Change

Sorry...not much time to post...I'm working on our taxes (ie that's my tiny voice you hear coming from underneath the pile of receipts and papers on my couch---heeeelllloooo...)

But wanted to mention a couple of things:

You may or may not know, but last week it was announced that the Ethiopian government was going to begin requiring parents to travel TWICE to Ethiopia in order to adopt. This was a blow to many already struggling with the costs of adoption. While the cost would certainly be higher and the logistics a bit more involved, with that change would come the added benefit of not having to readopt the child once they enter the US. Under this new requirement, once the child stepped foot on US soil, they would be considered a US citizen. Some of you might be like--hun?, whadud she say?--and I would completely understand because I don't even know what I just said. : ) Simply put: 2 trips=change, and change is always hard. In some ways better, in some ways worse, but none the less, hard. This requirement is still not certain, but we are wrestling with what this might mean for our own adoption process.

But today I read a GREAT post here, regarding ethical adoptions and mentioning the changes we are dealing with in Ethiopian adoption laws. I think everyone who has an interest in adoption should read it, but particularly if you are wrestling with international adoption because of the difficulty of the process. It served as a call to arms for me-- a reminder that we are engaged in a battle--we should expect it to be hard, but know it is a glorious thing we are fighting for. Namely, redemption. My friend Erica posted this quote on my Facebook yesterday:

"My friends, adoption is redemption. It’s costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him." -Derek Loux

OK, so after reading that, maybe a little time and cash aren't that much to sacrifice, in light of the cost of my redemption. I believe the littlest Walser waiting in Ethiopia is worth it. And maybe while we are fighting for our own child(ren), we can also fight for a process that is fair and ethical and beneficial long-term-- the greatest good for the most children.


P.S. Want to help a great family deal with the uncertainty these changes are bringing to their adoption costs/process?! Go stop by the Dixons' blog and buy a raffle ticket to win an ipod touch--let's help bring this little girl home!!

P.S.S. Did you click the link to read the article?! If not, do it now! It's good, people!