Sunday, August 30, 2009

While you're waiting...

This song is playing as you read these lyrics, but I just wanted to encourage you through your wait. It can be painful at times, but you have to move ahead bold and confident! I hope this encourages you as you wait on God's plan to come to fruition.


I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

Thanks...

THank you all for your prayers. Our family that was waiting to be matched, ended up not matching. They are very disappointed, but understand that wasn't God's plan. What a hard thing to accept, especially when it comes to growing your family. This is a reminder that adoption is an emotional roller coaster, and that at times the pain stings a whole lot. I have complete FAITH that they will match very soon. Thanks again, we appreciate all your prayers.

Friday, August 28, 2009

“Faith is not a belief that everything will turn out to please us; rather it is the confidence that no matter how things turn out, God will somehow use the events in our days for His glory and our good.”
(E. Stanley Jones)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Prayers...

Update:

The family I have been asking you to pray for is still waiting on the birth mom's decision! She is having a hard time deciding between our client and one other family. Please pray that she will choose our family, and that God would give her a great peace about her decision! Thanks for your prayers! I really appreciate them!!

Want to adopt, but have no idea where to start...

You and thousands of other people are all in the same boat. Adoption can be so daunting. It is so overwhelming, but will be one of the most rewarding adventures of your life. Many people believe that it is virtually impossible to adopt within the United States in a reasonable amount of time. That is not the case. You can adopt within 6-12 months with the right people on your team. A lot of your adoption experience depends on you. It will be what you make it. If you have a very specific image in your head about your future child, chances are you will wait longer than the next person. The more specific you get, the longer it will take. Being picky isn't bad, but the reality is, YOU WILL WAIT LONGER.

Faithful Adoption Consultants offers many, many services. WE would love to help you grow your family through adoption. We will help you with the 1st steps of finding a reputable home study agency, determining your budget, helping you with financial information (grants,loans and fundraising), support, education, constant prayer for you, your family and your future birth mom and child! This is such a passion for us, and we want God to be glorified through each step of every adoption.

We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email or call. All of our info is listed to the right of this post! Thanks for visiting!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Addendum to my prayer request!

The couple I asked you to pray for last night, was not presented today after all. There was an issue with getting to the birth mom, and they had to reschedule for tomorrow morning. THey will be presented between 9:30a-11:15am. I should know something after lunch! I will keep you all posted!! Thanks in advance for all the prayers!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Prayer Request...

Hello Everyone! I know it's late, but I have a prayer request. WE have a client that is being presented to a birth mom tomorrow morning. I would like to ask for prayer requests for this family.

My prayer is that God will be with this birth mother as she makes this decision tomorrow, that He would give her a peace about whichever way she decides. I pray for this adoptive family, that God would cover them with a peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that if their chosen the financials will fall into place, and that if their not, the strength to keep moving on through their adoption journey. I pray that we will get word from the agency tomorrow, so this couple will know one way or the other.

Thank you for all your prayers. If you stop by and read this, will you leave me a comment so I know this family and this birth mom are being prayed for. I would really appreciate it. The adoption journey is a rewarding experience, however, it has many emotional roller coasters as well. It is very hard to sit and wait for a decision on a birth mom presentation! Thanks again!!!

Situations GALORE!!!

I talked to several agencies today! They all have many, many situations! Most of the ones they have mentioned are for bi-racial and african american, but there are a couple of caucasian! Please let me know if you would like more information on our services. If you are homestudy/profile ready we have reduced prices for you! ALso, if you are home study and profile ready and interested in any gender/ethnicity, you may be able to match very, very quickly. Please give us a call!

Or you can email me @ courtney@faithfuladoptionconsultants.com

Saturday, August 22, 2009

More situations...

I just found out about several different situations. African American Twins-boy and Girl due in Nov. ; African American boy due in November; caucasian sex unknown due in November; the list goes on and on!! Email or call if you would like more information!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Available Situations...

We have been made aware of several different situations, and I wanted to pass those on to you guys. If you are interested, or someone you know is interested, please give us a call immediately. We were told about 3 situations TODAY:

All are African American or Bi-racial, all are baby girls, all are due in the next 2-4 weeks. If you would like more information, please call or email us. Thanks so much!!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Did you know...

Did you know the following people were adopted:

Andy Berlin - entrepreneur: chairman of Berlin Cameron & Partners
Anthony Williams - politician
Aristotle - philosopher
Art Linkletter - comedian
Bo Diddley - musician, performer
Buffy Sainte-Marie - musician, actress
Carl-Theodor Dreyer - Danish film director
Charlotte Anne Lopez - Miss Teen USA
Christina Crawford - author
Clarissa Pinkola Estes - author
Crazy Horse - Lakota war chief
Dan O'Brien - decathlete
Daunte Culpepper - football player
Dave Thomas - entrepreneur: founder of Wendy's
Debbie Harry - singer
D.M.C. - hip hop artist
Edgar Allan Poe - poet, writer
Edward Albee - playwright
Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady
Eric Dickerson - athlete
Faith Daniels - news anchor
Faith Hill - country singer
Freddie Bartholomew - actor
George Washington Carver - inventor
Greg Louganis - athlete
James MacArthur - actor
James Michener - author
Jean Jacques Rousseau - philosopher
Jesse Jackson - minister
Jesus - adopted by Joseph the carpenter (Bible)
Jett Williams - country singer and author
Jim Palmer - athlete
John J. Audubon - naturalist
John Hancock - politician
John Lennon - musician
Langston Hughes - poet and writer
Larry Ellison - entrepreneur: chief executive of Oracle
Lee Majors - actor
Leo Tolstoy - writer
Les Brown - motivational speaker
Lynnette Cole - Miss USA 2000
Malcolm X - civil rights leader
Mark Acre - athlete
Matthew Laborteaux - actor
Melissa Gilbert - actress
Michael Reagan - author, talk show host
Moses - Biblical leader
Nancy Reagan - First Lady
Nat King Cole - singer
Nelson Mandela - politician
Patrick Labyorteaux - actor
Peter and Kitty Carruthers - figure skaters
President Gerald Ford - politician
President William Clinton - politician
Priscilla Presley - actress
Ray Liotta - actor
Reno - performance artist, comedian
Sarah McLachlan - singer
Scott Hamilton - figure skater
Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician
Sen. Robert Byrd - politician
Steve Jobs - entrepreneur: co-founder of Apple computer
Surya Bonaly - figure skater
Tim Green - football player/commentator
Tim McGraw - country singer
Tom Monaghan - entrepreneur
Tommy Davidson - comedian
Victoria Rowell - actress
Wilson Riles

Etc, Etc.

The list is long and it goes on and on...Adoption has enriched so many lives! Are you interested in adoption? Please visit our website (www.faithfuladoptionconsultants.com) for more information.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The myths of Domestic Adoption

It takes years to adopt a child within the U.S. Families can wait up to 5 years.

False. Most domestic adoptions happen within 3-18 months. The amount of time you wait solely depends on the ethnicity you choose, budget and how specific you are. Many families are lead to believe that they will have a shorter wait if they choose international adoption. In reality, international adoptions are often plagued by unreliable and inconsistent adoption processes. There are also very long waiting lists for international adoption programs.

Domestic Adoption is MUCH more expensive than international adoption.

Again, it depends on the situation. Unlike foreign adoptions, you do not have to travel overseas to pick up your child, and the travel time is days not weeks or months. Occasionally in International adoption, you may have to stay for over 1 month in the country from which you are adopting. Many factors determine the cost of domestic adoption, but usually they range from $10k-$35K. International adoption can cost upwards of $30k before travel expenses.

Birth parents never fully lose their rights to the child, and come back at anytime to reclaim them.

Absolutely False. Each state has different laws regarding adoption. Some states adoptions laws state that they are revocable until the 91st day, others within 24 hours. Once the time limit has passed for that state, the birth parents rights are terminated. They cannot come back and claim this child for any reason.

Faithful Adoption Consultants only works in states that we consider "safe states" where the laws benefit the adopting families, with time limits of 24 hours-10 days. We try to work only with states with a revocation period less than 72 hours. However, occasionally we will work with a state that has a longer revocation period if our clients are okay with that timeline.


All children and babies that are available for domestic adoption are special needs.

False. Birth mothers may choose an adoption plan due to a number of reasons. They may be married, or single, have other children or not. They may have limited income and the timing wasn't right, etc. There are a number of factors that play into the selfless decision that is adoption. Not all of these children are a product of drug addictions, alcohol, etc.

Unlike with International adoption, you will be given the social and medical history, so that you can make the best decision for your family. You will not be presented to a birth-mother that has a social or medical history that you are not comfortable with. In international adoption, you typically will not have any social or medical background on the child you are about to adopt. Drug and Alcohol addictions are not only prevalent in the U.S. but all over the world, you may be faced with these same issues in international adoption, but not made aware of it until the child returns home with you.



I hope this helps clarify some the questions that you might have about domestic adoption vs. international adoption. Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions or would like more information about our services.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Transracial Adoptions...

I have been searching for information to better educate families about trans-racial adoption. I was talking to my parents today, and explaining that I had become somewhat discouraged, the more I searched the more negative information that I found. Well, I just found an article, an interview that absolutely blew me away. God answered my prayer, He absolutely gave me the best article to share with you.
Again, I found this article on the same blog as the last post. I will paste it below so that you can read it.

Interview on Transracial Adoption and the Gospel

Occasionally someone sends me an e-mail asking if I know of any resources that address transracial or transethnic adoption from a biblical perspective. Unfortunately, most of these e-mails come from people who are facing opposition to transethnic adoption from within the evangelical community. They most often want to know how the gospel addresses this important issue. So I thought I would post an interview I did with Thabiti Anyabwile last September. In it he addresses the issue of race and the gospel, particularly as it relates to the practice of transethnic adoption.

Thabiti is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman and most recently the author of the following books: What Is a Healthy Church Member?, The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity, and The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American Pastors. He served previously as an elder/assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, DC) and as an elder at Church on the Rock (Raleigh, NC). He also blogs at Pure Church.

1. Tell us a little about First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman.

This year FBC is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The church began in 1977 with 21 people from one of the ‘sister islands’ (Cayman Brac) meeting in a local living room. Today, there are people from about 25 nations who call FBC their spiritual home. It’s easily the most ethnically diverse church I’ve ever served. The people here love the Lord, His gospel, and His people. It’s a great joy to serve them.

2. As a pastor, what’s your primary burden for your people?

To see us all grow in holiness, to be shaped more and more in the image of Christ and therefore fit for heaven. We live on what most people consider an “island paradise.” Not surprisingly, then, the levels of worldly hedonism and materialism are quite high. But that’s really a tremendous gospel opportunity if the Lord grows us in Christ-likeness, disdain for this world, and commitment to living and sharing the gospel. If we can have more of heaven in us, even before we’re in heaven, the contrast between life in the kingdom and life in the world will be stark. I long to see us yearn for Christ and His kingdom.

3. You recently wrote an excellent and thought-provoking article entitled “Many Ethnicities, One Race.“ Why did you write it?

It was a privilege to be asked to contribute to the 9Marks eJournal issue on ethnicity and the church. Generally, I don’t like talking or writing a great deal about ethnicity and race; there are too many ways in which those conversations are unhelpful and unedifying. Nevertheless, the Lord has given us sufficient guidance for these issues in His word and I’m convinced we’ve not mined the Scripture enough. And that’s really problematic given how glaring a problem the racial history of the U.S. has been—the church not excepted. So, at the invitation of the brothers at 9Marks I tried to offer what I hope is a useful, biblical framework for thinking through these issues.

4. Some people, for any number of reasons, are uncomfortable with the idea of transracial adoption. Other people, because of their views on race, are outright opposed to the idea of transracial adoption; they believe that adoption across ethnic lines should not be practiced. How might the Bible speak to these concerns?

Well, I think it depends on the nature of the discomfort or opposition. If the discomfort or opposition is grounded in some assumption that “races” are unequal or that “races” should remain segregated in family and social relationships, I think the Bible rebukes and corrects that kind of thinking in several ways. First, it’s clear that there is only one “race” of man, all descended from our original parents Adam and Eve (Gen. 2; Acts 17:26). There is no biblical basis for discomfort or opposition based on racial attitudes. Second, the alienation that sometimes stirs opposition to transracial adoption is really a spiritual problem. It’s a product of the Fall of man into sin. The cure for that problem is saving faith in Jesus Christ, wherein man is first reconciled to God and then reconciled to other men. So, for Christians in particular, those who are adopted into the family of God through faith in Christ, opposition to transracial adoption is tantamount to denying the work of Christ on the cross.

But there may also be discomfort or opposition not based on racial attitudes but some prudential concerns. Some may wonder if they are sufficiently equipped to parent across culture and ethnicity. Others may worry about the tension or conflict they may experience. There we have to remember that we are not called to love only in the convenient places and situations. We’re called to a radical love, one that mirrors the love of God for broken sinners. And the end of such love is unspeakable joy. For the joy set before Him, Jesus Christ endured the inconvenient and uncomfortable agony of the cross to redeem a people who were hostile toward Him. Adoption across ethnic lines may be one of the best pictures of that radical Christ-like love we have available to us today. So, “prudential” concerns that awaken discomfort aren’t finally sufficient reason to refuse or oppose such adoptions.

5. More and more couples are considering adopting transracially. How would you counsel a couple that desires to adopt a child from another race (i.e. ethnicity)? How would you seek to educate them theologically? How should the gospel help shape their view of transracial adoption?

The first thing I would want to do is simply commend and encourage them. I’d want to commend this act of selflessness and love. And I’d want to encourage them to remember that God’s grace is sufficient for their every need. That’s true of parenting in general, and it’s true of the specific case of transracial adoption and parenting. So, first, be encouraged.

Second, I’d want to encourage them to jettison the idea of “race” as it has historically been defined. Drop it like the bad habit it is. Learn to read the Scripture for its accent on our common humanity. Hayes’ Biblical Theology of Race is very valuable in this regard. Think of the children, indeed all people, as essentially “same” rather than “other.”

But third, having acknowledged our common humanity, think and teach your children to think in terms of “the nations.” In other words, there’s a tremendous opportunity in multi-ethnic families to cultivate a deeper concern for missions and getting the gospel to all nations. Try to prevent conversations and cross-cultural education from terminating on man or your family; try to think of those conversations as opportunities for thinking great thoughts about God who wants to be known among all people. The Lord has purposed that His glory will be shown in the bowing of the nations to His name. Our reflection on ethnicity and culture is incomplete if it doesn’t have that goal in mind.

6. Many who will read this interview have already adopted transracially. They are often concerned that their transracially adopted children will struggle with a sense of identity since they do not have same-race parents or do not live in an ethnically diverse area. Would you address their concern?

Again, I’d want to remind them that the Lord’s grace is sufficient for their parenting and this concern. Lean into that grace; commit this issue to the Lord in prayer. He’ll direct your steps and give you wisdom in this area.

Second, it’s important to think of parenting as essentially an exercise in identity formation (spiritually first, and ethnically in light of those spiritual realities). So, give considerable time to helping your child think of her or himself as one made in the image of God. The dignity of their lives is derived primarily from this aspect of their identity. Whatever struggles they encounter in terms of social and ethnic identity, they should resolve them in light of this fundamental truth. Also, parents want to help their children ground their identity in Christ if the child is/becomes a Christian. They are being renewed in the knowledge of God, righteousness and holiness through their union with Christ. This is the most profound aspect of who they are and understanding this is critical for putting identity conflicts in their proper perspective. Having laid that theological basis then it’s time to think critically about ethnic culture, experiences, and ideas.

The mistake many will make—partly out of an overdeveloped sense of guilt, and partly out of a desire to help their children—is to rush to ethnic and cultural considerations. Based on my own experience running rites of passage programs aimed at fostering cultural identity and values, most children are really ill-equipped for this kind of exploration because they haven’t settled larger, more fundamental questions about existence, faith, and purpose. Parents want to lay that foundation first. Children will be healthier in the long run even if the struggle feels acute at some points. But for help with ethnic identity issues, don’t be afraid to enlist the help of others. Build cross-cultural friendships. Include cross-cultural experiences in the family’s entertainment options (books, movies, concerts, etc.). This may take some investment, but it’s not only good for the child but the parents as well.


(Retrieved from http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?p=247)
When Waiting is Painful

"When you have a child biologically, you basically know when you will be able hold your child in your arms (assuming it’s a normal pregnancy). You will be holding your child sometime between 37 and 42 weeks after the estimated date of conception.

But when you are bringing a child into your family through adoption, you most often have no idea when you will finally be able to hold your child in your arms. Depending on the type of adoption, it can take anywhere from a few months to several years before you’re holding your child.

Adoption agencies usually provide prospective families with an approximate timeframe for how long the adoption process will likely take (e.g., 12-18 months). But even in best case scenarios, unexpected delays are not unusual. You may have good reason to think that you’ll receive your referral within the next two months, but then something unanticipated happens and “suddenly” two months becomes six.

Waiting is never easy, but when waiting is filled with repeated delays it can become particularly painful. As Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”

So, if you are an adoptive parent who is waiting to bring your child home, what can you do when this waiting has become painful? Well, let me encourage you to regularly consider how long God’s own adoption plan is taking.

Ephesians 1:5 says that God predestined us to adoption before he created the world, yet Paul says that Jesus came so that we might receive it (Galatians 4:4-6). Think about it: the adoption to which God predestined us before time did not take effect until Jesus came. That’s a long time between God’s decision to adopt us and our actual adoption.

Add to this the fact that the finalization of our adoption is yet still future (Romans 8:23), and you can begin to sense how unbelievably patient God is. God is not in a hurry to bring us home. The wisdom of his adoption plan is perfect.

We must be careful, though, not to look at his unbelievable patience and conclude that he must not be that passionate about bringing us home. No, God demonstrated his adoptive love for us by sending his Son to become a curse for us (Galatians 3:13) so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5). God is far more passionate about bringing us home than we are about bringing our new child home.

So, when waiting becomes painful, look at the patience of God in his adoption of you. It will fill you with fresh hope, endurance, and, yes, even joy. God’s adoption plans are perfect, for you and for your child. And they all end in joy."


(Retrieved from http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?p=1909)

This blog has a lot of valuable information. I really encourage you to check it out!

Adoption Quotes...

I thought I would share some of these quotes and poems on adoption.

I didn't come out of my mother.
I don't have my father's green eyes.
No one in my family looks like me.
People are always surprised.

I think we're a happier family
Than if we were all kings and queens.
We're so lucky we all found each other.
That's what being adopted means.
--- Pamela Espeland and Marilyn Waniek


For finding you mother,
There's one certain test.
You must look for the creature
Who loves you the best.
--- David Kirk (Little Miss Spider)


LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.
---- Unknown



And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
--- Matthew 18:5

God sets the lonely in families.
--- Psalm 68:6


I enjoyed reading these tonight, and I thought I would share them with you.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Our beautiful daughter...

We adopted our daughter, Mina, in July 2008. She was 5 years old when our adoption was finalized, we had her in our care for 2 years before that. She was 3 years old the day we met her!

Occasionally, there are situations available, that would allow you to adopt children between the ages of 0-5, without going through the foster system. You should know this is the exception, not the rule. Many people have expressed a desire to adopt sibling groups, that is possible in a private situation as well. Again, very rare.

If you would like more information on these types of situations, please email me:

Courtney@faithfuladoptionconsultants.com

This is a picture of Mina from the 1st time we ever met her!!



These are a couple of her more recently. She is a beautiful, smart, sweet little girl, and she has enriched our lives immensely.






God has blessed us so much through adoption, and really placed a passion in our hearts to educate and support other families through adoption! Please let us know if you have any questions about adoption, or if you would like to begin the adoption process.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

...

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world


Whether you're rich or whether you're poor
It matters not to Him
He remembers where you're going
Not where you've been

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world


If your heart is troubled
Don't worry, don't you fret
He knows that you have heard His call
And he won't forget

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world


All around the world tonight
His children rest assured
That He will watch and He will keep us
Safe and secure

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world