Delay.... Not a word I wanted in my vocabulary

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:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=this+is+who+you+are+kristian+stanfill&mid=28A5963FB1C24CA496BB28A5963FB1C24CA496BB&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2

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