Adoption

The home study packet of 30+ pages is sent! I was walking out the door, literally, to go to the post office to mail the packet and the phone rang. It was our doctor's office saying the lab results were in and the paperwork was finished. So, the packet was complete when we sent it! We are grateful that our physicians were so accommodating of the paperwork and so willing to get them filled out quickly.

I don't think that anyone does not care for orphans. Our media and literature is full of stories, fiction and non-fiction about orphans. Harry Potter is an orphan. Anne of Green Gables as well. Meet the Robinsons and Despicable Me along with a host of Christmas films have themes centered on orphans. Most have a happy ending.

There are over 140 million orphans in the world...right now. As a mom, it tugs at my heart to think of all the children without someone to care for them the way a family would. All of the times when they are hurt and not comforted, when they need attention, and won't get it. I think of the educational opportunities that are missed, essentially dooming these poor children to a life of struggle and suffering that begins in childhood and continues throughout their life.

In China, there is a one child policy, and even having one child is legislated. Having more than the one child can lead to massive fines, loss of job, loss of retirement and even loss of your home. For the children who are not born legally, there is not an option to go to school, they are not registered children. Without an education, the future is bleak. Once a child reaches 14 they are legally unable to be adopted. Without any skills, limited educations and a huge social stigma against orphans, what kind of future do these children have? It breaks my heart.

But realistically, what can I do? The world is not a fair place. There is injustice and suffering right along with the joy and plenty. I feel that I am one who is blessed with joy and plenty. And yet, I do not have enough time, talents, or money to change the world, or to provide for the millions of children without a home. Mother Theresa said "If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

Our motivation to adopt is that we want a daughter. We are not 'rescuing' Min. We are not 'saving an orphan'. God does not make orphans for families, He makes families for orphans. Min needs a family, badly. She is getting older and is a 'hard to place' child. She has some serious medical needs. She will most likely need multiple heart surgeries as she grows. She has lived in an orphanage for over 4 years which I think is long enough.

If Min touches your heart in any way, please consider being a part of our 10-10-10 fundraiser. It works like this...We are asking for a $10 donation so that we can expedite Min's adoption and get her home for open heart surgery sooner, which increases her chances of a successful surgery. We are asking that if you wish to do more, you ask ten people to donate ten dollars. We are so thankful for the people who have donated and advocated to Min. We are thrilled to be her family and can't wait to meet her!