Listening: Waiting Child Program

I have not wanted to write this post. But, I want to be honest, so here it is. Again, this is not the “right way” this is just “our way” of muddling through life and adoption.

First of all what is a waiting child? These are the children who may be older, who may have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, who may be from a minority ethnic group, who may be a member of a sibling group and/or have a developmental disability or medical condition (some correctable / some not).

We began to ask ourselves and God – is this for our family around March 2010. I had read a book about the horrific conditions of orphanages in China and was moved that we needed to do something. The only way to move our adoption faster is to accept a waiting child.

As we have wrestled with this we have done two things:

1) prayed

2) asked our close friends what they think

Praying has moved our heart further to want to be apart of a longer term solution of orphan care (sending money to orphanages, finding ways to support birth mother’s in the US and abroad, start educating ourselves about the problems  - in China and in the US).

While we want to bring Jade home (yesterday) we want it to be the baby Jade that God intended for our family. We decided to continue with our paperwork as is, knowing we can switch to the waiting child program at anytime.

We are listening for God’s voice – for He will be the only way we will know when and where to move towards our baby. Knowing that is comforting. Knowing that the frustrating. All I have to do it listen (shut the busyness down and listen – everyday.until.I.hear.His.voice.) That is alot more listening than I usually do.

Lord, help us listen and move when you say, “Move”.

Up next – Dossier Gathering in Austin, TX