What is FSA?

Families Supporting Adoption is an organization sponsored by LDS Family Services which advocates a positive view of adoption and provides support to birth parents, adoptive families and all friends of adoption.

"Unique in our separate talents,
we can unite in our common goals."

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Illinois FSA
Annual
November Conference

"Building Families Through Love"
Saturday November 7th, 2009
9 a.m. -12 p.m.
(Lunch immediately following)

Full-screenWoodridge Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints
Church Building
7201 Woodridge Dr.
Woodridge, IL 60517

(between the I-355 Toll way and Illinois Route 53)

From I-355

Take the 75th Street exit.

Travel one mile west Woodridge Drive.


From Route 53

Travel ½ mile east on 75th St. to WoodridgeDrive.
Turn left and you’ll find the church on your right.

Click Here to RSVP
(please RSVP by Wednesday, November 4 so we can plan lunch quantities accordingly, Thanks!)

*Come get to know other members of FSA, share finding ideas,
discuss openness in adoption, and view Troy Dunn's Keynote Address from the
2009 National FSA Conference.


We're looking forward to seeing you there!

(Illinois couples can receive continuing education credits)
Business casual attire

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

November is National Adoption Awareness Month!

image from June 2005 Ensign Magazine, pg. 26


N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 9
National Adoption Awareness Month


Every year Adoptive Families Magazine creates a list of
30 WAYS TO CELEBRATE
National Adoption Awareness Month.

Start Making Your Plans Now!

What two or three things can you do during the month of November
to help others become more aware of and celebrate adoption?

NAAM History and more information
National Adoption Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Miracle of Adoption

photo courtesy of Flickr

I recently found this uplifting, quick read from a past BYU Women's Conference (Sharing Stations) archive. I particularly liked the following two excerpts from the article "The Miracle of Adoption" by Fara Dawn Bastian and Diane Evans:
"Certainly these are precious children of God with very special missions, beginning with the call of making a journey to find their eternal family. No matter how we make this journey of gathering our family together, one thing remains true; these are His children merely entrusted to us for this time. He loves them and wants us to bring them safely back home to him. It is a serious responsibility and a humbling honor to have these children bestowed upon us.
Birth parents entrust us to raise them; Heavenly Parents entrust us to return them."
and
"An adopted child is not an unwanted child; to the contrary. They are a child who was searched for, prayed for, cried for, begged for; received by arms that ached, making empty hearts full. Love is meant to be shared.

An adopted child isn’t an unloved child; rather, one that was loved so much by someone who was willing to sacrifice her greatest accomplishment so that child could have more than just her love. Someone who is willing to break her own heart to mend others; someone who watches others tears of joy through her tears of sorrow."

Monday, September 7, 2009

Save the Date!

Illinois FSA
Annual
November Conference


Saturday November 7th, 2009
9 a.m. -12 p.m.
(Lunch immediately after)

Woodridge church building
Woodridge, Illinois

More details to follow!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

HIS Timetable

Thursday, August 13, 2009

NCFA Newsletter

NCFA is pleased to announce the release of Adoption Advocate No. 15 August 2009, entitled "NCFA Supports the Families for Orphans Act (FFOA) and the Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act (FACE).”

Monday, August 10, 2009

Celebrating Adoption


"Annual conference strengthens all involved in the adoption process "

In case you were not able to attend the National FSA Conference
you can read a bit about the keynote address given by
Troy Dunn here:
Celebrating Adoption
and
Mormon Times
shared a few thoughts from five of the workshops.

For those who were able to attend, it was an amazing and empowering weekend!
Start making arrangements now so you can attend next year - you'll be glad you did!

Friday, July 24, 2009

National Conference Video Stream


For those of you who will not be able to attend the national conference this weekend, a video stream has been set up for the keynote speaker and the birth parent panel so that all may enjoy! You can view the video stream here.

With high speed internet access, you will be able to view this anywhere. Streaming will occur twice: Saturday, August 1st at 9:30 MDT and again at 1:00 MDT. Nine breakout sessions will also be taped and made available on the National FSA website at a later date. Email if you have additional questions.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Words From Our Leaders Wednesday

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NCFA: PWSA

BIPARTISAN NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN SUPPORT ACT
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2009


Dear Friend of Adoption:

TODAY is the Bipartisan National Day of Action for the Pregnant Women Support Act (PWSA, H.R. 2035 and S. 1032). We need your support and action as this legislation intends to provide positive and accurate adoption information.

Both Acts are supported by Democrats for Life of America. H.R. 2035 is sponsored by Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) and 35 bipartisan co-sponsors; and S. 1032 is sponsored by Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) and co-sponsored by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE). PWSA represents a non-partisan initiative that has garnered wide support from both pro-choice and pro-life advocates.

If enacted, PWSA would:

- Establish an 800 telephone number for pregnancy support services
- Provide for pregnancy counseling and childcare in universities
- Provide accurate adoption information to pregnant women
- Increase the adoption tax credit and make it permanent
- Exclude pregnancy as a pre-existing condition within health insurance
- Require SCHIP to provide coverage for pregnant women and the pre-born

What can you do?

- Contact your Representative and Senator and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2035, or to say “thanks” if he/she is already a sponsor
- Call the House switchboard toll-free at 877-851-6437 and ask to speak to your Representative
- E-mail your Representative through www.Congress.org

On behalf of pregnant women everywhere, NCFA thanks you for your time, effort, and support of this legislation.

Friday, July 10, 2009




Walking with Two Sisters
By Larry Hiller

"Faith walks before me,
Holding up her lamp
As I try not to stumble in the in-dark hours before the dawn.
Her light illuminates
One step and then another.
Beside me, Hope, arm linked with mine, encourages and steadies.
Sometimes in the tedium,
Distracted by the pain,
My mind begins to wander, then my feet. I hesitate.
Unsure, I look to Hope.
Her hand takes mine.
The touch reminds me of another hand held out to me,
One pierced and scarred
Yet oh so tender
Lifting me and blessing me when I had fallen and despaired.
Remembering,
I move ahead
Buoyed up by Hope, who sees the end with perfect clarity."
Ensign, June 2009 p. 9

"For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off." ~Proverbs 23: 18

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."
Dale Carnegie

"Our Heavenly Father is our Father, and he is watching over us, looking after us, guiding us, and directing us. And he will be there to help us if we have questions, problems, or trials if we will but go to him. And then, through the strength we find in him, our lot will not seem so difficult.

The gospel helps us to put things in their proper perspective, to see the eternal nature of things, and, through faith, to overcome our problems and recognize that many of them are blessings in disguise. Sometimes those who have suffered the greatest tragedies in life are brought to recognize that even those tragedies have been great blessings for growth and development."

Winder, Barbara W., No Joy Without the Struggle, BYU Devotional, 7 June 1987

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

National FSA 2009 Conference


July 31st & August 1st, 2009

For the schedule of events and registration information click here.


You Might Be Interested . . .

There is a new adoption networking site you might be interested in looking at:


There are various "groups" you can join such as:

Adoption Voices - LDSFS Adoption

Check it out - it may be a place for you to find the answers you have been seeking!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Picnic Canceled

Please Note:

The "Sail-ebrate" Adoption picnic has been canceled.
Plan now for a social gathering at our
November Adoption Conference.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Father's Day!


Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandpas, birth fathers,

foster dads, and men who influence our lives.


“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.”

~ Anne Geddes

“Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.”

~ Ruth E. Renkel

A Father Indeed
Mormon Messages

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Two Friendly Reminders:

1. Remember to RSVP to illinoisfsa@gmail.com by Monday June 22nd if you are planning on attending our "Sail-ebrating" Adoption Picnic

2. Have a Frosty Weekend!
Take the fathers (birth fathers, fathers, husbands, grandfathers, brothers, friends)
in your life out for a special treat and support a great cause!
Happy Father's Day!


Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Dont' Forget . . . . .


Check your calendar,
Mark the date,
Make sure you join us
As we "Sail-ebrate"

ADOPTION!

Pack a picnic dinner and join us for an afternoon
of mingling, picnicking, and outdoor fun!

Saturday June 27th

Our toy boats will set sail from 3-6 p.m.
(IL-FSA will supply desserts)

Please RSVP if you will be joining us (and the number attending) to Christy at illinoisfsa@gmail.com by Monday, June 22nd.

Email Illinoisfsa@gmail.com if you have questions, would like to volunteer, or have photography skills you would like to share at this event.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Pass Along Cards

Pass Along Cards are a great way to spread the word that you are hoping to adopt. We carry around a handful of them at all times and when the topic of conversation turns to adoption (which we try to make happen ALL the time!) we have our pass along cards to share with anyone and everyone.

therhouse is hosting a Pass Along Card giveaway (courtesy of Spaces for Faces). The rules are simple - comment on therhouse blog leaving her your email address and you are entered in for a chance to win one set of 250 cards. That's it -- yes, it's that easy!
Good Luck!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Frosty Weekend

Sunday, June 21st
Father's Day will be here before you know it! It's not too early to start thinking about how you can make it special . . . . Looking for something different for dad besides another tie? For those with a sweet tooth, treat dad (and yourself) to a Frosty from Wendy's and $0.50 for every Frosty sold will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Don't miss out on Father's Day Frosty Weekend and
support adoption/foster care while you celebrate the fathers in your families!

**Design a one of a kind Father’s Day card (it's free!) on the Frosty.com site and $.25 will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption!

Yum!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Illinois FSA - Celebrate Adoption Picnic

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday June 27, 2009
Come "Sail-ebrate" Adoption
with the Illinois FSA Chapter

Our toy boats will set sail from 3-6 p.m. at
Lake Ellyn Park in Glen Ellyn, IL
Additional details will be made available in future posts

Email Illinoisfsa@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to volunteer

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day

Celebrating Motherhood -- Mother's Day

Observed the second Sunday of May, by proclamation of
President Woodrow Wilson in 1914.

"A mother always has to think twice,
once for herself and once for her child."
~Sophia Loren~

Mormon Messages: "Happy Mother's Day, Mom"

The Title of Mother

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Birthmother's Day


Celebrate Birthmothers today and everyday!

Love and cherish the incredible women and
mothers that they are.
Celebrate the lives they created.
Share in and respect their dreams
and the dreams they have for their children.
Honor the sacrifice they made to help build families.

Celebrate Birthmothers today and everyday!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

An Adoptive Mother's Perspective

For those in the adoptive community in the “Finding/Waiting” phase, Mother’s Day can be an extremely trying holiday.

Mother’s Day was the least celebrated holiday in our home for the seven years we were married before our son joined our family in August of 2006. Every Mother’s Day for seven years was spent in tears. The Saturday night before Mother's Day, I told my husband that I didn’t think I could go to church the next day. I didn’t have the strength to listen to the children sing to their mothers as my heart and arms ached, longing for a child. “ALL women are mothers in some form” a member of the Bishopric would say as they asked all the mothers in the congregation to stand. I would drop my head knowing deep down that it was true, there was more than one way to be a mother, but I still longed to be called “Mommy” by a sticky fingered, blessed little spirit running around my home. I would wipe away the tears and question why we are all commanded to “multiply and replenish the earth” with exception of us (visualize an enormous finger pointing down from the heavens at me and my husband!)

My first Mother's Day with our son was one of my most special days. My poor husband thought he was free from tears on Mother's Day now that we had adopted our son, but this time there were tears of joy, love and gratitude. There were even tears of sorrow as I thought about the pain our dear birthmother and birthmothers everywhere were experiencing. It was on this day that I realized the errors of my ways while dealing with our seven years of “waiting” for our adoption miracle. I needed to change my thinking. We were not cursed with infertility; we were blessed to have been chosen by a loving Heavenly Father to be adoptive parents! The two of us were a couple that would have strength enough to survive the challenges of the adoption process - Adoption is not for the faint of heart! We were a couple that would have the capability to raise a child placed in our arms by another woman. Not only would we have the opportunity to raise a child, but we would get to meet, know, and completely love the true angel in the birthmother that would entrust us with the sacred duty of raising her child. How special it is to be living among angels.

We feel honored to have such an open adoption with our son's birthmother and family. We feel honored to associate with those whose families are created through the most emotional and most wonderful experience called adoption. We know our son is meant to be a part of our family – there is no doubt about that. He just took a different, less traditional route to find his way home. He fills a place in our heart that only he, his birthmother, and her family could have filled. It was a painful wait, but each day as we watch him grow, we know that our Father in Heaven has specifically tailor-made our family for us.

As we ride the roller coaster of the adoption process again and as our “wait” seems to move forward at a turtle’s pace, we find peace in knowing that the Lord is again designing our specific family. He knows each of us individually, our needs, and he has not left us alone nor will He. Creating families is a delicate process that takes time, thought, and “waiting”. It is all done in love. Adoption is truly all about love.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” ~Jeremiah 29:11

If you are in the “hoping to adopt” finding/waiting phase of the adoption process, know that you are not alone. There are many of us that have stood where you are standing or are where you are. It isn’t always an easy place to be, but there are people that understand!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

May is National Foster Care Month

National Council For Adoption Celebrates
National Foster Care Month with Launch of
Families For All PSA Campaign

"Alexandria, VA – The National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is celebrating May as National Foster Care month with the launch of a new Families For All public service announcement (PSA) featuring its National Adoption Spokesperson, country music recording artist Rodney Atkins."
Click HERE to read the full story

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

BIRTHMOTHER
B is for the bravery of putting your child first
I is for the interest you have in your child
R is for remaining true to what you believed is best
T is for the tears you shed
H is for the hours you spend pondering adoption
M is for the months you were pregnant
O is for the overwhelming and mixed emotions
T is for the terrific woman you are
H is for the honor you deserve
E is for the experience of labor
R is for the reward of choosing life

by Leslie Gallimore of Charlotte Pregnancy Center
Published July 2004 in the BirthMom Buds Bulletin
*Birthmother's Day - Saturday, May 9th &
Mother's Day - Sunday, May 10th*

Let us remember these amazing women who chose the unselfish act of giving their children the gift of life and giving the gift of parenthood to couples desiring to be parents. Birthmothers deserve our support, recognition and respect - Thank you Birthmothers!

Use these days to celebrate in a way that is comfortable to your individual situations, to spread information about the benefits of open adoption, and to educate others about the true faces of birthmothers.
To read more about the history of Birthmother's Day and ways you can celebrate/honor them visit here.