We are currently in the process of adopting a foster child. We have completed the paperwork part (which takes 4 months) and we are starting the training next weekend. We will also begin the home study shortly, and once that is completed we begin the "matching" process with a child. We are so excited and nervous, but know this is a journey that will have it's ups and downs, but once we reach the other side we will be able to look back and know with satisfaction that we did all we were supposed to (or at least try really hard to!). Anyways, I know some people are confused why we would adopt when we can have our own children, and the answer is complex that it is hard to explain, but I have had so many promptings and desires since a young age to adopt, that I knew this would be a path I would travel down some day. I know that since we are all God's children and are all loved by him the same, regardless of background, we all deserve a chance. Some children are born into very unfortunate circumstances, why should they suffer when there are homes like ours fully capable of loving and nurturing more children? Some people think it's different because they weren't born into your family, but if we are all children of God, what does that matter? Biological children can cause just as many problems as adopted children, the point being, they are all children regardless of whether or not they are "adopted" or "biological". To me, it is the same, and I will love them the same. At first we were thinking of an older child, but after attending a BBQ hosted by Family Builders (the agency we are going through), a lot of the advice were given from those who have gone before us was to adopt a child younger than our own, or the same age. We'll see what happens, I strongly know that God has a child in mind for us, and it doesn't matter to me if they come to me as an infant or as a 12 year old! Adoption is such a complex issue, and I know it will be a road full of frustrations, joys, despairs, and triumphs, but I know I am able to rise to the occasion, I have rose to many occasions and am strong enough to shoulder burdens, and turn those burdens into triumphs!
The hard thing is waiting, and wondering, will we adopt a newborn? A 3 year old? A teenager? i just don't know, but since having met a wonderful woman from Oakland who takes home emergency placements of babies from the hospital, usually drug addicted, I also felt a tinge of inspiration that perhaps that is something we could maybe do one day. We are exicited as a family for this, and it might take some time, it might not even happen until after we leave San francisco next year, but that's okay. Patience I tell myself...patience.
