Why do people adopt? I think they can be narrowed down to a few broad categories, good and bad.
1. They can't have biological children and want to leave a legacy.
2. It's the "thing" to do or having children will fix their marriage problems. Totally don't understand this mentality. Because unless you have someone else doing the paperwork and leg work for you, it's a lot of work to just be hip. Plus, the stress can just from paperwork can cause a person to go insane--it's certainly not gonna help a broken marriage.
3. They see the need and it becomes a personal desire to make a difference.
4. They are trying to fill an emotional hole.
But, beyond that, to adopt or not to adopt is only the first question. Then it's domestic or international, which agency, which country, what age, boy or girl, individual or sibling group, special needs or no special needs, which special needs, how special is special, foster care, waiting child or traditional referral, do you fundraise, find grants, get another job--literally, the list goes on and that's just the beginning.
Then you see little faces...all the time, all colors, at least I do, babies, little kids, teenagers. You wrestle with the fact you can't see yourself adopting a child with major needs, because they need a home just like anyone else. Does that make you a bad person? Your heart breaks with each teenager you know will age out of the system very soon because you see little hope for a positive future. You watch the waiting children--just in case. You have a plan and God completely changes it. Why does He always do that? Maybe the problem is with my sentence and thought structure. "I" have a plan. No Emily, God has a plan it's just a matter of when He decides to show me the fine print. It's not God's fault I fill in the gaps with my own ideas and plans, just so it will make sense.
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Thank goodness because MY plan is flawed and a human creation. I want a holy and perfect God to be the one in charge of the plan, not me, because that's easy, right?
You know what is easy? T-shirts! Yay, segue!!!! Well, not the smoothest but I'll take it. Yes, you heard it correctly, Bulgarian Hope T-shirts are back on the market for about 17 more days. They are a little different, but still similar in style. This time they are available in short-sleeved, women's cut, long-sleeved, sweatshirt and kids. So, please check it out! The money from this fundraiser continues to go into our Lifesong for Orphans matching grant fund. We are half-way there with our matching grant!! Click here to see the shirts!
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