When we applied for our first adoption in April of 2001, we went on blind faith that the Lord would provide for our needs as we pursued this righteous desire. As I mentioned in my introductory series of posts, our faith was sorely tested as my husband was laid off from his job just as our dossier went to China. We had already invested a few thousand dollars in our dream (some financed through eBay and yard sale proceeds, and some financed through an adoption loan), and it was a scary time for us. But we had received clear inspiration that adoption was the right path for us, and the Lord did indeed provide for our needs. My husband’s job situation was resolved, yielding a better income than he’d previously had, unexpected gifts of money came to us, and our agency worked with us to allow payments over time where they could. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that we would be able to adopt again, let alone a third time (three children at once!) with a fourth adoption now in the works. I marvel at the way the Lord provides for his children to find their forever families, in spite of the many obstacles that we mortals perceive in front of us. Money is nothing to the Lord, and if you have prayerfully made the decision to adopt, you can rightfully expect that He will help you close the gaps and achieve your goal after you’ve done all that you can do. My adoptive parent friends and I often remark that had we wanted expensive jewelry or a more beautiful home or a fleet of snow mobiles, the money wouldn’t have been there for those purposes. ;)

This is a series I’ve been looking forward to doing for a while, and I hope that it benefits someone. It sounds cliché, but if it helps even one family realize their dreams of adoption, it will be worth all of today’s neglected laundry and procrastinated Sharing Time preparation, and then some!

Doctrine and Covenants 11:14: And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.

Resources

Affording Adoption

Adoption Loans

National Adoption Foundation

A Child Waits

Love Without Boundaries (China special needs adoption grants)

Gift of Adoption