What a Man in the Atlanta Airport and the Search for My Father Have in Common

Atlanta airport is a place where it seems scores of people are always racing to their next connection. Most times that I go through the ATL, I end up being part of a pack that is running to our next gate.

Photo Credit: RecycleHarmony, Flickr

 During the month of May, I've been away preaching a third of the month and have gone through the ATL several times. As I was navigating the hustle and bustle one day, I met a middle aged gentlemen who had never flown before. He was missing about half his teeth and had a southern drawl. He turned to me with a look of desperation and said, "I have never flown before and I have no idea what I'm doing."

What is Adoption Supposed to Be About?

Photo Credit: Kate Dahlquist

Those interested in the long version of my views on adoption can go here. 

Don't want to read all that?

Cool.

My view in one sentence:

Adoption is an alternative when there are absolutely no other options of a child being raised within their original family and should be all about only one thing: the child.

Adoptive Parents Making Big Changes An Interview with Jamie & Donna

When I began this blog, I was aware of the potential of severe criticism. That's why it took me so long to get here. I was afraid. I'll admit it.  I knew I had a lot to lose (possibly family, friends, and more) by speaking the truth.

Photo Credit: OneWayStock, Flickr

Although the positive feedback has been overwhelming  there have been days of attack that have brought discouragement.  On those rare occasions, God is faithful to bring someone along to let me know I need to keep going. The person I'm introducing on the blog today is one of those people.

Jamie and his wife Donna are adoptive parents who used to have very different ideas about adoption than they do today. Then, they began to read certain blogs, and well...the rest is history! A lot of changes have been made in their home, in just the past few months. 

There were a number of times Jamie wrote me a note and said, "I want to encourage you to keep going, because you're making a difference for people like us." When I started out, I had a desire to reach adoptees as well as give Christians a new perspective. I was surprised that some adoptive parents started reading, and reached out to me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be one of the people who would play a part in helping some of them develop a new approach. My heart has been encouraged over the past five months as Jamie has shared with me the steps he and Donna are taking.

After Jamie gives an introduction I will ask him a few questions. He will also be available in the comment section to interact with. 

 Note: Jamie and Donna are their real names. We have changed the children's names out of respect for the children's privacy.

~Deanna

Adoptees DO have power! (The Choice of New Generation)

Yesterday I posted the graphic above, that was circulating on Facebook. An adoptee responded with, "How do I know this isn't how my story will end?"

My Second DNA Test and Why it's NOT Okay

Yesterday, I spent Mother's Day at church and then had lunch with my husband and three children. They aren't children anymore but will always be my babies.

At our Greek lunch...right before we devoured the saganaki

Mother's Day Weekend and What It Means for Adoptees and First Mothers

It's Mother's Day weekend and for adoptees and first mothers, this often presents different variables than it does for the rest of the population. 

Photo Credit: Tara Haire, Creative Commons

All week, I've experienced friends in both groups "checking in" with one another to ask how each other is doing so far. What is a happy, joyful occasion for most of the world is a time for many adoptees and first moms to "hold one another up". 

People who are not adopted or first mothers are generally clueless that any of this is going on. So allow me to inform you...this holiday stirs up many feelings in many adoptees and first moms who are in an emotional tug of war. 

The Lack of Critical Thinking About Adoption (Especially Among Christians!)

Critical thinking: “Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence: “The questions are intended to develop your critical thinking.”

 

Photo Credit: Sam Howzit, Creative Commons

Society is informed about adoption on a continual basis from the very beginning of their lives. Statistics show that 90% of the population is directly connected to adoption in some way. Messages  abound about adoption. (I challenge you to try to sit through even an hour of TV or a movie or read a book that doesn’t at least touch on the edges of adoption.)