Mommy Life: Happy National Adoption Awareness Month

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy National Adoption Awareness Month

It's National Adoption Awareness Month. What a wonderful month! A chance to celebrate second chances! So, in light of the theme of this month, I thought I would rehash some of the highlights of our adoption story.

(I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that the idea actually came from Emily...any other ideas for posts, Emily???)

First, I want to dispel the common misconception that people who adopt children do so because they are unable to conceive on their own. Although this may be the case for some people, we in fact have no problems in that area...and that is all that needs to be said there.

Second, those who do foster care or adopt, are not saints and we are not "child-stealers". We are normal, every day people who love children and feel called to serve in this area. We are definitely not perfect (as you can see from my blog!), but we do our best. Are there bad foster parents out there? YES. Are they the norm...in my experience, no. Please don't demonize us or paint halos around our heads--we don't deserve either.

Finally, a disclaimer. The story I am about to tell is limited by confidentiality agreements. I will not tell everything and much will be generalized. Also, this is OUR experience. Others may have a more difficult foster situation or an easier adoption. Every case is completely different and depends on many factors.

And now onto our story....

...in the next post. It's bedtime and I'm tired...

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Clarification
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

No comments:

As with many Christian women, my goal is to live up to the ideal Proverbs 31 woman. I would like to apply all of Proverbs 31 to my life (and all of Proverbs!--and all of the Bible while I'm at it!), but especially the parts that are in bold--and ESPECIALLY the parts that are in red bold. I fall short of this on an hourly basis, but that is why it is a goal!

Proverbs 31: 11-31

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, (ha, ha!) for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.