It only took a second of reflection to be overwhelmed by the ways people have reached out to us since we announced we were adopting. I have had texts, phone calls, sweet questions at church, and blog comments. People on facebook have commented and "liked" and prayed like crazy. And the messages - oh the messages! I have had so many sweet ones (some from people I barely know) via email and facebook (that I really need to respond to... sorry ya'll! I get all emotional reading them and then I can't type and then I forget to write back!)
image from {alovelyavenue.com}
All that to say - I am blessed. And humbled. And I want to remember that for the next time I get discouraged. This journey has already been so difficult and we haven't even "technically" taken the first "official" step (we haven't been able to find an agency to work with). But I'm afraid I would've already given up on this dream without the love and support of so many of my friends (and family!) Whether we are close or not - please know that your comments and prayers don't go unnoticed. THANK YOU for taking time out of your day to encourage me! The Lord uses your kind words and prayers in powerful ways!
While I'm talking about our adoption I will share that the ball is rolling again! We emailed a Thai Adoption Lawyer today!!!! Thanks for helping me find the strength to face the waves one more time! I don't want to get my hopes up again, but this is a completely different direction (that we haven't looked into until now) and I can't help but wonder if maybe this could be THE path God is leading us to take! The things we've read on the website look promising - but only time will tell. I am praying they will respond quickly and that we'll be able to set up a phone call with them soon... I'll keep ya'll posted!
*In case you haven't noticed, there's a new tab at the top of my page. For those of you who like to follow our adoption journey, it just got a little easier! If you click on "Our Adoption", there is a chronological list of all the blogs I've written about our adoption (or adoption in general). I'll be updating the list each time I post a new one. I know when I we started researching Thai adoption, I spent hours reading through the blogs of other families who had adopted from Thailand. So I hope this will help some future adoptive Moms & Dads navigate my site a little better! :)
I hope this is "it"! I look forward to seeing what God does!
ReplyDeleteHi there! We're also in the process of adopting a daughter from Thailand-- in our case an extraordinary fourteen year old girl. I'm excited to see another family in the process and hope that things go smoothly for you in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you've been so frustrated in your journey to adopt a daughter, and I'm sure you've explored all of your options. Just to throw it out there though-- you might consider the possibility of adopting a child with special needs. Many wonderful children in Thailand have special needs that, while they initially sound scary, are correctable or easily managed. Some children's only special need is that they are older than the age of two or three. Not only is the wait generally years shorter for these children, but requirements like having infertility (we don't) are also waived.
Also, in many cases these children are on waiting child lists with the agency, so you can not only choose the gender of the child but the specific child you plan to adopt instead of waiting to be assigned a child by the TRC or DSDW. That way you have the chance to research their condition before you make a commitment. Many grants are available to help with the cost of adopting these children as well, because fewer families consider the adoption of a child with special needs. These are wonderful kids who are just as deserving of families, but are often overlooked.
Certainly adopting a child with special needs can be intimidating and is not for everyone (though I'd say that all children adopted internationally have special needs regardless of whether or not those needs are physical), but it could also potentially be the most rewarding thing you've ever done. I think that by choosing an ethical adoption from a Hague Convention country you are doing a wonderful, Godly thing either way. But I did want to let you know that if the adoption lawyer does not work out, all of the doors in Thailand might not be closed to you.
Please feel free to drop me a line if you ever want to chat-- I always love hearing from other families adopting from Thailand. I'll be following along in your process and praying that things go smoothly for you in the future.
Sincerely,
~Jess
This family did not use an agency for a Thai adoption. She lived there for a bit. Maybe it will help. http://funkydoodledonkey.blogspot.com/
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