advocate127:

As National Adoption Awareness Month draws to a close, we want to remind you why it is important to help and how you can help those in your community and those around the world.  The next three series of posts, including today’s, will be aimed at recapping this month’s posts on adoption. 

We hear many people say that adoption is a great cause - “I’ll definitely look into it if I can’t have my own kids.”  While that is the reason many couples across the globe choose to turn to the wonderful method of adoption to bring little bundles of joy into their lives, it shouldn’t be the only reason one considers adoption. Galations 4:5-7 explains God’s heart for adoption well: God sent [His own Son, Jesus,] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as his very own children.  And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (NLT). When we follow the biblical directive to rescue, love, and care for orphans, we are following Christ’s commandment and are acting as His hands and feet. We believe it is not just the responsibility of those who are called to full-time ministry to be concerned for orphans, but that it is the responsibility of all believers and Christ-followers. We hope that you will choose to find a way to bring hope, care and love to orphans, whether it’s in your community or across the globe. Your involvement, at whatever level, will make a difference. To read more on why you should help, click here or here.

(Source: parakletos127)

advocate127:

What is it?

Foster care adoption is the adoption of children in state care for whom reunification with their birth parents is not possible for safety or other reasons.

How does it work?
It is arranged by state child welfare agencies or by private agencies under contract with the states; however, public agencies mainly handle it. Children may be adopted by their foster parents, relatives (who may or may not have been caring for the child through kinship foster care), or adults to whom they have no prior relationship. Children in foster care have been removed from their families for a variety of reasons, including abuse or neglect, and they may have experienced trauma as a result. These children range in age from infants to teens.

How much does it cost?
Cost ranges from $0 - $2,500. If you are interested in adopting a child who is currently waiting in foster care, often not only are fees kept to a bare minimum or even waived, but many of the children will be eligible for federally-funded or state-funded adoption subsidy payments which help you meet the child’s ongoing needs. In addition, some children qualify for SSI (Social Security Insurance) payments or Medicaid coverage because of their medical conditions.

Interested in Special Needs Adoption?
Find out more information here.

What should you do now?
- Educate Yourself About Adoption
- Contact a Local Agency
- Attend an Orientation Meeting
- Understand the Difference Between Adopting and Fostering
- Read to take the next step? Apply to adopt or request to be contacted.

FAQs
- Adoption from foster care has increased in the past five years in response to a federal mandate that states take timely action to provide permanent homes for children in state care.
- Check Information Gateway’s list of State Child Welfare Agency Websites to find your local department of social services to learn about children in your area who need homes.
- Nearly 40% of American adults, or 81.5 million people, have considered adopting a child. If just one in 500 of these adults adopt, all of the 134,000 children in foster care waiting for adoption would have permanent, loving families, according to the new National Adoption Attitudes Survey.
- Common Myths about Adoption and Foster Care
- Department of Children & Family Services: Fact Sheet

Sites used:
- http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/s_cost/s_costs.pdf
- http://statistics.adoption.com/information/statistics-on-cost-of-adopting.html
- http://www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/how-to-adopt/deciding-to-pursue-adoption
- http://www.adoptachild.org/domestic-adoption-facts
- http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_adoptoption.cfm
- http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/FactOverview.html

(Source: parakletos127)

Just had a conversation with the family about fostering. We’re considering child fostering in the future. Somehow, I feel really drawn to this idea. I feel as if I’m being called to do this. And I love how my family wants the same.

I want to become a mommy. :) Mommy-ish, I should say (for now).

So far, my life plans (career plans) don’t seem to be materializing. However, it’s really interesting how I’m being drawn more and more to the idea of becoming a homemaker, a keeper of the house. My love for the olden days makes me admire females of that generation - they are experts in hospitality and homemaking, because as young girls, they were taught how to cook, do housework, and become good wives and mothers. Nothing against women having careers of their own, but who has actually thought of homemaking as a full-time job nowadays? Not as something to be dragged into, but to willingly accept and gladly perform. Women who choose to be like this at our present time are classified as lowly, unsuccessful, and inferior. If you do not make it big in the career world, you are going to be looked down upon. But see, the Proverbs 31 wife is also a stay-at-home mother who has a business of her own. It is the epitome of balance between being a career woman and a lady of the house. Her children calls her blessed and her husband speaks very highly of her - “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all” (29). I admire mothers who choose to take care of their little ones, homeschooling them to keep them from the noise of this world. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). They lay down their lives for their kids, sacrificing their societal right to be “successful” by having a well-known, highly-esteemed, and high-paying career. Of course, situations are different and there would be instances when mothers have to take full time jobs to make a decent living. But seeing the ambition of today’s young women - more of this and more that, reach for the stars, the sky’s the limit - marriage and motherhood seem to fade far below the subconscious. Yes, they enter into relationships, but they don’t understand the two important stages I’ve mentioned. It’s all about living the “good life” - fame and fortune. What will become of our generation? Can we even produce genuine ladies of the house, helpers of husbands, and mothers of children?

As of now, I don’t know where God is leading me and often times I am completely confounded. Nevertheless, He did say He will guide. I’m amazed at my recent thoughts about this subject, too, which had never ever crossed my mind before. I had my own incredible ambitions. Not to say that they’re all bad and you shouldn’t have desires, but where did those desires stem from? If they’re from God, then awesome, continue! Anyway, as for me, I’m being humbled everyday. I see men and women of my age advancing in their chosen careers, earning money, and acquiring luxuries. And here I am, staying at home - although not without something to do; I’m self-employed. Neither do I make nearly as much money as my friends, nor do I have an in-demand job or a title; but I’m content. At times, I’m not, especially whenever I compare myself to them. I do wallow in self-pity; I couldn’t help it. There was a time when I’m almost down to my last cent, and even though I could always ask my parents for help, as a young adult, I didn’t feel accomplished. But in times like this, I am beginning to see God’s faithfulness all the more. I could see it more when I’m lacking than when I’m full. It’s akin to appreciating food better when starving than when bloated. Sometimes, I’d think to myself, maybe God is just testing me and teaching me to become humble, so that when I pass this test, He will reward me with riches untold. But see, if my mentality were so, then I’m after the riches and not the lesson. I should really be willing to be content in such a lowly position in the eyes of the world, period. If God will allow me to be financially flourished, praise God; if not, praise God. If His purpose for me is to become a medical doctor or a business woman, so be it; but if I’m actually being called to become a home-staying foster mother of 5, or a housewife and mother for the rest of my life, then by all means, let it happen. As long as it’s what will please my God, and I’m living according to His plan, then I don’t need other things. My so-called “dreams” can melt away. My life will be well-lived.