Today marked a significant stepping stone in our now fourth attempt to adopt a baby girl into our family. As most of you know, we tried international adoptions twice & got burned & got into debt with no child to show for it. Today we spent the first of four 9 hr Saturdays at an agency, in a class with 7 other couples looking to foster children with the option to adopt. I must say this, the organization is not a government organization although they are integrated with them. This is great bec we're not obligated to take in any child that needs a home, just bec we're registered foster parents. This organization is actually Lutheran affiliated! Who would have thought, anything good could come out of the Lutheran movement. Just kiddin.
Anyways, what really impresses me about them is the way they made their presentations, how they were upfront about the good, the bad, & the ugly was great. The only thing that bothered me, & people that know me will laugh… was their projection onto the screen was more of a trapezoid than a square. Lol It just needed some simple keystone-ing! Maybe next week I'll help them out:) I did give them this, at least they weren't using an overhead projector! They were also, still using windows 2000. Hey, you can't win them all. I'm such a media guy.
The last part of today's session, they brought in a panel of 3 couples who had & still are fostering & adopted kids through them. Again they too were honest, it's not easy, but so worth it. I can appreciate people that are honest up front. One of the couples though, were an "alternate" couple also known as homosexual. I didn't really have a problem with them adopting a kid, considering the fact that they took 2 kids out of an abusive home to a financially stable & safe, loving home. Lesser of two evils?...
I looked around the room at the other couples to see what they're body language was saying, & found all but one, go figure the Mennonite couple to have an issue with our 2 dads. I have lately been becoming more & more aware greatly(bad English), how badly the Church in most cases portrays herself as judgmental rather than loving. Rejecting, rather than accepting. Mind you I'm not saying it's right to be gay, read your bible. Besides I still can't understand how one dude can do that to another. Barf!
But on a level of the heart, here are people, never mind their dysfunctional relationship, genuinely caring for these kids. I have no problem gleaning wisdom from their experiences. The Mennonite guy wouldn't even look at them. Come on! When did we become fragile people, that our salvation would be compromised by looking, god forbid talk to people who may not share our views or beliefs?
Sorry for my little rant n rave, but that has become my resolution for this yr. As a pastor it's hard to get my head out of this Christian circle. Besides the daily lady at the gas station I am craving to interact with people who are unchurched. Am I on a mission to save the world? No. Just to prove that there are some of us out there that call ourselves born again or saved what have you, & are "normal", "real", people who genuinely care for others regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation & lifestyle. Jen & I are actually going to be taking classes at a local college for cooking, & maybe dance to meet people that live outside our sphere. Who knows what doors will open. Better yet I'm hoping for new friendships. People of different minds & beliefs. I know this will sharpen me as a follower of Christ. Their salvation? That's up to the Big Guy. When the time is right, it will come up.
This has been yet another long blog, but rarely do I feel the inspiration to, so there you have it. For what it's worth. I'm out.
