I placed my daughter for adoption through LDS Family Services Adoption Agency in 2007.
My experience there was perfect for me and my situation. I was raised LDS and have a family that is very actively involved in the church. I had heard of LDS Family Services a few times, but really had no idea about everything that they did there.
Initially after telling my parents that I was pregnant, they told me they would make an appointment for me at LDS Family Services. I was scared, but knew that I needed help. My father also told me about their website, www.itsaboutlove.com, and I looked at adoptive parent profiles before I even met with a caseworker.
When I finally went to my appointment, I met with the caseworker alone at first. He seemed very nice and not judgmental at all. Then we met with my parents as well and he talked about my options. I told him, while bawling my eyes out, that I was considering adoption. From there, my journey at LDS Family services began.
I met with my case worker weekly and after a couple months, got up the courage to attend birth parent group. And, I am so glad that I did! Group helped me through my pregnancy more than anything else. Being able to see good LDS girls like me go through this and come out alive and better than before was such an inspiration. I knew that if they could do it, so could I! I found hope in seeing their success and happiness. It was also very comforting to hear their stories and realize that they had felt, and were feeling similar emotions.
For me, my adoption journey also involved repentance and faith. I loved that I could talk about my beliefs to my case worker and he could understand. It was so nice that I shared my beliefs and faith with the workers there and also with the other girls. They could relate to me on a level that other birth moms wouldn’t have been able to. My case worker was also sensitive to different aspects of my healing and progress, because he understood my religion.
When I later on moved to Seattle Washington, I went to the LDS Agency there and got involved with a case worker and birth parent group. Its wonderful that they have support for me available all over the country.
Even now, 3 1/2 years after placement, I love visiting LDS Family Services and cherish many of my memories there.
