Our Adoption Journey has a new path...

Ok, as you can see it has been awhile since my last post. I think I really avoided posting because if I came to my blog I would be reminded of why I started it to begin with and that just broke my heart too much. :( Over the last week or so there has been serious changes with Ethiopia, changes that would cut back up to 90% of adoptions, years would be added to the original 12 to 18 month wait along with many other unknowns. As a family we sat down to discuss what would be in the best interest of our family... financially, emotionally and spiritually. We really wanted to have our next child close in age to Raegan and before Chance moves away to college. During our long talk well several talks we remembered what brought us on this journey to begin with, and that was the cutest little foster baby who lived 2 doors down. Something in his eyes and beautiful smile just spoke to our hearts.

About a year later we made the decision to open our hearts, home and family for a child who needed us. After all we had so much love to give, a great family and enough room so why not! We began to research the Foster/Adopt program but during the research became afraid... "What if the child we grew to love would be taken?" "What kind of children are they?" "Are we even strong enough?"... So with all those fears, along with where we were emotionally and spiritually we just felt more comfortable with International adoption.;)

I don't know if it took posting the foster kids on my facebook, seeing all the youtube interviews of orphans hoping for a family, or that leap of faith into the adoption world; but something maybe all of it made us stronger and really opened our eyes and hearts even more. Every child deserves a safe loving home and family. All orphans (including foster) have gone through something but that doesn't make them damaged. What damages a child is growing up without a loving family, love can heal so many things. If God places that child with us for a few months or forever, (which we are praying forever) we hope to of had made a positive difference in that child's life. Someone needs to be there for the foster babies and children too and if not us then who? if not now then when? We can at least try because who knows this may have been the right path all along.:) Our journey still has so many unknowns and we are going to still need lots of prayers. One thing is for certain I will continue being an advocate for the orphans. Thank you to everyone for all your love and support it has meant so much to us. Stay tuned for new blog postings I'm sure there will be lots exciting stuff ahead!;0)

Oh I almost forgot! :) I made some adoption shirts just to wear and my first practice design came in...it's not my favorite but I was happy to get it today.
This is the front.... Hope 4 ALL Orphans

and this is the back... John 1:27

If you want to help the orphans and look stylish while you do it, you can also go to Salvation International at http://salvationinternational.org/ and either donate or purchase apparel from Salvation. ALL profits go to the Salvation Grant Program to help qualified adopting families bring their children home. :) I will be posting pictures of those shirts as well and links to Salvation.

God Bless~