This has been a
week of everything coming at me at once. Adoption and not just adoption, it all
floods in at once.
Obviously, we have
not had a referral, and this is really hard part. With each passing month the
reality of our little one getting home by the end of 2013 gets slimmer and
slimmer. And what makes it harder, (and just being frankly honest) is watching
several dear friends of mine have babies this week. While I joy I feel is
incredible for them, it is hard. On Father’s Day we will hit the two
year mark of being officially paper pregnant. It is hard to imagine that this
process has taken this long, but indeed it has.
This week found
out there has been a delay in the China program, and this delay does not have a
timeline. The computer system in which the agency uses to look for kids is
being redone, and due to that, no agency can look for kids. So as you see, this
does not just affect us, but affect all the families who are trying to adopt
from China. And with no timeline, it seems like this is an eternity sentence of
nothing. Each passing day just seems to drag even more.
But what this has
brought in my heart is a two fold effect. 1- the reminder of how broken the
system is. Just as many systems are broken in this world, The adoption system
is no different. Taking down a computer program that is being redesigned, just
doesn’t sound right to me. Nor does a family I know who is seeking adoption
through foster care, only to hear that they may only get a couple of kids a
year because of budget cut backs. No longer are kids being taken out of a home
unless the severity warrants it. I really just wanted to scream for myself, and
everyone else who is trying to take care of those whom are not wanted.
2- Many people have
asked why we did not adopt state side. The clear answer is the Lord, but there
are also some other factors. I contacted an agency here that is local, who does
adoptions state side. I wanted to gather some information for where ever the
Lord might lead us for our next child (of course when our current adoption is
finished) And the email I got back was stunned. They work with “easy” states.
Meaning states that do not require much red tape. And the adoption can cost up
to $50,000 because of the mother’s care.
As I talk with
people about adoption, the joys and the pains, It blows my mind that cost is what scares people away. And I do not blame them. When we started
this process, the cost was scary, a college fund how quickly?? But I can say
today, without a doubt HE WILL PROVIDE. We are now in the single digit stretch
of our fundraising.
As a faithful
follower of Christ, we are called to care of the orphans. And of course because
the “system” is so broken, the care is intense, joyful, painful, questioning,
exhausting just to name a few.
Our Pastor, was
speaking today out of Galatians. He spoke about why as believers we are
motivated to trust, believe and mainly obey Christ. And my answer, would be what he perfectly stated: Because of
the Love that was displayed on the cross and the gift of my salvation I obey. I
obey and navigate these broken waters of adoption because of the cross.
5 For through the Spirit we eagerly
await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any
value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5:5-6
This is a song I heard at church a couple of
weeks ago:
Man, the last few
verses get to me. Indeed God is holding our little one in HIS hands as well as
all the others.
Please be praying
they can get the computer system done quickly and that when the agencies
receive their new keys they work! Be praying for the other families who are in the adoption process, their longings are just like ours. Deep, hard, intense and real.
Trusting in who HE
is,
Jennifer
