This is a weird post to write. I want to write it anyway for a few reasons. First, I know that the people that read the blog genuinely care and want updates about what is going on in our family. Secondly, I am not a scrap booking/journal keeping kind-of person so this serves as a way for Kyle and me to look back.
Most of you know from the last post there were/are some potential setbacks with our adoption process in Taiwan. There have been a lot of legislative changes recently in their child welfare system some of which have to do with adoption. One law that just passed states that all children up for adoption must be on a registry for domestic adoption for at least 6 months before being considered for international adoption. So how does this affect us? Essentially (best guess from our agency), anyone receiving a referral after "March-ish" or has not received one will most likely have to wait even longer and have a tougher court process.
When we first entered our program, our original caseworker was optimistic about our file and felt that we would receive a referral anywhere from 0-6 months. It is all such a guessing game for them as they cannot predict how many babies are available or what the birth mothers are looking for at that time. She did mention that we had a few "negatives" about our file: children in the home, we were not infertile, we were not Asian. However, many parents in the program have one or more of these factors as well. We went on our merry way and did not think much about it especially since our program was not full and they were actively referring babies.
Fast forward to the present. Knowing that these laws just passed, Kyle and I touched base with our case worker via phone. We were able to have a blunt conversation with her regarding our file and our future. To sum it up...we are the C-Team. I smile a little when I say this because it sums it up perfectly. We made the team (approved in our program) but are not A team or even B team material (not the most desirable people to the birth mothers). It is not a bad thing...just a cultural thing. Kyle and I are not really understood culturally by the average Taiwanese mother: Why would we want to adopt if we can have our own? Why should they place their precious baby in our home if there already another child there? Putting myself in their shoes, I understand somewhat. Being on the C-Team stinks a little but could contain some blessings:).
So what are Kyle and I currently doing, feeling, thinking? We are staying with our program still hoping for a referral before March. The end of February puts us at 6 months on the dot...funny timing. In addition though:
Rewind to a year ago. After we decided to pursue adoption, we were very open to the China (minor correctable needs), Ethiopia, and Taiwan programs. We were and are open to many different types of children. God has continually affirmed this in our hearts even when we chose Taiwan.
Fast forward: We are talking to our Asia program about being sort of concurrently "enrolled" in the Taiwan and China (waiting children) program. Since we have a homestudy completed and are already accepted by Gladney, we can technically be matched (with some paperwork tweaking and additions) with a child from Taiwan or China in the Asia Waiting program. These are babies/toddlers/children with minor correctable needs such as a cleft palate all the way up to more severe needs. There are two organizations that partner with our agency and designate children just for Gladney parents.
To summarize this complicated situation, we are still up for referral in our original program but are also looking at children from China that are available through Gladney. Through talking to an additional caseworker tomorrow, we will put together a profile and go from there. Some parents find a match quickly on the photo list and some wait longer depending on how open they are to age, gender, and medical needs.
As for right now, I am just asking for prayer like always. I struggle asking God to bless us with a another child when I still struggle so much with my own sin. That is a whole other post.
Kyle and I pray for clarity, patience, and God's will to be done. (I have a nasty habit of trying to work things without seeking God's will first). In addition, selfishly we pray that this C-Team is blessed with another child soon. :)
Without You by Shane and Shane
I can walk through the storm
I can walk by faith when my sight is gone
Just as long as you are here with me
And I can gain everything
But what do I have if I don't have the key
Oh I need to know youre here with me
Here I am calling out Father
Can you hear me, can you hear me
I don't want to go without you
Here I am can You talk a little louder
So I can hear You, I want to hear You
I don't want to move without You
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