Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Scenic Route



About this time last year Matthew and I attended a Foster Care/Adoption orientation meeting and left with the certainty that we were ready to pursue adoption. We had been deeply moved by what we learned in that two hour session and we began the process to adopt through the state. I've already shared the whole story of how and why we leap-frogged from state to infant to international in earlier posts, so I won't go into it again. I'll just say that we finally have landed. Right back where we started a year ago.

We've halted the process toward Uganda and have taken a hard right toward adopting through the State of Arizona, which just announced that there are now over 10,000 children in our foster care system, the highest it has ever been. Budget cuts are anticipated to put an even greater strain on the system, and I'm going to a meeting tonight to learn about exactly what those cuts are and how they will effect the kids and families involved. We're signed up for the 10 week certification class this summer, and after a few minor hoops to jump through, we should be good to go!

It can be either frustrating or breathtaking to end up on the scenic route. I guess if just depends on if you're in a hurry, running on your own schedule and pushing your own agenda, or if your agenda is simply to be carried along and follow the winding path where it goes, content to know that you are headed in the right direction.

2 comments:

Bev H said...

Re your final paragraph. Totally different details and situation for us. Exact same emotion. Thanks for sharing that...it encouraged me.

Gretchen said...

Can't wait to see where the road leads you all with adoption. I'm excited to hear what you think of the classes. I really enjoyed our training and wished everyone with children would be required to take the class. Useful info. there.
Anyway, just fyi, we are slightly anxiously awaiting to hear if we will be eligible to adopt an 8 month old African American boy. Right now, his workers are putting up a little road block for us (I think b/c we're not black - which I understand - they try to keep race with race), but we'll see what God has in store. Blessings to you and your family.