are far more costly and require a lot more time spent in their country. We had to factor those things into our decision. There are also many counties whose adoption processes are not very stable. Some only adopt older children and then others that we don't fall within the given criteria for adoption in that country. With all of that in mind and our love for the Asian culture, China was the right country for us.
I am going to close where I really should have started. The most important thing in our lives is Jesus. Our desire above all else is to be obedient to God. There is no doubt that my first encounter with orphans, while I was a teen was the the starting point of God preparing me for adoption. I am so thankful for the things that I have experienced and the confidence from God that this is the right choice for our family!
A verse that has become very dear to me is John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Our lives are full... they are blessed and I am confident that our obedience to God will fill us to overflowing! Oh, what a feeling!
Thanks for your explanation. We are looking forward to a little Asian niece! Will continue praying for you two and the progress on this adoption. Keep us informed! Dixie
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