Families Supporting Adoption (FSA), an organization sponsored by LDS Family Services, seeks to promote a positive view of adoption. The organization has more than 5,000 members—including adoptive couples, birth parents, adults who were adopted, and adoption professionals—in chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. Families Supporting Adoption focuses its efforts on three main areas: outreach, media, and education and support.
On Saturday, Dan and I were able to go to a meeting given by FSA up by Portland. We learned that we have to complete 10 hours of adoption education in order to be approved for adoption. I'm so so so happy we went to this meeting! At first, I actually wasn't too sure what it would be like - if it would be 4 1/2 hours of just sitting there listening to someone talk. But it ended up being so helpful to us! There were people there that are in our shoes, or have already adopted, and people from the LDS Family Services (who we're going through, by the way) offices. We were told we could bring relatives or friends because part of the meeting was focusing on helping others understand adoption and why we are choosing this path.
I'm so incredibly thankful to all our family and friends for being so completely supportive of our choice! As I was listening to people say how they were nervous to tell their families, it made me so sad to think that anyone could question this decision. I'm thankful we have having amazing people surrounding us that have been so excited with us. There was a lot of helpful information to the friends/relatives about infertility - things to say, things not to say, etc.
It's so easy for me to feel like we're going through this alone, being away from family and all. We have amazing friends, but there's a feeling I can't even describe going through the hardships we've had to. But being at this meeting with all these other people that are in our EXACT SAME SHOES was so helpful! With almost every single thing someone said, I thought in my mind "I feel EXACTLY like that!" It was so nice to be able to talk to people and get support from people who truly know what we're going through.
There was also a lot of technical help - how to use the website, how to complete applications, things like that. The part that got us really excited was talking about our profiles and getting those set up. I wish we could skip all the interviews and paperwork and get to that part. :) It sounds so fun to be able to put our pictures on there with a letter to the birth parents and know that at any time, someone could choose us. I think I'm getting too anxious too soon...
I love FSA! I can see myself becomming a lot more involved with them because of how much they helped me in just one short meeting.
I found out today that all of our reference letters have been received by LDSFS!! I'm so thankful to our friends that filled those out and returned them so quickly! Now all we have to do is schedule our first meeting with our caseworker!
2 comments:
Oh, I'm so glad you were able to go to that meeting, and that it was so great! It sounds like it was just what you needed. I have often wished we lived closer.... Someday.... It sounds like FSA is awesome! I'm so glad there are programs like that! Hooray on scheduling your meeting with the caseworker! I can't to hear how it goes!
I am glad that everything is working out so well and moving right along. I was reading that pamphlet and I hope that I have never offended you or said the wrong thing. I tend to have a big mouth. Anyways I think it's awesome what you guys are doing!!!
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