[FaithsHope]

Okay, first I'm new here. My husband and I have 2 bio children at home and had always thought about adding children to our family through adoption but really never got serious with the process.

Years ago we had thought about China, it was the 'popular' spot for all the adoptions then and we just loved the children, wait times....etc compared to other countries. This of course was all based on how we felt, and not what God was leading us to do.

Now that I'm older (with China there was a minimum age at the time we looked), we have decided to attempt adopting siblings internationally. We want older children, to better blend with the age and activities of our current bio children. We found a great listing of Russian/Eastern European children and just fell in love with a sister group. After contacting the agency and finding out that it's twice as much as we have saved (it's around 40,000 instead of 20,000) we got discouraged and backed down and just started praying about it.

Well, we've received numerous signs that are pointing us to the Philippines....and even though our heart breaks for the children in Russia that we'd viewed, we know we have to go where God leads us if it's going to be done right.

So now I'm reading on the Philippines but I'm confused as to if you can adopt siblings from that country. I read a lot of places that it says that you can't adopt 2, and non filipino families are not given priority....etc. I don't mind somewhat of a wait, and I know that if we follow Gods lead that it'll work out in his time anyway so that's not my worry.

I just wanted more information on agencies for this country, processes and fees....etc from someone who has done it.

Thanks!!

[Mindy82]

I also looked into the Philippines and while I don't know about sibling groups, I know that if you apply now, you should be ready for a 2-3 year wait at least...

[Mindy82]

I should also mention that for the philippines, the info i have says total estimated costs (including travel) are 10,000 to 12,000

[FaithsHope]

Originally Posted by Mindy82

I should also mention that for the philippines, the info i have says total estimated costs (including travel) are 10,000 to 12,000

Thanks, although cost was a factor in the beginning of our country research we decided to just leave it to God to be our guide. We are both Christians and we believe that he has the perfect children out their for us and regardless of cost we know that he'll make it happen.

If he was leading us to Russia we would be the same way, in a way I was hoping for a Russian leading since we have fallen in love with so many of the photopostings, but we just aren't getting the signs for that country like we have for the Philippines.

Thank you for your reply....we'll be sure to update postings as we go along.

[Mindy82]

Good, be sure to let us know! You will find your baby... If I can make one small suggestion (just because you sound like me!), you really shouldn't look at photolistings of children, because it's very sad, then you get that thought in your head, and the adoption of a photolisting child is often difficult, because you've done things backwards... To be able to really know if a child is right for you, it's probably important to have your homestudy and some other things done, and then wait for a referral of a child... This way there is less dissapointment

[FaithsHope]

Well, I actually had that moment yesterday LOL I am looking at all the photolistings just to see the cute little children, but I'm not going to pick any child out. I feel that God gave me my Bio children with little input from me (only my genes and my husbands) and so I'll leave this up to him as well

It's not up to us how our children should look....if they look like us then well great. If they don't...who cares My dd has light brown hair and blue eyes.....neither me or my husband has that coloring.....but we know she's ours as she does look like me in her face.

But, regardless....they will be our children no matter what they look like and we'll let God hand pick them for us ....although I have to say looking at the children on the listings....they are all so adorable that I think anyone would be lucky to have any of them

[Mindy82]

I wish you all the best. I cannot even start the process as i'm currently only 24, and single


I have wanted to adopt a baby for as long as I can remember