Yesterday, my dad came downtown on the train to have lunch with me. I'll be honest and tell you that I had some fears about what I must have done wrong to deserve this visit. It's kind of a family joke that when dad asks you to lunch or dinner..... watch out! As it turns out, we had a very nice lunch talking about a whole host of things, not the least of which are my next adoption and Betty.`Dad asked me some hard questions about Betty, but nothing I haven't already asked myself in this process. For example, if you want to adopt again, why intentionally sign up for a special needs child? I think it is an imminently fair question and here is my answer. I have always known that I would adopt. Since I was a young girl, knowing and understanding the stories of my brothers, I have wanted to adopt. I never thought I would do it alone, as a single person, until the process of adopting Seth began. Back in 2007, I was very specific that I wanted a normal, healthy child because I am a single mom. God gave me Seth. What I have learned through Seth is that I have the capacity to deal with special needs and that maybe I'm gifted in that area. I look at it this way: There is a universe of people who want to have children. It's large. Most people do. Some small percentage of those people are open to adoption and do adopt. Of those limited numbers of people who adopt, there is an even smaller sub-set who will consider adopting a child with special needs. I think, as it turns out, that I'm in that group of people. By the way, if you had told me that five years ago, I would have laughed you out of town. Soooo not me! God can do strange things like that....`See, the HIV thing doesn't intimidate me any more. Yes, I want to see Betty's medical records and I want to sit with an infectious disease doctor and understand all that we are facing. But I've moved past the HIV in my decision to a place of wondering how Seth will react and whether Betty and I will bond and what her personality is really like. (Hard to tell in 3 hours of being together). That's all about an adoption of a child that's not a newborn. I got used to the Seth situation -- bringing him home from the hospital spoiled me! We've been together from the beginning. And the beginning with Betty will look different. I'm trying to wrap my brain around that! `Despite my questions that remain, God has been swinging wide the doors for me to run through thus far. I believe that when we pray for clarity, we had better keep track of the answers that come! So here's my list, so far. From meeting Betty in Uganda to today. . . .`May 19 Met BettyMay 20 Spent two hours with BettyMay 22 Ugandan attorney says Betty's adoption can be fastMay 24 Home to ChicagoMay 25 Pediatrician tells me that HIV is "just another chronic disease"May 25 Email Betty's orphanageMay 28 Orphanage responds to my email (yahoo!)June 1 Orphanage agrees to provide Betty's medical recordsJune 1 Set up time to meet with Adoption Link re home studyJune 1 Email attorney who responded immediately with checklist for adoptionJune 2 Visit to neurologist to have nerve/muscle test. Clear results!June 2 Med student at appointment calls HIV "chronic disease"June 7 Email Lisa (mom of HIV child)June 7 Lisa responds immediately with a very encouraging email!June 7 Email orphanage for request of picture of Betty June 8 Received photos of Betty (YIPPEE!!)June 8 Update of Home StudyJune 8 Learn that Infectious Disease doctor will start adoption clinic 10 minutes from our homeJune 8 Spoke to Beth (doctor) re HIV and very encouraged. She notes that HIV is a "chronic disease." Catching a theme here? June 9 Spoke to Linn, who also encouraged me!June 9-10 Emailed over and over with the orphanage in the wee hours of the night. :-)`Lord, I am so thankful for your goodness and mercy. Please continue to lead and guide me through this decision. And, Lord, protect Betty. Keep her healthy and safe. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.