Have you heard????

Yesterday I was sitting at the computer, catching up on some e-mails and I came across one from my agency.  It said that CHINA IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE WOMEN FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN!!!

I was so thrilled!  Obviously, I'm not a single woman anymore, but when I adopted Anna, I was.  China had a very limited number of adoptions that they would allow to be processed for single parents.  Somehow, by the pure work of God, I managed to be one of them!  It was not too long after I got home that the doors closed to single parent adoptions in China.  God got me in and got me out.  God led me to the right agency - because had my wait been much longer, Anna would not have come home to me.  God was just written all over that adoption. 

Having somewhat of a disability myself, I am not in a position to adopt a special needs child.  We struggle sometimes right now with all of the running around we have to do with regard to Dr.'s appts for three kids, school activities, sick days... things like that.  Since I am not able to drive, all that is left in Tim's hands.  It becomes difficult.  I don't feel that Tim and I would be able to knowingly commit to the requirements of a special needs child - but we do know full well that at any point in time, something could happen to any one of our children, and we would have to be there to take care of them.  Not an issue - not even a question.  We just couldn't make that choice to do it.  Not with my situation.

That being said, I have always had a heart for special needs children.  Having a sister who has special needs probably placed that in my heart.  My mom said that I was very aware of it since the time I was small.  I would defend my sister and not allow people to "stare" at her, or make her feel "different".  To me, she was not different, she was my sister. 

I strongly feel as though I was led to write about this today... that it would stir something in someone's heart.  I can't adopt a special needs child, but I can advocate for their care!  There are children in all countries, not just China, that are dying to be welcomed into a family.  They are the "less desirable" because of their special needs, but they are the greatest in need of our love and the love of a family.  I don't know much about a lot of the special needs, but I know families who have managed cleft lip / palate, albanism, club hand/foot, burns, deaf, blind even medical status such as HIV positive... it can all be managed.  And there is a CHILD behind that special need.  Some people look at the special need and forget the child... for each SPECIAL NEEDS child, there is a special needs CHILD!!!

If you have ever had the desire to adopt a special needs child.. if you ever had that tugging at your heart but just tucked the idea away.. maybe now is the time to pray and ask God to lead you in HIS direction.  Maybe now is your time, and maybe now YOUR child is waiting!  Maybe your child is in CHINA!

If you want a recommendation for a great agency, give me a shout and I'll give you a name!

In Christ,
Charity