[HappyMomAnna]

Most people who think about adopting children from foster care seem to share a common bond.... It was a thought that was born from a small seed inside of us....something we don't always understand where came from....and something we have thought about many times during our life....just this quiet voice inside our hearts that whispers in our ear....We could make a difference for a child...for siblings....for an older kid....for a special needs child....we have an inner confidence that we just might be able to change a life.

Many people I talk to who have adopted children from Foster Care seem to express they felt a calling for a lifetime. Some of us Planned on it even when we were still children ourselves for some reason or another.

Others do not even realize the fact that there are more than 120,000 children waiting until the idea of adoption in general enters their family planning. Then are compelled to adopt a foster child because it just seems right.

The fact is that many think about it....Many could do it....and many even hear the voice....but, do not know how to act upon it.... Thinking it must be too hard...or that the kids are so damaged there is no chance to save them....or that it may cost too much...or take too long....or be too hard to deal with the State Children's Services....

It is true adopting a foster child does require effort, and it can feel like it takes forever....and there are some hoops to jump through and we do have to deal with the state in our lives for what seems like forever....But, it does NOT cost us anything....we are ALL paying now for these children anyway....We will pay more in the future for those who age out and have no family to share the holiday meal with...no support system....no one to call "Their Family".

If you have the little voice...that tugging feeling in your heart and the peace knowing you are the kind of parent who can offer unconditional love to someone--and call them YOUR child....then it is worth it to check it out at least...consider it...see what it is all about...You might be surprised....You might one day have a child who is forever changed because you took the time to find out how to find them...

[shefalie]

HappyMoma,

I am one of those "foster" children who was taken, and given a chance...a family, some people to call mom and dad, like my foster mum said..I wanted to give a child, something they could have, when they actaully had nothing of their own.......Ishe had something to give.........and I sure am glad she did...........Im not preaching anything here...but I read in the bible something that has really helped me........it says....God places the lonely into families......and I can honestly say......that is waht he did for me.....and I honour those people who will foster and give kids a chance to expereince some good things in life...thanks happy Moma.

shefalie

[Merrymom4]

I know this is an old post, but it caught my attention. We adopted our foster son last week, and we hope to adopt our foster daughter real soon. Our family considered every kind of adoption. We prayed about it and felt that we were called to take in children who were from our community and needed a loving family. So many people steer clear of foster care because they are afraid of getting kids who have been traumatized or whose mothers may have taken drugs while pregnant. It's a risk. Any type of adoption is a risk...parenting is a risk...to love somebody is always risky. What would life be without such risks?
You can read our adoption story at http://www.christinahuffman.com/thoughts.htm

[HappyMomAnna]

Christina Congratulations!