NOTE - I've added our journey pages which are listed to the left. I hope this makes it easier for everyone to view - thanks!!!
Many of you reading this know my family and our adoption journey well, however many of you don't. I have created this blog so that many more of you may come to know us, and to understand why we have chosen the path that we have and why we are fighting for children to have a loving home. We hope to gather as much support and attention as possible for children around the world that are waiting for forever families. I'm sharing our story as part of this effort and to encourage others to move forward with adoption.
I adopted my first daughter Ru, a medical needs child, from China in 2005. It has always been in my heart to bring home another medical or special needs child from China, and the journey has guided my daughter and I there this year. It has not been without significant obstacles though as many things have changed in the program and overall process. In Sept of 2006, my daughter and I were at a picnic hosted by our adoption agency. My social worker informed me at that time that China may soon discontinue the programs that included single parents and other groups. Knowing that my heart so wanted another child from China, and my daughter a sibling, he suggested I start the process for that child as quickly as possible.
In Dec of 2006 the China Center for Adoption Affairs announced that as of May of 2007 single applicants would no longer be accepted. Based on the 8% quota that China had in place at the time for single applicants my agency was unable to provide an opportunity for me to get my dossier logged in on time. I scurried to find another agency that could help me continue my adoption journey. I was very blessed in that another agency had a prospective single mother withdraw her application from the program. With documents ready, I was able to secure that opening and get my dossier logged in six weeks before the program termination.
When one window opens though, another closes, and while it seemed significant at the time, to reflect on it now, was only a little bump in the adoption road. The funds I had paid to the first agency were lost. In addition, the China Center for Adoption Affairs had notified my new placement agency that the amount of money I had to make as single parent had increased. I was unable to meet that requirement at the time and needed to relocate to earn a higher salary. The relocation cost itself put a significant strain on the adoption budget as did other aspects in the process. Once we relocated from the East coast I had to engage yet another agency for Colorado and Department of Homeland Security updates, and pay their fees. During the process China increased fees in country and a variety of other fees were implemented or increased for various reasons. Needless to say God has carried us through a long and sometimes seemingly hopeless journey. He has seen us through this far and we have made it through. He has given us the gift of my new son who has just joined our family.
It is a struggle for so many who want to walk the same road. They want to provide a loving, blessed family to a child but find the obstacles too great. For those of you thinking of adopting but fearing obstacles, try, God will help get you there if you really want and work for it hard enough. It took a long time to be led to my son, and a great deal of financial expense, but I can tell you from my heart that it is worth it, much more than words can say. There is a way, despite your age, or your savings account, or your marital status, you can find a way with His help.
China has now reopened their doors to single mothers once again for Special Focus Children (children waiting more than a few months, older children or children with more significant concerns), and my new son is one such child in that he is completely deaf. But while the current requirements are more significant than those in the past for China, they are only temporary obstacles that can be overcome. There are children all over the world that need families. Try, God will guide you and Jesus will carry you.
Blessings to All
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