Then and Now

Josiah-5 months ago

Josiah NOW!

In December we visited an orphanage in Beijing to deliver Christmas Stockings and Backpacks filled with toys for the orphans. The children there were so loving. In one room of the orphanage was a 7 month little boy laying in the corner of the room all alone in his crib. His hands were ice cold, his skin was grey,but he had the biggest smile on his face. We were told he could not keep any food down when he was fed. He was slowly starving to death. As we left the orphanage I could not get his image out of my mind. The next day we visited an orphanage run by a wonderful American couple . Morning Star Foster Home takes in sick children that would otherwise not survive in their orphanages. We told them of the little boy we had seen the day before, and they immediately had him transferred to their home. It is now five months later and he is doing WONDERFUL. Morning Star changed his formula and gave him extra TLC. They named him JOSIAH. We hopefully will be able to go back and see him when we return to China . If you would like to find out more information on the wonderful things they are doing to make a difference in orphans lives , please visit their web site. They can always use more help.

Name?

WE have finally decided on a name...
Teresa Caroline Bartlinski.
She is named after two GREAT women , Mother Teresa and Nana Bartlinski.

Thank you

Today we received a call from Congressman Cummings office to inform us that our paperwork has been submitted to The American Embassy in Guangzhou China. ( The last step in our adoption paperwork before we receive our Travel Approval).

We contacted Congressman Cummings Office on Monday to have them help us expedite Liu Fangs paperwork . They have been so helpful that in three days we have almost received ALL of our approvals.!!!! We are so grateful to his office and his wonderful employees,(especially our angel there -Katie).

We are in awe at how fast GOD has moved Liu Fangs paperwork to completion . It has taken less than 3 months. This is almost unheard of . Now there is just one more mountain to move. The financial part. We have total trust in God to move this mountain, we know HE will provide a way.

WE have LOA!!!!

WE have LOA!!!( Letter of Acceptance, Letter of Seeking Confirmation from Adopter) and I800 Approval (Petition to classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative) YAAAAAAH!!!

Only a FEW more weeks for Travel Approval !


Hold on Nemo we are coming.

Why China ?

Every time we adopt another child someone always asks me ," Why are you adopting from China ?" This question is really pretty easy ... because that is where our daughters are. But really what they are saying is," why don't you adopt from the US? There are orphans here that need a family too. " Yes that is true , but GOD has led us to China . There are over 143 MILLION ORPHANS IN THE WORLD. All orphans are deserving of a home and a family to love them. It does not matter what country they were born in . In GOD'S eyes all children are special.

Name ?

We have had several friends ask us what her name will be... We are still deciding on her name , so for right now we are calling her "Nemo". Nemo had a very small fin. Liu Fang has a very small left arm. The girls thought this was a very fitting name. So Until we officially name her , we are calling her "Nemo".

Yes, We are adopting again

I guess it might not come as a surprise to some ,but to others I'm sure it does. Yes, we are adopting again. We never imagined we would be headed back to China so soon , especially after just getting home in December.

A three year old girl came to our attention that desperately needed a home. She is in need of a heart transplant. She had a family who was in the process of adopting her , but for unknown reasons the adoption was stopped. This left her needing a family again. We contacted her adoption Agency and they informed us that they were looking for a family that was already "logged in" with China . ( This would enable her to come home sooner because all of their paperwork would be complete). We had not started our Home Study therefore we could not be considered. We let the agency know that while they were seeking a family to come forward and adopt her , we would be willing to consider adopting her provided no other family stepped forward first. We felt that we could not sit back and let her die without giving her a chance at life.

So we waited... Many families reviewed her medical file , but then decided not to pursue her adoption . At this point we thought we should start our Home Study and Dossier in case another family did not come forward . Time is not on her side because of the severity of her heart condition . We rushed through the home study , completed all the documents for the Dossier and filed with immigration . Immigration was very kind and expedited all her papers to us after we supplied them with her medical information and documents from Doctors who verified how critical she was. We were then officially matched with her and became HER FAMILY. Now we wait for China to expedite their paperwork . We are hopefully expecting to travel in July to bring her home.

We are now in desperate need of fundraising to cover the adoption , travel and medical expenses that we expect to incur . We are open to any and all suggestions that any one might have on how to raise $25,000 by July. Continental Airlines has set up an account for our family to travel to China on with donated frequent flyer miles. If anyone has miles on Continental and would like to donate them , please email me - your full name- One Pass Frequent flyer number- Pin #- and How many miles you would like to donate . ( After the miles have been donated from your account , you can change your pin # , If this is more comfortable for you ). It's that easy! But mostly we need your prayers!!! Liu Fang is very sick and is in desperate need of a heart transplant. She has 5 major defects in her heart and the prognosis is not very good . All the Doctors that have reviewed her medical information have given her a very short life expectancy . I know some people will wonder why we would want to adopt a child that might not live very long ? WE discussed this as a family ,prayed deeply , received spiritual counseling and came to the conclusion ... It's not about us, it's about her . Yes we will have to make huge sacrifices in every aspect of our life as a family, but not giving a child the chance to experience life , no matter how long was not an option . She will know the love of a family with sisters and brothers for however long God decides to give her to us.

Our Pastors' advice to us was..."GOD will not lead you where HIS grace will not sustain you" . This is what we are holding on to...