Over 100,000 children are eligible and awaiting adoption. One. Hundred. Thousand.

While I want to give birth to a child, I also want to adopt. I don't care if the child I adopt looks like me or not. He or she will be just as much mine as the baby that will grow inside of me for 9 months.Love is not measured by DNA.

"You don't know what kind of health history/issues the child could have."

First of all, nobody knows the full extent of what health complications may occur in their own, their spouse's or child's life. I understand that you know the health history (for the most part) of your biological child. But how selfish am I going to be to say, "well this child could have x disease, so I better not even risk it."

A child's susceptibility to disease does not deter their ability to be loved. Maybe I will adopt a child and later down the line realize they have some sort of health complication. As any parent would, we will go to the doctor, we will do what we have to help their health. I will not let fear stop me from mothering a child.

"One of the saddest things about this fallen world is that an adoption can cost $40,000 and an abortion $400."

I am pro-life and proud of it. Supporting life means supporting adoption. You do not have to adopt if you are pro-life, but you should be in support of it. Let me say that again to clarify, I am not saying that you have to adopt a child to consider yourself pro-life. Personally, I do not feel that I can tell women to allow their baby the gift of life knowing that the baby will grow up in the system. I know I cannot adopt every child, but I want to be able to do my part.

Choosing life may not be easy for everyone, especially if they have the thought that if they birth the baby, it will not grow up in a loving home. I want to erase that fear. I want women to be able to easily and gladly choose life, whether they are going to be the one taking care of the child or not. I want them to be able to feel secure in that their baby will be able to be in a loving family. Again, I know I cannot adopt every child. But what a beautiful world it would be if every child in the adoption system found their forever home.

Adoption can be a very strenuous and long process. It is expensive and not a good fit for every single person, so I truly understand that it is not for all. But just as everyone is called to different vocations in life, whether that be to be a teacher, a priest, to travel the world, I feel that part of my vocation is to adopt. Adoption isn't for everyone, but I hope it is for me.