Adoption: Getting the word out!

We found out when we initially met with our caseworker that babies are placed with only a quarter to a third of waiting couples through LDS Family Services each year. Generally, the number of babies placed has decreased every year. This is not an uncommon trend across other private agencies. There are just fewer available babies with abortion and single-parenthood more widely accepted by society than ever before. Even international adoptions have fallen dramatically.

One friend of ours has a sister who is hoping to adopt an infant. He said it's more like she's running a political campaign. That made me laugh but it isn't too far off! Our caseworker told us many of the adoptions lately have been through word of mouth. I've read that private agencies report up to half their placements occur because of this type of connection. 

Last week I ordered pass-along cards (business card size) from Vistaprint with our picture, adoption profile info, blog website, and adoption email address. They should come in the mail this week! We are planning on sending them out with our Christmas cards, passing them along to friends locally, and leaving a few with our doctors and other businesses. Maybe this way, your boss's daughter's roommate can find out about us! 

Ultimately, we believe that the child that is meant to be in our family will end up in our family, just as a biological child would. It could be that this happens because of a conversation, social media, or pass along card. We certainly wouldn't want to miss an opportunity by waiting passively when there is something we can do to help our birth mother find us.

Thank you for reading our blog, "liking" and sharing our Facebook posts, telling others about our hopes to adopt, and your prayers. We are so grateful, amazed, and humbled by the support we've already received. Thank you!!