[dd0031]

Dear Barki, Linny and Brat....

I am so blown away by your threads that I really cannot put it into words. Your truthful account of how adoption has affected your lives and the importance of a Christian perspective is truly a gift from God to me.
I realized a few things this past weekend. I had a long talk with my husband, who also read your emails. I realized, oddly enough through a dream I had, that the Lord is telling me to LET GO and REST IN HIM. Which is exactly what I've been fighting. Don't get me wrong, I've been praying before Him, but I realize that my fear or trepedation is not from Him. I realize that I want to KNOW beforehand that my children will adjust and come to love their new sibling. I want to KNOW that this child will adjust and come to love us someday. I want to KNOW all of these things NOW, but then I realized .. where then, is the step of faith that I'm to take? I first have to take the step to see the blessing, right?

We spoke to a pastor at our church today and he knows of a couple, from our church, that just adopted an 8 year old. He's going to put them in touch with us. My husband feels that this would be very helpful.

I do want to equip myself with as much knowledge as possible. I have been doing so much research on the internet i.e domestic vs. international. I have noticed that through our state of Mass, the majority of children waiting to be adopted have serious handicaps either mentally or physically or both. I don't honestly think I am strong enough for that. International is very expensive, but I have to continue to pray about this too.

Honestly, I realize how crazy this must sound, but I have a certain level of comfort knowing that I can communicate with you all. I will continue to pray (with my husband).

Thank you again.

In His Love
Danielle