Updates and Adoption 101

First the updates.    We are now LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation) for Hannah so that means we are approved by China.  We now wait on the US again for their next approval. Hopefully travel this summer.

Second update, our third oldest son was married this weekend.  More on that and photos later this week.

The third part is an adoption 101 course for those that don't understand how adoption works.   If you are familiar with adoption you probably already know this but if not, here is a chance to learn a bit. 

We had a number of family members here for the wedding this weekend and during conversation with my mom heard that people back my little home town are talking about us adopting again and some of these wonderful misguided people have started the rumor that the only reason we are adopting is because we get money from the government for each child we adopt.   Well brothers and sisters let me tell you that nothing could be further from the truth.

I will start by saying I am not posting this to give credit to us, but to educate people that don't know.    If anyone deserves any credit it is God who has provided for our needs and has blessed us with the ability and willingness to adopt.

First each and every one of our adoptions has been led by God himself.  He has prompted us to adopt and we have prayerfully considered and even wrestled over each decision.   For example the adoption of Hannah was proceeded by about 1 year of us praying about adopting again.   First Robin feeling led to adopt and me saying NO!.   Then our prayers turning to be "God please either take the burden from her to adopt or give it to me! But whatever your will is give that will to both of us"   Finally that happened.

Once we were given Hannah's file, I was still saying no but continued to pray about it.   Interestingly enough during the week when we had to make a decision I had 3 people ask me out of the blue, using the exact same words in reference to our adoptions, say "Can you honestly say you are done". Several other things occurred during that week that made it clear to both of us that God was offering us the opportunity to adopt this child.

Now lets get to money.   The information I am giving is about our case and does not apply to everyone.  I am sure there are those out there getting assistance but not us.  During that week we were praying about adopting again we had checks show up that amounted to the initial cost of the adoption.  These came from a refund from a previous adoption, also a return of deposits we had made on previous post placement visits and other surprise money.

Now that we are talking about money lets get into that.   A typical international adoption cost upwards of $30,000 each.  This includes cost of a home study, fees to the adoption agency, fees to US immigration, fees to the foreign government, fees for travel to that country etc.   So lets do some math here.  We have completed 6 adoptions in the last 14 years so that is roughly $180,000 that we have laid out over the years.

Now on to the question of government assistance.   We have never received a single penny from the government to assist with our adoptions or to reimburse for fees.  None of our children are on any type of government assistance and do not receive any government aid.   Quite to the contrary.   My employer no longer offers a family medical plan so each time we add a child our cost for health insurance goes up about $3000 per year.   Not to mention that we have adopted children that have medical needs so we actually end up paying a lot more in deductibles, copays etc.   To go even further we have never applied for any grants or assistance to help with adoption expenses.   We have done this on our own out of cash flow or savings.    I will go on to say that we want to thank God for providing for us in amazing ways.  I have received consulting gigs that have helped pay expenses, found money, gifts etc. but never a dime of government assistance.

For us adoption is a clear calling from God.  He has put a burden on both of our hearts to love and care for children.  We have been more blessed by our adopted kids than you can imagine.   Both of us often say we would do it all over again.

Bottom line;  adoption is expensive and it is not easy.  We are not wealthy but have chosen to invest in the lives of children so they can have a better life.  Some of these kids come from very difficult places and need a lot of love and understanding.    There have been days when we wonder what have we gotten ourselves into.   But most days we are thankful that when God called we said yes and went down that road.

Adoption is not for everyone and it is not for the weak of faith or faint of heart.   But if you are willing to go down that road there are blessings beyond measure. 

If you ever have questions about adoption we are glad to sit down and talk to you about it.   We both have a strong calling to adopt and love to see children find their forever families.