Really a blessing

I have to tell you how I wound up getting this amazing picture of Quan. First I have to say some kids are advocated for all over the place. The institutions they are in are very public and accessible to foreigners. This was not the case for him and the children in this SWI. They only started allowing adoptions when he was already 7yrs old. Already considered an older child. There was no video available of him, which I desperately looked for everywhere. You can just get so much more with a video and it is just such an asset in finding a family for a child. As far as I understand he was chosen with 3 other children from that orphanage to join other children in attending a 3 day camp sponsored by our adoption agency where the staff could spend time with the kids and take pictures and info to try to find families for them. Families were not found for these 4. Then his file was sent to another agency. A family was not found. All the time we were following him and praying for a family to come forward. Then his file was sent to the shared list. Which is basically a list of numbers and special needs with no face or name. That's where it stayed. Fast forward one year later we decide after a lot of prayer, we are going to do this. Now I try and try to get updated info on him. I receive info that he is a smart good little boy that helps the nanny with chores, does very good in school (3rd grade) but that he desperately wants a family. He would love to have other children in the family, and he loves all animals. They knew nothing about us when collecting this info but it sounded like a pretty good match to our family. This info arrived with one close up photo where he appeared feverish or very cold. The picture was taken January 16th or 17th. It is cold then and the orphanage probably doesn't have the best of heat, if any. There was a hint of a smile. Maybe because they told him this is for a family considering adopting you. So I studied the photo and had the image imprinted in my mind that I saw it in my sleep. It now haunted me as I would tuck the kids in at night. Every morning as we started our day we were now painfully aware of this little guy on the other side of the world that was going to sleep. Maybe not being tucked in, maybe cold, maybe hungry. We got an updated formal file on him and with this came some new unknowns. And some new photos. Still looking very serious, very sad, only older. After a lot of prayer and speaking with doctors and the agency, we committed to him. Now here's where it gets cool. Through an advocacy group I "meet" a wonderful family from Canada that adopted their daughter from the same orphanage that Quan is in. That in itself is amazing because normally it is common to have support groups full of people that adopt from the different institutions. There are usually pictures of the place etc. This orphanage is literally no where to be found.  This family sent us a video that was taken this past November! The one thing I was so hoping and praying for! In the video there is this beautiful, amazing, little boy. It was him! Also in the video is an American man taking pictures of him and the other children. But seemed to be spending a lot of time with him and a little girl. I went on a hunt to find who this man may be that was speaking (English) to and spending time with him. Turns out, this man lives on LI, has been in a difficult process trying to adopt the little girl, and  when they told him he could take one other child out for the day with his daughter he picked Quan.  He told me that Quan is just a beautiful little boy. He was beyond excited to eat at KFC and be at the mall. He likes to play hide and seek, (seems to be the game of choice around here), he sent me this beautiful picture of him smiling (finally!!!). I so needed that. I just needed to see him smiling. I needed to see that he could be happy. Then he sent me a video taken the day at KFC. I got to hear his voice! Don't have a clue  what he was saying!! But it was so cute!!! He was excited, smiling, exploring, and happy!!!  I can't put into words what that has done for our hearts. This wonderful man that has shown these children such love said that when he arrives he gives them all hugs. He said they freeze up because they are not use to it, but they have come to know him and that he will be giving them hugs. I have to say the expense of adoption is great, but about $6100 is humanitarian aide, with about $5300 going to the orphanage. I honestly feel that you can see a huge difference in the children from the first year adoptions began to be allowed there, and now. It made me feel a lot better about the expenses involved. We just really want him home. It is very difficult to see the poverty he lives in. My heart hurts for the other children. One specifically that is in many of the pictures with Quan. He is now 12 and his time of finding a family is short. He also wants a family desperately. Please continue to pray that we get our pre approval soon. And pray for these children. (If you are still here, thank you for reading this very long post)

I have to share where I got this awesome picture later. But yes that is him! Look at that smile!

The Process

When we sent our letter of intent (LOI) to China they said you should hear something with in 1-8 weeks. We just passed the one week point! I am so ready to hear. In my heart he has quickly already become ours. So I need to hear. We have been trying to educate ourselves on the paperwork process and all the changes that have taken place since Allie came home. I thought we were jumping through hoops then. Wow, nothing compared to now. The training was excellent and I would recommend the "Because They Waited" seminar for any one that has adopted a child that spent any time in an orphanage. Allie was only there under 9 months and I was amazed to see the insight given in this seminar. Wish I had seen that 4 years ago! So, the paper work. Hhhhmmmm. What can I say. I have never felt more unintelligent. I mean the stuff is just so complicated. I finally understand that all the documents have to be notarized, in a specific format (what ever that means) because it can be messed up very easily. Then normally it has to go to the Secretary of State in NYC. I know some people are city people. I'm not so much. I mean I'm all for a trip to see the tree, but definitely not a city driver. Then it has to all go to the Chinese Consulate, also in NYC. Then the lucky bonus because we live in NY we get to first put it through the county clerk. All this of course costing a bunch of money per document. Then lastly because Michael will not be traveling with me to China I have to get a power of attorney. Not so bad you say. But it also has to go through that whole process in all of the above places. And if I am understanding this correctly, can't be done at the same time because it could expire before we get to go to China. Somewhere in there soon I have to start the immigration process too. I remember that being a fun day! But I think it has changed. I'm hoping. I don't mean to sound unappreciative. I so am. And that face waiting for a family on the other side of the world makes it all worth it. It just can become so overwhelming trying to figure it out. Our adoption agency has been wonderful. The girl that works with the China program is probably sorry she ever heard my name. But she never says anything. (to me anyway :) So as not to scare anyone wanting to adopt. There are ways to have a lot of this done for you. But with our budget we are trying really hard to keep costs down. And you do get through it. One step at a time, it will happen. I just so don't want to mess anything up and cost us time. I want to get him home as quickly as possible. Keep the prayers coming. We so appreciate and need them.

LOI To China

We completed our training. Our letter of intent has been sent to China! Yeah! Now we wait to hear if they preapprove us. It is very unnerving when you are writing these things knowing that by those few pieces of paper they can approve or deny you. I am trying to figure out a time line. We are busy getting all paper work, certificates, and doctor forms done so we are ready to go as needed. We are so excited! There have been unbelievable signs and confermations that he is suppose to be our son. I will share more later. Please be praying that all goes well. Thanks so much.

I am very blessed by the community of adoptive families and advocates for waiting children. It is so awesome to talk with people that understand and get it when so many, I don't know how, but they just don't. It's like an extended family that I am so grateful for. I have been so blessed recently after I was contacted by a wonderful family that had adopted their daughter from the same orphanage that Fu Quan is in. There have not been many adoptions from this SWI so this was very exciting. It doesn't end there! They actually sent me a copy of a video they had from the orphanage and Fu Quan was in the video! The one thing I have been continuously hoping for! I now have seen video of him. Boy is he cute! It is a very poor institution. Tough to see. The children appear to be well cared for.  He seems to relate to the other children very well. God has been opening a lot of doors and connecting me with really great people. I am very grateful for everyone. I am feeling very humbled that He is in control and trusting that He has a great plan. We on the other hand are completing trainings and obtaining paperwork....and preparing for a yard sale! We have only come up with about $2700. of the needed adoption funds. A little scary, but not pushing the panic button yet. Margaret if you are reading, thank you for the awesome reference. Over 36yrs! Wow! O.K, so that means we met when we were 2, right? I won't tell if you don't. After that long, friendship becomes family. So thank you sis, thank you for always being there for me. Love you.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone a very Happy and blessed Easter and Passover.