Wrapping It Up!

As I look back over November and all of the posts written about these amazing kids, I am absolutely amazed.  From the children that have been profiled here (as well as a couple of other places), THREE of them are now matched with their forever families!  

There are at least 2 other featured children who have families seriously considering bringing them home!  

I am SO excited to watch God set the lonely in families!  

It.NEVER.gets.old!  

So I leave you with one more kiddo that I should have posted on the 30th.  His name is Kieran.  

Kieran is 7 years old and has the CUTEST lips ever! :-)  He is a smart little boy who loves to play with blocks.  His favorite foods are chips and chocolate!  I told you he was smart! :-D

Kieran has been diagnosed with a urinary tract/kidney issue for which he has already had multiple hospitalizations and surgeries.   This little guy needs a mama and baba to be proactive in his treatment and advocate for the best care available!  He needs a family.  

Kieran's file is currently on the shared list.  This means that any agency with a China program can help with his adoption.  If a family chooses to use WACAP to complete his adoption, they may be eligible for a $4000 grant.  If you feel that Kieran could be the missing piece in your family, please message me.  You could also contact WACAP directly and reference "Kieran."

So as we kick off this season of Christ's birth, I ask you not to forget about these children and the other 150,000,000 just like them that are without a permanent loving family.  After all, the ultimate adoption story all started with that baby in a manger!  

Day 29...Meet Tobias!

Meet Tobias!

Tobias is noted to have a ready smile, laugh aloud and is fond of music. But these days, he has less and less to smile about. His need for a family is becoming more apparent as every birthday passes. 

China is well known for its bustling streets and busy market places. It was in one of those busy vegetable markets, knowing he would be spotted quickly, that 6 month-old Tobias was last held by his birth family. Attaching a red paper note to his blanket, they left Tobias and his forever family the gift of knowing his exact date of birth. Upon his finding, he was taken to his orphanage where he still resides. 

Tobias has been in the care of his orphanage for 8 ½ years. At one year old, he could hold up his head while lying on his stomach, could roll from his back to his stomach, would crawl, and sit steadily alone. He could locate the direction of a sound or voice, knew his name when called, and could distinguish between acquaintances and strangers. He would laugh aloud, utter single syllables, and would wave his hands and feet when he got excited! Such a delightful boy! 

Tobias has been diagnosed with retrolental fibroplasias of both eyes. He is blind. He has received no surgeries nor does he take any medications. There are several sites that can be helpful to parents considering the adoption of a child with blindness. One of those is the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology. 

As of this posting, Tobias’s file sits at the VERY bottom of the shared list. This month that means he is #1930. The fact that THAT many children are on a list WAITING is in itself astounding. The fact that he is waiting below every.other.file is heartbreaking. Tobias’s file was prepared for adoption in 2006 when he was less than a year old. At a time when so many were going to China for young baby girls, young boys with special needs were passed over. This is not a sob story. This is reality. 

Until October 2014, his file sat with only one update in 8 years, which is still untranslated. As is very common in orphanage for children with no vision, it is possible that Tobias has not received the necessary stimulation and training that every child needs for proper growth and development. His latest update reported that he is delayed compared to his peers. This is not surprising since he does not attend school. Although small for his age, he is a healthy boy. Small toys that make noise are his favorite. He is not a picky eater, but is not very interested in snacks. Tobias struggles to communicate with those around him, and the orphanage staff says that he displays autistic tendencies. 

Since Tobias’s file is currently on the shared list, any agency with a China program can assist with his adoption. For qualified families choosing to use WACAP as their placing agency, there is a $4000 Promise Child grant to help with the costs of bringing Tobias home.  

If you think that Tobias could be the missing piece to your family, please message me!  You could also contact WACAP directly and reference "Tobias (advocated for by Lori Saylor)."  They will know how to find his file.  If an agency other than WACAP needs his identifying information, please let me know and I will see that they get it.  

Today I am praying that Tobias' family finds him soon!  He has waited WAY too long.  

Day 28...John

Meet John!!

Three year old John, who is walking with guidance, LOVES to play with toys.  He is always exploring his surroundings and whatever happens to be in his hand!  

He will hold his toys up to his left eye and examine it.  Then he likes to wave it back and forth in front of his eye over and over again! 

He gravitates toward the toys that make noise and will discard ones that do not.  Even at only 2 years old, John could recognize familiar caregivers by their voice and by there walk.  

John's diagnosis is congenital cataracts.  It is obvious that he can sense light and see things that are up close.  He can often even grab a snack from his friend with great precision! :-)

Families wanting more information on John can read his full bio at www.redthreadadvocates.wordpress.com.  

If you think that John may be the missing piece to your family, you can message me or contact WACAP directly.  There is a $4000 grant available through WACAP for qualified families.  

Today I am praying for sweet John and his forever family...wherever they are!

Day 27...So Thankful!

Today, I am thankful that several of my advocacy kiddos have been matched with families this year.  

Some are already home, others are almost ready to travel, and still more have very recently been found and it may be several months before their parents will arrive.  

By this time next year though, all of their families will be celebrating Thanksgiving with their new treasured sons and daughters.  

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and the widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  

James 1:17

Day 26....Meet Neal!

Meet Neal!

Sweet little Neal, born December 2011, is getting ready to celebrate his third birthday! Wouldn’t it be amazing if it were his last birthday without his forever family? 

Early on a brisk March morning, while on patrol, a member of the police team found a small baby at the gate of a car manufacturing company. That little baby was taken straight to the local hospital while a search for his family was conducted. He was deemed to be in overall good health. After the search was proven to be unsuccessful, baby Neal was then taken to a children’s hospital for more conclusive testing. Once that was completed, Neal was placed in the care of his orphanage. 

Neal still resides at the orphanage and has not yet started school due to his young age. His caregivers are quite fond of this little guy. To quote his official file, he “is a smart and cute boy, we all like him.” At just 20 months, Neal could sit without help, crawl, walk without help, squat to pick up toys from the floor, and use his thumb and index fingers to pick up small objects. He has a good attention span, knows his name when called, follows directions and cooperates when getting dressed. He can babble when playing with toys, and now says simple Chinese words for milk, mom and bye bye with clear pronunciation.

And like all 2 year olds, he sometimes loses his temper, but the nannies say that some biscuits and chocolate quickly calm him down! Neal sleeps well, is not yet potty trained, and loves to play with other children. His favorite activity is exploring outside! And if it is an inside kind of day, a box of blocks is usually his entertainment of choice. Neal has a sensitive special need.

There are medical reports, ultrasound results, discharge summaries, and genetic testing available to view for prospective families.

Neal's file is currently with WACAP and there is a $4000 grant available for qualified families.  If you think that Neal may be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today I am praying for Neal's family to find him soon! 

Day 25...Meet Tyson!

Meet Tyson!

Exuding with confidence, ten year-old Tyson is well spoken and liked by all. Born in May 2004, he is hoping for a family with older siblings who can help teach him English. Loved and cared for by his birth family until he was 4 months old, Tyson was found lovingly wrapped in a blue quilt with an attached note. The note indicated his exact date of birth. What a gift that is for him and for his forever family! Initial exams noted a meningocele along with paralysis of both lower limbs and differently formed feet. Tyson now lives in the orphanage and has adjusted well to group life. 

When Tyson first came into care at his orphanage, he was sent to live with a foster family. He was well cared for by this family for 8 years. Due to his special needs, he is unable to attend the local school, so he attends school in the orphanage. It has been noted that he is a great leader for his peers and a good helper to his teachers. Tyson does well in school and loves to learn! His favorite subject is English. Even though he cannot walk, his self-care abilities are strong. Communication comes easy to him and he is well liked by all!  

Tyson’s official file lists his special needs as postoperative meningocele, deformity of both feet, and paralysis of both lower limbs. Families looking to research spinal meningocele or needing support may find the following links helpful: Spina Bifida Association 
National Institute of Health 
Kids Health 
China Adoption Spina Bifida Yahoo Group 
Shriner’s Hospital  

There are several post-operative reports for Tyson’s family to view as well as blood work and immunization records. 

In October 2014, WACAP staff was able to meet Tyson during a Journey of Hope camp. He confidently rolled into the room in his wheelchair with a big smile on his face! The staff noted that he has a sharp mind and excellent memory! His best friend was recently adopted which made him very sad. Tyson says that reading just “OK,” but he enjoys watching TV…specifically war stories and stories about animals. His nanny said that he is a good leader, but he is also easygoing and lets others lead. He is thoughtful in his conversation and has very clear speech. A typical adolescent, he does NOT like to go to bed early, but enjoys hanging out with friends. As the visit was drawing to a close, Tyson shared, “I want to be adopted and go abroad. I’d like to have a family with a big brother and big sister – I’m not ready to be a big brother yet.” And then, “If I go abroad, will someone teach me English?” When he was told yes, he replied, “Then a family is my only wish.” 

Currently, Tyson's file is with WACAP.  They would LOVE to see this young man's family come forward and they are doing everything they can to help!  WACAP is waiving their Application Fee ($350), their Pre-Approval Deposit ($500) and there is a $4000 grant available to qualified families!  

If you think that Tyson could be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Are you the family who will fulfill his wish? 

Day 24...Meet Jenni!

Meet Jenni!

Jenni was one of the first 2 girls I started advocating for.  As I have mentioned before, looking at a list of over 2000 children and choosing which ones you are going to advocate for is a very humbling position.  I mean EVERY ONE of those kiddos needs and deserves a loving family who can care for all of their emotional and physical needs.  But this one time, it was kind of a no-brainer.  You see, Jenni and Louise (from day 8) both have the same special need as our son.  They are both adrenal insufficient.  

At approximately 6 weeks old, wearing a floral cotton sleeper, Jenni was found at the ticket booth of a local train station.  She has been well taken care of at her orphanage, even spending several years with her foster family.  Jenni is now in school and is known to be a hard worker.  New concepts are easily grasped and she is doing well! Drawing is a favorite activity of hers and she is quite good at it.  

For months, all I had of Jenni was what was in her original "official" file.  The orphanage she is at does not give updates to outside agencies, so even though her file was out of date, I could not get any more information.  Several weeks ago, WACAP participated in a Journey of Hope camp and Jenni was THERE!  They were able to meet her and get the updated pictures and even video!  She is no longer buried on the shared list, but her file is now designated to WACAP...which happens to be our adoption agency!  

It was so nice to read a little updated information on her and see some new pics.  Oh, how my heart longs for someone to choose this girl.  Someone who will attend to her sensitive medical needs, mentor her through awkward adolescent years, and show her how beautiful and loved she is in the the eyes of her Creator.  

If you think that Jenni could be the missing piece in your family, please message me.  You could also contact WACAP directly and they would love to share more about her and the process of adoption!  

Tonight...yes this is posting a little late today...tonight I am praying that Jenni's family will find her soon.  She could really use a mama right now.