The Philippines!!!

Many people have asked where we are going to adopt from. We were so unclear as to the direction God wanted us to go...we heard another couple tell of their adoption experience and they too could not decide so they went two different routes...

The first route, of course, was domestic adoption. We have put our names in with my OB doctor here in town as well as with everyone we know...counselors, pastors, etc who may know of someone who wants to give up their baby for private adoption. Essentially, this mother would choose us to adopt her baby and we would go through the legal process together. We would not have to go through the foster care system (which I just don't think I could handle emotionally!) and it could be finalized fairly quickly. That is one option.

The second option is international adoption. We had narrowed the countries down to three: China, South Korea, and the Philippines. All we had heard about over and over and felt drawn to them in some way. Through someone we know we found our agency, Lifelink, and met with a caseworker. All three of these countries are options through Lifelink. However, we were told China is up to a 5 year wait and we took that as our answer that China was out for us (we liked China because of the almost certainty that we would get a very young girl). South Korea was a possibility, but it seemed very certain that we would get a boy. So, the Philippines struck us as the best choice for our family. I had seen several different things on TV about orphans in the Philippines as well as other things and now know God was slowly leading us in this direction.

At this time, we are taking both routes...which ever pans out first is the way we will go. We are confident God will lead our family to the child that is perfectly meant for us whether that be here in the USA or the Philippines!

Adoption!

Well, as most of you know by now we have decided to adopt. We have had a lot of questions so I thought I would try to answer some here in this blog and keep everyone up to date on our progress.

Hubby and I have been trying to have another baby for over three years. We have had some testing with our doctors and they have said to keep trying that it could happen anytime. But it hasn't. We truly feel that God has not allowed us to get pregnant so that we would follow Him in adoption. We want Punky to be a big sister (she will be so great at it!) and we know we could provide a good home and family to another child. So, that is our primary reason for adopting.

However, through all of our research and investigating on the different options and avenues we could go, we have really felt strongly that God commands all Christians to care for the orphans of the world. Currently, it is estimated that there are 147 million orphans worldwide...all children in need of parents, homes, siblings, love, caring, and some even basic necessities. We feel it is our responsibility as well as comission from God to care for orphans. James 1:27 says "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I will continually be posting our feelings, desires, and needs throughout our journey and hope you will continue to read and share this blog with others. We covet your prayers and are excited to see what God is going to do in and through our family. He knows best and we are trusting fully in that.