Thoughts on adopting an older child.

As we count down the last days before traveling to bring home our precious son, I have obviously been thinking a great deal about the changes and challenges coming our way. We are so thankful for all the family and friends who are supportive of our decision to bring Zach home. We could never say enough how much it means when others share in our excitement.

We do know that those close to us are concerned about the difficulties we may face in the coming days, months and even years. We understand that adopting an older child brings a different climate to our home. It is wonderful how beautifully Katie blended into our family. She was only 10 months old when we brought her home and she had spent those months in foster care. She had no problems with attachment. Zach may. We know that. We can't say we know what is coming, because no one knows how each individual child will handle the (huge) transition from institutionalization to family life.

One thing that has become very clear to me is that adopting an older child brings fear to many because of the unknowns and potential difficulties involved, even among families that will readily consider adoption for their family. It never ocurred to us that this adoption process would bring us an 8 year old boy. However, it was clear to us that this is what God had planned for our family all along. Since that is the case, we know that He is with us in this adoption. While we don't know what challenges are ahead, we DO know that God will get us through. We trust in a God who cares about us. We trust in a God who cares about Zachary. We rejoice in His love for all of us, because it is that love that has brought us to this point.

Something for everyone to consider is that there are no guarantees that biological children will not give you grey hair. We may be blessed with children who do everything right and well. Or we may be blessed with children that bring challenges and trials. Either way, they are valued by you and you will do what you can to help them through their difficult times. Zachary is our child as much as Eliza, Madeline or Katelin are. Therefore, God has called us to be there for him to help him through the difficult times.

The most important aspect of adopting an older child that I want everyone to understand is that we are choosing to follow God in this decision. We choose to do that despite the unknowns. We choose to do that despite the fact that we are going beyond our comfort zone. We choose to do that despite the fact that we probably have trials ahead. Why? Because Zachary has infinite value in our eyes. Zachary is a precious 8 year old boy who has probably not known what it is like to be loved unconditionally. He has been through many transitions in his short life and we are putting aside our own comforts to make sure that this child, valued by God, receives the love all children DESERVE! We can't say no simply because we are uncomfortable about it. This is the child God has chosen for us and we will be blessed beyond measure by adding Zachary to our family.

If God is calling you to consider adopting an older child, don't say no out of fear. The child He is calling you to is infinitely more important than your comfort level.