Bladder Exstrophy: Calming Your Fears

April 15, 2019 adopting a boy, bladder exstrophy, Family Stories, older child adoption, Urogenital System, WACAP 4 Comments

In late fall of 2016, my husband I decided to pursue adoption. We mulled over what ages we would consider since we had other children and were “older parents” in our 40s. We decided that the perfect age would be somewhere around 4 years old. (I have now learned that when it comes to matters …Read More

What to Expect: the Homestudy

February 28, 2019 dossier, February 2019 Feature - The Paperchase, homestudy, I'm Ready to Adopt, Lifeline, What To Expect 0 Comments

I have been a licensed social worker practicing in international adoptions for over six years now, and I must confess that I absolutely love paperwork! I recognize that I am probably in the minority. I tell families that the beginning of the adoption process might feel like you are trying to sip from a fire …Read More

Preparing for Adoption Q and A: WACAP

October 25, 2017 Agencies, China trip, choosing a China adoption agency, Gotcha Day, I'm Ready to Adopt, October 2017 Feature - Preparing for Adoption from the Experts, prepping for China, Stefanie, WACAP 0 Comments

You’ve dreamt for this day for months, years even. Planned for it, traveled halfway around the world for it and played it out in your mind a million times. And yet, the reality of becoming a family through adoption is undoubtedly different. What happens next depends much on how you, as the adoptive parent, process …Read More

Preparing for Adoption: A Family Therapist’s Perspective

October 23, 2017 books, China trip, guest post, I'm Ready to Adopt, Lifeline, October 2017 Feature - Preparing for Adoption from the Experts, pre-adoption, prepping for China, TBRI-based therapy 0 Comments

You’ve dreamt for this day for months, years even. Planned for it, traveled halfway around the world for it and played it out in your mind a million times. And yet, the reality of becoming a family through adoption is undoubtedly different. What happens next depends much on how you, as the adoptive parent, process …Read More

Preparing for Adoption Q and A: Madison

October 17, 2017 Agencies, China trip, choosing a China adoption agency, Gotcha Day, I'm Ready to Adopt, Madison, October 2017 Feature - Preparing for Adoption from the Experts, prepping for China, Stefanie 0 Comments

You’ve dreamt for this day for months, years even. Planned for it, traveled halfway around the world for it and played it out in your mind a million times. And yet, the reality of becoming a family through adoption is undoubtedly different. What happens next depends much on how you, as the adoptive parent, process …Read More

Preparing for Adoption Q and A: Lifeline

October 12, 2017 Agencies, China trip, choosing a China adoption agency, Gotcha Day, I'm Ready to Adopt, Lifeline, October 2017 Feature - Preparing for Adoption from the Experts, prepping for China, Stefanie 0 Comments

You’ve dreamt for this day for months, years even. Planned for it, traveled halfway around the world for it and played it out in your mind a million times. And yet, the reality of becoming a family through adoption is undoubtedly different. What happens next depends much on how you, as the adoptive parent, process …Read More

Questions Answered Regarding New Requirements for APs

July 7, 2017 CCCWA, Lifeline, Stefanie 0 Comments

Almost as soon as the CCCWA released new eligibility requirements for adoptive parents, questions arose. Big questions, on which many families’ adoptions hung. How many children are allowed in the home? When does the clock start for one year between adoptions? What about those who already have pre-approval but do not meet the new requirements? …Read More

Returned to the Orphanage: the Children of Guangdong

May 21, 2017 Children Who Wait, Lifeline, orphan ministry, other ways to care for the orphan 0 Comments

On March 21st, I came across a post from Lifeline’s China program director that said: “Please join us in praying for the precious children who are being cared for in our Foster Center in Zhanjiang, China. Because of some new laws being implemented this year in China, we were notified very unexpectedly last night that …Read More

Love Stories: A Second Chance

April 24, 2017 April 2017 Feature - Love Stories, foster care, Lifeline, orphan ministry, other ways to care for the orphan 2 Comments

We are so quick to fill in the blanks, aren’t we? We get one part of a story, and we use our imagination to complete the rest. But it’s too simplistic to do that with the care of orphaned children halfway around the world… to see an image and create a tragic narrative, hear a …Read More

Waiting to be Chosen: Drake and Lincoln

March 30, 2017 AWAA, Children Who Wait, Chris 1 Comments

America World Adoption Hope Journey team members share their stories about a couple of very special boys. Meet Drake. I nicknamed him “Handsome”. Behind his quiet demeanor, his eyes hold a deep look that is kind and brave. I have spent two days watching him tease his foster brothers and joke around with the boys …Read More

Waiting to be chosen: Bates, Canaan, and Heathton

March 26, 2017 AWAA, Children Who Wait, Chris 0 Comments

It’s all about the boys today! “Listen” as these Storytellers from America World Adoption – Journey of Hope – share their stories about three darling boys. Meet Bates: This cute little boy grabbed my attention at the opening ceremony as he made wantons out of play dough during craft time. Whenever I saw him, he …Read More

Red Flags: Not All Agencies Are Created Equal

February 15, 2017 Agencies, Faith, I'm Ready to Adopt, switching agencies 0 Comments

You may have seen that an adoption agency with a program in China was recently “temporarily debarred” by the State Department. Some of the violations by this agency included (I am paraphrasing): Charging families in-country fees that were different than what they had previously quoted. Charging fees that were unreasonably high in consideration of services …Read More

On the Ground in China: Prayers Answered

January 24, 2017 agency-orphanage partnership, AWAA, Beyond Adoption, medical mission trip, orphan ministry, other ways to care for the orphan 0 Comments

Prayers answered overnight, relationships forged, and a path cleared to serve more than twice the number of children planned – this is the incredible impact of a recent medical mission trip to help orphans in China. On this recent trip, Dr. Kanhka Linthavong and his team saw God work in powerful ways. The group of …Read More

On Medical Mission: Telling the Stories of Orphans with Special Needs

October 4, 2016 agency-orphanage partnership, AWAA, Beyond Adoption, medical mission trip, orphan ministry, other ways to care for the orphan 1 Comments

Dr. Kanhka Linthavong is a North Carolina doctor with a huge heart for adoption. His family is in the process of adopting a child from China, and he loves how adoption demonstrates how God brings us into His own family.  In just a few days, Dr. Linthavong will be traveling to China on a medical missions …Read More

Q & A with the Four Agencies in the FSL Program

August 19, 2016 Agencies, Carrie, CCAI, former shared list program, Gladney, Holt, Lifeline, shared list 0 Comments

With the new Former Shared List (FSL) program unrolled, many people within the Chinese adoption community have questions about what it means for future placements. Over the last three weeks, we’ve looked at these changes from a few different perspectives. First we interviewed Martha Osborne, the founder of RainbowKids, the advocacy site which will host …Read More

A Beginner’s Guide to Special Needs Adoption: Post Five

August 13, 2016 A Beginner's Guide to Special Needs Adoption, Agencies, agency-orphanage partnership, dossier, Faith, I'm Ready to Adopt, medical needs checklist, paperchase, pre-adoption, referral, should we adopt?, waiting for referral 1 Comments

Becoming a parent, no matter how it happens, is never easy. But for those just looking into the possibility of adoption it can seem positively overwhelming. It is our hope to change all that. This 8-post series will go step-by-step through the process to adopt through the special needs program for those of you who …Read More

Thoughts on the Former Shared List Program

August 12, 2016 Advocacy, Agencies, Carrie, CCAI, former shared list program, Gladney, Holt, Lifeline, referral, shared list, special focus 2 Comments

CCCWA has always shown a willingness to try new programs and methods in order to give more children a chance to be adopted. Through the years, many different aspects of the program have changed – sometimes quite suddenly – which initially can cause confusion and anxiety. But with time, agencies and families have adapted to …Read More

RainbowKids, Martha Osborne and the Shared List

August 6, 2016 Advocacy, CCAI, Gladney, Holt, Lifeline, RainbowKids, referral, shared list, special focus, Stefanie 0 Comments

We recently had an opportunity to talk with Martha Osborne, founder of RainbowKids, and ask her some questions about RainbowKids, the recent changes in the Shared List and the impact of those changes on China’s special needs program. ……… Q: Can you tell us more about Rainbow Kids – how did it get started? Our …Read More

A Beginner’s Guide to Special Needs Adoption: Post Four

August 3, 2016 A Beginner's Guide to Special Needs Adoption, Agencies, Faith, I'm Ready to Adopt, medical needs checklist, pre-adoption, referral, should we adopt?, waiting for referral 0 Comments

Becoming a parent, no matter how it happens, is never easy. But for those just looking into the possibility of adoption it can seem positively overwhelming. It is our hope to change all that. This 8-post series will go step-by-step through the process to adopt through the special needs program for those of you who …Read More

‘Tis the Season for Hosting

December 25, 2015 Beyond Adoption, December 2015 Feature - Beyond Adoption, Kelly, Living Hope, orphan hosting, other ways to care for the orphan 0 Comments

We thought about it for a few minutes when we got the email from Living Hope about their new orphan hosting program. And, then we moved on. It was a neat thing; it would be great for the families who could do it. We weren’t one of them. We had a lot of reasons not …Read More

Beyond Adoption: Lifeline’s (un)adopted Foster Home

December 14, 2015 Beyond Adoption, December 2015 Feature - Beyond Adoption, Lifeline, orphan ministry, other ways to care for the orphan 0 Comments

In July 2014 thirteen precious children were moved from an orphanage in southern China to a new foster center called City of Grace, opened by Lifeline Children’s Service (un)adopted ministry. This new safe haven became a place where nannies greeted the children with open arms and welcomed these children worthy of love. Over the course …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 10)

July 10, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 1 Comments

Today we’re finishing our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the final post by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous nine posts here. So grateful to Kelly for this insightful and well-researched series, such an excellent resource for adopting families!   Finding Your Priorities and Choosing Your …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 9)

July 2, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 0 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the ninth in a 10 post mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous posts here.   Grants, Fundraising, and Understanding the Business Side of Agencies   Finances are an important consideration for many parents. Few …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 8)

June 25, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 0 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the eighth in a 10 post mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous posts here.   Financial Considerations   If you have stayed with me through this series it is likely that by now …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 7)

June 19, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 3 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the seventh in a 10 post mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous posts here.   Travel Questions   If you are reading this series because you want to choose an agency to start …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 6)

June 11, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 2 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the sixth in a 10 post mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous posts here.   Asking Agencies About Special Situations   If you would like to adopt from China, you need to fit …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 5)

June 4, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 0 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the fifth in a 10 post mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can find links to the previous four posts here.   Comparing Agencies   Now that we have discussed the different types of files, you probably know …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 4)

May 28, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 3 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the fourth in a mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can read the first three posts here, here and here.   LID File Agency Questions and Transferring Files Between Agencies   While we will be discussing many different factors to consider when choosing an agency, …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 3)

May 18, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 0 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the third in a mini-series by Kelly – who blogs at Mine In China – on How To Choose An Agency. You can read the first two posts here and here.   Understanding LID and Partnership Files In this post, we are going to focus on another file designation used by China, known …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 2)

May 7, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 0 Comments

Today we’re back with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with the second in a mini-series of ten posts by Kelly, who blogs at Mine In China, on How To Choose An Agency. If you haven’t already, you can read the first post here. Things to consider when choosing your child first:   If you’ve decided that you really …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt: Choosing an Agency (Part 1)

May 2, 2015 Agencies, choosing a China adoption agency, Guest Series, I'm Ready to Adopt 1 Comments

Today we pick back up with our I’m Ready To Adopt series with a mini-series by Kelly, who blogs at Mine In China, on How To Choose An Agency. Because this very complex subject deserves a mini-series of it’s own. Kelly has published a series of posts on her own blog and has graciously reformatted them into …Read More

I’m Ready to Adopt, Now What? Getting Started

December 2, 2014 Agencies, Amy A., I'm Ready to Adopt 3 Comments

Welcome to our newest contributing blogger, Amy Abell. A few months ago, Amy shared a most helpful, well-laid out, easy-to-follow series on fundraising for adoption. So when we were planning a sharing about the “How To-s” of adoption, we asked her if she would share once more. And again, she managed to lay out a …Read More

find my family: Lai

November 14, 2014 CCAI, Family Found 0 Comments

Update: My family has found me! On February 27, 2009, Lai was found abandoned. He just turned 8 years old with a birthdate of October 2006. He is a shy, delicate and handsome little boy. His demeanor is really peaceful, and when he sees a stranger, he stands very still and does not talk. If …Read More

Southern Hospitality 2014 is underway

October 22, 2014 Advocacy, Lifeline 0 Comments

  From Lifeline’s website: Our goal in this endeavor is to shower these children with love, introduce them to the culture of the southern United States, and provide them with some unique experiences. This event is also an important element in our on-going development of our orphanage partnerships in China. Through our partnership orphanages we …Read More

find my family: Channing

October 16, 2014 Advocacy, CCAI, Family Found 0 Comments

Update: My Family has Found Me! Channing is now over 5 years old. He is extremely cute, and his big eyes are bright and sparkling, as if they could speak. Under his delicate nose, his sweet mouth has grown into quite the talker. Everyone really likes him. However, Channing tends to speak a little childishly …Read More

Find my Family: Yan Bo

October 13, 2014 Advocacy, ATWA 1 Comments

Goodness, have we got a special little boy for you to meet today! This is Yan Bo, affectionately called “Bobo” who is listed has having a repaired cleft lip and palate and drooping eyelids by his orphanage. Isn’t he adorable? He is listed with ATWA and all his agency fees are waived. If a family adopts …Read More

find my family: kylee

October 12, 2014 Advocacy, Faith International Adoptions, Family Found 0 Comments

Update: My Family Has Found Me! Meet beautiful Kylee! Born in October 2011, her caregivers describe her as optimistic and smiley. She loves to be around others and is energetic. She enjoys being outdoors and loves toys with sound. It is believed that Kylee was born prematurely and has experienced hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), although …Read More

find my family: Jonah

October 8, 2014 Advocacy, boys, Family Found, WACAP 1 Comments

Update: My family has found me! Jonah is just 3 years old and is a very smart little fellow. His motor skills are age appropriate and he has good eye-hand coordination. He can communicate using sentences made up of 5-10 words, but is still working on expressing his needs verbally. He often uses actions in …Read More

one-of-a-kind opportunity through Lifeline

August 25, 2014 adoption situations, Lifeline 0 Comments

From Lifeline: Lifeline Children’s Services is excited to announce that we will be hosting twelve children from Kunming City, China as part of our first ever hosting program! The hosting program, “Southern Hospitality 2014”, will be held in Hattiesburg, MS on October 12-26, 2014. We are inviting families to join us in Hattiesburg to help …Read More

Find My Family: Dennis

July 6, 2014 boys, Family Found, Lifeline 0 Comments

Update: My Family has found me! Dennis is a sweet 1 year old, designated as special focus with Lifeline Children’s Services through an orphanage partnership. His special need is Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Dennis is a curious little guy with a precious personality!! He is a tiny little peanut with the most amazing smile! Dennis is described …Read More

Aging Out Child: Pamela

July 4, 2014 Advocacy, Family Found, girls, Lifeline 0 Comments

Pamela is 13 years old, listed as special focus with postoperative cleft lip and cleft palate repair, blood WBC slightly elevated higher; and otherwise healthy. She is designated to Lifeline Children’s Services. Pamela is said to be a clever, active, and outgoing child, who likes outdoor activity, games, and watching TV. She is helpful to …Read More

Find My Family: Jenny

June 14, 2014 Advocacy, Agape, Family Found, girls 0 Comments

Get ready for a party with Jenny! Five old Jenny was born blind, but being blind doesn’t stop her from living life to the fullest. She sings, she dances, she is the life of the party. Her caregivers describe Jenny as an extrovert and an active playmate. She is expressive and loves meeting new people …Read More

Find My Family: Becca

April 28, 2014 Advocacy, BAAS, Family Found, girls 1 Comments

UPDATE: My family has found me! Becca is a sweet little girl waiting for a family. She turned 3 in October and has Schizencephaly, a non-progressive brain abnormality. Her original file states she had a hemangioma and rickets, both of which are non-issues now. She was reported to have delays, which turned out to be …Read More

aging out children with CCAI

April 24, 2014 Advocacy, aging-out child, CCAI, Family Found 0 Comments

Can you imagine life without a family or a person to call your own? Can you imagine dreaming of a family only to know there is a good chance it may not happen? Can you imagine knowing at 14 years of age that the dream of having a forever family has to die because you …Read More

Find My Family: Davie

April 16, 2014 Advocacy, boys, Dillon, Family Found 1 Comments

Update: My Family has found me! Sweet Davie is almost two years old. He was born May of 2012. Being cute isn’t enough for this toddler … he has to be smart and sweet as well! Abandoned at birth and longing for affection and a family of his own, this baby boy is doing well …Read More

Lifeline waiting kids: Love Manor

April 17, 2013 Lifeline 0 Comments

The following children are on Lifeline’s Love Manor list and can only be viewed on Lifeline’s website. For more information and to see these precious kiddos, visit their Love Manor page or email Logan Gibbons at logan.gibbons@lifelinechild.org. Tallan – male, age 2, blood disorder. Tallan is a very curious and cute little boy. He can …Read More

agency closings

February 12, 2013 Agencies 3 Comments

Two adoption agencies that have been a part of the China Special Needs program – Christian World Adoption and Homeland Adoption Services – have recently announced that they are regretfully closing their doors. The additional expenses agencies incurred to comply with the Hague Convention, the floundering economy and the recent ban on Russian adoptions have …Read More

new kiddos…

August 28, 2012 ASIA 0 Comments

are listed on our Children Who Wait page. ASIA has a list of kiddos in their Hope Journey program. And a 3 year old girl with post-operative CHD and slow development. Go see and help us spread the word for these children!

ASIA – new list posted

July 18, 2011 ASIA 0 Comments

… these kiddos need to find their forever families. New list from ASIA includes 3 year old twin girls. Some of the children even have $5000 grants available. Visit our Children Who Wait page for more details.

Madison – Camp Rabbit 2

May 16, 2011 Madison, older child adoption 0 Comments

News from Sara Lang at Madison Adoption Associates – Camp Rabbit 2 is underway… Aleda, Diana, Lydia, and our volunteer doctor, Bonnie, are on their way to the Philadelphia Airport to begin the Journey of Hope that will be Camp Rabbit 2! Madison Adoption Associates will be meeting a wonderful group of children in Baoan, …Read More

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