Thursday, October 16, 2008

Why We Should NOT Adopt

A lot of people are adopting these days (at least a lot of people I know). Our church currently has children from Guatemala, China, Ethiopia and Korea. It is exciting!

Kory and I have always felt a desire to adopt someday. But it is a lot easier to commit to the elusive "someday" than to actually take a step forward and begin the process.

Over the past several months we have been feeling that "someday" might be closer than we originally thought.

That thought is more than a little scary, prompting me to come up with a list of reasons why someday is NOT today.

Reason #1: We already have 4 kids ages 5 and under.

Reason #2: We cannot afford an adoption right now. Throw in the current economic conditions and add up what is in our savings account and many people would consider us foolish to take on the cost of adoption right now.

Reason #3: Adoption sounds scary. What if I don't love our adopted child enough? What if our personalities clash? What if she doesn't fit in with our family?

But here is the bottom line...

Every time I hold and love on my baby boy, I think of the 143 million children who have NO ONE to hold and love on them. I read posts like this. I am exposed to organizations like Compassion and Lifesong. We feel a call to do more.

So last week we filled out and mailed our application to an adoption agency. Yesterday the agency called. We were approved! Which means, we have officially started the process.

We hope to adopt a little girl from China.

It will be a very long process. Currently it is taking over 3 years to adopt a healthy child from China. We are okay with the wait - for now.

As for the three reasons why we should not adopt, I'll get back to those in later posts. God has made it obvious to my heart that regardless of those reasons, He has called us TO adopt.

And that reason trumps all.

34 comments:

Marie Stork said...

We will keep you in our prayers~What a special calling you have. Marie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!! Your reasons were starting to freak me out as I can relate :). Love, J

Holli said...

SO SO EXCITED!!!! Praying for you all. For the finances, the love (that I am know will be there) and THE PATIENCE!!!
I was thinking this post might be coming.....:) What agency are you going with?

Real Reedy said...

How exciting! Congratulations! I pray the process will go smoothly and quickly - well God's perfect timing - for you!

Amber said...

Ryan and I are so excited for you and Kory, Megan! We are excited to see God's faithfulness in your journey as well and will be prayerful throughout.

love your family . . ..

Samantha @ the Listener's post said...

Wow! That's a big step! Congrats!

Brooke said...

Congratulations! How exciting. So happy for your family.

Julia DesCarpentrie said...

hmmmm.... those reasons sound awefully familiar. And had I clung to them, I would be missing out on those sticky, smelly, squirmy hugs and kisses from a certain 4 yr. old. I would still be in my comfortable life in central Illinois. Oooh! Don't want to scare you, but it's an awesome and wild ride. Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Living vicariously thru you-
Julie

Mrs. Hany said...

YEAH!!!! Another Kaeb to add to the bunch! What a blessing, we will be praying for you!
Kirsten

Tater & Haley said...

That is great to hear! We are excited for you!

Heidi Klopfenstein said...

Congratulations! I am personally, VERY excited for you and your family. I look forward to following along as you prepare to bring your little girl home! You won't be "stealing" the quilt idea from me, the tradition has been around for a LONG time :) have fun with it.

girlie girl said...

This is so interesting! We've felt that tug toward adoption for some time now also, but feel God leading us in domestic adoption. I can't wait to read all about the process!

Erin said...

Awesome. Really, really awesome!

sarah.flyingkites said...

This is so exciting Megan! Thanks for sharing!

Marla said...

lucky # 9 in the niece and nephew department. i'm pumped!

christine said...

Praying your journey will be filled with peace & little miracles along the way.

Tami said...

what a lucky little daughter she will be. i'm really excited for you and kory!!! if you change your mind on where you want to adopt, you could adopt a little girl in bloomington, illinois...aka, me. :)

Heidi said...

AWESOME!!! :)

arlan and katie said...

Congratulations!

:)

A & K

Katie said...

THat is great, good for you guys, praying for you.

Jami said...

You know I'm excited!! Praying...

Anonymous said...

Megan, this post gave me goosebumps this morning!! I'm very excited for your family. Welcome to the world of background checks, dossiers, state seals (I have a funny story about those...), etc.

Terri

Kasey said...

WOW, that is so exciting! I will be praying for your little baby that God places into your family.

Mindy said...

Congratulations! We will be praying for you and your little girl! I am interested to hear more about how you came to your decision!

Kristy said...

We are so thrilled for you guys as you begin this journey! What a blessing.

Frizzy said...

Oh my my my! Welcome to the "A" family as we called it. While we went through Invitro we felt we were members of the Secret "I" Society and then we moved into the not so secret "A" society. You and your family have just begun an amazing journey and if it's what God has led you do to there will be no regrets. God will provide and take care of all of your needs. By the way, we're all God's adopted children through salvation. Pretty awesome thought aye? This was the sermon for our adopted daughter's Christening. I'm so glad I read your reasons for not adopting. IF you need any added reasons why you SHOULD feel free to come over and read our story.

Mom said...

We are very excited to have another granddaughter! We will start praying for you and her that all those negatives will turn to positives in the very near future.
Just one more little child to grow up in a loving Christian home -
AWESOME!

Mom and Dad K

Renata said...

Oh Meg- this is so exciting!
Will be praying for you guys!

Melinda said...

Congatulations. I am excited to read more about your journey into adopting. I am sure God has a very exciting plan for you in mind :)

Holly said...

How incredible to think that somewhere there is yet another little one who will belong in your family -- what a blessing!

Bobbie-Jo said...

I jumped over to your blog when I saw the title of this post listed on another blog. "Why we should NOT Adopt" is certainly eye-catching and intriguing! Your reasons, both con, and especially pro, are so very real and compelling.

May God bless your family as He leads you on such an exciting adventure! His plan is perfect in all ways.

Bobbie-Jo
adoptive mom to 2, no 3, well, 2-ish boys (It's a long story!) and bio-mom to 3 girls

Ryan and Becky Weiss said...

You will be in our prayers as well. As someone who lives in the Asia area of the world we can attest to the great need the children have here! My husband comes back from trip after trip to China with so many stories of all the suffering he sees. It can be a bit overwhelming but it warms our hearts to know that there are those who are called to help who are willing!

God Bless!

Monica said...

Woohoo! How exciting! We have a friend from church who adopted two children from Ethiopia and they are so sweet and so cute. It is amazing how quickly they begin speaking English.

hubergal said...

good grief! i've missed a lot while not being online. wow! what a step! can't believe the day is here. it seems like it was always that illusive 'someday'.

love ya,
shar