Reston Mom

somewhere a child needs you - read this

I hope that Heather doesn't mind that I am linking directly to her (where she drew from another blog) - but this is dear to my heart and I hope that God will use it to draw some of you into the wonderful gift it is to participate in this way of changing lives:

http://whittakerwoman.typepad.com/whittaker_woman/2010/03/every-stinkin-time-.html

petition for Haiti children

I took this from the God's Littlest Angels in Haiti blog - the link is good, go there and sign the petition!

From: [email protected] 
To: [email protected] 
Sent: 1/15/2010 12:12:46 P.M. Mountain Standard Time 
Subj: petition to bring already-adopted children out of haiti now

Please circulate this petition immediately for "US Should Issue Visas to Bring Already-Adopted Children out of Haiti Now!" to as many people as possible. We are approaching 1000 signatures – the more we gather, the stronger the statement. The signatures are for use with the State Department and US Congresspersons, as a tool to push for action. A pdf of the list of signatures will be made available to any credible organization who requests it for this purpose. Should you need a copy of this petition and signatures, please email me for the latest copy.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/visasforadoptedhaitianchildren/

Sincerely,

Janelle Benedict

parent of child in Haiti

adoption and Haiti

It looks like it may be a very difficult situation for these children, some of whom have adoptive families already waiting for them but the kids cannot get to them.  Please pray for these little babies and urge our government to help if you are so inclined.

Check out this article.

 

international adoption scams

Dateline NBC will run a segment on tomorrow, January 20, regarding international adoption scams.  I have wanted to adopt since I was barely a teenager and while my husband and I are still considering how this might be an option for our family at some point, I would want to be sure that I am creating a hope-filled, needed family for a child, instead of ripping them away from the one they truly belong to and who wants them.  These issues regarding Guatemalan adoption are not just scandalous, but truly heart-wrenching.

Adoption is an amazing option!

November is Adoption Awareness Month, a month set aside to raise awareness about adopting children from foster care.  Matt and I have talked seriously about adoption, but with every conversation we stumble a bit over whether we feel like we'd adopt a baby or whether adopting might look a bit differently.  We have many friends who have amazing stories and beautiful children through adopting a baby, but we also have at least one person who is near and dear to us with a bit of a different adoption story to share.  My little sister Nikki (now 16) was adopted as a teenager by my parents after having lived with them as foster parents for 3 years.  While her complete story, unable to be fully told here, would absolutely blow you away...I asked her to write a short comment from her experience:

"I was adopted after living with them approximately three years. During those three years, I felt very insecure, not knowing what my future would be.  Being adopted has given me a brand new life, new opportunities, and a really great family.  When I first learned that I was going to be removed  from my old home, I was devastated!  I blamed God for doing such a cruel thing to me.  Now I realize that this has been the best thing that's ever happened to me! This has been so amazing to me that God loved me so much that he gave me a new life. I am so grateful to my new parents, family, and friends that have made me who I am today."