Day 22...Happy Birthday, Jack!

I have to kind of giggle as I type the title of this post.  For me in conjured up visions of a scraggly bearded old man sipping out of his green tea cup.  If you have never laughed through a Duck Dynasty episode, you clearly do not have similar characters in your own southern family.  :-)

But without further adieu...

Meet Jack! 

Jack had a birthday this week and just turned 12!  I know my 12 year old pre-teen was terribly excited for her birthday this year and her obvious-to-her near adulthood status.  I can imagine that Jack is equally proud of the handsome man he is growing to be as well.  

However, my daughter's biggest concern for the next year and a half is whether or not she will be able to shop on Black Friday and if we will put her back in gymnastics as soon as we make our big move north next month so that she can continue to progress through the levels of the sport.  She is hoping for at least level 7 by the time she turns 14.  

Jack no doubt has bigger concerns than sports and great deals on cool clothing to occupy his mind between now and his 14th birthday.  You see, in just less than 2 years, Jack will lose his chance to have a family of his own.  He will "age out."  

Jack is a helpful young man who follows directions obediently.  He does well in school and has normal development. 

In 2013, Jack had surgery for a sensitive special need dealing with his excretory system.  His self-care skills are good.  He is a very well-kept and brave young man.  Although his smile eluded the camera, he did have a warm smile that he shared with the WACAP staff toward the end of their summer visit.  Jack has the potential to lead a full and rewarding life.  A family of his own could help him realize that potential.  

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

Today I am praying that Jack's family finds him soon! 

Day 21...Be Still My Heart!

Meet Harriet! 

Adorable Harriet, born April 2011, is now 3 years old. This shy little girl also has a fiery side! Her cute expressions often bring laughter to those around her. Harriet is sure to bring joy to her family…as soon as they find her! 

Left alone in a hospital for children, her birth parents undoubtedly knew that their daughter needed medical care. At approximately 4 days old, after a failed search for her birth family, she was taken into care at her orphanage. Harriet joined her foster family in 2012. 

 A year later, her file stated that she is very attached to her foster mother. She can crawl, walk freely, and even go up and down stairs unassisted. Her fine motor skills are noted to be on target for her age. She can imitate words and speak in short sentences. She can express her needs using words, is fond of playing games, energetic, and sometimes impatient. She loves spending time outside and unpacking new toys. Although one place in her file notes that her intelligence development is slower than her peers, she seems to be quite capable in most areas. Harriet loves to be cuddled and touched. And when she is unhappy, she is better when she gets a new toy! 

 Harriet received surgery in 2011 for an intestinal need from which she recovered well. In order to tell if her condition is completely corrected, further examination is necessary. Currently Harriet cannot control her bowel movements, so she wears diapers. She can control her urination during the day. There are detailed hospital discharge summaries available in her file. More information on her need can be found here. 

An update from September 2014 states that Harriet is currently 86cm tall and weighs 12kg. It notes that she does not have an eating issue, but does need to avoid certain types of food since they adversely affect her bowel. She does not have a breathing issue or an orthopedic issue. She can run and jump well and speak with 2-3 Chinese characters.

Harriet's file is currently with WACAP and there is a $2000 grant for qualified families.  If you think that Harriet may be the missing piece in your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today I am praying for Harriet's family to find her soon! 

Day 20...Forest!

Meet Forest!

Or maybe I should call him Mr. Adorable!? 

Seriously...

Forest recently turned 4 and is described by his caregivers as an "outgoing, nice, endearing little boy."  Not that it slows him down at all, but he was born with a differently formed left hand/arm.  He is able to hold object with his left hand and can even stack blocks!

Forest was also born with a sensitive excretory need that has been corrected with surgery.  It is unclear whether or not it was completely successful.  Additional information is available to families considering adding Forest to their family.  

Forest speaks clearly and is able to use simple sentences.  His caregivers feel he is a very good boy who needs a family to help him with his challenges.  

Currently, Forest's file is with WACAP.  If you feel that Forest could be the missing piece in your family, please message me or email WACAP directly.  

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

Day 19...H.E.A.L.T.H.Y.

Meet Finley! 

This handsome guy has waited for 10 years, and guess what??  He is HEALTHY!  Although it is reported that he had a lump on his neck when he was a newborn, it went away on its own and never returned.  

And do you know what is really cool??  Finley and some of his friends are taking a HUGE field trip to the United States in January 2015!!  

Finley's file was with WACAP for several months.  Typically after 3 months, the children's files return to the shared list where they can be picked up by other agencies who then try and match them with their families.  

Finley's file is now with Cradle of Hope.  Cradle of Hope has given him the advocacy name "Luke."

There are still host families needed for this upcoming trip.  If you are interested in hosting Finley/Luke, or perhaps another child, please check out this website for more information.  

If you think Finley/Luke may be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact Cradle of Hope directly.

Today I am praying for Finley and his forever family! 

Day 18...Noah!

Meet Noah! 

So I will admit that I am pretty partial to preschool/kindergarten age boys!  They really do tug at my heart.  Perhaps it is because I have now had 3 boys this age and I know how incredibly cool they are.  Or perhaps it is because I watch the boys get passed over time after time for the pretty little girls.  Whatever the reason, I think these little guys ROCK!  

Noah is 5 years old.  He is said to be tall and gentle "like a real gentleman" according to his caregivers.  He is a quick thinker and easily understands concepts presented by his teachers.  Noah is a hard worker and is always trying to help however he can.  He even likes to do the LAUNDRY!  As a mama of four, I consider that to be a very helpful little guy! :-)

Snack time! 

When Noah was approximately one month old, he was brought to the orphanage by the local police.  It was noted that he had a mass on his head.  However, without surgery, the mass resolved on its own.  There are some imaging reports that are available in his file for his family to view regarding this need.  

On a recent visit to China by our agency, WACAP, they were told that Noah has some delays that include his speech.  Oh, how he will benefit from a family who is willing to help him work to achieve his full potential.  Are you that family?  

ADORABLE I tell ya!

If you feel that Noah may be the missing piece for your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today I am praying for Noah's family to find him soon.  

Day 17...Ethan

Meet Ethan!!

This little guy is almost three years old and is cute.as.can.BE!  

Although his caregivers state that his growth and development are behind other children in his orphanage, he doesn't seem to lack in personality or charm!  

Ethan was born with differently formed hands and feet.  They do not affect his ability to grasp objects or walk.  His update says he can stand for a short time without support, but can only take a couple of steps at a time.  Although his vision and hearing are reported to be normal, he is not yet speaking.  He can understand others, however.  

Even thought this looks like quite the 2 year old tantrum, it is said that Ethan rarely cries (unless he is hungry!).  He loves to take baths, and any toy that makes noise is a hit with him!  Remember how crazy a toddler can drive you with this toy here??  Or maybe that is just me! :-)

For more information about Ethan, please message me.  You could also contact WACAP directly and they would be happy to help you learn more about this cute little guy.  

Today, I am praying that Ethan's family finds him soon.  How amazing it will be to watch him become a treasured son!  

Day 16...Meet Erika

Meet Erika! 

Sweet Erika was estimated to be only 5 days old when the police took her to her orphanage.  Over the years she has grown and developed into a precious little girl.  

Although info in her file is a little old (2012), she seems to be such a gem!  Her caretakers describe her as a docile little girl who is very polite and respectful.  She is potty trained, can dress herself, feeds herself and can understand instructions.  When her foster mother says "hug," she will run towards her and fall into her arms!  Erika is quite a tidy little one!  She is often picking up trash and throwing it away on her own.  And when she gets ready for a bath, she puts her own clothes into her hamper.  (Perhaps she could teach my teens/tweens a thing or two??)

Erika is a quiet little girl.  She enjoys spending time alone, but she is also very easy to get a long with.  She never snatches for food or toys.  Even for her favorite doll.  Her caretakers say she has a very self-sacrificing spirit.  

At Erika's last update, she had not yet started school, but her foster parents were working with her to give her a head start on her education.  

Erika's file is currently on the shared list.  This means that any adoption agency with a China program can assist with her adoption.  In October, another adoptive mama visited Erika's orphanage.  She was told that they were considering pulling Erika's file off of the shared list in order to list some of their other children.  This would mean Erika would no longer be available for adoption.  However, if a family were to come forward soon, they would not remove her from the list.  This makes my prayers for sweet Erika URGENT so that she does not miss out on her chance to have her own forever family!  

If you feel that Erika may be the missing piece for your family, please message me!  I am happy to provide the necessary information that your agency would need in order to locate her file.  

Erika also has an account set up on Reece's Rainbow to help her parents with the expense of her adoption.  You can donate to her account here if you would like to help financially.  

Fervently praying that sweet Erika's family finds her VERY soon.