Earthquake Update

It has been three weeks since the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan. Fuling, where Lillie is from, was at one time part of the Sichuan province, until Chongqing became a municipality. I have looked for informaiton and updates, but am surprised how little I hear about it. ( I know that is a generalization, but with the statistics, it seems there would be more about it on the news)

Here are the numbers of people affected by this devastation as related by Love Without Boundaries:
71,000 dead
5 million homeless.

In an effort to really grasp the magnitude of the devastation, LWB made some comparisons:

71,000 people dead:
That is 6,000 people less than the population of the city of Melbourne, Australia.
The war in Vietnam claimed the lives of 58,217 American soldiers.

5 million homeless:
That is two-thirds of the population of New York City..that is two-thirds of all the people in NYC suddenly without a home!
The population of Finland is 5.2 million...almost an entire country homeless.


Please keep all of the affected people in your prayers and remember to be thankful for all of the blessings in your life

An Earthquake in China

MMonday, there was an earthquake in southwest China that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. The area around Chengdu in the Sichuan Province was the hardest hit, with thousands of lives lost. The area where Lillie is from, Fuling, is around 200+ miles from there. As you can imagine, there are a number of waiting parents who are terrified for their children and awaiting news. Reports from Fuling are that the new orphanage has sustained some structural damage, but that all children are safe. There have been hundreds of aftershocks, one reported to be as strong as 6.0. Relief workers have arrived in the epicenter, Wenchuan, and are still checking on Social Welfare Instututes in that area. Please keep these children, their homeland, waiting parents, releif workers, etc. in your prayers. There are organizations that will be taking donations to help with emergency relief in the area, including Love Without Boundaries (LWB) and Our Chinese Daughters Foundation (OCDF).

Lillie's First Home!

I thought I would take a quick minute to share a bit more about Lillie's first home. I have been trying to find more information about the new building and found an article by the adoption organization La Vida. The New Fuling Social Welfare Center is being funded by the City of Fuling, and the Chongqing municipal government and private donors like La Vida and FulingKIds. I was surprised to find out that it is expected to be the first specialized rehabilitation center and medical clinic for handicapped children in all of China.
There are currently 14 social welfare institutions located in Chonqing province. All of these institutions provide adoption services to its children and the vast majority of those adoptions are of healthy children. However, like most institutions throughout China, nearly all of the children with special needs remain residents of their social welfare institutions with much less of an opportunity for rehabilitation, special care, or the chance to be adopted into a family of their own. Upon completion of the new Fuling Social Welfare Institution, all children with special medical needs residing in the 14 social welfare institutes in Chongqing municipality will be moved to live in the new Fuling Social Welfare Institute. The new Fuling SWI will be a facility for both healthy children and children with special medical needs.
The City of Fuling has donated over 16 acres of land upon which a 450,000 square foot facility is being constructed. Primary funding for the building has been donated by the Central Chinese government and the government of Chongqing. The new social welfare institute will include a rehabilitation and health care center for children, a preschool, and sleeping and play rooms for up to 800 children of all ages and abilities. Half of this 16 and 1/2-acre plot of land is to be devoted to parks and play places for the children.
La Vida also shared that one of the reasons they are involved in the project is the excellent care that children have received for years in the current First Fuling Social Welfare Institute under the direction of Director, Yang Peishu. Director Peishu is educated, experienced, innovative and very well respected in China. She has been voted "One of the ten most outstanding woman in China" due to her innovative care of children and advocacy for women’s rights. She has provided outstanding leadership to her staff, and has taken the level of care of children at the current facility to new heights. It is for this reason that she has been selected to spearhead this innovative, first of its kind project in China.
As a mommy of a waiting child, a preschool teacher and a huge proponant for early intervention, I was so excited to learn all of these things about the place Lillie will always know as her first home!
There is a video of the new SWI in process, a visit to the existing SWI and some info from the guy from La Vida. It was pretty interesting...if you want to check it out go to: http://www.lavida.org/fulingproject.mp4

The Gift Box Arrived at Fuling SWI

Here are a few pictures of the staff getting the gloves we sent! The woman opening the box is Director Yang. I especially love the pictures with everyone wearing the gloves! It is amazing to think that a little over 6 months ago, these were the hands that loved and cared for my daughter. Gloves are such a small gift in comparison the the gift they have given me. I will forever be grateful!

Holiday Letter from the SWI

Over the holidays, the director of the Social Welfare Institute where Lillie lived in Fuling wrote a letter to the families and it is posted on the Fuling kids site. It was such a kind letter and made me aware, yet again, that Lillie came from a first home where she was loved and cared for by people who desperately wanted what was best for her.
Here is the director's letter... I still can't read it without feeling tears well up in my eyes:

The golden year of the pig is ending, and the fortunate mouse is bringing the arrival of spring. In a snap, another Christmas is coming. At this wonderful time, I am excited as everybody else. This excitement and enthusiasm is filled with the longing and blessing for “home Fuling” and for all the children we have taken in and those that are about to be taken in by the SWI. At this moment, I’d like to wish you a happy holiday on behalf of all the staff. Also I want to express our great appreciation and heartfelt respect for all the oversea families and old friends who have been supportive and concerned about us. We sincerely wish everyone a prosperous year with good health, a successful career and blessed life.

Fate brought us together, and sincerity tied our hearts together. Since February 2001, when the first seven families came to our orphanage for the first adoptions, we’ve become relatives to over 1000 families. Because of the care and love given to the Fuling children, those over one thousand families became one great blessed big family. One thousand hearts beat together and one thousand minds connect with one another. Thinking of these moments makes us feel touched and excited. I believe you are feeling the same way. Because of that, we’re also gradually starting to expect the arrival of Christmas. This time of every year has also become a grand festival as important as the Spring Festival for us, and it comes from our deep longing for you. This love of Christmas, like an eternal northern star, makes the atmosphere here even warmer in spirit, and helps us to remember the warm stream of love that continuously comes to us from the other side of the earth. Happiness is accompanied by effort and success is accompanied by hardship. In the past year, our work has improved because of everybody’s support, participation, and help. The children’s concerns have become our first priority. We also recognize that every little step we made to make our kids happier is our “big Fuling family’s” contribution, and it can’t be separated from your selfless help. My friends, no matter how far away we are, our friendship will never change。 Nothing can cut our existing relationship and bond.

A new year comes, a past year is about to be replaced, and we gather together to celebrate happiness and security. This New Year we are confident and excited. Let’s hold our hands together as a “Big Fuling Family”, with our self striving spirit and our will to fight for and create a better future for the children. At this happy sharing moment, friendship missing moment, wonderful dream coming true moment, we wish you again--- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Director Yang Peishu

Children at Fuling SWI

A family who recently returned from Fuling took pictures of the children there and put it to music. It is beautiful, and you can see several pictures of Lillie's first home, and friends who remain. I have so very much to be thankful for this year and thank God daily for bringing Lillie into my life. Even on the hard days (or hard nights), there are still so many wonderful things about this journey we are on together that I cannot imagine not having her. I have so many more posts to add, but for now, enjoy the music and pictures.
Blessings to you all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BOo3k5mGGM

First Hugs Fundraiser

First Hugs is a sponsored program by a group of Fuling Parents at the SWI where Lillie spent her first 2 years. They fundraiser in the US and send over OT's and PT's to train the nannies how to work with the babies who are behind developmentally. They send over OT and PT equipment plus they pay for nannies to work with the same kids for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Lillie was in the program when she was younger.
The Fuling Parents are presently raising money for another year of First Hugs. If you're feeling like you want a great program to donate to, you can always donate to this wonderful program. Go to www.fulingkids.org to make a donation...or to just check out the great group and beautiful children!
There is a link to tell you more about the First Hugs program and Gracie's room where it takes place. The program got started by Gracie's parents, a Fulinger who sadly passed away once home in the US. Her mom thought this was an awesome way to honour her daughter...wouldn't you agree?

Gotcha Day!

Where do I begin? We were up early for our trip to Chongqing, expecting to come to the hotel, then to the orphanage. Not a chance! We went straight to the SWI, and after a brief chat with the head nanny and Vice Director Chen, (I also gave them the scrapbook from the other Fuling Parents...i will post pictures of that soon) then I looked out the window and there she was! Our initial time together was a little rough and confusing for her, but we did have a short tour of the Orphan Care Center and could meet the other nannies. Lillie is quite popular there also! We returned to our hotel and as the evening progressed, she became much more confident and animated! She loves Lotion...and chap stick...and all things flashing and musical! We finally headed for bed, with a rough time sleeping...we were up several times and the last 3 hours she slept on my chest. It is now Monday morning and today we sign our official paperwork! I will post again as soon as possible!
Interesting side note, i can open blogger and add things,but cannot open my site...Maybe because the word China is in the title? Anyway, If there are mistakes...

The Fuling SWI

I know I have shared some information about the Social Welfare Institute in Fuling, but thought I would post a few pictures! This is the present building they are located in, with the entrance and gate being seen in one of the pictures. This picture is particularly significant to Lillie's "story" since that is where she was found April 23, 2005. The sign is located at the Lily Orphan Care Center located in the SWI. The translation of the sign is:

Our Promise to the Children:
Children are the Most Important.
We Treasure Them.
Treat Them Equally.
Care for Them with Love
And in an Educated Way.
It is nice to know that Lillie is being treasured there as well as here!

Lillie meets Mimi at the SWI

Here they are...the pictures I have been hoping to receive for the last week! My new friend Mimi Backhausen, who is presently in Fuling to meet her new daughter, took pictures of Lillie YESTERDAY and sent them to me from China! (She also has some video I will try to share, but she can not send it until they reach Guangzhou on Saturday.) The woman in the pictures is, of course, Mimi. Mimi said she told Lillie that her mommy was coming soon and also said that Lillie was adorable (of course)! She said Lillie didn't want to let her go and loved the attention...I can't wait until the day when we are the ones smothering her with affection! The last of the 4 pictures shows Lillie clinging to Mimi's leg.
This it yet another blessed event in this process, and I am reminded that there are so many people in this world who are good, kind and thoughtful. I know too, that there are so many things that can connect people...whether the love of a child, similar interests, happenstance or faith. I know that Lillie and I have been greatly blessed and hope that I/we can be a blessing to others.

Where is Lillie?

For those of you who wonder where in China our Lillie lives, it is a town named Fuling. Fuling is situated along the Yangtze (or Changjiang) River in what (until the late 20th century) was part of Sichuan Province but is now the Chongqing Municipality, a region set apart to accomodate the construction of the Three Gorges Dam Project. Once the Three Gorges Dam is completed, part of Fuling will be flooded. The outlying landscape of the city is mountainous, argricultural, fairly temperate (although hot in summer!) and gorgeous. Most people living in the area are farmers. Since the orphanage opened, there have been additions to the origional SWI. The Lily Orphan Care Center, built at the site of the original orphanage, was provided by Chinese Children's Charities, an American-based non-profit. CCC also provides support staff as well as medical and child development training for the caregivers. There are currently over 250 babies and toddlers being cared for at the Lily Orphan Care Center, and about one hundred of those are in foster care. Approximately 16 children over the age of three live at orphanage. The Fuling Social Welfare Institute is also home to children with disabilities and senior citizens.
Here is info on the new SWI as quoted from the Fulingkids site. "Anticipating the day when most of China's orphans will be primarily children with disabilities and unlikely to be adopted, Fuling Orphanage Directors and Chongqing Civil Affairs Authorities have come together to develop a plan for a premiere facility for the kids. In 2008, the first children will move to the new site, which will eventually include a large clinic, physical and occupational therapy facilities for the children, a preschool, and sleeping and play rooms for up to 800 children of all ages and abilities. Half of this 16 and 1/2 acre plot of land is to be devoted to parks and play places for the kids.This (is a) gorgeous piece of land, with views of the Yangtze River and neighboring mountains (one home to a Daoist temple & monastery).
I am attaching a map that shows the different provinces. The province in which Lillie lives is in the lower central area along the river. It is a brigher yellow color. If you would like to see the map a bit larger you can go to http://china.scmp.com/map/ I know this isn't a lot of info about Lillie personally, but it tells you a bit more about her life before she arrives in Kentucky!

Pictures from this Past June!

These pictures are from a trip a mission team took this past June. Some of the pictures were posted through the Fuling site, and I have looked at them often, wondering if any were pictures of my Lillie. Well, today I received several pictures...a confirmation that indeed I had been seeing pictures of her all along! The one of her in the walker in the hot pink shirt is a picture I was drawn to over and over. I looked at it and wondered so many times if it could be her. Now I am certain that it is! Oh happy day! What a gorgeous girl, even when she is tired of people "checking her out"!

A God Thing

Over the last few weeks I have been spending all of my extra time trying to learn more about Fuling, the welfare institute, other Fuling children, etc. I learned that in Fuling, there is a program called First Hugs that allows children to spend time interacting with Nannies to learn about bonding, affect and play skills. I emailed one of the mothers who helped start the First Hugs program to see if Lillie had been involved. Her response was amazing! She informed me that Lillie had, indeed been in the First Hugs program from 9/11/05 - 2/11/06. Exciting news, but her other statement, written at the bottom of her email said.... "by the way, I was there(Fuling) the day she was found." A simple statement that held such an amazing gift...someone who had a connection to the very early days of my daughter's life! Then, much to my amazment, there was a picture attached to the bottom of the email...a baby, wrapped in blankets, in the arms of the Welfare institute's caretaker!
I knew immediately that i was in a very small minority. Most people who adopt from China know very little about the first days of their child's life. Their knowledge of the early days, months or years is sketchy, with referral pictures being the only visual documentation of the years before the child joins the family. What i found on a seperate website were more than just one photo...there were seven, all documenting her being found and "checked out" in the infirmary. Although she did not have a note with her, she was wrapped in blankets and left at the gate of the orphanage with a bottle and a small amount of formula. In my heart, I want to believe that it must have been very painful for her family to leave her there. Yet I thank God for their sacrifice...for the care they gave her those first 4 days, and for the opportunity that i will have to raise her, knowing that she was loved by so many.
A simple email and a few pictures....isn't God awsome?

Getting started

Starting on this quest to adopt has been quite an adventure. As many of you know, adoption has been a part of my "plan" for years...but starting the process and taking the first step continued to allude me. This past August, upon my return from a mission trip, I found a renewed energy to "get started". I checked into several agencies and countries, but ended up being drawn to the special needs program through A Helping Hand agency. I started the quest with one child in mind, but God had another plan. About Mid September, I was given information about a child in Fuling, China. It was love at first sight. I knew that together, we would be a family! After reading about her personality, I knew that my extended family and I were a perfect match for her...A strong independent personality and a need to always have "the biggest toy" are traits that will serve her well amongst her aunts, uncles, and cousins! Her name in china is Fu Baoyun, with Bao meaning treasure. I know that is what she will be for the entire family...a treasure!