HOMESTUDY!

 Well, it may seem like not a whole lot is going on since I haven't been posting too much lately when in all actuality, we have been swamped around here!  We have a huge list of things to do and paperwork to fill out and it just so happens it is all coming at us at one of our busiest times of the year (next to Christmas!).  This time of year is so busy, as many of you moms of school age kids would agree (can I get a witness?), because it is the time for the big end of the year final activities.  For us that includes: 2 major dance recitals for our daughter Christina, and for our son Matthew, we have his school musical, choir and violin concerts.  (he is actually taking a break from Taekwondo right now!) With all of this comes- tickets, ads, props, costumes, volunteering, and a whole lot of driving around and waiting in the car with a busy, yet lovey 3 year old and his sticky snacks!  Let's not even get started on the field trips, UGH!  

  In addition to this, Jacob and I are trying to earn some extra $ for the adoption of course, so we have taken on extra shifts when possible.  So, needless to say our free time is pretty much zero right now!  

  Anyway, the good news is- we have received our home study paperwork and are beginning to work our way through it slowly along with the huge dossier stack which is still looming on the corner of the desk!  We should be scheduling our first home study visit soon and we are very excited.  (if we could just have a free day to get the house back in order after this crazy month!)  

  From my viewpoint right now, it appears as a mountain of things to accomplish and I am just barely keeping up with each day.  I know in about 4 weeks, things will slow down considerably.....or am I just dreaming?

WHY NOT DOMESTIC FOR US? (click here if you are interested in domestic adoption!)

. A very good question that some might ask, "Why not domestic?"  I will try to answer as briefly as possible, although I could write so much about it as I have considered it painstakingly!  About 10 years ago, I tried to adopt a little girl domestically, who turned out to be from such a traumatic situation that she was not able to be placed in a home with siblings.  My heart mourned for this girl and I was so angry that someone had ruined a little girl, so that she could not have a future with us. Recently when I started researching this current adoption, I still poured over the domestic listings and found that:

- Many people in America are on waiting lists for a healthy child under 4 of any race.  They will almost surely be adopted.

-I have not seen a listing for a healthy or minor special needs child under 4 without a sibling group and we just cannot take in many children for lack of space!

-I have several friends with beautiful special needs children, but my family's demands on time and our finances are not prepared for that path right now, if possible.  I have to be fair to my family's needs and honest about what we can handle.  It takes a lot of time and resources to raise a child with special needs.  Of course, we're aware there will be needs of even a "healthy" orphan and we will be prepared for who God brings us in any case.  

-We are really hoping for a young child who falls in line age- wise, because it works out best for our family dynamic and especially for bedroom sharing! 

-It can take several years for a child in the "System" to be fully released for adoption in the U.S.

-As a Guardian Ad Litem, I am trying to make a difference domestically and am well aware of the lonliness and challenges of a child in the system.  However, in the U.S.,in almost all cases, the children are being fed, clothed, getting an education, medical, and have resources.  I know it's not ideal, but they have some hope for a future.

-In many countries around the world, an orphan's life can be deplorable and filled with hunger, disease and neglect, with absolutely no resources for their future.  

If I could, I would save them all!

THE STAR THROWER BY LOREN EISELEY

  In the often quoted story adapted from "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley, we are told of an old man picking up starfish and tossing them into the sea before the tide goes out.  He is confronted by someone who tell him his quest is ridiculous- that there are millions of starfish on the beach and that what he was doing couldn't possibly make a difference.  The wise old man picked up another starfish, paused thoughtfully, and remarked as he tossed it out into the waves, "It makes a difference to this one."

   From: Save A Child