Defending the Fatherless - Summer Elective at Grace

Bridges is excited about the opportunity to offer a summer elective class at Grace Covenant Church entitled Defending the Fatherless.

This 6-week study starting July 11-August 15 will explore the theological and the practical aspects of defending the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17) through adoption, foster care, and global orphan care. Topics will include: vertical adoption (how we are all adopted by God), horizontal adoption (how we adopt and care for orphans), and how we can practically respond to the fatherless whom God highly esteems. Classes will include curriculum from Hope for Orphans, panels of adoptive families and adult adoptees, and Austin-area experts on foster care, adoption, and orphan care.


This class will be offered to those who serve in the children's ministry first and then it will open to anyone interested. Please check it out!

Adoption Community Group-Janie Cravens

On Saturday, April 17, Bridges hosted Janie Cravens to speak on 1) Talking About Adoption with Children, and 2) Dealing with Everyone's Questions and Comments. Ms. Cravens has 30+ years experience in adoption, infertility, birthparent concerns, orphanages, teaching and consultation. She was one of the pioneers of open adoption, and continues to be involved in the direct practice of this approach over the child’s lifespan.

One areas of discussion was how adoptive parents should respond to questions and comments that are heard often by adoptive families. Ms. Cravens encouraged families to have "stock" answers to avoid sharing too much personal information or how to handle just rude questions! She suggested that many of these questions and comments, while slightly offensive to adoptive parents, are often "unexamined" and really not intentionally hurtful.

Here are a few of those questions and comments. If you are an adoptive parents or if you are in the process, look them over and discuss with your spouse or a friend how you can best respond, without being rude to the asker and how to protect your child from negative feelings that can come about when these things are overheard.

Your child is so lucky to be adopted by you!

How much did her adoption cost you?

Why did you adopt internationally when there are so many children here in the States waiting? (this question can be reversed!)

You are such a hero/saint to adopt!

What do you know about your son/daughter's birth parents? (Ms. Cravens would say that this is private information only for your child to one day decide to share)

Wow! He's really well adjusted! (this question gets more offensive the longer your child is home with you)

I have a friend who adopted from there and (insert any horrendous story about long wait times, extreme costs, or difficult child behavior)

Take some time and look over these comments. It will be well worth it when you are surprised by the grocery checkout woman, or your parents' neighbor or a good friend when they pop outs one of these comments!

Study: Difficult Future Awaits Most Foster Children

Study: Difficult Future Awaits Most Foster Children

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Adoption Tax Credit Extended and Increased

Adoption Tax Credit Extended and Increased

Read more about the tax credit -- good news does come!

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T4A Conference Coming to Austin - October 1-2

We are excited about Together for Adoption National Conference coming to Austin on October 1-2

Click here for more information about the keynote speakers:


http://www.togetherforadoption.org/?p=6033

Need a Couple of Book Recommendations?

Here is a great book that everyone should read if orphan care and adoption is on their hearts.

It is Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore.
It doesn't just discuss the miracle of adoption of a child into a forever family, but it dives deep into the adoption of believers into the family of Christ.


Another great book on parenting adopted children is The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis.
Though not overtly Christian, this book's principles and methods are found on a Christian worldview. Using compassion and grace to build a special bond between parent and child, without having to ignore boundaries.

Both must-reads if you are interested in adoption.

Praise God for a Wonderful Conference!

350 people were in attendance at A Future and A HOpe Adoption Conference at Grace Covenant Church. A multi-church team planned and prepared for the conference. Please see the Bridges of Grace website on the Adoption Conference website to download a pdf of the materials.

Dan Cruver, Director of Together for Adoption was the keynote speaker. He did an outstanding job explaining that our vertical adoption into Christ's family should be the foundation for any horizontal adoption of children into our family. (We are sorry to not have this recorded!)
An adoptive family panel consisting of families who had adopted internationally, domestically, and foster to adopt gave great insight.
Aaron Ivey, Worship Pastor at Austin Stone Community Church, sang his song Amos Story about waiting for his 2 children from Haiti to come home. (Praise God they are both living as Ivey's now!)