Waiting child lists vs. agency search

We have our first class tonight so are getting closer to being adoption licensed. I am trying to decide if I want to look at on line listings of waiting kids once we are licensed. Or, just let the agency find a match for us. In my limited experience in looking, the kids listed in our state (Michigan - MARE) are much older than we are willing to accept. The few in our age range have severe issues that we cannot accept. Can we look at other states, or do we have to have something special done to cross state lines? One problem is that when I start looking at waiting lists I get very emotional and want to take them all home. If I just wait for the agency to match, I only have to get emotional about one at a time. I have also heard/read that submitting paperwork on listed kids can be like trying to communicate with a black hole. You submit, and never hear back. Or, you are just one of many, many families submitting, and the likelihood of being chosen is small. I wonder if I want to put myself through that process. I could just stay on top of the agency and see what happens, but I wonder if there is a child out there for us that would be on a list somewhere. Any ideas and advice?