(Orphan Sunday, 11/8, makes me think of our adoption story, which begins here.)
I skipped ahead yesterday, so you could honor my mother with me on her birthday.
Part 7
When we were asked to consider adopting a particular little girl, we talked and prayed first--a lot--just the two of us.
After a couple of days, we walked across the street to visit with our friends who had adopted transracially. We bombarded them with questions. We tried to make it as hard as possible, because we didn't want to make a decision that was bad for the child. Nor did we want to go into this wearing rose-colored glasses.
After a couple of hours, the husband said, smiling, "Listen, if you're looking for someone to tell you adoption is a bad idea for you, you came to the wrong place."
Then we talked with our 4 sons. IF we decided to adopt, the baby would be their sister forever. The 2 still at home--ages 12 and 15--had no hesitations: "Yes! Let's do it!" The 2 who were out of state were slightly more hesitant, but within moments said something like, "Yes. You should go ahead, however God leads you."
My interpretation of their hesitation was this: When a young person leaves home, he assumes everything will remain the same, which it never does really. But we were thinking about making a huge and sudden change, nothing gradual about it.
An added part of the hesitation came from the son who was living in Georgia. He had a hard time imagining a white family with a black daughter there, as it would be when we'd be down visiting Mother and my extended family. And we didn't know yet what the reaction would be from my very large Southern family.
We searched out studies of transracial adoption and stories of adoptees.
We confided in a handful of close friends, so they could be praying as we considered and moved toward a decision.
And we ourselves prayed, prayed, prayed.
(to be continued)
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing your story, Noel. I await eagerly for each new part! We are currently in the early stages of adopting now. We have 3 biological daughters and now want to add to our family through adoption. Adopting transracially as well. Always interested in what you write! Thank you for sharing your life so openly. Praying for you!
Noel,
Thanks so much for telling your story (so far). My husband ran across your blog on Desiring God the other day. Since then, I have been following each day.
We are in the process of becoming licensed foster parents in our town in North Carolina. We, honestly, are just going where God leads us. We know that God called us to take care of widows and orphans, so, we do!
But, we also have a desire to start a family. We don't know if that's biologically or adopted (or both!) Continue to be in prayer for us as we follow where He leads. We want it all to be for His glory!
I have just read all of your blog posts about your adoption and eagrly await the rest of the story! :) Seven weeks ago we brought home our biracial baby girl, and in December we will have her adoption finalized. Our two biological sons LOVE having a baby sister! We welcome any advice you can offer those of us who aren't quite as far down the adoption road as your family is. :)
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