So after several weeks of calm on the adoption front (I even got a call from our case worker just to check in with us since we were in a small holding pattern), everything went crazy about two weeks ago. I was online perusing some files of Waiting Children in China, trying to get a glimpse of what many of the special needs look like apart from a black and white text.
In the midst of viewing so many sweet faces and hopeful children, I came across a little girl who quickly captured my attention. Because of strict guidelines about sharing information about Waiting Children, the information that I can share will be vague for now (eg. no name, just pronouns). She is in our age range (0-2 years), and her special need is significant hearing loss. I felt my heart leap at the possibility! While we have a fairly expansive list of special needs that we will consider, hearing loss is still at the top of our list. BUT her file belongs to another agency.
I won’t bore you with all of the back and forth of the communicating – the short version is, after several conversations and emails with our case worker at AGCI and getting in touch with the other agency, we found out that transferring her file to our agency would not be possible (it often can be) because there has been a lot of interest in her file. Two families are currently reviewing the file. They can either opt not to pursue adopting her or they can move forward in the process. We made the decision to submit a pre-application with the new agency, and we are second in line to review her file if the other families decline (basically, we are fourth in line to have the chance to choose to move forward with adopting her).
I debated about writing this blog right now. There are a LOT of ifs and unknowns. The inquiry specialist at the other agency hopes to have some kind of news for us by the middle of next week. We are trying our best to stay open-handed with this new process and not become too attached (yet) to the idea of having this little girl in our family. Those are no easy tasks!
But I decided to share with all of you because we desire your prayers in all parts of this process. I want people to be able to understand a small part of what this lengthy and faith-stretching journey is. I want people to know why sometime next week I will be really excited or very disappointed. I want this blog to reveal my heart for adoption, even with all of its unknowns and difficulties.
I also want to say how much I LOVE our adoption agency . . . and how much I might miss them . . . because if we are blessed enough to pursue adding this little girl to our family, it will be through her current agency. AGCI (All God’s Children International) is known for fantastic communication (which I can attest to). But they also have a heart for children waiting for their forever families. During one conversation, our case worker stated that AGCI’s goal is to see children finding families, and if that means that we are supposed to use another agency, they are not only okay with that but they also encourage it! She has repeated this sentiment several times to me, and I know that if this little one is to be our next daughter, then the process will indeed be bittersweet as we move forward with a new agency.
[And because you all know that I like comics, one that rather sums up how I feel inside sometimes, even if I don't let it show!]
In the midst of viewing so many sweet faces and hopeful children, I came across a little girl who quickly captured my attention. Because of strict guidelines about sharing information about Waiting Children, the information that I can share will be vague for now (eg. no name, just pronouns). She is in our age range (0-2 years), and her special need is significant hearing loss. I felt my heart leap at the possibility! While we have a fairly expansive list of special needs that we will consider, hearing loss is still at the top of our list. BUT her file belongs to another agency.
I won’t bore you with all of the back and forth of the communicating – the short version is, after several conversations and emails with our case worker at AGCI and getting in touch with the other agency, we found out that transferring her file to our agency would not be possible (it often can be) because there has been a lot of interest in her file. Two families are currently reviewing the file. They can either opt not to pursue adopting her or they can move forward in the process. We made the decision to submit a pre-application with the new agency, and we are second in line to review her file if the other families decline (basically, we are fourth in line to have the chance to choose to move forward with adopting her).
I debated about writing this blog right now. There are a LOT of ifs and unknowns. The inquiry specialist at the other agency hopes to have some kind of news for us by the middle of next week. We are trying our best to stay open-handed with this new process and not become too attached (yet) to the idea of having this little girl in our family. Those are no easy tasks!
But I decided to share with all of you because we desire your prayers in all parts of this process. I want people to be able to understand a small part of what this lengthy and faith-stretching journey is. I want people to know why sometime next week I will be really excited or very disappointed. I want this blog to reveal my heart for adoption, even with all of its unknowns and difficulties.
I also want to say how much I LOVE our adoption agency . . . and how much I might miss them . . . because if we are blessed enough to pursue adding this little girl to our family, it will be through her current agency. AGCI (All God’s Children International) is known for fantastic communication (which I can attest to). But they also have a heart for children waiting for their forever families. During one conversation, our case worker stated that AGCI’s goal is to see children finding families, and if that means that we are supposed to use another agency, they are not only okay with that but they also encourage it! She has repeated this sentiment several times to me, and I know that if this little one is to be our next daughter, then the process will indeed be bittersweet as we move forward with a new agency.
[And because you all know that I like comics, one that rather sums up how I feel inside sometimes, even if I don't let it show!]
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