Shifting Focus

I began researching other domestic adoption agencies, trying to find one that increased our chances of getting a baby.  Many automatically ruled us out because we have biological children and we have more than 2.

I called my friend who is pursuing Ch Special Needs and explained my discouragement.  I told her that with our medical insurance situation not being the best, we didn't feel we could adopt a child that was medically fragile.  She sent me a link explaining the issues with special needs children in Ch.  They range from birth marks to severe disabilities.  She told me that once the paper work is complete, your agency makes suggestions of children who would be a good fit for your family and you are able to evaluate their medical need first before finalizing the adoption.

And so my focus shifted from domestic to special needs international.  The computer is a wealth of information and I was almost overwhelmed with learning the new information that I was reading.

I made a phone call to a friend who adopted a special needs boy to ask her about her adoption when she shared with me the timeliness of our call.  She had been approached by several friends recently who are going through adoption and she was considering getting us all together to exchange information, share with one another and be encouraged in this process.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the lunch, but my friend was and she told me about an adoption agency in Indiana and about the country of S that has just opened it's doors this year to adoptions.  She gave me the number of a girl who came to the lunch who is adopting from S.  I called her and asked her questions.

The web site for the agency in IN encouraged me, as it appears that we meet the criteria to be an adoptive family and because it's a new pilot program, the wait is only 12-15 months.  So now I am scheduled for an hour and a half phone interview with this agency on Thursday of next week.  It's the first stage of their application process.  I am praying that after the phone interview, I will have clear direction from the Lord whether or not to walk through this door or not.

We have only begun and yet this process seems to be filled with excitement that is ever changing.  Two weeks ago I was closing my eyes, envisioning a tiny black baby in my arms with kinky curly hair...the first Fish Stick ever to have a head full of hair or curls.  Last week the baby I held was old enough to be crawling with slanted eyes.  This week he has dark skin and looks Polynesian.  If I close my eyes tight enough I can picture twins....but I'm not getting my hopes up....just a dream I would love to come true.