To Adopt Or Not Adopt, That IS the Question

I seem to hear people ask a lot lately, "do I adopt?" and "how do I know if we should adopt?" and "is now the time to adopt?" I figured I would put my thoughts into a post.

Here are the steps we recommend you take:
1. Pray you hear ONLY God's voice
2. Pray that you and your spouse are united in this
3. Pray God will provide the right resources, people and funding
4. Read scripture about adoption
5. Read "Fields of the Fatherless" by C. Thomas Davis
6. Read educational websites on adoption on right side of this blog
7. Talk to others (True Vine members, families who have adopted)
8. Ask for support from your family
9. Contact Loving Shepherd to help you in this decision process
10. Start the process if/when you hear God's answer


I have adopted and it has been a very wonderful experience, so sure I would love to encourage lots of people to adopt. However, I know chosing adoption is a huge decision, there are ups and downs to adoption processes that you have to be prepared to handle, and adoption related issues are unique. The one thing I can advise is to listen to God's voice and you will hear. It is a feeling in your heart, a calling. It often defies logic and what others might think. Timing is also a key piece in adoption that only you and God know if it is right.


Here are parts of articles I found

"Adoption is not for everyone and it is important to ask yourself some questions before you decide whether adopting a child is for you. Firstly, are you emotionally, physically and financially capable of taking care of a child? Are you able to cope with any issues which they child may have - such as issues over being adopted and not being with their birth family (feelings of rejection by the birth family, etc.)? If you have other children are they ready to accept a new sibling through the process of adoption?In addition, if you are an older adoptive parent or have any health issues which affect your daily life then you may want to discuss the possibility of adoption to find out whether you would be able to cope with your health problems as well as a child. Adopting a child, however, can be a wonderful experience for people "
*from articlebase.com

"Thousands of children are adopted by U.S. citizens each year from many countries around the world. Families adopt for different reasons, some because of infertility, some because of the inability to adopt domestically, and others because they want to add a family member and they have the room, love, and finances to do so."
*from FTIA.org

"Adoption can be one of the most rewarding decisions you may make in your lifetime. However, prospective parents need to keep in mind that adopting a child is a lifelong commitment. You will be providing that child a life of love and security that he or she may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. Adoption is a serious decision, and you need to be certain that it is indeed the right one for you."
*essortment.com