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I tried adopting in Los Angeles where it is totally free plus you get a monthly stipend plus free medical, psychiatric and therapy care until the child is 21 but after years trying and failing even with fostering, God chose Bulgaria for me. They don’t care what my age is. I’m 81 and I have adopted 11 children who are all happy and contributing adult members of society. Although I love leisure and eating chocolate bonbons ( sugar-free), hearing and following God’s call is the sweetest of all delicacies. And I love the Felts family! -Mayra Fernandez
I cannot fathom how people find the audacity to ask you questions like that. I’m glad that you were able to give those girls a loving home, that’s all that matters! ❤
Even though you owe no one an explanation, you explained everything so well. Hopefully this will also open people's minds to possibly considering international adoption.
I’ve been following you for a couple years and have not made any comments yet. I love your videos I love everything you do! You have a lot of clear thinking in how to answer absurd questions. So proud of you!
Lady, good for you!! My gosh. You’re heroes. What you’ve done for these children is incredible. And I will say it: Thank you so much for what you’re doing. I really liked what you said here about how children’s geography, race or gender has no bearing on the fact that they deserve a home. Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, I think any family wanting to adopt any child is brave and needs to be supported no matter where the child is from. As you have pointed out in your earlier videos, with each adopted child there is one less orphan in this world. Staying true to your call in life is where it is at. You and Stan are both an inspiration and a blessing.
You and I are very different people with differing paths, but I really respect this post and your family’s journey. Two things I would like clarify: Aging out of foster care in the US is not much better than the situation internationally (no support, no housing…) and sadly many foster parents do not keep a relationship with their former foster kids. Also, I’d like people to know that adoption of kids in foster care here is virtually no-cost (though as you said, most kids ‘available for adoption’ are older, not babies).
This. Our family was a foster care family. My brother and baby sister were added to our family from foster to adopt. We also fostered many other children. Sadly, we have seen children age out of the foster care system and be basically put out on the street. It happens here in the United States. In GA foster children that are older (I think 6) that are adopted continue to receive financial assistance from the state.
It’s not even necessarily just on the foster family to keep a relationship going with the kids after they go back to their bio family.Depending on the age of the kids depends on whether it’s up to them or their bio families to have an on going relationship with the foster family.
I heard via my girlfriend in Massachusetts who adopted a daughter at age 2 that she gets free school lunches not that my girlfriend allows her to eat them daily and she also gets free uni fees later and she still gets to keep her free doctor like she had in foster care which for them is great. They have their own insurance but if they change jobs its easlier to have her always with medical insurance until she leaves high school.
Very well said, Ashley! I was about 5 years old when I started saying I wanted to adopt twin girls from China. I have just always had that on my heart. I have had family members and friends ask why I would not adopt in America, first. Also, they want to know why I want girls. I say the same as you, it was just laid on my heart. I’m 41, and it hasn’t happened yet, but it’s coming!!! Thank you for your honesty and willingness to put up with the negative comments and questions, so you can minister to those of us that are open to it.
Here listening to this discourse , I didn't even thought about skin coloured of a child , I am no more but shock you facing all this situations .I hope you gone have the strength to detach of this kind of poisoning comments , a family starting with all kind of fussy reasons they goes adopting kids and they will raise a lot of traumas in those kids hearts pretending they know better how they should look , what they should eat , what jobs they should do instead of embracing a child like a secret treasure which you don't really know how is gone be , what kind of new thinks they will bring in your life , new lessons .Let kids find them self , love them and guide them with delicacy towards they own special and individual path .I congratulate you for your dedication and special , beautiful intuition and vibrant love guiding you trough this whole process .
Just so you know: if you adopt domestically from foster care it is free. We have adopted 6 times and it’s never cost us more than court fees. There are also waiting children that are available to adopt domestically. We have helped facilitate adoptive placements too. I think your family is doing what it feels drawn to and nothing is wrong with that. Just pointing out a few things that I heard that I know are not true. But, I mean it in kindness and any child that gets a family is deserving wherever they are born.
Thanks for sharing. I believe I did state in my video that fostering-to-adopt is essentially free. And yes, you are correct, there are waiting children in America as well. No one is arguing that fact.
Yes. And again, I really am not coming from a place of anything. We support all families. I just wanted to point out that there are routes for those that want to pursue a domestic situation where you do not have to foster with reunification as an option. There are lots of kids that are available to be adopted without being traditionally “fostered”. I just wouldn’t want someone to think that the only option domestically is to foster and maybe have that child return home or leave. There are other options if someone wants to adopt a non-infant domestically. International adoption, domestic, fostering, whatever we are supportive. You guys have clearly changed your daughters lives and they yours. Hoping you can bring your daughter in China home soon.
You are an angel here on earth. I’m blessed to hear about your life and journey of adoption. I love your tone; no matter what it is. Love, from Sharon, Indiana
I love to watch your channel so much, but I read the questions that are in I can't! It is nobody elses busyness what decisions you make!! It drive me crazy that people are so pretentious!! It is your life and you do what you think is the right for your family. Stay save and I hope your 2 new kids come soon in your wonderful family. ❤
You explained that so well and I know how hard it is to adopt a baby in this country because my daughter has tried. I love your videos and watching those beautiful girls grow and thrive
I have to admit that I'm a bit envious of some distant relatives who were handed a healthy newborn five months after "signing up on a list" as my mother explained it to me. My niece's uncle Josh married another man named Josh (lol) and in less then a year, they were flying from their home in DC to pick up their daughter in Texas. I don't know them, so I don't know why it was so easy. As a middle aged woman who doesn't do relationships, I'd never be approved for adoption from an agency. And I don't have a hundred grand to go private. So I'm left doing embryo adoption in the hopes that one implants and survives before I age out in five years. Sigh...
My husband and I adopted 5 children from other countries. Why from other countries? Because we were told by a number of domestic adoption agencies that we were too old to adopt!!! We were in our 40s and already had kids so we knew what it took to be a parent. Result 5 children who needed families rom other coubtries joined our family.
It's such a pity that you needed to make this video but I understand your situation. I have always been interested in adopting even as a small child. After having three kids my husband and I were able to adopt a baby boy. At the time the need was in Vietnam so that was where we went. My child of three months arrived very sick and under weight eve though he had been in "good" orphanage. I received plenty of nasty comments from ignorant people even in the large Australian hospital where he was treated. Thankfully he is now grown and healthy. Wishing you all the best with your future adoptions.
Thank you for sharing all of this and sharing your heart.... Which is big❤ I stated as a fifteen year old That when I got married , I wanted four kids And at least one boy and one girl , but I felt like I was going to have all boys and would have to adopt to get my girl. Boy did God know what was in store for me. I had four biological boys And lost four girls through miscarriages. Really wanting a daughter I fell back on what I had claimed as a teenager and God led us to The country of Philippines. There we were placed with a tiny.Not quite three year old while we were expecting a little bit older but God knew. In fact, while I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was praying and a lady answered me later that night, saying she was told (by God) that our daughter was OK in the Philippines. That was right about the time that she was being boand we would wait another three and a half years before she was. God's timing is always right even if we don't think so. For all you wonder. Ing about adopting.... Quit questioning whether you can do it and if God's telling you to ....just go for it
Hello Ashley- What you and Stan are doing is clearly with the purest of hearts. And adoption is lovely and one of the most important things a person can do with their lives. I have had friends that have adopted here in Amerca and one outside the country. No difference, all of the children needed saved so to speak. The foster system here in this country seems to be broke to me. And yes when some of the children here age out of the system, sometimes they are left with pretty much nothing and no where to go, and also do end up in trouble. The difference is in America in general , there are more opportunities than in many other countries. As you say the countries you have found your children in offer little opportunities as in comparison and that's where the problem is. I suspect when some of the people ask you these questions they are sincerely trying to understand and perhaps to educate themselves. Some of the questons do sound a bit personal I agree, but that kind of goes with putting yourself out there...people are curious. Maybe they feel safe enough with you to ask the things they are actually thinking. The problem is with the people that are being cruel, and challenge you and judge you even after you answer their questions. Shut them down. Don't let them bother you these people go through life like this and how sad for them.
Thank you! I can tell the difference in people's agenda when asking us the questions. Anyone can ask us any question, however the intent/motive behind it is what is bothersome. I can't stop people asking questions or making unjust accusations, however, there are times when I feel the need to speak up, and this is the season I am in right now. No tolerance is where I am at right now. ha! Thank you for your kind words.
I don’t understand why so many people are so rude. Also, even in the church I see so many judgements on this. I had neighbors who adopted an American teen who was white and his kids were hispanic. I thought: look what you did for that kid-how awesome!” But I would have been just as happy for them if it was a girl internationally. How amazing!
The Lord spoke very clearly to me that I would be adopting a little girl out of foster care. Several years later that did in fact happen despite not intending to be an adoptive family.
I think you choose those kids which stories are touching you .Is what I understood watching all along your adoption adventure .I would love to adopt , and I'm in love in all stories of adoption .I will willing to adopt a girl as well and from Ukraine , that 's what I feel write now.If I will end up adopting ot not I don't know but definitely I am in love in your adoption stories ad I have watching you and others everyday when I have some free tie, you like part of my life now .I'm enjoying to see girls progresses and how they really blossoming living a love in love and with an education .Hugs and kisses !
I love adoption storys my husband and I stayed here in the States to adopt. My family is made up of 15 children. Two birth children hey girl and a boy twelve adopted and one coming to a close. State side adoption through foster to adopt takes so long that all I can think about is it's the longest labor a woman and a man could ever go through, almost 2 years into our youngest now. Two of our adopted children we're from a adoption agency 6 months and 1 day is all it took from the day the child was placed with us. Of course we do not have 15 children living in the home now. We follow all the state guideline and it is 6 children in the home. Most of our children are special needs which is perfectly fine they're perfect to me. The Lord put it on my husband and I to adopt, my life could be a simple as lots of sleep clean house and a lot of running around but you do get sleep my house is still clean and they keep me running around. I only hope the best for you all I pray that your adoptions go speedy and your blessed to have the little girls because I only have four daughters and 11 sons.... I favor the boys and as far as skin color yes we do have black children and yes we have blue-eyed blonde and yes we have sassy and yes we have some that are very smart but each and every one of them are a gift from God!
My mom said the same thing, why not a child from the USA? For me the Lord gave me a vision of her. He gave me a scripture in Isaiah that said “I will bring your seed from the east and gather you in the west!” He did amazing miracles in getting her to us. What Holts said was impossible, God chose to make it possible! 😊
Hey Ashley, l'm sorry if you thought l was 1 of the people being snarky. I was just curious. I didn't mean to be rude. I hope you guys can adopt as many kids as you want. I'll be Praying for you guys. Keep us informed on how things are going with your family. Do you know if any of your older children are going to adopt.
The Lord lead me to your page. Adoption has always been on my heart❤️ I have raised my kids with this heart and passion. My oldest son and his fiance just told us they intend to adopt. Train up a child😭 the judgy comments blow my mind.
Also there aren’t any orphanages in the great ole USA. We have a stressed foster care system. So to me it makes sense to go abroad to orphanages were children experience profound physical, emotional and spiritual neglect. No finger pointing intended.
Hi Ashley. I was wondering if you could speak about fostering to adopt. I know this is not your family’s personal experience, but I thought you might have some info about it. I also wanted to say that regardless of what you do, you can’t win. I watch other TH-cam families (white couples who have adopted black children & black couples who have adopted white children), & they get similar questions about race. Why should it matter? As long as you’re providing a safe & loving home for your children, that’s all that should matter.
@@TheFeltsFamily I completely understand. Well, maybe you can have a guest on to talk about it. Someone who has experience with fostering a child. I just thought it could open up more avenues for couples who are looking to adopt but don’t have the resources to do so. Just an idea if it’s something you’d like to consider.
People age out here too with no stability. Also not all foster families are good families and that’s in the us. I know this because my family began adopting
Can I ask how do you support your big beautiful family? I’m new to your channel. I love that you love these children from other countries that are mentally disabled. God bless you and your family 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😀🥰🤗
Hey there and welcome! We live within our means. We don’t have debt except our home and one minivan note(which will be paid off this year) We have great medical insurance through my husbands job. We have no daycare cost or private schooling costs because I’ve always homeschooled. We don’t try to keep up with all the luxury things others may have. Lastly, the Lords great provision. 🧡
I’ve watched your channel and many other adoptive families for a long time and rarely feel the need to write a “negative” or “corrective” comment, but parts of this were hard to listen to as someone working through the process of adopting from foster care and with loved ones who have. You shared misinformation as if it is fact. Yes, fostering is designed with the primary goal of reunifying families. But there are thousands of kids in this country whose parents’ rights have been terminated and their plan for permanency is to find an adoptive family. Those children can be adopted for free or extremely minimal fees depending upon the state. The statistics of how many children who age out of the US foster care system are heartbreaking as far as ending up in prison, pregnant extremely young, in prostitution, dead, etc. The situations do not look exactly the same as other countries, of course, but many are aging out without support systems in place and the tools needed to make their own way. The system is extremely broken here. Your family and your girls are beautiful and I’ve loved getting to learn from the information you’ve shared, but as you said, you were called to international adoption and didn’t explore all that much about domestic adoption (domestic infant or from foster care, which are completely different processes), so please just be careful speaking so strongly about something you’re not fully versed in. Many of these comments did come across as ignorant and insensitive, just as others’ comments and questions have come across to you.
Thank you for sharing, but I disagree. I did not share misinformation. I think you are more frustrated that I don't go into more detail about foster care or domestic adoption. You must understand that it does not make me ignorant or insensitive if I am not sharing ALL that you want me to on a topic or because I share more facts on another topic. I understand that our story and our platform here is about ADOPTION and most specifically, OUR experience with international adoption. I share very little information on domestic adoption or fostering, because that is not what our family is well-versed in. In fact, those that ask in more depth about it, I will not answer and instead, point them in the direction of someone who is knowledgable about that topic. You will NEVER find me flippantly throwing out misinformation on any topic, much less one that involves the life of a child. I 1,000% agree with you that there are thousands of children available for adoption here in the US, that are not infants. I said that you will see the vast majority of families wanting to adopt a newborn domestically, not older children, and that is a FACT. But in me saying that, does not discount that there are thousands of older children available for adoption. Once again, you need to realize that my videos are not about fostering or domestic adoptions, because that is not our family's area of expertise or experience. I can not share every fact you feel I should share, but I guarantee you, I am not sharing misinformation by any stretch of the imagination. I take this topic of adoption VERY seriously. Thanks for sharing your insight. ;)
I don't doubt for one minute that you are doing what God has called your family to do-- and thank you for doing that-- but the information presented here is very one-sided. Firstly, private infant adoptions are not the only kind of domestic adoption. There are 400,000 children in foster care and of those, 117,000 are "waiting children" meaning both mom and dad (and grandma, grandpa, etc.) have either lost or given up their parental rights and you could bring them home in a few weeks after being matched and adopt them in six months, God willing. (I am not saying you, Ashley, need to adopt one but maybe some of your followers might be interested in that road. I know that you and Stan are following God's call for your family. Adopting waiting children is God's call for other families, including mine.) And, yes, domestic INFANT adoptions are very expensive, but adopting a waiting child is free. In fact, you are given a per diem (not necessarily enough, but something) while you are fostering the child, and you will never have to pay for their healthcare even after adoption. Yes, you are correct that "fostering is not for adoption" -- the goal is always reunification for foster children *when parental rights have not already been terminated.* After parental rights have been terminated, which is the situation of those 117,000 waiting children, there is no one to reunify with, and the goal is 100% adoption. I also STRONGLY urge you to look up statistics on children who age out of foster care in the United States-- homelessness, drugs, prostitution, etc. are rampant because these kids are really NOT given resources to help them get on their feet if they age out in a group home or other institution, which most will as people do not want to foster teenagers or even older kids. (Kids are considered highly unlikely to be adopted by age 4-5.) Children who age out are statistically frighteningly likely to be dead or in jail by age 25. They are also much less likely to graduate from high school.. I am not saying conditions in other countries are not as bad or worse, but I do feel as though you have really downplayed the realities that children here face. I am a huge fan of your channel and do not want to be snarky or ugly at all-- I just wanted to point out some important things that might have been downplayed or come off wrong. God bless you and the wonderful work you are doing for these precious little girls. I hope your Bulgaria paperwork goes through soon, and also that Lilly Grace comes home from China ASAP! EDIT: I also want to add that I do not think for ONE second that you intentionally said anything false or uninformed. Many people don't know that foster care, fostering to adopt, and adopting a waiting child through foster care are three different things, and the realities, logistics, and situations are very different-- and that domestic private infant adoption is a fourth and also very different thing. Lots of people make these mistakes or don't have this information until they are on that journey-- I certainly didn't, and I am an adoptee myself!
Hello! Girl, all the information that you gave, I agree with you. I clarified the highlights that I felt was needed and that I had the time for. I know the statistics of domestic infant adoptions as opposed to how many kids are in foster care. I almost put all of the statistic in my video, and opted not to. Why? Well, because this video would have been VERY long had I decided to dive into ALL that you just stated. This video was not about giving all the ins and outs to domestic/fostering/international adoption. My goal was to express that it does NOT matter how, where, when, or why--but just ADOPT. Trust me, I know that foster children here in America live a shit life before the age of 18 and after aging out. I wasn't dismissive of it. However, I won't back down from the fact that children in 3rd world countries--live a life that children here in America TYPICALLY do not experience. Are there some that do. Yes. However, it is not the norm like it is in other countries. I agree with all that you said, and I am not bothered that you commented, however, I was not one sided or dismissive. The INTENT of this video was not to give every fact and statistic about the many avenues of adoption. My intent is to clarify that people just need to say YES to adoption-- no matter the geographical location, color of their skin, or their gender. That is the main message that needs to be said and heard. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! :)
Back in June--about 6 families are so were given permission to travel and bring their kids home. Then as of yesterday, 5 more families were invited. So, slowly the doors are opening.
Ashley, I'm just curious. When Jackson and Grayson move out, are you going to adopt boys to go in their room or more girls? I know that right now they are the only boys.
Let me tell you and I agree with what I have me and my wife through is that adoption in the US is most kids in America can make the kids biological parent can get the kid back even if you don’t want it to happen. Sad . Overseas adoption is final the biological parents cannot get them back.
I think you have had to consider who will be a good fit for your family. You have Micha and Isabel, I feel this next adoption is a good fit and will be successful for you all. Well done Xxx
We opted for international adoption because we are a couple from different faiths (I am Jewish and my husband is Christian) and it was extremely difficult 25 years ago to find an adoption agency that would work with a couple from different faiths. We were turned down repeatedly. We eventually adopted two beautiful girls from Mexico who have been raised Jewish (my husband approves). But it was a very painful and humiliating experience for us.
Offering a Q and A is to answer questions based off my family's thoughts, beliefs, convictions. NOT to satisfy you or anyone else. Move on elsewhere if you don't like the content I put out.
Hello! NO ILL INTENT HERE❤ I've been following for years and I thought I remembered the video where you first talked about Lilly Grace, that you hadn't been led to her by God. Rather you saw her and it laid heavy on you and you had to explain to Stan why you thought she would be your next daughter. Do you think that maybe he adoption process has been delayed and more difficult because she wasn't "shown" to you and you weren't led to her as you were in the first two adoptions? Obviously, COVID made a mess of everything, everywhere but it just seems like her process is just not sorting itself out even though most policies have returned to normal. Just curious ❤❤❤
Hey there. Of gosh no, absolutely not. When I say not “led” - I just mean there wasn’t this huge ahaha sign from the Lord like it was with Isabelle and Mika. However, I do believe the Lord led us to her in a different manner. More of a quiet way as in we are already instructed to care for the widows and orphans- so why am I waiting to have this huge sign from God. His word- scripture- should be enough for us. So, no. I don’t believe for one second the delay is due to how we perceive the direction from the Lord.
You have already adopted two none white children yet you are still asked why you don’t adopt black children…….. smh !!! I wouldn’t even answer those questions you have been answering questions like that since you first started vlogging You describe adoption so well……just keep on doing what you do. Gen U.K. x
Ok i get the “God lead” aspect. But as a foster kid wit NO safety net when i aged out, and emergency placement foster mom, and adoptive from foster care mom, i BEG of you to correct the misnomers you spread in this video about adopting from foster care. 1. There are foster kids who i personally know who had rights terminated at 2, and were never adopted and aged out with no safety net. 2. Foster to adoption is harder as many of those kids are up for unification still. But every state has a straight adoption eligible list. 3. Do kids over seas deserve homes also? YES! But not at the expense of people believing that is the only way. It is not. Kids here, all ethnicities are AVAILABLE NOW. The rarest being babies sure especially white babies. But our system is so broken, especially now with the drug crisis. It is obvious you know a lot about non domestic adoption, but please, talk to officials in the state adoption sector, in the group homes, in the church run orphanages. What you said about domestic adoption is 90% wrong. God bless you for taking children in need of families from anywhere, but you have a platform and your information MUST be trus as folks will look to you for information. ALL kids from everywhere deserve a loving family. Let’s help them get one as much as we can. Big hugs to your kiddos, and to you for doing your part.
Hello! No mam. 90% of what I said about domestic adoption is not incorrect. I never claimed that ALL fostered children in America have it made and I acknowledged that many are dealt a crappy life as they live within the foster system(minute 13:28 in my video). However, what I said is that the NORM in other countries is that orphans live in deplorable conditions, and you see that MORE in other third world countries than you do in the US. That does not discount that yes, some children here in America are treated terribly. It all sucks and I hate that any child has to live a life like that. I do not speak much on domestic adoption in my videos and you won't ever find me spreading misinformation. In addition, if I do speak on it, it's in generalities, not specifics to each person's stories. I am so terribly sorry that you had a poor experience. You and I can agree that the system is broken and so many children suffer because of it. It's infuriating. Please do not point me out as the one who is spreading incorrect information or discounting those in the system who actually have lived a terrible life because of our failing government. In regards to your last statement--YES--that is what I preach all of the time! It does NOT matter any orphan's geographical location--all that matters is that families are saying YES to adoption.
I absolutely respect and admire your decision to adopt internationally however it seems you are wildly uneducated on the orphan struggles in America. Please stop spreading misinformation on the needy children in America.
I didn’t spread not one ounce of mistruths nor did I diminish that SOME orphans here in foster care etc do live a crap life. However the difference is that it isn’t the “norm” as it is in other countries. The NORM in other countries is malnourished, neglected orphans . It’s seen everyday - everywhere. Of course that happens here in America and I acknowledged that. However, not like it is seen in other countries. Period.
I love what you have done for your little adoptees but your statistics are way off. Foster kids in America age out of foster care more than they are adopted. If you look up "America's waiting children" you will be heartbroken. Most of those children will age out. There is no assistance for these children after they are out of the foster care system. I am a former ICWA provider. I could tell you stories about the American foster care system that would make you sick. Adopt overseas if you like but do not tell untruths about the American foster system. It is horrible and children are damaged and abused by it every day.
My statistics are not wrong, nor did I really give any "statistics" from what I can remember within this video. I am unsure as to why you are leaving the comment, that you did. Please remember that you can not speak from BOTH sides of domestic and international adoption, just because you feel you are well versed with domestic adoptions. And the fact that you want to fuss at me for not stating the statistics you wanted instead of the goal of the message, which is that ALL orphans deserve a family, no matter their geographic location, race, or sex--you are missing the whole point. This is not DOMESTIC vs INTERNATIONAL adoptions. At the end of the day--it is maddening that in 2024, ANY child, who is not given support, protection, and provision, is pretty much thrown to the wolves AKA, the real world.It is maddening that so many will never have the love and support of a family that will help them become the best version of themelves. It is maddening that more families are not stepping up. However, I will not back down from the fact that children in third world countries are living a FAR more poverty stricken, homelessness, dangerous life than what you see here in America. People in third world countries do NOT adopt which means, the ratio of orphans to adoptive families is far more devastating. In addition, just because that statement is 100% TRUTH--that does not mean I am dismissing the neglect that happens here in America. At the end of the day, any orphan left without a family is DEVASATING, and that is the intention with my message here on TH-cam. My goal was not to state statistics, nor should yours.
@@TheFeltsFamily Whoa! You stated that there is more here for foster kids than overseas. I just wanted to get it straight. Also, there are homes for profoundly disabled children here where the care is probably on par with overseas orphanages. No need to become hostile because I corrected some of your information. Also, foster to adoption in the US is free to the adopter. Personally, I don't care where you adopt from.
YES YES YES, there are significantly more resources here for foster children/orphans than overseas. Absolutely. However, that statement does not dismiss that YES, even children here in America are forgotten, abused, left without any provision or resources. Yes, children here in America get the raw end of the deal and that should NEVER happen. It is apparent you have never been exposed to what orphans in third world countries live and experience. It is apparent that youhave never been exposed to what happens to the majority of aging out orphans in third world countries. because if you had been, then this discussion would not be happening. I 1,000% stand on the information, that was given in this video. There is zero hostility. LOL If you read my response to you and see hostility, then that is on you. It is quite comical yet frustrating,,how people can make such ignorant statements, yet, if anyone disputes that ignorance--then they are hostile. This will be the last time that I respond to you. My motive is not to argue with others. My goal is to bring awareness to the desperate need for families to say yes to adoption. Thank you.
I admire all that you do. It is absolutely amazing. I watched the whole video and I am thinking about the international over domestic and you mentioned fees. I thought you said international is cheaper, but listening to the amounts you mentioned, I thought that domestic was still cheaper. Am I wrong? ❤
Thank you! I may have not been super clear in my articulation 🤣. d Domestic adoptions can be as expensive or more expensive than international. I know families who adopted in America an infant and their fees were well over 40,000. But it varies case by case, from my understanding.
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I tried adopting in Los Angeles where it is totally free plus you get a monthly stipend plus free medical, psychiatric and therapy care until the child is 21 but after years trying and failing even with fostering, God chose Bulgaria for me. They don’t care what my age is. I’m 81 and I have adopted 11 children who are all happy and contributing adult members of society. Although I love leisure and eating chocolate bonbons ( sugar-free), hearing and following God’s call is the sweetest of all delicacies. And I love the Felts family! -Mayra Fernandez
Amazing!! Thank you for your selflessness ❤️
I cannot fathom how people find the audacity to ask you questions like that. I’m glad that you were able to give those girls a loving home, that’s all that matters! ❤
@mir0021 same
I agree
Even though you owe no one an explanation, you explained everything so well. Hopefully this will also open people's minds to possibly considering international adoption.
Thank you so much!
I’ve been following you for a couple years and have not made any comments yet. I love your videos I love everything you do! You have a lot of clear thinking in how to answer absurd questions. So proud of you!
Thank you so much for being here!
I love how you are not afraid to speak your thoughts for fear of offending anyone. Praying for your current and future family!
Lady, good for you!! My gosh. You’re heroes. What you’ve done for these children is incredible. And I will say it: Thank you so much for what you’re doing. I really liked what you said here about how children’s geography, race or gender has no bearing on the fact that they deserve a home. Beautiful.
As a black woman I am so hurt that people would feel it is ok to ask those questions. God bless you and your family. ❤❤
Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing your perspective, I think any family wanting to adopt any child is brave and needs to be supported no matter where the child is from. As you have pointed out in your earlier videos, with each adopted child there is one less orphan in this world. Staying true to your call in life is where it is at. You and Stan are both an inspiration and a blessing.
You and I are very different people with differing paths, but I really respect this post and your family’s journey.
Two things I would like clarify:
Aging out of foster care in the US is not much better than the situation internationally (no support, no housing…) and sadly many foster parents do not keep a relationship with their former foster kids. Also, I’d like people to know that adoption of kids in foster care here is virtually no-cost (though as you said, most kids ‘available for adoption’ are older, not babies).
I second this. Thank you for sharing it.
Not only no cost, but here in CA you can still get paid a monthly stipend even after the adoption.
This. Our family was a foster care family. My brother and baby sister were added to our family from foster to adopt. We also fostered many other children. Sadly, we have seen children age out of the foster care system and be basically put out on the street. It happens here in the United States.
In GA foster children that are older (I think 6) that are adopted continue to receive financial assistance from the state.
It’s not even necessarily just on the foster family to keep a relationship going with the kids after they go back to their bio family.Depending on the age of the kids depends on whether it’s up to them or their bio families to have an on going relationship with the foster family.
I heard via my girlfriend in Massachusetts who adopted a daughter at age 2 that she gets free school lunches not that my girlfriend allows her to eat them daily and she also gets free uni fees later and she still gets to keep her free doctor like she had in foster care which for them is great. They have their own insurance but if they change jobs its easlier to have her always with medical insurance until she leaves high school.
Thank you for caring for as many children as you can, we have 3 with two being special needs. It is hard but very worth it.💕
Mrs Felts we adopted from China a girl and I am so happy for your family Thanks for adopting like us. Thank you
Very well said, Ashley! I was about 5 years old when I started saying I wanted to adopt twin girls from China. I have just always had that on my heart. I have had family members and friends ask why I would not adopt in America, first. Also, they want to know why I want girls. I say the same as you, it was just laid on my heart. I’m 41, and it hasn’t happened yet, but it’s coming!!! Thank you for your honesty and willingness to put up with the negative comments and questions, so you can minister to those of us that are open to it.
Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing. I love watching your girls thrive!! Blessings. ❤️
Here listening to this discourse , I didn't even thought about skin coloured of a child , I am no more but shock you facing all this situations .I hope you gone have the strength to detach of this kind of poisoning comments , a family starting with all kind of fussy reasons they goes adopting kids and they will raise a lot of traumas in those kids hearts pretending they know better how they should look , what they should eat , what jobs they should do instead of embracing a child like a secret treasure which you don't really know how is gone be , what kind of new thinks they will bring in your life , new lessons .Let kids find them self , love them and guide them with delicacy towards they own special and individual path .I congratulate you for your dedication and special , beautiful intuition and vibrant love guiding you trough this whole process .
Just so you know: if you adopt domestically from foster care it is free. We have adopted 6 times and it’s never cost us more than court fees. There are also waiting children that are available to adopt domestically. We have helped facilitate adoptive placements too. I think your family is doing what it feels drawn to and nothing is wrong with that. Just pointing out a few things that I heard that I know are not true. But, I mean it in kindness and any child that gets a family is deserving wherever they are born.
Thanks for sharing. I believe I did state in my video that fostering-to-adopt is essentially free. And yes, you are correct, there are waiting children in America as well. No one is arguing that fact.
Yes. And again, I really am not coming from a place of anything. We support all families. I just wanted to point out that there are routes for those that want to pursue a domestic situation where you do not have to foster with reunification as an option. There are lots of kids that are available to be adopted without being traditionally “fostered”. I just wouldn’t want someone to think that the only option domestically is to foster and maybe have that child return home or leave. There are other options if someone wants to adopt a non-infant domestically. International adoption, domestic, fostering, whatever we are supportive. You guys have clearly changed your daughters lives and they yours. Hoping you can bring your daughter in China home soon.
You are an angel here on earth. I’m blessed to hear about your life and journey of adoption. I love your tone; no matter what it is. Love, from Sharon, Indiana
Thank you for What you’re Doing ❤️🙏💞 Lord bless y’all and keep smiling 🙂 I pray for your strength and perseverance throughout your journey 🙏🙏✝️ 💐
Great video! Every child is a child who needs love and comfort.
I love to watch your channel so much, but I read the questions that are in I can't! It is nobody elses busyness what decisions you make!! It drive me crazy that people are so pretentious!! It is your life and you do what you think is the right for your family. Stay save and I hope your 2 new kids come soon in your wonderful family. ❤
You explained that so well and I know how hard it is to adopt a baby in this country because my daughter has tried. I love your videos and watching those beautiful girls grow and thrive
I have to admit that I'm a bit envious of some distant relatives who were handed a healthy newborn five months after "signing up on a list" as my mother explained it to me. My niece's uncle Josh married another man named Josh (lol) and in less then a year, they were flying from their home in DC to pick up their daughter in Texas. I don't know them, so I don't know why it was so easy.
As a middle aged woman who doesn't do relationships, I'd never be approved for adoption from an agency. And I don't have a hundred grand to go private. So I'm left doing embryo adoption in the hopes that one implants and survives before I age out in five years.
Sigh...
My suggestion to people who ask such questions would be for them to ask themselves why they're not adopting at all.
My husband and I adopted 5 children from other countries. Why from other countries? Because we were told by a number of domestic adoption agencies that we were too old to adopt!!! We were in our 40s and already had kids so we knew what it took to be a parent. Result 5 children who needed families rom other coubtries joined our family.
It's such a pity that you needed to make this video but I understand your situation. I have always been interested in adopting even as a small child. After having three kids my husband and I were able to adopt a baby boy. At the time the need was in Vietnam so that was where we went. My child of three months arrived very sick and under weight eve though he had been in "good" orphanage. I received plenty of nasty comments from ignorant people even in the large Australian hospital where he was treated. Thankfully he is now grown and healthy. Wishing you all the best with your future adoptions.
Thank you for sharing! I’m so glad you chose adoption!
Thank you for sharing all of this and sharing your heart.... Which is big❤
I stated as a fifteen year old That when I got married , I wanted four kids And at least one boy and one girl , but I felt like I was going to have all boys and would have to adopt to get my girl. Boy did God know what was in store for me.
I had four biological boys And lost four girls through miscarriages. Really
wanting a daughter I fell back on what I had claimed as a teenager and God led us to The country of Philippines. There we were placed with a tiny.Not quite three year old while we were expecting a little bit older but God knew. In fact, while I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was praying and a lady answered me later that night, saying she was told (by God) that our daughter was OK in the Philippines. That was right about the time that she was being boand we would wait another three and a half years before she was.
God's timing is always right even if we don't think so. For all you wonder.
Ing about adopting.... Quit questioning whether you can do it and if God's telling you to ....just go for it
Very well said. My husband and I are just starting out on our adoption journey.
Oh that’s exciting! International or domestic?
@@TheFeltsFamily domestic adoption
Hello Ashley- What you and Stan are doing is clearly with the purest of hearts. And adoption is lovely and one of the most important things a person can do with their lives. I have had friends that have adopted here in Amerca and one outside the country. No difference, all of the children needed saved so to speak. The foster system here in this country seems to be broke to me. And yes when some of the children here age out of the system, sometimes they are left with pretty much nothing and no where to go, and also do end up in trouble. The difference is in America in general , there are more opportunities than in many other countries. As you say the countries you have found your children in offer little opportunities as in comparison and that's where the problem is. I suspect when some of the people ask you these questions they are sincerely trying to understand and perhaps to educate themselves. Some of the questons do sound a bit personal I agree, but that kind of goes with putting yourself out there...people are curious. Maybe they feel safe enough with you to ask the things they are actually thinking. The problem is with the people that are being cruel, and challenge you and judge you even after you answer their questions. Shut them down. Don't let them bother you these people go through life like this and how sad for them.
Thank you! I can tell the difference in people's agenda when asking us the questions. Anyone can ask us any question, however the intent/motive behind it is what is bothersome. I can't stop people asking questions or making unjust accusations, however, there are times when I feel the need to speak up, and this is the season I am in right now. No tolerance is where I am at right now. ha! Thank you for your kind words.
@@TheFeltsFamily I do understand. Just protect yourself knowing these type of people are out there.
Not anyone's business. After "they" adopt and are as successful as you and your amazing family, we may listen to "them".
I think you answered these questions great, can’t think of any other way of putting it. Continue in Christ always. Love your vlog.
Thank you!
excellent explanation🙌
I don’t understand why so many people are so rude. Also, even in the church I see so many judgements on this. I had neighbors who adopted an American teen who was white and his kids were hispanic. I thought: look what you did for that kid-how awesome!” But I would have been just as happy for them if it was a girl internationally. How amazing!
Thanks for sharing and just know some people are genuinely ignorant!
The Lord spoke very clearly to me that I would be adopting a little girl out of foster care. Several years later that did in fact happen despite not intending to be an adoptive family.
Love that!
I think you choose those kids which stories are touching you .Is what I understood watching all along your adoption adventure .I would love to adopt , and I'm in love in all stories of adoption .I will willing to adopt a girl as well and from Ukraine , that 's what I feel write now.If I will end up adopting ot not I don't know but definitely I am in love in your adoption stories ad I have watching you and others everyday when I have some free tie, you like part of my life now .I'm enjoying to see girls progresses and how they really blossoming living a love in love and with an education .Hugs and kisses !
We are adopting from Bulgaria too!
Well awesome! Where are y’all at in the process?
Thanks for sharing!
I love adoption storys my husband and I stayed here in the States to adopt. My family is made up of 15 children. Two birth children hey girl and a boy twelve adopted and one coming to a close. State side adoption through foster to adopt takes so long that all I can think about is it's the longest labor a woman and a man could ever go through, almost 2 years into our youngest now. Two of our adopted children we're from a adoption agency 6 months and 1 day is all it took from the day the child was placed with us. Of course we do not have 15 children living in the home now. We follow all the state guideline and it is 6 children in the home. Most of our children are special needs which is perfectly fine they're perfect to me. The Lord put it on my husband and I to adopt, my life could be a simple as lots of sleep clean house and a lot of running around but you do get sleep my house is still clean and they keep me running around. I only hope the best for you all I pray that your adoptions go speedy and your blessed to have the little girls because I only have four daughters and 11 sons.... I favor the boys and as far as skin color yes we do have black children and yes we have blue-eyed blonde and yes we have sassy and yes we have some that are very smart but each and every one of them are a gift from God!
If some people are so concerned why you aren’t adopting American kids, black children, or boys, why don’t THEY adopt those children??? Just saying’.
Agreed 1,000% 👍🏻👍🏻
My mom said the same thing, why not a child from the USA? For me the Lord gave me a vision of her. He gave me a scripture in Isaiah that said “I will bring your seed from the east and gather you in the west!” He did amazing miracles in getting her to us. What Holts said was impossible, God chose to make it possible! 😊
Hey Ashley, l'm sorry if you thought l was 1 of the people being snarky. I was just curious. I didn't mean to be rude. I hope you guys can adopt as many kids as you want. I'll be Praying for you guys. Keep us informed on how things are going with your family. Do you know if any of your older children are going to adopt.
All of our children do want to adopt. I hope it works out that they do.
The Lord lead me to your page. Adoption has always been on my heart❤️ I have raised my kids with this heart and passion. My oldest son and his fiance just told us they intend to adopt. Train up a child😭 the judgy comments blow my mind.
Welcome!
One of the most important jobs on this planet.. in my opinion
That's a really beautiful dress
WHY WE AREN'T ADOPTING IN AMERICA, BLACK KIDS, & BOYS// Adoption Update
GOD BLESS YOU .
Beautiful 💕 and family ❤️
Also there aren’t any orphanages in the great ole USA. We have a stressed foster care system. So to me it makes sense to go abroad to orphanages were children experience profound physical, emotional and spiritual neglect. No finger pointing intended.
@Jane Hall there are group homes, but those tend to be for older children, but there are no orphanages in the United States.
Hi Ashley. I was wondering if you could speak about fostering to adopt. I know this is not your family’s personal experience, but I thought you might have some info about it. I also wanted to say that regardless of what you do, you can’t win. I watch other TH-cam families (white couples who have adopted black children & black couples who have adopted white children), & they get similar questions about race. Why should it matter? As long as you’re providing a safe & loving home for your children, that’s all that should matter.
Agreed and I will have to think on speaking on that topic. I’m not sure I’m educated enough to.
@@TheFeltsFamily I completely understand. Well, maybe you can have a guest on to talk about it. Someone who has experience with fostering a child. I just thought it could open up more avenues for couples who are looking to adopt but don’t have the resources to do so. Just an idea if it’s something you’d like to consider.
People age out here too with no stability. Also not all foster families are good families and that’s in the us. I know this because my family began adopting
Yes, you are correct.
God bless you 🙏🏻❤️😊
Can I ask how do you support your big beautiful family? I’m new to your channel. I love that you love these children from other countries that are mentally disabled. God bless you and your family 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😀🥰🤗
Hey there and welcome! We live within our means. We don’t have debt except our home and one minivan note(which will be paid off this year) We have great medical insurance through my husbands job. We have no daycare cost or private schooling costs because I’ve always homeschooled. We don’t try to keep up with all the luxury things others may have. Lastly, the Lords great provision. 🧡
Hi Ashley I love that dress you are wearing, or it looks like a dress anyway.
Thank you! It's actually a blouse!
I’ve watched your channel and many other adoptive families for a long time and rarely feel the need to write a “negative” or “corrective” comment, but parts of this were hard to listen to as someone working through the process of adopting from foster care and with loved ones who have. You shared misinformation as if it is fact. Yes, fostering is designed with the primary goal of reunifying families. But there are thousands of kids in this country whose parents’ rights have been terminated and their plan for permanency is to find an adoptive family. Those children can be adopted for free or extremely minimal fees depending upon the state. The statistics of how many children who age out of the US foster care system are heartbreaking as far as ending up in prison, pregnant extremely young, in prostitution, dead, etc. The situations do not look exactly the same as other countries, of course, but many are aging out without support systems in place and the tools needed to make their own way. The system is extremely broken here.
Your family and your girls are beautiful and I’ve loved getting to learn from the information you’ve shared, but as you said, you were called to international adoption and didn’t explore all that much about domestic adoption (domestic infant or from foster care, which are completely different processes), so please just be careful speaking so strongly about something you’re not fully versed in. Many of these comments did come across as ignorant and insensitive, just as others’ comments and questions have come across to you.
Thank you for sharing, but I disagree. I did not share misinformation. I think you are more frustrated that I don't go into more detail about foster care or domestic adoption. You must understand that it does not make me ignorant or insensitive if I am not sharing ALL that you want me to on a topic or because I share more facts on another topic. I understand that our story and our platform here is about ADOPTION and most specifically, OUR experience with international adoption. I share very little information on domestic adoption or fostering, because that is not what our family is well-versed in. In fact, those that ask in more depth about it, I will not answer and instead, point them in the direction of someone who is knowledgable about that topic. You will NEVER find me flippantly throwing out misinformation on any topic, much less one that involves the life of a child. I 1,000% agree with you that there are thousands of children available for adoption here in the US, that are not infants. I said that you will see the vast majority of families wanting to adopt a newborn domestically, not older children, and that is a FACT. But in me saying that, does not discount that there are thousands of older children available for adoption. Once again, you need to realize that my videos are not about fostering or domestic adoptions, because that is not our family's area of expertise or experience. I can not share every fact you feel I should share, but I guarantee you, I am not sharing misinformation by any stretch of the imagination. I take this topic of adoption VERY seriously. Thanks for sharing your insight. ;)
I don't doubt for one minute that you are doing what God has called your family to do-- and thank you for doing that-- but the information presented here is very one-sided. Firstly, private infant adoptions are not the only kind of domestic adoption. There are 400,000 children in foster care and of those, 117,000 are "waiting children" meaning both mom and dad (and grandma, grandpa, etc.) have either lost or given up their parental rights and you could bring them home in a few weeks after being matched and adopt them in six months, God willing. (I am not saying you, Ashley, need to adopt one but maybe some of your followers might be interested in that road. I know that you and Stan are following God's call for your family. Adopting waiting children is God's call for other families, including mine.) And, yes, domestic INFANT adoptions are very expensive, but adopting a waiting child is free. In fact, you are given a per diem (not necessarily enough, but something) while you are fostering the child, and you will never have to pay for their healthcare even after adoption. Yes, you are correct that "fostering is not for adoption" -- the goal is always reunification for foster children *when parental rights have not already been terminated.* After parental rights have been terminated, which is the situation of those 117,000 waiting children, there is no one to reunify with, and the goal is 100% adoption.
I also STRONGLY urge you to look up statistics on children who age out of foster care in the United States-- homelessness, drugs, prostitution, etc. are rampant because these kids are really NOT given resources to help them get on their feet if they age out in a group home or other institution, which most will as people do not want to foster teenagers or even older kids. (Kids are considered highly unlikely to be adopted by age 4-5.) Children who age out are statistically frighteningly likely to be dead or in jail by age 25. They are also much less likely to graduate from high school.. I am not saying conditions in other countries are not as bad or worse, but I do feel as though you have really downplayed the realities that children here face. I am a huge fan of your channel and do not want to be snarky or ugly at all-- I just wanted to point out some important things that might have been downplayed or come off wrong. God bless you and the wonderful work you are doing for these precious little girls. I hope your Bulgaria paperwork goes through soon, and also that Lilly Grace comes home from China ASAP!
EDIT: I also want to add that I do not think for ONE second that you intentionally said anything false or uninformed. Many people don't know that foster care, fostering to adopt, and adopting a waiting child through foster care are three different things, and the realities, logistics, and situations are very different-- and that domestic private infant adoption is a fourth and also very different thing. Lots of people make these mistakes or don't have this information until they are on that journey-- I certainly didn't, and I am an adoptee myself!
Hello! Girl, all the information that you gave, I agree with you. I clarified the highlights that I felt was needed and that I had the time for. I know the statistics of domestic infant adoptions as opposed to how many kids are in foster care. I almost put all of the statistic in my video, and opted not to. Why? Well, because this video would have been VERY long had I decided to dive into ALL that you just stated. This video was not about giving all the ins and outs to domestic/fostering/international adoption. My goal was to express that it does NOT matter how, where, when, or why--but just ADOPT. Trust me, I know that foster children here in America live a shit life before the age of 18 and after aging out. I wasn't dismissive of it. However, I won't back down from the fact that children in 3rd world countries--live a life that children here in America TYPICALLY do not experience. Are there some that do. Yes. However, it is not the norm like it is in other countries. I agree with all that you said, and I am not bothered that you commented, however, I was not one sided or dismissive. The INTENT of this video was not to give every fact and statistic about the many avenues of adoption. My intent is to clarify that people just need to say YES to adoption-- no matter the geographical location, color of their skin, or their gender. That is the main message that needs to be said and heard. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! :)
What is happening with the adoption in China?
Back in June--about 6 families are so were given permission to travel and bring their kids home. Then as of yesterday, 5 more families were invited. So, slowly the doors are opening.
Ashley, I'm just curious. When Jackson and Grayson move out, are you going to adopt boys to go in their room or more girls? I know that right now they are the only boys.
We are open to adopting any child, any sex, any race. Where the Lord leads, we will go.
I like your dress, you looking more beautiful
Thank you!
It seems to me that who you adopt is no one else’s business!!!
Just curious..what does retirement look like for you guys?
Non-existent
Nah. Every child matters. No child is better than another one.
Every child deserves a home where they are loved and cherished.
Let me tell you and I agree with what I have me and my wife through is that adoption in the US is most kids in America can make the kids biological parent can get the kid back even if you don’t want it to happen. Sad . Overseas adoption is final the biological parents cannot get them back.
I think you have had to consider who will be a good fit for your family. You have Micha and Isabel, I feel this next adoption is a good fit and will be successful for you all. Well done Xxx
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ ❤
We opted for international adoption because we are a couple from different faiths (I am Jewish and my husband is Christian) and it was extremely difficult 25 years ago to find an adoption agency that would work with a couple from different faiths. We were turned down repeatedly. We eventually adopted two beautiful girls from Mexico who have been raised Jewish (my husband approves). But it was a very painful and humiliating experience for us.
Where you adopt is your business no one elses.
AND FOR YOUR 7TH ADOPTION YOU SHOULD ADOPT A GIRL FROM THE UK
It never occurred to me to ask you why you adopted from a particular country. It is none of my business and not relevant.
Your family is very special.
Like I said too if a black child ever became available you’ll pursue it.
Hello bạn ❤❤❤❤❤
There is great need in this country…your answers still do not satisfy me
Girl, I’m not concerned with my answers satisfying you. I’m concerned with the global orphan crisis and how our family can make a difference.
Don’t have. Q & A , girl
Offering a Q and A is to answer questions based off my family's thoughts, beliefs, convictions. NOT to satisfy you or anyone else. Move on elsewhere if you don't like the content I put out.
You certainly don’t like to be challenged…moving on is a great idea
How many have you adopted
Hello!
NO ILL INTENT HERE❤
I've been following for years and I thought I remembered the video where you first talked about Lilly Grace, that you hadn't been led to her by God. Rather you saw her and it laid heavy on you and you had to explain to Stan why you thought she would be your next daughter.
Do you think that maybe he adoption process has been delayed and more difficult because she wasn't "shown" to you and you weren't led to her as you were in the first two adoptions? Obviously, COVID made a mess of everything, everywhere but it just seems like her process is just not sorting itself out even though most policies have returned to normal.
Just curious ❤❤❤
Hey there. Of gosh no, absolutely not. When I say not “led” - I just mean there wasn’t this huge ahaha sign from the Lord like it was with Isabelle and Mika. However, I do believe the Lord led us to her in a different manner. More of a quiet way as in we are already instructed to care for the widows and orphans- so why am I waiting to have this huge sign from God. His word- scripture- should be enough for us. So, no. I don’t believe for one second the delay is due to how we perceive the direction from the Lord.
Adoption si not always a god call 😅
You have already adopted two none white children yet you are still asked why you don’t adopt black children…….. smh !!! I wouldn’t even answer those questions you have been answering questions like that since you first started vlogging You describe adoption so well……just keep on doing what you do. Gen U.K. x
Thank you so much!
Ok i get the “God lead” aspect. But as a foster kid wit NO safety net when i aged out, and emergency placement foster mom, and adoptive from foster care mom, i BEG of you to correct the misnomers you spread in this video about adopting from foster care.
1. There are foster kids who i personally know who had rights terminated at 2, and were never adopted and aged out with no safety net.
2. Foster to adoption is harder as many of those kids are up for unification still. But every state has a straight adoption eligible list.
3. Do kids over seas deserve homes also? YES! But not at the expense of people believing that is the only way. It is not. Kids here, all ethnicities are AVAILABLE NOW. The rarest being babies sure especially white babies. But our system is so broken, especially now with the drug crisis.
It is obvious you know a lot about non domestic adoption, but please, talk to officials in the state adoption sector, in the group homes, in the church run orphanages. What you said about domestic adoption is 90% wrong.
God bless you for taking children in need of families from anywhere, but you have a platform and your information MUST be trus as folks will look to you for information. ALL kids from everywhere deserve a loving family. Let’s help them get one as much as we can.
Big hugs to your kiddos, and to you for doing your part.
Hello! No mam. 90% of what I said about domestic adoption is
not incorrect. I never claimed that ALL fostered children in America have it made and I acknowledged that many are dealt a crappy life as they live within the foster system(minute 13:28 in my video). However, what I said is that the NORM in other countries is that orphans live in deplorable conditions, and you see that MORE in other third world countries than you do in the US. That does not discount that yes, some children here in America are treated terribly. It all sucks and I hate that any child has to live a life like that. I do not speak much on domestic adoption in my videos and you won't ever find me spreading misinformation. In addition, if I do speak on it, it's in generalities, not specifics to each person's stories. I am so terribly sorry that you had a poor experience. You and I can agree that the system is broken and so many children suffer because of it. It's infuriating. Please do not point me out as the one who is spreading incorrect information or discounting those in the system who actually have lived a terrible life because of our failing government. In regards to your last statement--YES--that is what I preach all of the time! It does NOT matter any orphan's geographical location--all that matters is that families are saying YES to adoption.
I absolutely respect and admire your decision to adopt internationally however it seems you are wildly uneducated on the orphan struggles in America. Please stop spreading misinformation on the needy children in America.
I didn’t spread not one ounce of mistruths nor did I diminish that SOME orphans here in foster care etc do live a crap life. However the difference is that it isn’t the “norm” as it is in other countries. The NORM in other countries is malnourished, neglected orphans . It’s seen everyday - everywhere. Of course that happens here in America and I acknowledged that. However, not like it is seen in other countries. Period.
I love what you have done for your little adoptees but your statistics are way off. Foster kids in America age out of foster care more than they are adopted. If you look up "America's waiting children" you will be heartbroken. Most of those children will age out. There is no assistance for these children after they are out of the foster care system. I am a former ICWA provider. I could tell you stories about the American foster care system that would make you sick. Adopt overseas if you like but do not tell untruths about the American foster system. It is horrible and children are damaged and abused by it every day.
My statistics are not wrong, nor did I really give any "statistics" from what I can remember within this video. I am unsure as to why you are leaving the comment, that you did. Please remember that you can not speak from BOTH sides of domestic and international adoption, just because you feel you are well versed with domestic adoptions. And the fact that you want to fuss at me for not stating the statistics you wanted instead of the goal of the message, which is that ALL orphans deserve a family, no matter their geographic location, race, or sex--you are missing the whole point. This is not DOMESTIC vs INTERNATIONAL adoptions. At the end of the day--it is maddening that in 2024, ANY child, who is not given support, protection, and provision, is pretty much thrown to the wolves AKA, the real world.It is maddening that so many will never have the love and support of a family that will help them become the best version of themelves. It is maddening that more families are not stepping up. However, I will not back down from the fact that children in third world countries are living a FAR more poverty stricken, homelessness, dangerous life than what you see here in America. People in third world countries do NOT adopt which means, the ratio of orphans to adoptive families is far more devastating. In addition, just because that statement is 100% TRUTH--that does not mean I am dismissing the neglect that happens here in America. At the end of the day, any orphan left without a family is DEVASATING, and that is the intention with my message here on TH-cam. My goal was not to state statistics, nor should yours.
@@TheFeltsFamily Whoa! You stated that there is more here for foster kids than overseas. I just wanted to get it straight. Also, there are homes for profoundly disabled children here where the care is probably on par with overseas orphanages. No need to become hostile because I corrected some of your information. Also, foster to adoption in the US is free to the adopter. Personally, I don't care where you adopt from.
YES YES YES, there are significantly more resources here for foster children/orphans than overseas. Absolutely. However, that statement does not dismiss that YES, even children here in America are forgotten, abused, left without any provision or resources. Yes, children here in America get the raw end of the deal and that should NEVER happen. It is apparent you have never been exposed to what orphans in third world countries live and experience. It is apparent that youhave never been exposed to what happens to the majority of aging out orphans in third world countries. because if you had been, then this discussion would not be happening. I 1,000% stand on the information, that was given in this video. There is zero hostility. LOL If you read my response to you and see hostility, then that is on you. It is quite comical yet frustrating,,how people can make such ignorant statements, yet, if anyone disputes that ignorance--then they are hostile. This will be the last time that I respond to you. My motive is not to argue with others. My goal is to bring awareness to the desperate need for families to say yes to adoption. Thank you.
this sounds really racists. No black kids? no answers gona sound right
Lol yes. We are racist even tho we have children from other races in our family, whom we adore. 🙄 Your comment shows more racism than anything else.
This sounds real racist from the topic
Yes, just as that’s how it sounds when we are asked those questions.
FOR YOUR 6TH ADOPTION YOU SHOULD ADOPT A CHERNOBYL CHILD FROM UKRAINE
I admire all that you do. It is absolutely amazing. I watched the whole video and I am thinking about the international over domestic and you mentioned fees. I thought you said international is cheaper, but listening to the amounts you mentioned, I thought that domestic was still cheaper. Am I wrong? ❤
Thank you! I may have not been super clear in my articulation 🤣. d Domestic adoptions can be as expensive or more expensive than international. I know families who adopted in America an infant and their fees were well over 40,000. But it varies case by case, from my understanding.
ch.ildren in the u.s. have a better chance of being adopted