The Bitter-Sweet Reality of Adoption

Down - up - and down, again.

This week an AWAA family received news that their little girl (still waiting for them in Ethiopia) had developed pneumonia and was in the hospital.

Our agency also gave three referrals for families waiting for toddlers/older children. Although we are waiting for an infant, my heart absolutely soars when I hear of older children being matched with their forever families. Maybe it's because they are older and can somewhat grasp the gravity of their situation. Some are old enough to dream, or despair, about their future...old enough to wrestle with their desire to belong & be loved...old enough to understand families are adopting children, but perceive they've been left behind. I can only imagine the explosion of hope an older child experiences when they learn that a family is coming for them this time.

Back to the AWAA family's sick baby. She didn't make it. Devastating. This family received their referral almost a month ago...a month of planning for their daughter, looking at her pictures, praying for her, celebrating with friends and family... but, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Even in the midst of this tragedy, we Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

Saint Augustine