I love bringing you a different guest blog each month… this one is from Chelsea Winfield! I met Chelsea when we lived in Sequim, WA many years ago. She is the founder and owner of Amma’s Umma, my favorite place to shop ethically while supporting a great cause. Chelsea is an amazing mom, inspiring others with her passion for advocacy and her honest transparency.

“Inviting Adoption Back to the Table” by Chelsea Winfield

After a year that leveled the playing field for hardship, I think we are all grasping for a little bit more light, hope and love. 2021 was supposed to be what we had to make it to, and it instead became what we needed to make it through.

November is National Adoption Month, and despite the exponentially growing need for adoptive families, I feel like the spirit of adoption has been shut out in response to the seemingly crumbling world around us. Where once before it may have had space at your dining room table, or on long car rides with your spouse, it’s been asked politely to “come back later.”

I will forever push back a little on families who say, “Oh I’ve always wanted to adopt.” Almost everyone I meet who hears my son’s story, says “someday.” I promise you that the children are hoping that someday, is tomorrow. We can worry about so many things; we let those worries fester and build up higher walls so maybe the idea of adopting doesn’t bother coming down the walkway back to our door. But if anything has become clear this year – worrying isn’t a way to live. It’s a way to slowly, silently, painfully die.

A few years ago, when adoption advocacy was my every breath, we had about 330,000 kids in foster care in the United States of America. Now we have 424,000. I am not saying this to shame you or try to guilt trip you into adopting. I’m saying this because it’s not being said. Billions of dollars are being spent, thousands of lives have been lost due to this pandemic. Online arguing and fighting has reached paramount levels. Hate and judgement are spewed between loved ones.

And then, as we exhale, 26,000 kids age out of the foster system. “Within four years of aging out, 70% will be on government assistance, 25% will not have completed high school, and less than 12% will ever earn their college degree. Not only is this a tragic loss of potential, but our economy as a whole suffers a cost of $1 million per child.”*

We can stand on the streets with our signs, we can reshare posts on social media, but when it comes down to it at the end of the day – the world will see us not by what we said, but how we loved. God’s heart is not for these kids to suffer in the foster care system, to age out and wither away. God’s heart is for adoption, and as we approach the season of remembering God’s greatest gift to the world, let us remember that Mary said “yes.” She made room in her heart, her home, her family, her future. She was willing to do the hard work, the treacherous journey, face judgement and shame, the potential loss of her fiancé… when God said, “would you make room in your heart for this child?”

Not everyone is called to adopt. I know that with certainty. But everyone is called to do something. I’m asking you today, to take the month of November and instead of sharing that post on social media – spend time in prayer, asking God, “What is my role in this crisis?”

For ideas on how to get involved, I’d highly recommend you check out Jason Johnson’s blog. He’s an adoptive father and expert in the world of foster care.

Another great resource is the Christian Alliance for Orphans. They put on an incredible summit every year but also have a dedicated platform with resources and support to equip families and youth in the thick of the orphan crisis.

If you want to start today in a very simple, practical way, I’d ask that you pray about supporting one of the children at the orphanage my son grew up in until I was able to bring him home. It’s an incredible, foster style home for the most medically fragile and vulnerable children in South India.

I don’t want you to get lost in the weeds, so if you have questions you’d like to ask someone who has adopted, who’s worked to fundraise for other adoptions – I would love to be a resource for you. Please email me, Chelsea Winfield, at info@ammasumma.com with subject : adoption help.

*Source : https://www.ifoster.org/blogs/6-quick-statistics-on-the-current-state-of-foster-care/

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I pray that we can all take a step toward our something in the next month and beyond. Together we can address this crisis and lean into God’s heart for adoption. – Megan

P.S. Check out myracetorun on Instagram for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Amma’s Umma! The winner will be announced on 11/1 as we kick off National Adoption Month!