Hello,
I am one of Jehovah's Witness, but my husband and I are in the process of adopting. We had no problems with the blood issue, but it is such a very long process. It has really worn us thin and you get to the point that you feel you can't trust anyone anymore. I believe we have reached the end of our adoption road. We were suppose to leave for the Ukraine in Feb.' 07 after waiting a year for Ukraine to even open for adoptions. Then they pushed it to March, then April & Now June. The real kicker is that they told us all our paperwork would not have to be renewed. The girl we were working with changed to a new guy and he is making us redo everything all over again. So, this means lots more time and money. We have waited so long at this point and we can't get the social worker to work with us. He is suppose to be updating our home study, yet it has been a month since we asked him to do it. He has never even called. I e-mailed him once and asked if he had gotten my e-mail the day before, letting him know what we needed. He e-mailed back the words " working on it" and that is all he has said for one month. So hard to deal with.
On a more positive note, adoption is so rewarding and such a blessing. I do not discourage anyone from doing it. I do however strongly recommend staying in the USA and spend a lot of time reseaching the agency before you sign on. They should not ask for any money down and if they do it should be very little. We put down $ 12,000 in one chunk. BIG mistake. Always remember that this is a game of more than one kind and you have to be wise and truthful with yourself about what is really going on with certain things and don't stick your head in the sand and think they will go away. I really thought if I just did all my paperwork and paid my money. Spent my time waiting everything would be fine. I say no, now. Get a lawyer and be careful there too.
I would not go with a birth mother. I would go through a state foster care like Ohio has a good set up with their kids.
ODJFS and if this doesn't work just type in Ohio Adoption Photolisting. I have just discovered this one.
If I can help you in anyway please feel free to contact me.
Mandymck@aol.com
Thanks,
Mandy