whys-wise

At times Jen and I have shared the heart and the "whys" of adoption. Every now and then I run across something somebody else has shared that makes me say, "wow, that's good!" I sometimes like to include those in my blog, so that I can share our heart through the words of someone else. These are the words of Tracy, a mother of 5 children, 2 of them adopted from China.

When her family began the process to adopt, Jacob, their 5th child, she wrote this entry titled, "Why adopt?":

"It plain and simply breaks my heart to think of children in this world without a mother or father to love them, hold them, comfort them and take care of them. It's just not right. When I look into the faces of my children when they are sleeping, I imagine them going to bed at night cold, hungry and without love. I cannot simply forget that other children do not have these things that we so often take for granted. So, in order to adopt again, will we have to sacrifice some things? Absolutely. But they are material things and of relatively little value in the grand scheme of things. We have talked with our children about this and they too are willing to give up some things and make sacrifices in order to bring their brother home. But they are not sacrificing food, clothing, shelter or the love of a family......yet these are things a child would not have if they grew up without a family. Our children bring more joy to our lives than any material thing ever could. Our house is filled with love and laughter......we are so blessed! And we have enough to share with one more child. Jacob is that child for us. All children deserve the love of a family."

Several weeks after bringing Jacob home she writes this, titled "Blessings":

"I know many people think how wonderful that we brought Jacob and Katherine home and how lucky they are. I am here to tell you that WE are the lucky ones! They bring more blessings to our lives than we ever thought possible. We cannot imagine life without these two beautiful children of our hearts. I would encourage anyone, if you feel led to adopt, step out in faith. You will not regret it. There are so many children who need homes and a family to love them. There are many, many ways to find these children and bring them home. Adoption is a miraculous and wonderful way to add a child to your family. It doesn't matter if you go through foster, private, or international adoption. There is a way that will fit your family. The color of their skin (and yours!) doesn't matter. Children are children no matter what they look like or where they were born. I have heard that many people consider adoption but only a few actually go through the process and bring a child home. It is impossible to accidentally adopt a child. But it is so worth the effort."

I know she speaks for many adoptive parents. Thanks, Tracy, for sharing your heart and allowing me to reprint your words for others to read.