Here we go again!

For the past several months, adopting again has been on our hearts. I never felt led to send in an application to a specific agency and to begin the long waiting process for a "healthy" child, because in my heart, I knew I'd find our child on a "waiting child" website.

A "waiting child" is an orphan that has special needs or correctable problems making him or her harder to place with a family. This could include a cleft lip/palate, a heart defect, CP, autism, missing limbs, developmental delays, poor vision, etc. In many cases, even children over 18 months old are considered "waiting children" since most families request a healthy infant.

I taught elementary special education for 3 years, and it was tough! But I now know that God used that time to develop in me a passion for children with special needs. I recently read a book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it! It challenged me to use my passions and God-given abilities to do something that matters eternally. While reading this book, God confirmed to me again, that yes, you will find your next child on a waiting child website. God showed me that I need to do more to advocate for orphans, adoption, and especially those children that are often overlooked due to disabilities.

Awhile back, I signed up with a website (www.rainbowkids.com), and I receive emails when new children are posted who are available for adoption and have the types of disabilities that I have specified in my profile. I usually get an email or two every few weeks, and think to myself, no...too close in age to DW or hmm...that might be too much of a special need for us to handle, etc. On February 22, I received an email stating that a 7 month old Korean baby boy had been added to the website. I clicked on the link and saw the most adorable baby boy! I knew he was meant to be ours and that God led us to him. If you are an adoptive parent, you understand the amazing feeling when you first see your child's face and you just know in your heart that the baby is meant to be a part of your family. We read over his medical information and found out that he truly is a miracle baby. He had meningitis and complications at a month old, but he has recovered and is now a happy, healthy, chubby-cheeked baby! We waited for a doctor review his file, and then let the adoption agency know that YES, WE WANT THIS BABY! Here we go again! Let the paperwork begin!