Prayer Request
This is of the "happy" kind, I suppose. My family and I are considering something that in a million years I never would have considered - this is how I know it is a prompting from God. I will be honest, I was completely done having children when my daughter was born 13-1/2 years ago. Then we had my son (who just turned 9) and it took me a little while to bond with him - I just was not wanting another child. (But when I did bond with him - whew! He's my little snuggle bug now!)
After we had him I was sure we were done. My doctor told me that my uterus really could not handle any more pregnancies (two C-sections and my scar line is very thin - my uterus could rupture if I went beyond 4 months), my husband got fixed, so we were done! Right?! Well, a few years ago my husband starts bringing up adoption and I had one of those "deer in the headlights" looks - or the "looked like I smelled cooking cauliflour", LOL! I just said flat out no.
So skip forward about 2 years ago, my son is 6 and his big sister starts asking for another brother or sister. Well, I told her the baby making factory was closed.
Skip forward to about 6-8 months ago, my son and daughter start double-teaming me asking for a brother or sister. I just look at my husband and he swears he's not said anything to them. I told them again - the baby making factory is closed.
They've not stopped asking, so about 2-3 months ago I started asking them why they wanted one. They said they just did. My daughter absolutely LOVES children so I'm not surprised with her, but my son kind of shocked me. I asked them if they wanted a boy or girl and they both said they didn't care. My husband asked me why I was asking them if the answer was absolutely no and I told him that I was just curious as to their reasons. Well, my heart has changed a bit and we are considering international adoption. The two countries that are on the top of our list right now are either Haiti or China. I have no idea where this journey is going to lead us, but we feel like it is the right thing so we are just going with it.
Believe me, again, in a million years this is nothing that I would have considered myself. This has GOT to be from outside of me. This is (in my husband and my narrow little line of thought) really not a good time, but we cannot deny the leading and prompting that we're getting. So many "little" things are just falling into place right now for this to happen. Here is just one of many: We are part of a homeschool group here on Whidbey Island. In Oak Harbor (where we live) there are about 20,000 people, in our homeschool group there are about 60 families - within those families there are SIX that have adopted internationally and two more that are in the process. That's a lot for such a small community. What a fantastic resource that has been dropped at our feet. This and many other things that only we can recognize are happening and being brought to mind that I just cannot explain and are confirming this decision for us.
Again, just pray for us. I don't know if God is bringing this to me to say, "You and I BOTH know how far outside of yourself this is, so I want to see just how far you will follow Me." and really not going to allow this to happen, or if this is really what He wants for us. Lots of questions, lots of uncertainty, but I think we're doing the right thing!
Michelle (and the whole Cloud clan!)
My best friend adopted a little girl from China back 5-6 years ago. She is bright and delightful but not without issues. She was 11 months when she came "home".
To extend your wonderful heart to an abandoned child in need is indeed a wonderful thing.
Rich and I have thought about adoption though it would probably be domestic since we do not have the funds to go overseas. But we have to get a number of things changed before that can happen... health, finances and a bigger abode.
Best wishes to the Cloud clan!
Kathy
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