I just saw this on my friend Laura's blog and it's just too beautiful not to share. I've already done my Weekend Worship post for this weekend, but this song seems more appropriate in The Miracle of Adoption category anyway.
I know there are many, many birthmothers out there (in addition to Mark Schultz') who deserve to have this song dedicated to them. But, for me and my family, we'll dedicate it to two very special ladies in Vietnam who bravely and selflessly gave up two precious children who would become forever a part of our lives and our family. One of them remains nameless, and they both remain faceless; but to me they are two of the most beautiful women in all the world, and they will forever hold a special place in my heart.
I haven't said too much about National Adoption Awareness Month yet. I did go in search of some graphics that I could use on my blog, but didn't come up with anything. Hmmm.....next year, I'll have to make my own, I suppose.
As you know, I have a for adoption. We've been to Vietnam twice; and both times we've been blessed by the miracle of adoption. Gracie and Ian are such special children (as is Ashley!) and it is so obvious that they BELONG in our family. I can't imagine what life would be like had we decided to ignore God's calling in our lives. Things would sure be quieter around here, and our days would be alot more boring, I am certain.
Tomorrow night, our family will be volunteering at a Shaohannah's Hope booth at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert. I'm not sure yet whether or not we'll have an opportunity to meet Steven (if you think of us, you might say a prayer! ) But we were so blessed to receive a grant from them last fall (while I was in Vietnam) and we'd love to (in some small way) give something back. So, we will volunteer our time and share our stories. Right now, there is a special campaign going on called "Show Hope"~ concert-goers will have an opportunity to help in "changing the life of an orphan" by participating in "Change for Orphans"~ collection buckets will be set up for loose change, dollar bills, donations of any type really. Packets will also be available to show people how they might take this campaign home to their community or their church. Because we have benefitted from Shaohannah's Hope, this is something that I'm passionate about. If you'd like more information on how you can change the life of an orphan, please click on the graphic above this post~ it will remain on my blog for awhile.
I'd like to leave you with some staggering statistics that I found on the Shaohannah's Hope website. Please prayfully consider what YOU might do to make a difference in the life of a child.
What is the need?
Over 143 million children have lost one or both parents.
At least 16.2 million children worldwide have lost both parents.
Every 14 seconds a child loses a parent due to AIDS.
Conflict has orphaned or separated 1 million children from their families in the 1990s.
Where are they?
43.4 million orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa, 87.6 million orphans live in Asia, and 12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe alone.
At any given point there are over 500,000 children in the U.S. Foster Care system.
In some countries, children are abandoned at alarming rates, due to poverty, restrictive population control policies, disabilities or perceived disabilities, and cultural traditions that value boys more than girls.
What about AIDS?
More than 14 million children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents to AIDS, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa.
By 2010, the number of children orphaned by AIDS globally is expected to exceed 25 million.
AIDS is more likely than other cause of death to result in children losing both parents.
As the infection spreads, the number of children who have lost parents to AIDS is beginning to grow in other regions as well, including Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe.
What happens to the children?
Children are profoundly affected as their parents fall sick and die, setting them on a long trail of painful experiences often characterized by: economic hardship, lack of love, attention and affection, withdrawal from school, psychological distress, loss of inheritance, increased physical and sexual abuse and risk of HIV infection, malnutrition and illness, stigma, discrimination, exploitation, trafficking, and isolation.
Orphaned children are much more likely than non-orphans to be working in commercial agriculture, as street vendors, in domestic service and in the sex trade.
Unaccompanied boys are at high risk of forced or 'voluntary' participation in violence and armed conflict.
Orphanages, children's villages, or other group residential facilities generally fail to meet young people's emotional and psychological needs.
What about foster care?
On average, children stay in foster care for 30 months, or 2.5 years.
118,000 children were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 2004.
On average, those children waiting for adoption have been in foster care for 43.8 months, almost 4 years.
Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people “age out” of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Of those who aged out of foster care:
Outcome
Earned a high school diploma: 54%
Obtained a Bachelor's degree or higher: 2%
Were unemployed: 51%
Had no health insurance: 30%
Had been homeless: 25%
Were receiving public assistance: 30%
Is there any hope?
Yes. There is One who infinitely loves each orphan and calls His people to join Him in caring for the fatherless. Each one of us can Show Hope to an orphan.
If only 7% of the 2 billion Christians in the world would show hope to a single orphan, looking after the child in their distress, there would effectively be no more orphans. We can each do something.
I haven't had much "adoption-related" news to share of late~ I guess because Ian's adoption is complete and we're just breezing through our new life as a family of 5. Though I can't seem to find the post (I must have posted it under something other than this category), I know I shared at one time my frustration with the United States~ and how any of the problems we've faced with this adoption have been a direct result of our own government.
I've had many opportunities to question the motto "of the people, by the people, and FOR the people" as we have certainly NOT seen that motto put to practice where we've been concerned.
We had numerous problems while trying to apply for Certificate(s) of Citizenship for both of our children. I tried "fighting" it, in order to get some justice; but, in the end, it was just easier to "give up and give in"~ and we ended up resubmitting our paperwork and paying the (much) higher fee. I truly believe that our own government ripped us off on purpose, just because they can. How sad!
In any case, the check(s) we submitted have been cashed and have come back to our bank. We're taking this as a sign that things might actually progress this time around. I'll let you know when we finally have those certificates in our hands. A big thanks to everyone who has prayed us through this entire adoption process~ we are blessed in so many ways~ the good far outweighs the bad (which is probably why I tend to only post about the GOOD!)
People who adopt from Vietnam are required to send back yearly reports until the child reaches the age of 18. Recent adoptions from Vietnam are required to do bi-annual reports for the first 3 years, followed by annual reports until age 18.
I'm sure some people look at this as a real pain. I, however, LOVE IT! It gives me an opportunity to reflect back on each year~ on the accomplishments that have been made, the fun things we've done, etc.
Our reports are due the first of September. We are to include pictures~ and I've been told that the workers in the orphanages just go crazy over the pictures! They love seeing how "their babies" have grown and changed over the years. They remember each child with love.
Here are some pictures that Ashley and I took of Gracie and Ian today. They are wearing their Ao Dais (traditional Vietnamese outfits). Gracie has had several of these over the years (and I purchased 5 more for her on my last trip)~ she loves wearing them and says they are so comfortable. Ian, on the other hand, felt quite differently about his~ he HATED it! That's evident in the pictures........
Finally~ a SMILE!
Aren't those little pouty-faced ones cute too, though?!
Those who followed us on our "journey to Ian"
will remember that our updated reports always told us what a smiley,
happy baby that Ian was.
Hmmmmmm......
wonder what the workers will think when they see these?!
I am so excited! My blog is the first stop on Laura Christianson's BLOG BOOK TOUR!
In my last post, I talked about a book called The Adoption Network by Laura Christianson. Laura has another new book coming in August, The Adoption Decision. I had the privilege of asking Laura a few questions about her up-and-coming book and her adoption story. I'm honored to be able to share the following interview with you! After reading it, I hope you will take the time to check out Laura's blog and website, and pick up a copy of one or both of her books. Who knows? Maybe you'll even consider adoption or how you might be able to help another family in their adoption process. God bless! ~Heidi
Laura~
Welcome to ReviewsbyHeidi!I’m so excited to have this opportunity to “chat” with you about your new book – The Adoption Decision – coming in August!
I’d love to ask you a few questions…..
First of all, it is obvious by your website and your Exploring Adoption blog that you are very passionate about adoption.I noticed that you, like me, have two adopted children.
Could you share your adoption story with us, please?
We adopted our sons domestically when they were newborns – they are now 14 and 11 years old. Our first adoption happened only three weeks after we completed our home study – a teenage couple selected our profile, met with us, and chose us to parent their child. Four days after we met them, our son’s birth mom gave birth. All we had was a carseat!
It was a different story with our second child. We waited over a year and had four potential adoptions fall through at the last minute. Talk about heart-wrenching! But our son, Josh, was definitely worth the wait. We have completely open adoptions with the birth families of both our sons. I share our story in depth throughout my book, The Adoption Decision.
Why did you decide to write The Adoption Decision?
Eleven years ago, after we adopted our second child, I was a member of Ladies in Waiting, an online Christian support group for infertile women and adoptive moms. We often discussed the crazy comments people—particularly, our relatives—made about adoption. I decided to write a short booklet to help educate adoptive grandparents about adoption, so they could better support their adult children who were adopting.
How did a “short booklet” morph into a 256-page book?
I guess I had a lot more to say than I imagined at the time! J As I researched and wrote the booklet, I realized I had enough material for a full-length book. I began attending writers’ conferences and “pitching” my book idea to agents and editors. They all said, “Nope; won’t work. Your focus is too narrow.” Over the course of three years, I continued fine-tuning my ideas and pitching them at writers’ conferences.
I expanded the audience to include all people who support adoptive parents (still too narrow). When I expanded the focus still further to encompass adoptive parents and their supporters, I hit the jackpot. Harvest House Publishers offered me a contract. It was one of the most exciting days of my life!
Can you give us a brief synopsis of the book?
Although the book is titled “The Adoption Decision,” it is geared for those who are just beginning to consider the idea of adopting, those going through the adoption process, and adoptive parents. Everyone who considers adopting has a host of questions and insecurities. Some common questions:
®Will I be able to afford adoption?
®Will I be able to love an adopted child as much as I would love my birth child?
®Am I prepared to parent a child who may have medical or behavioral challenges?
®What if the adoption falls through, or the birth parents want the child back?
®How do I unpack the “baggage” an older child brings into my family?
I tackle these questions in a unique manner. I hate to read dry, boring, clinical “how to adopt” books; my goal is to entertain readers while providing them with valuable, practical information. So my book is story-based; it includes anecdotes and vignettes from more than 40 people whose lives are directly impacted by adoption. Their stories are riveting, and they are guaranteed to provide readers with an up-close-and-personal look at the realities of adoption.
Because every adoption is unique, I don’t tell readers that they have to “do” adoption a certain way. Instead, I provide great information in an inviting-to-read format so parents can mull over their options and choices and begin to formulate a plan that works best for their family.
Was this book a result of your own adoption experiences or is it a collaboration of other peoples’ experiences as well?
It’s a combination of both. Most of the chapters open with a personal experience I have had with adoption. But I don’t claim to know everything about adoption – far from it! The people I interviewed share fascinating life experiences that form the backbone of the book.
Why did you choose to write for a Christian readership, rather than a general or secular audience?
Most of my professional writing has been for the secular market, so I struggled with whether to write for the general market or a Christian readership. There are loads of great “how-to” books in the general market already, and very few in the Christian market. I strongly sensed God urging me to write this book for His glory, as a means of ministering to and encouraging other adoptive families on their journey.
While the book is written from a Christian worldview, my publisher intends to sell it in stores such as supermarkets and big box stores. So I avoided using Christian jargon and I made the faith-based content accessible and non-threatening for those who have little or no church/Bible background.
What is the most important advice for someone who may be considering adoption?
Learn as much as you can about adoption, so that when the unforeseen happens (and it will happen), you’ll be slightly more prepared. Read as many adoption books as possible, subscribe to magazines such as Adoptive Families and Adoption TODAY, peruse adoption blogs, subscribe to e-mail discussion groups specific to the type(s) of adoption you are considering, request information packets from all the adoption agencies and facilitators in your region, join support groups for adoptive families, and pummel other adoptive parents with questions! Most of us truly enjoy sharing our experiences – we’ve been where you are and know what you’re feeling. Educating yourself about adoption will give you confidence and will equip you with the practical tools you need to build your family through adoption.
Your Exploring Adoption blog is a veritable treasure trove of adoption information!I really enjoying reading it and exploring the many links.I appreciate that you are always “up” on the latest adoption news.Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.I look forward to reading your book and doing a review of it in an up-and-coming blog post.
Please tell my readers where they can pre-order a copy of your book.
It was fun sharing with your readers, Heidi! If you want autographed copies of The Adoption Decision or my other newly-released book, The Adoption Network, you can order them directly through my Website, www.laurachristianson.com. I’m currently running a buy-1-get-1-free special on The Adoption Network (which has already been released).
You can pre-order The Adoption Decision (which will be available in late July or early August) from your local bookstore or Christian bookstore and on Amazon.com, TapestryBooks.com (the online adoption bookstore), Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com – all the usual outlets.
Again, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to “chat” with me!It’s been a pleasure!
In my last blog post, I asked if your life has been touched by adoption in any way. And, if so, do you feel like you may be called to use this experience in a ministry of some sort.
I have recently had the privilege of reading a book called The Adoption Network by Laura Christianson. I'm honored, as the book was "hot off the presses" and I received one of the very first copies! You can read about Laura's experience of receiving her first book here.
I just don't have enough good to say about this book! If you could answer "yes" to either of the questions in the first paragraph here or in my previous post, then you NEED to read this book! In my own personal experience, I have had times of fighting against a ministry that I've felt called to do~ maybe I've felt inadequate to the task, or maybe I just felt like I didn't want to go it alone, or whatever~ there's always an excuse. But, I've experienced the other end of the spectrum too~ I've answered a calling and have been so blessed as a result. I've seen this in my life when it came to teaching Sunday School~ I couldn't quite see myself doing it at all, let alone with a group of young teens! Now, I couldn't imagine my life WITHOUT it!
Anyway, that's just a rabbit trail.......
Laura Christianson has written a book FULL of great information and ideas about how YOU can form an adoption network in your church or local area. Maybe you've never even thought of such a thing. Then, all I have to say to you is BUY THIS BOOK! I read two chapters of it and the wheels were turning in my head and I was trying to figure out how I might use this information in my own church.
Laura is the founder and director of Heartbeat Ministries, an adoption support system/network in the Seattle area. She has experienced all that goes with having a vision for and setting out to establish a network for adoption-related issues. She has thought of and covered EVERYTHING in this book. She's included planning tips and forms to fill out to get you started. As I was reading it, I often thought, "hey, I wish I had this book when we were starting our ladies ministry at church". The worksheets and forms are things that you could use in developing and planning any ministry. She covers things that I hadn't thought of before, or might not have taken into consideration when starting a ministry. But, obviously, the main focus of the book is starting an ADOPTION ministry.
Why might your church or local area need something like this? Well, statistically, as stated in my last blog post, 1/3 of all Americans have considered adoption, but only 2% have actually followed through. Why do you think this is? Maybe because they are uninformed or don't have anyone they feel comfortable to talk to and question. Sure, there are books available and internet websites, but alot of times people want to interact with someone "real" or face-to-face. That's where The Adoption Network comes in.
This book will explain in detail exactly how you can start such a ministry~ it includes tips on developing a mission statement for your group, planning a budget, recruiting leadership, reaching out to the community, and creating workshops, support groups, and lots more! It shares ideas on how to reach out to a variety of different people~ those currently experiencing infertility, those in the adoption process or just starting it, single adoptive parents, first (or birth) parents, adult adoptees, foster parents, parents who have adopted special-needs children, and more.
I attend a rather small church and live in a small, somewhat rural community. So, as much as I'd love to just dive right in and start a huge adoption ministry, I realize that's probably not realistic. However, that's no excuse to take the wealth of information I have gleaned from reading this book and ignore it. I have been thinking for a long time that I need to use my experiences to help others in some way. We have a small "people helping people" type ministry established at our church, and I am going to make myself available to talk to and listen to people who may have adoption-related questions. Who knows what could happen as a result of something so seemingly small and insignificant? Only God. But, the point is, we need to be open to His leading. And, I've always believed firmly that God gives us certain experiences, challenges, and trials, so that we might use them to help others.
If an adoption network is something you feel might be needed in your area or church, please pick up a copy of this book. Laura is offering it on her website with a buy 1, get 1 free special right now. Click here to read more about the book, check out some reviews, and see what's included in each chapter. The book is also available at Amazon.com.
Yesterday, we received the summer issue of the Shaohannah's Hope newsletter. (To learn more about Shaohannah's Hope, please click the link in my right sidebar.) There were some things in there that really stood out to me, and I wanted to share.......
There was a little multiple choice quiz:
Q: More than one-third of Americans consider adopting, but how many actually do?
A. 2% B. 12% C. 20% D. 22%
What would your guess be? I'll share the answer at the end of this post......
Also in this issue was information on the financial challenges at Shaohannah's Hope.
The average adoption grant is $3,000.
Each year approximately 1,560 couples apply for grants.
Of those couples, 1,140 couples qualify for a grant.
The number of couples who actually receive a grant is 480 (due to the amount of money in the assistance fund).
Wow~ all I can say is WE ARE BLESSED! I know I already shared our joy in finding out that we would be receiving a grant from Shaohannah's Hope. Brian actually received the letter while I was in Vietnam in December. We were, of course, thrilled! However, it wasn't until yesterday, when I received the newsletter and read these statistics, that I realized just exactly how blessed we actually were to be chosen to receive a grant. It was so helpful to us in assisting with our adoption expenses. I plan to send a family picture along with our updated family news in the near future. Who knows?! Maybe we'll make a future issue of the newsletter!
Also, in the world of adoption (or, at least, MY world)........
You will notice under Current Reviews in my left sidebar, that I am reviewing a book called The Adoption Network by Laura Christianson. I don't want to say too much about the book just yet, as my full review will be posted in a future blog entry. I'll just say that my wheels are turning, having just read the first few chapters of this book. If your life has been touched by adoption in any way (maybe you were adopted, or have adopted, or maybe you know someone who has adopted or been adopted, or your family has been touched by the miracle of adoption, maybe you have given up a child for adoption)~ just whatever~ you should read this book~ it may be that you have a ministry that you are ignoring. For more information on the book, click the link (the book title) to go to Laura's Adoption Blog.
In answer to the question above:
I was extremely surprised to see that the answer was A. Only 2%!
If you are considering adoption and have questions, if you don't know anyone near you who has experienced it and can help you, please feel free to ask questions! I'd love to share my adoption experiences, and know of other bloggers who, I'm sure, would be glad to do the same. Adoption may very well be "God's Plan A" for your family~ don't ignore it!
......in celebrating the
Finalized Adoption of
IAN WILLIAM TRAN STRAWSER
born 4-20-06
adopted in Vietnam 11-29-06
re-adoption finalized in US 3-27-07
Oh, and in other adoption-related news......
Gracie's PA birth certificate arrived in yesterday's mail.
She's now officially
GRACIE MAI STRAWSER
Now we just need to get her social security card replaced!
for adoption. We've been to Vietnam twice; and both times we've been blessed by the miracle of adoption. Gracie and Ian are such special children (as is Ashley!) and it is so obvious that they BELONG in our family. I can't imagine what life would be like had we decided to ignore God's calling in our lives. Things would sure be quieter around here, and our days would be alot more boring, I am certain.
) But we were so blessed to receive a grant from them last fall (while I was in Vietnam) and we'd love to (in some small way) give something back. So, we will volunteer our time and share our stories. Right now, there is a special campaign going on called "Show Hope"~ concert-goers will have an opportunity to help in "changing the life of an orphan" by participating in "Change for Orphans"~ collection buckets will be set up for loose change, dollar bills, donations of any type really. Packets will also be available to show people how they might take this campaign home to their community or their church. Because we have benefitted from Shaohannah's Hope, this is something that I'm passionate about. If you'd like more information on how you can change the life of an orphan, please click on the graphic above this post~ it will remain on my blog for awhile.
Finally~ a SMILE!
