Adoption is a Community Project

The very heart of biblical Christianity is the reality that we are saved from living for our individual self and placed into a family. Adoption reminds us this very thing. We are part of a family that is called to live life together with gospel-intentionality. We worship together. Eat together. Struggle together. We share our lives with one another. The writer to the Hebrews says that we need daily encouragement and exhortation in the gospel if we are going to grow (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Just as our growth in Christ is a community project, adoption is meant to be done in community.

Every adoptive and foster family needs people around them that will support them. This is sadly one of the more neglected areas of focus in the adoption and foster care world and it is also one of the leading reasons why families burn out and things breakdown.

So whether you are an adoptive or foster family already or if you are considering it; ask yourself who your community will be. Who are those people who will support you when things get tough (and they will).

If you have people in your life already that is great! Ask, what can you do to help them become an even more effective support network.

If you don’t have anyone, don’t be discouraged, pray hard for who they are. They may already be in your life but just don’t know how to support you. It may take time. You are definitely not alone though.

Share your thoughts on what has worked for you? How has your community wrapped their arms around you in a meaningful way? What resources would be helpful for you in developing a support network? 

Federal Adoption Tax Credit is Made Permanent

We praise God that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the bill to avert the fiscal cliff) made the adoption tax credit permanent!

Our friends at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute posted this today:

The bill permanently extends the increased adoption tax credit and the adoption assistance programs exclusion. Taxpayers that adopt children can receive a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses. A taxpayer may also exclude from income adoption expenses paid by an employer. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 increased the credit from $5,000 ($6,000 for a special needs child) to $10,000, and provided a $10,000 income exclusion for employer-assistance programs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 extended these benefits to 2011 and made the credit refundable. The bill extends for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, the increased adoption credit amount and the exclusion for employer-assistance programs as enacted in EGTRRA.

 

Jedd Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, said it well:  ”The permanent extension of the Adoption Tax Credit not only guarantees vital financial help for families that choose to adopt.  It also underscores the commitment of the American people to the idea that children need families.”

There are still questions about the credit becoming refundable and some have encouraged people to contact congress to push for this. We will post more as information becomes available.

For more information on how the Federal Adoption Tax credit you can read this post.

What if 2013 was the year…

What if 2013 was the year that: 

• Every waiting child in the US and Canada was adopted into a Christian family
• Every child waiting for their family through international adoption was united with their family
• Every Christian globally realized that they are called to care for the fatherless
• Every country decided that they must do something to provide permanence for their orphans
• Every country closed to international adoption opened back up
• Every family waiting got the phone call or email they have been praying for
• Every church developed a culture of adoption
• Every orphan has a chance to hear the gospel

What would you add to the list? Will you join us in praying that this would be the year that God does more than we can ask or imagine for the fatherless! 

 

 

 

October Conferences and Chosen Marathon

New Braunfels, TX – The Chosen Marathon for adoption! Saturday, October, 27, 2012

Columbia, SC – Please join ABBA Fund at the Finding Families Adoption and Foster Care Conference. Learn more about how you and your church can have an impact in the lives of families and children.

Friday, October 26, 2012 – 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM – Christian Life Church – 2700 Bush River Road, Columbia, South Carolina

Hosted by U.S. Senator Jim DeMint

Irving, TX – The 2012 Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Conference is only two weeks away, but there is still room for more — so make plans to attend on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at Irving Bible Church.

This year’s Tapestry Conference offers several unique opportunities!  In fact, the conference actually consists of three separate events — and you are invited to attend any or all of them.

On Friday, October 26, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tapestry will host an Attachment Workshop led by Dr. Curt Thompson, author of Anatomy of the Soul.  The workshop is ideal for adoptive and foster parents, professionals, ministry leaders, and others who desire to pursue lasting change in how they relate to the children they love and serve.  Training credits for foster and adoptive parents will be available, as well as CEUs for Texas licensed social workers and counselors.  Due to the tremendous response, only 20 spaces are still available for the workshop – so register today!

On Friday evening, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Tapestry will host Listen To Our Hearts.  This unique presentation will focus on the experiences, stories, and perspectives of adopted persons, and will feature Carissa Woodwyk, speaker and author of Before You Were Mine.

And last but not least, on Saturday, October 27, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tapestry will host the 2012 Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Conference, featuring Dr. Curt Thompson as the general session speaker.

The 2012 Tapestry Conference will feature 18 new breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics relevant to adoptive and foster parents, those considering adoption, adopted persons, professionals, and ministry leaders.

As in year’s past, the Tapestry Conference is completely free, and includes a light breakfast, lunch, conference materials, and training credits for adoptive and foster parents.

You won’t want to miss the 2012 Tapestry Conference and pre-conference events.  Visit http://tapestryconference.org/register to register online.

Help Advocate to Renew & Expand the Adoption Tax Credit

Many of you have wondered what will happen to the Federal Adoption Tax Credit after it is set to expire at the end of this year. On April 17, 2012, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced the Making Adoption Affordable Act. The act will permanently expand the federal adoption tax credit to $13,360 and make it refundable.

Congressman Braley’s bill is an important first step in making this financial help available to families into the future and therefore help many more children into Christian homes. For most families the financial cost of adoption is the number one hurdle to moving forward. We have seen the Tax Credit serve as a catalyst to many families taking the step of faith in adoption and hope to see it continue.

Will you join us in advocating on behalf of orphaned and vulnerable children by contacting your member of Congress to urge them to vote “YES” on the Making Adoption Affordable Act?

You can find the contact information for your Representative by clicking HERE.