Saturday, November 13, 2010

National Adoption Month - over 140 million orphans

"I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything,
 I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

 ~ Edward Everett Hale

"Adopting a child won't change the world,
but for that child the world will change."
~ unknown


running sunflare WEB WM

There are a few things I could have spoken about for this post.
Early intervention and screening, which is so important,
having a support system for yourself after you're home with your child.
My primary support was and still is Grace's travel group.
 And also quite a few wonderful adoptive moms I've met through blogging and in person.

But I think I'd rather ask the question...why don't more people adopt?
That question haunts me.
Probably because I don't think of these children as a nameless face or a statistic.
They are real, living, breathing people who have distinct personalities, names, likes and dislikes.
They laugh, cry and love. And need to be loved.
They may live in a foster home, an orphanage, or on the street.
They lack one thing.
A family that is theirs and loves them unconditionally.
I often think about the children in Grace's orphanage and Will's foster home that I spoke to,
played and laughed with, touched and held on our trips to China.
 Do they have a family now?

I imagine most folks who don't want to adopt are afraid.
Afraid of it possibly not working out, the expense or not having the money, etc.
There are all kinds of reasons.
Both times we adopted there were events that happened in our lives
 that could have made us pull our paperwork.
With Grace's adoption, Dan lost his job twice.
We kept moving forward and he was employed eventually.
For both adoptions we took a leap of faith and made the commitment.
Each time we didn't have all the money when we started the process.
And somehow it came.
 Sometimes in surprising ways.

I'm asking you to consider adoption and if it's the right thing for your family,
to research and find out everything you can.
And if you feel like this isn't for you,
I'm asking you to consider helping a child financially 
 through one of these organizations which will benefit them directly.
Or give to a family financially that's waiting to adopt.
Any amount will help.





 Please email me with any questions about our experiences.

And I'll have one more adoption month post to come soon.

gracewill leaves WEB WM

11 kind words:

Mei Mei s and Mayhem said...

Amen!!!! Great post Gail!! I have the same thoughts all the time. Even a few bucks goes a long way. We had so many hurdles with Gemma's adoption and wanted to quick so many times. We also started out with zero $$. And here we are almost 1 week home with our beautiful brave daughter!!!

Blessings.

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

Beautiful post!!!! So well said!!!!! I agree 100% and I don't get it...why don't more people adopt?
Fantastic post!!!!

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

Beautiful post!!!! So well said!!!!! I agree 100% and I don't get it...why don't more people adopt?
Fantastic post!!!!

ellieshine said...

What a wonderful post. (and beautiful photos!)

As Christians sometimes I think we are so busy with the little things we don't realize we aren't doing the really big things! One of those "big things" is asleep in my bed as I type this. I can't imagine anything sweeter :)

I'm looking forward to your next post.

Love Letters To China said...

Well said Gail!!! I hope and pray every child gets a chance at having a loving family like ours. Even though I believe my family is now complete, that does not mean the road has ended. We will continue giving to these wonderful organizations so that one day the other children that are waiting will finally be placed in their loving families arms.

Hugs...
Grace

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

I just love the word and the meaning of the word, compassion. I use this word in my work A LOT. I TRY to but it in to action in my life.

To me, this post SCREAMS, compassion. This post CONVEYS, love. I am proud to know you my friend.

Lea
xo

PS. The pictures are mighty fine too!

Jboo said...

I agree - great post Gail! Adoption is a huge leap of faith and there are many hurdles and long waits and questions that will never be answered, and it is so important to support those agencies and organizations that do so much.

Janet

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

Such a blessed post!!! And your photos are amazing!!! Just wanted to ask you camera and lens you shoot with the most. I may be getting a new one and just asking around. :)
Blessings!

Anonymous said...

So well said Gail!
Beautiful post along with beautiful pictures!

Hannah said...

Beautiful Post!

Your children are such amazing gifts of beauty.

I am leaning toward China (special needs) for our next adoption. I just don't really know where to start. I saw a little girl at the starfish site that keeps sticking in my thoughts but I know Starfish is not an adoption agency.

the meaklims said...

Amen indeed. Well said. There are far too many children, who don't have the love of a family.

Jill

 
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