Decisions

Since we have to put the adoption on hold for about a year I was considering adopting from Poland instead of Ukraine. Originally that is what I wanted to do, since Eric is part Polish. The Polish program takes longer, is more complicated, and more expensive, but there is a much smaller risk of a child with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). For some reason it just doesn't seem to happen as much in Poland as it does in Ukraine. If we go with the intention of adopting a healthy child, we still may get a child who has some delays. If there is no indication of FAS or any other medical reason for the delays, they'll assume that they are a result of the child living in an orphanage. There is always the chance that after getting home and expecting the child to catch up that they don't because of an underlying condition that wasn't diagnosed. From what I have read, those chances are higher in Ukraine than in Poland.

Still, I have this feeling that our child will be in Ukraine. Logic and reasoning tell me that Poland is a safer choice, but my heart keeps pushing me back toward Ukraine. I have a love of the language and the culture that I just can't explain.

We have a long time to wait, but I was hoping to make a decision before Eric deploys because I'd like for both of us to learn a little of the language, so we need to know which language to learn.

I've learned over the last few years that God's plans don't coincide with mine. Now I'm also learning that his plans aren't always the one's that make the most sense. I keep trying to change our plans to work with whatever situation we are put in (domestic adoption, Poland, Asia, or adopting Jo's baby), but He keeps bringing me right back to the same decision and the same feeling... Ukraine is the right choice for us. It may be more risky, and yes we may adopt a child with special needs. But even with biological children you have the risk of a child with serious special needs, it can happen to anyone regardless of family history. We have control over the types of special needs we can handle (probably just correctable special needs) and which children we want referrals for.

This just feels like it is what we are meant to do...

We're still keeping our fundraising efforts going. We have some simple fundraisers going that donate money when people buy either magazines, or anothe website that has lots of knick-knackish around the house things, cookie mixes, candies (gift ideas for the holidays???). Here is the link to the post (or you can just scroll down to find it). Take a look... see if there is anything you might like... http://christensenadoption.blogspot.com/2008/02/fundraising.html