Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God
whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...Through you..
--author unknown
Steven Curtis Chapman and New Hope (Sammy's Foster Home) Unite to Open Maria's Big House of Hope
The Waiting Child Video from LWB
Heartbridge Healing Home at New Hope-Sammy's Foster Home!
New Love Without Bounaries Video
Saturday, August 23, 2008
This says it all...from someone else's blog
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wow lots to tell ya'
We got an official update a few days ago and we received our Letter of Acceptance yesterday. It was about a month earlier than we originally expected and it bumps our travel from end of Oct or Nov up to end of Sept or beginning of October. There are two major Holidays happening during that time and we hope we can get over there in between the celebrations. There are two other families who think they may travel at the same time so that is wonderful as well. The more ther merrier and the less expensive!!So, we are thrilled, stressed and generally crazy over the whole thing. The new batch of paperwork is a bit overwhelming but I keep looking at her sweet face knowing we are meant to be her family and just wishing I could swim over there. Too bad it isn't that easy.
Here is the info:
Fu Hai Xia
08/06/2008 update
Medical/Development:
She does not have a hole in her palate and the cleft did not affect her teeth.
Her cleft lip and palate had both been repaired and she does not need any more surgery.
She is not potty trained and still needs diaper. She can run, jump and go up and down the stairs. She can say some simple words, such as “baba, maam, jiejie, chi fan” and etc., sometimes what she said could not be understand. This does not seem to frustrate her.
Personality:
She plays with toy cars.
She plays well with other children.
She is a docile girl, but sometimes she is stubborn.
General:
The orphanage has received the care package.
She is in the hope foster home, Shun Yi, Beijing.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
an update from china
Here is a brief update on our sweet HaiXia or Samantha Paige. I am getting so used to her chinese name now it seems a shame to change it. Caitlin said tonight as she was getting into bed that she wished she had her baby sister home with her right now. It is very heartening to hear this from her and it makes me feel more confident in their ability to bond. So without further delay here is her update. Oh on more thing. We are waiting on our Letter of Acceptance and then I think we will travel 5-8 weeks afterwards. Normal wait for LOA is averaging 70-90 days. We are at about day 50 I believe. So a ways to go yet...
08/06/2008 update
Medical/Development:
She does not have a hole in her palate and the cleft did not affect her teeth.
Her cleft lip and palate had both been repaired and she does not need any more surgery.
She is not potty trained and still needs diaper. She can run, jump and go up and down the stairs. She can say some simple words, such as “baba, maam, jiejie, chi fan” and etc., sometimes what she said could not be understand. This does not seem to frustrate her.
Personality:
She plays with toy cars.
She plays well with other children.
She is a docile girl, but sometimes she is stubborn.
General:
The orphanage has received the care package.
She is in the hope foster home, Shun Yi, Beijing