NEVER HURTS TO ASK--When adopting from China

IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK

Those familiar with China's adoption rules and regulations, is familiar with the regulation that states "a child cannot be petitioned for adoption until the adoptive family reaches 1 year with their current adoptive child." 

We were lead to our daughter in October of 2009--WHILE WAITING TA (Travel Approval) for our son... BUT let me tell you, when the Good Lord speaks to your heart, you don't ignore it!

On Thursday afternoon, 10/1 I happened to be viewing the profiles of children available for adoption on the Rainbow Kids.com advocacy website.  (The same advocacy group who petitioned a family for our precious son!) Never expecting to actually be lead to our second adoption on this particular day but simply to view the profiles and whisper a prayer for all the beautiful children waiting a family.  It was at that moment, I noticed this sweet girl and couldn't bypass without reading her profile a second and third time.  It was at that moment, I was hooked......it was time to have a discussion with Earl.  We had already been discussing our 2nd adoption and both agreed the Lord was leading us to an older child....a daughter.

Long story short, we thought there was no way China would ever approve us to adopt.....why?  Because in October of 2009, we were still awaiting TA (Travel Approval) for our precious son!!  You read it right, we were still working on our 1st adoption.  Beside the fact that each agency seems to have their "own" set of rules above and beyond China's strict regulations, China clearly states, no subsequent adoption until a family has been home for 1 year.  PERIOD...or so we thought.....

My dear husband and I spent time in prayer and continued to feel a strong pull toward this beautiful girl.  We both came to the conclusion, if it was God's will for us to adopt again, regardless of China's regulations, it would happen.  So, we figured IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK.....

We did just that, phoned the agency, described our situation and asked the possibilities.....the agency asked us a few questions and their reply left us speechless (in a good way)...they said, "YES, we may petition China to adopt, again!"  The agency will be required to file a waiver but it was possible to do so and very likely that China would say YES!!!  We were thrilled and began our LOI.......and the rest is history! 

Those who may feel they don't qualify, they don't currently meet all the rules and regulations....allow us to encourage you:  IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK!!!