OK…there are lots of amazing agencies out there…but currently I’m biased;). Here is my top 5…
5. Monthly updates from your caseworker inform you of where you are currently on the “the list”…so you have a better 2 cents of how long your wait might be. Not all agencies do this…but AGCI does…and I love that. We started out in November as…
and today we are sitting pretty at 19:)
4. As if a monthly date isn’t enough to hold you over…AGCI clients have a really cool online list-serv where we create an “unofficial list” ourselves (or rather one awesome momma volunteer does it for us!) and every time a referral goes out…we have a better guess at where we are. These relationships are super cool too because as travelers go over you can tell them to give your baby some lovin’ for ya once you have a referral and you’re just waiting! I get tips on everything from transitioning our child home…to great children’s books…to sweet little family stories that remind me the many joys of adoption.
3. Hannah’s Hope in Ethiopia…one of the nicest care centers (I’m convinced!) and the caregiver to child ration…um–1:2 or 1:3…wow…that’s lower than what it will be at our house on a normal day 1:4! I’m gonna have to ween my baby from such wonderful care!![DSC00603_thumb[9]](http://theyoungfamilyfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/DSC00603_thumb9.jpg "DSC00603_thumb[9]")
I can’t wait to be here and finally meet Almaz!
2. I love that our agency is a Christian based agency…that many of the adoption families have been led their to not only grow their families, but to CONTINUE to poor into families and serve Hannah’s Hope. There are families there who have adopted from Guatamala, China, Vietnam…all over…and they are all apart of the listserv and pour into one another. They send in donations each month to take over to the orphanage—and I love how blessed the care facilities are because of them. Seriously—every travel group takes over big containers FULL ON DONATIONS to benefit the sweet children there…how thankful I am for this!
(Thankful that folks like the Pratts go to GREAT LENGTHS and cost;) to finally get donation there! Can’t wait to repay the favor one day!)
And the number 1 reason I am soooo thankful for AGCI today is…
Before we’re even close to a referral we have DEAR, PRECIOUS friends to support us and be a part of our journey along the way!!! Sweet Kristi Johnson, who the Lord used to encourage our family to adopt (along with countless others!), had a little playdate for me while we were up visiting family! NONE of us here have our little ones home YET (besides Kristi of course!) but by the time we do we have made friendships that are sure to stand the test of time! (Pictured here is Kristi, Vanessa, me, Cris, Rachel (private blog), and Amy.
by admin
I love our agency too!!! Nothing but good things to say from my perspective. Glad you guys made it home safely. If you get a chance would you email me that pic 🙂 Thanks friend.
Blessings,
Amy
I just stumbled on your blog from Kristy’s! I live in Illinois and we are currently waiting to bring home our little guy from Ethiopia. We are having our 5th court date in 2 days, and hopeful that we will pass! I also have three biological children (10, 8, and 4). Our little boy is 3.5
I also have a photography business…like you do, right??? I just wanted to send you a little note to let you know how much your blog just encouraged my heart! The Lord has been so evident in every step of our adoption. He stirred our hearts, and called us to obedience when we felt comfortable! We are so thankful for all the treasures that He has taught us on this journey! And even now, as we have had to completely surrender our plan and KNOW that the Lord’s timing is best! It truly has been a joy in the midst of a few storms!
ALSO…wanted to ask where you got those darling tees that say “Go Seek Love”…LOVE THOSE!!!!!
Joy Rugaard
I LOVE our agency too. It is such a blessing. It was so fun to have you here for a visit. I am eager to hear more about your visit with your friend in the afternoon.
I just love our agency too!!! I’m so glad that I can be a part of it!! It was so nice to meet you in person! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful support group of faithful friends!! I can’t wait to see what wonderful blessings God has in store for all of us!
So nice to meet you and share our stories. I am so blessed to have such a supportive group of friends. Oh, I can’t wait til we all get to see our sweet baby’s face. Maybe some of us will travel together!!!!!
yayyy, great pics!!! My hubby walked in and saw the pics you sent, and said, “man, those are some clear pics”..I said…yea..she’s a professional 🙂 so great seeing ya AND can’t wait till next time 🙂 kristi
Yeah, I just really feel there is no comparison when it comes to AGCI v. other agencies. There is no question in my mind that AGCI was the right one for us to use to build our family!
Great post for me to read today! Just got the call from AGCI that our application has been approved and we scheduled our orientation call for next week. So thrilled to be on this journey too!
You have such a beautiful family….can’t wait to see that new little face, SOON! 🙂
Hugs,
Sarah