The Journey

I can't tell you how many people have shared with me that they would love to adopt, but it just isn't possible. I am here to tell you IT IS! I mentioned in my last post that adoption is not for everyone, and I truly believe that; however, I want you to know that if it is truly on your heart, YOU SHOULD GO FOR IT! The top two reasons I usually hear are: 1. Money 2. It is too late Many people have told me that they can't adopt because of the prices. Although international and private adoptions are extremely expensive, domestic adoption through the foster care system is FREE! Yes! FREE! Many states even offer money to help cover the cost of childcare, food, etc. If money is the only thing stopping you, please look into state adoptions and the foster care system. I would also encourage you who feel called to a specific country or area in the world, to start pursuing that. I would have never imagined that the cost of our adoption would be possible, but with smart bu

Many people do not feel that adoption is right for their family for a variety of reasons. I do truly believe that adoption is not for everyone, but I believe helping orphans is something we can all be a part of. Here are some practical ways you can help orphans (both domestically and internationally): 1. Help raise awareness. There are millions of orphans globally that need someone to speak upon their behalf. Speak about this issue. You don't need a huge platform; speak with friends and family. 2. Find an organization that helps orphans and volunteer your time or support them financially.  There are many great organizations out there! 3. Be understanding and encouraging. Although adoption may not be right for you, support your friends and family who feel called to this. It is scary and unpredictable. Listen to what they are telling you and understand that their children may have needs that your biological children do not. 4. Pray for the orphans around the world. Pray for

This weekend, I attended a women's conference at my church and was so encouraged to hear women share their stories of overcoming trials and adversity. There was such beauty in the truth of their stories as they shared how this was not the life they planned. Though challenges came and wrecked their lives, they found ways to turn their situations that were so dark and terrible into something good. Even though they hated what they were enduring, they were able to find ways that their pain and hurting could impact others for good. Many times I find myself questioning God and asking, "Why us?". Why was Jeffrey born with this horrific disease when there was only a 25% chance of him having it? Why did you call us to this adoption if it was going to be so painful and disappointing? Why aren't you moving in our situation? And if I was completely honest, I have also found myself asking, "Why them?" Why are they getting blessings we are praying for? Why would you do

We are so excited to move and see all that God has for us next, but I can't help but think of all the memories this house holds. If these walls could talk, they would have so much to say. Some of their words would probably surprise you, some would make you cry, some would make you laugh hysterically, and some would make you think deeply. Life has happened here. I thank God for providing us with this place that we have called home for the past 7 years and for teaching us so much about ourselves and each other while we have been here. I'm so thankful for all of the friends and family that have entered and shared memories with us.    When we started the adoption process, we never would have guessed that it would have taken this long. We worried that moving could impact our adoption, so we tried to wait. As we prayed and sought God about next steps, we felt confident in selling the house. We trusted that in God's time the house would sell, and the adoption w

Elections have definitely slowed things down on the adoption front. Many families are waiting for documents, waiting for approvals, and waiting for the court dates. Not a lot of movement has happened in the last month. MOWCYA (The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs) which is a big part of the adoption process in the Ethiopian government was shut down for almost two weeks due to no power, and now they have slowed down significantly due to new staff from the outcomes of the recent elections. PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for diligence in the new team that they are building and that MOWCYA will be staffed with adoptive friendly people who will process papers efficiently. Please pray for Embassy clearances for families waiting to go home (It seems that as more families go home then they will start matching more children again) Please pray for both the US government and the Ethiopian government officials to see the importance of their jobs and become more efficient in proc

Yes, I agree adoption is such a beautiful experience. Afterall, isn't our adoption into God's family the most self-less, beautiful, and incredible display of love that has ever existed. I have had so many people tell me how wonderful our story is, and as beautiful and wonderful it is and is going to be, we must not forget that all adoption comes from a place of loss. Although adoption has been our first plan for starting a family since the beginning, I have to realize that our adoption is not everyone's first choice. Adopting family- Many people start the adoption process due to the great grief and pain that comes from infertility. I have read countless numbers of adoption blogs where couples experienced many miscarriages and horrible tragedies of trying to start a biological family. Now, I want to word this carefully because I don't want adoption to sound like 2nd place, but for many people adoption stems from the loss of dreams and plans that a couple originally h

Loving someone you haven't met can be difficult. It's not the loving part that is hard. No, that part is easy. Loving you is so natural. We talk about you, laugh about you, cry over you, pray for you, prepare for you, and dream about you. Loving you is easy, but it's not loving you how I want to love you that is heart breaking. I want to love you with my eyes and see your beautiful face. I want to love you with my touch and hold you in my arms. I want to love you with my voice  and tell you how much I love you. I want to love you the way I am meant to love you as your mommy.  I can't wait for the day when we are no longer separated by miles, oceans, paperwork, and time.  I love you.

Ethiopia is currently in election season. Although the election is technically over, the results will not be announced until late June. Just like anywhere in the world, the appointed leaders are can have a huge influence on topics such as foreign adoption in their country. We are praying for the right people to be appointed and that those elected will see the need for the children of Ethiopia to be united with families. Since we have started this process, rules and regulations have definitely changed more than once in regards to international adoptions. We are not worried about the outcome of the election or the results it may have on our adoption, but we are praying that adoptions will increase and that they will begin to move faster than the current trends. Please continue to pray for the country of Ethiopia, for our adoption, and for our baby.

If you know me, you know I absolutely hate horror stories and movies. The scariest movies I watch are what most people would consider suspense thrillers. I am a person who gets scared easily and I don't need anything else to fill my imagination or thoughts with the what coulds. I am not quite sure why, but I have found that many people who discover that we are adopting feel that is the cue to share the horrible experience their friend's cousin's sister had while adopting or trying to adopt. Everyone seems to know someone with a story that could end up on CSI , Unsolved Mysteries , or Maury . You know the stories where the kids are total nightmares who ended up doing something illegal and ended up in prison, the birth mother fought for her rights back and stalked the family, or the adoption never even happened after thousand of dollars and years of waiting.   Trust me, adoption is scary enough without the constant reminders of what could happen. Most people who sign up f

Well, I did it! Let me change that.... WE DID IT! I would not have made it through this program without my supportive friends and family and my amazing husband! Although a lot of things were put on the back burner (this blog being one), I am ready to once again start writing about our adoption journey. There has been a lot of things happening and I have a lot of thoughts to share. I am excited to start writing again. I am so happy I did this before Baby Woodson arrived because I am not sure if I would have been able to do it with a baby.