Adoption Awareness Month

A few days ago, we received a very sweet email from a blog reader that we've never met.  Part of her email is as follows:

I'm still too young to adopt a special needs child and everything, so it's not time for me yet. In spite of that, I visit pages with waiting children quite often to pray for the ones that steal my heart (which is not
very hard). I fell in love with a little girl almost a month ago and I can't stop thinking about her. Just seeing her profile again and again makes me weep with joy and sorrow at the same time because she's still there, alone. You can find her on the wonderful waiting kids page.  She is from China and named Collins. I can't do anything for her since I don't even know anyone in person who is into adoption or capable of adopting right now. So if you know anyone who might see their daughter in Collins, would you please, please share her video or tell them about her or at least send a prayer her way? It would mean the world to me. It's killing me that I can't do anything for her except praying and hoping she will find a forever family one day.

(Side note:  The lady who wrote me this email apologized for her grammar/English b/c English was her second language   Hello?  You would never know!)

That email was a very humbling reminder to me of the responsibility that lies in having a blog that many people read.   I know I've spoken of this before, but I often struggle with how I feel about talking about adoption.  On one hand, I want to shout it from the rooftops, day after day.  I want to talk of nothing else.  When you find something amazing, you just have to share it. The blessings of adoption have been burned into my soul in ways that I know some of you out there understand.  The plight of the orphans is something that is so very real to me.  It's something that I've seen and experienced in ways that can't let me be silent.  It's as if there is a little "adoption angel" sitting on my shoulder whispering to "share, share, share!"

On the flip side, I don't want to ever come across as judgmental or overbearing.  I know that adoption isn't for every family.  I KNOW that.  I wouldn't ever judge a family for not adopting.  And I know that  hearing about adoption makes some people feel guilty or overwhelmed-- or knowing it's not for them, they just tune out.  I know because I've had people tell me this.  I know because when I post about adoption on Facebook, the post gets about 90% fewer likes than other posts.  I know constantly talking about adoption is even offensive to some people.  And so sits another little person (devil?) on my other shoulder  whispering, "don't hurt people's feelings, don't share too much, people already know that you obviously love adoption, be quiet…"  

And so goes my battle!

But last night, as I was watching videos about Orphan Sunday and contemplating the email sent to me about Collins, there was a little victory for the adoption angel.  Because I realized that there are many people out there who have the same passion for the orphans that we do, but do not have the same platform that we have.  Therefore, it's our responsibility to share.  Even if we feel like a broken record.  And I was reminded of sweet Emily, who I advocated for on this blog and on Facebook.  As it turns out, a friend of mine from Tennessee, one who I never would have thought to share Emily's profile with, saw her photo/video and her heart was pricked.  In a few months, she and her beautiful family will be bringing Emily to their home.  

Advocating works.  

We've seen it over and over.  So if you are one of those readers who adoption is out of the question for and are therefore going to be bored silly by this blog over the next month, I apologize.  Last night, Jeremy and I both separately came up with the idea to spend ALL of November (National Adoption Month) spilling our hearts out about adoption.  Sharing our testimony that our Father in Heaven loves orphans with a pure and undying and uniquely special love.  We know He desires for ALL children to have families, and we hope that with His help and through this blog, a few more orphans can find a place to call home.

And so I'll start today with a picture of "Collins."  I hope you will join our sweet reader in prayers for this precious child of God.  I hope even more to be able to email that reader with news that someone out there has fallen in love with this girl and is going to give her a family.  

Is that someone *you*?  

(:

Precious Collins – female – 5 years old – Lifeline New Hope Journey – ilium and sacrum bone deformation, sacral veterbral deformity – she is also found to have some scars from possibly scalding water.  Sweet Collins is said to be gentle and quiet, and can play with toys quietly. Her file states that she can understand adult’s and can follow directions.  Although she is said to speak less, she is said to speak clearly in a soft voice. Collins is stated to have made some friends, and is able to communicate with them, as well as get along well with them and share toys. She is said to like music, and can dance along with the rhythm.  Precious Collins is stated to be timid, but can express her thoughts and needs to be  encouraged to try new things. This sweet child is described as “not easy to smile” but will smile when being teased, shy around strangers but warms up after “communication” with them.

If you have questions about Collins or any other orphan waiting for a family and you want to ask privately, my email is christi405@yahoo.com and Jeremy's is jeremymgreen@hotmail.com.  Also, if you have questions about adoption-- general or specific-- that you would like addressed in our blog this month, please let us know!  Lastly, if you are an adoption advocate and have a special child you would like to see featured on here, send us the info!

Christianne