Adoption Update

After we found out we couldn't adopt from China, we had to sort of regroup and start from scratch in deciding on a country. Since China had always been our choice, we hadn't really though what we would do if we couldn't - even though we always knew it was a possibility. I started researching different Asian countries. I have to say that for a few days I was a little obsessed. It's so hard to just feel stuck and have the process going no where. The US isn't allowing adoptions from Vietnam right now, so that country is out. Taiwan is another option, but we would have to make even more than China ($70,000/year) and own a house. For Nepal you have to own a house too. We had considered Kazakhstan. Our adoption agency has a Kazakhstan program, we don't qualify for that either because it has the same income requirements as China. The thing I find ironic about the entire situation is that we've been waiting until we turned 30 so that we could adopt from China. But now we don't meet the income requirements that we would have easily met before. If we had known that would happen, we would have adopted from Kazakhstan years ago when we did meet the requirements (we wouldn't have had to wait until we were 30). But now, we can't do either. This whole process has been sort of different than I thought. No matter how much planning you do, you really have no control over the situation. Countries are always having issues, starting and stopping adoptions, etc. It's actually sort of the same feeling as being pregnant in that no matter how hard you try or what you do, you have absolutely no control. There is really nothing you can do but pray that God will keep your baby healthy. I sort of feel the same way now. I feel totally helpless and the only way that anything can happen is if it's God's plan. And yes, I know everything is this way, but it's just more obvious in certain situations. Anyway, so we finally decided on another agency. They have a program in Kyrgyzstan that we were really excited about. When I called to inquire about, I spoke to the director 30 minutes! She was incredibly helpful and honest about their programs and more than willing to answer any question. We applied last week and are waiting to hear. The director is actually in Kyrgyzstan visiting orphanages and meeting with people regarding changes occurring there. Of course, a few days after we applied, the State Department put out a statement saying that US adoption from Kyrgyzstan may be unstable and they are unsure if it will continue in the future. So another unknown. So, after all of this, we've decided just to continue with our home study (which has to be done first anyway) and then decide on a country when we're finished with it. Hopefully, we'll know more about Kyrgyzstan by then. If we can't adopt from Kyrgyzstan our next choice will be South Korea. The best part about all of this is that it is a blatant reminder that God is sovereign and nothing will happen if it's not His will. No matter how much I feel like I'm in control, I'm not - and that's a good thing. I wouldn't want it any other way.