Wish #52

This words in this wish really struck me with their simple truth. I belong to many yahoo groups to help us prepare for this journey to China and journey of attachment. I see listings of SO many beautiful children and see so many of these children's files being returned to China. It breaks my heart to think that they may not get a chance to have their "forever family" find them.

On our agency's list there is a beautiful 12 year old girl who is perfectly healthy. Once a child reaches age 14, the social welfare system in China no longer provides for them. They are on their own. I do not know or understand how many of them survive. And I also know that not all of the children in their social welfare system are listed with agencies. If they are too ill, they are not listed. They never have a chance to "blossom." It is probably almost a one in a million chance that one of these children is chosen to join a family that can love and provide for them.

On May 1st a new set of guidelines went into effect in China that tightened the basic requirements to apply to adopt these children. There are income requirements, length of marriage requirements, body mass index requirements, age requirements and many more. While all of this is completely understandable and good, it really limited the existing interested population of potential parents. Prior to May, I watched the children on each list be spoken for almost immediately. After May 1st, we have had to really campaign to find families that meet the requirements and are interested in these beautiful kids.

Please reflect on the words that came from the Hinkle family and accompanied this happy, cherry blossom printed fabric.

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it."
Confucius
I wish you the vision to see all that is beautiful around you.

The Hinkle Family
Cedarburg, WI
Waiting for our daughter from China

If you are curious about adopting from China and would like to see some of these children's' photos or read their stories - please let me know. I know that adoption is a gift of God, one that He used throughout the history of believers to place the right people in the right place to do His will.