WE ARE CONSIDERING OTHER OPTIONS... CHINA?? FOSTER CARE ADOPTION??
The rumors are that Taiwan is really slowing down and that some families are well passed 3 years waiting. Also the chances of adopting a young (under 5) child without needs is getting slim. (if you are not a young, childless couple.)
After research, we found that there are occasionally young children available through adoption from foster care, if your paper work is ready as soon as they become available. (there is a difference between fostering, fostering to adopt, and adopting from foster care.) In fact I was searching on some sites and found a couple of 3 and 4 year old, healthy, beautiful, African American girls available (I'm sure they'll be snapped up in an instant!). We are very interested in this option.
We are however, struggling with the vision of my original dream and what that means with looking at options. I had a dream about a little Asian girl waiting for me. So, do we wait and wait and hope a little girl will come available, with needs that we can handle? Do we switch to another country and pay more fees to find her? Or did my dream simply lead us on a journey in order to simply open our hearts to adoption?
Some good advice from a few friends said to take steps carefully, and prayerfully and ask God to open doors and/or close doors if needed. So we are thinking to train and get licensed for adoption from foster care. (there are no fees for this), and we will trust God to lead us from there. What do you think??
Meanwhile, we will keep ourselves on the Taiwan waiting list as well.
Everyone's adoption journey looks different, but hopefully they all end with a child getting a forever family. That is what's most important ! So, whatever way you choose to adopt, I know God's hand will be in it. I will praying for you , it's not easy I know ( but worth it ALL).
ReplyDeleteI agree with your friends...God will continue to open and close doors as you continue to walk forward in faith. I think the foster care option is a good one, and the training you will receive will be beneficial no matter where you end up adopting from. There are beautiful children right here in our own country who need homes...our older boys were adopted from foster care, as you know, and have both stretched us and blessed us! Praying that God will grant you peace as you wait for His direction! Blessings!
ReplyDeletethat is hard, I would just continue to research, and you never know maybe their is a little asian girl that comes to you thru foster care. there's a whole list of all the waiting kids in the USA, or internationally thru rainbowkids.com good luck!
ReplyDeleteBethany came to me like you did Jacob and told me that God wanted her to adopt Loree (a family member). I told her she was crazy; we'd only been married 6 months. A year later, after countless conversations with friends and much prayer, I agreed. We first got custody transferred to us from the family member who was temporarily taking care of her. When we tried to get a parental consent signature from the mother for actual adoption, we were first greeted by a man with a shotgun who pointed it at us and told us to get off his property. We moved two houses down and finally found the mother. She stalled for 30 minutes as we prayed but finally came signed at the attorney's office. The night before we were to get the stepfather's (still legally married to the mother) signature, he cussed us out on the phone. The next morning he came and signed. I haven't seen either since and both have been in and out of prison so our window of opportunity was very small. No one showed up at the final hearing to contest. Throughout the process, we had over $2000 donated to use anonymously or by close friends. All of this to say that our adoption was a roller coaster of little miracle followed by disappointment followed by huge miracle, etc. When I look back it's an amazing story, one that could not be told without God and one he allows me to use today to impact others. Stay strong in your faith and stay encouraged. I think God uses the journey to refine and prepare us on a number of levels.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jay, and I know Loree has been such a blessing in your lives, and you all in hers! Now you have two little cuties to chase after with precious Mason added to your family!
ReplyDeletePlease don't give up! God's timing is perfect. I had a very similar experience to you with a dream prompting me to talk to my husband about adoption. We started our journey with no money and 4 kids already. It seemed that this would be an impossible task as most agencies would not accept families with many kids. International adoption has been hard for me as I have NO Control over any aspect of it. But God has been faithful and if this is His Will for your family anything is possible. Please don't give up.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I can not even begin to tell you how many times our journey has changed. I pray, and I "try" to be still and hear His whispers. In a nutshell, we went from China NSN expedited, to China NSN non-expedited, to Taiwan Infant, to Taiwan Toddler, to another bio blessing and then back to our original China LID. Oh, and in the middle there, we also considered Foster, and Domestic Adoption. Now, we're praying about staying right where we are in line, and considering SN from infants to 7 year olds, both boys and girls. I think I struggle with what I feel was my original calling to adopt Morgan. A baby girl from China, who would be matched to us in some spiritual way. Not quite a nutshell, huh??? Anyhow, I thank you for sharing your journey. I thank you for being a woman of faith and I am praying right alongside ya!
ReplyDeleteOh Annie! So many questions, but finally the right thing will come on your path, I am sure of that! Just keep your faith and in the end it will all fall into place! My thoughts are with you and I will send positive vibes towards you all!! Love, M
ReplyDeleteI'm praying that you find the path that the Lord has for you. It is so hard not to know...
ReplyDeletePlease know you are in our prayers.
My heart is breaking for you. China is a great option for minor correctable conditions. Taiwan is disolving quickly while China offers many children with some form of special needs. We looked into foster care out of Oregon even though we are in Michigan. Their Foster Care system is one of the only states that does not give the parents countless attempts to change. The kids are returned one time only and then if the parents get the kids taken again all rights are automatically severed. The only catch was that they only adopt children 5 years or older to out of state families. Another great option is the Congo. I have comtacts there as well. They are very liberal with age requirements, as is Bulgaria. I have done a lot of research on this since Rick is 56 and I am 50. Email me if ya need to discuss different countries and agencies associated with those countries.
ReplyDeletepraying God will show you YOUR princess!!!
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have you been in touch with His Hands Taiwan? missionary in Taiwan that do independent adoptions from foster care in Taiwan
ReplyDeleteWhile waiting I became discouraged at what the Taiwan wait times looked like. I prayerfully looked into USA foster children but in the end was lead to wait it out. God spoke to me clearly. The first group of siblings that seemed to be a match for us the little girl's name was Asia. Then the second set of siblings that the little boy's name was TAIWAN. I knew this was God leading back to where we started. I would encourage you to prayerfully seek where God has a child for you and it will all come together in the end.
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