Adoption Breakthrough?

So...

My Sister in law reached out to her cousin regarding adoption simply because she cares and her cousin has been through this. So, her caring outweighed the fact that I really didn't want anyone FURTHER to know.

What SIL said to me was this:
"Good Morning Crystal. Did you have a nice Easter?  I was talking to my cousin Rosanna yesterday about adoption. Her and her husband have spent a few years trying. Unfortunately, do to both of their medical conditions they are not suitable adoptive parents. She gave me a number to pass along to you. This woman, Elizabeth is a social worker who does home studies. She will come to your home and explain the whole adoption process. The first visit is free after that it will cost approx 2500. Rosanna said she is fantastic and very thorough. She know the areas around the city where there is less interest in adoption and can make the process a little easier. My cousin's last name is Leworthy and she said you can feel welcome to mention her name. Rosanna is the only one I discussed your situation with. I hope you don't mind. I just saw the opportunity to try to help. Rosanna said to call her anytime if you have any questions. Her number is..."


Thoughts: well... it's a 'light" ... a beacon of some hope... but... let's call to make that decision. 


Come lunch time, I snuck into an office and made "the call". I was convinced, just like the rest, that I would get a voice mail. Lo and behold... not so much the case. She answered, we spoke and her input was, direct, to the point, and without a coat of sugar.


She spoke about adoption privately and with CAS. She spoke of international adoption. She said the choice was very large in part due to your preferences in child's age and timeframe in which you want this to happen. 


I explained we did not need an infant and we'd agreed we'd go up to 3-4 years old. I further explained gender and race were not an issue and finished by telling her special needs were NOT out the door; there were simply some needs we thought we'd be confident to manage, and others... not so much.


She said that based on our range, it wasn't impossible. She said that if I wanted an infant with CAS, the time frame would be "now to never" ... 

AWESOME

She said if we wanted a little one within the next two years, international would be the only way to go...

AWESOME

And then, she gave me some solid advice regarding speaking with international adoption agencies. She said call them, ask for references. As to speak with recent adopters. And then she also advised that we would need to take the PRIDE course as Mandated through the Ontario government.

All in all... she was the first person I spoke to. And she gave me matter of fact information... I guess Anto and I have a lot of talking to do and more importantly, praying.

We will be still, and listen to His instruction... I may make it sound easy - and I (today) believe it will be easy. But, I'm sure that we will face further "challenges". And I'm sure there will be moments of weakness. I'm sure there will be more tears shed and more sleepless nights, but... as Laura Story's song, "Blessings" (http://youtu.be/1CSVqHcdhXQ) says... 

"what if your blessings come through rain drops, what if your healing comes through tears, what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near. What if trials in this life... are Your mercies in disguise"

There are not many things I am certain of. That being said, God... His mercies...His Love...His compassion and His intention for my life - for our lives, is something I would bank my eternal salvation on any day, and today, I'm stepping out of my misery, and stepping into a path that God paved for me well before the day I was born.