what we're reading: 4.4.16 | No Hands But Ours

We are welcoming in April with this great compilation of blog posts, news articles, and links to traveling families. So much good stuff has been happening the last few months. So get a comfy spot, and get to clicking.

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Sarah Frazer shares a beautiful post titled, A Letter to Myself on the First “Belong Day.” She writes a letter to herself to encourage an embracing of the miracles yet to come. “The miracle will be your heart (and hers). You will beg and pray for God to give you love for her. And He does. He changes your heart in ways you could have never done on your own. It is so profound how much you will fall in love with her. You cannot help but believe it is Him who has done this miracle. So HE will get the GLORY.”

A Beautiful Symphony has had so many incredible posts recently. Have you been keeping up? Here are a few great reads: Our Originals: Their Sacrifices and Blessings; It’s YOUR Mission {Not Their’s} and Big Family vs Orphanage. Actually, there are too many great posts for us to link. So much great stuff over there right now, plus they will be traveling for their little girl super soon!

Tides of Grace shares the post titled Birthday Girl. She recounts an eventful 30th birthday, the day she became eligible for the China Adoption Program, and a day she is likely to not forget any time soon.

The Red Thread Advocates have had several great posts in the past few months, here are just a few of them: The Second Time Around Should be Easier…Right?, Should I bring my other children to China when I travel for our adoption?, and Rejected. Go visit the site, read these articles and peruse the pages of waiting children while you are over there.

Love Without Boundaries shares what Being a Healing Home Nanny means. These women give themselves away to the children under their care, making such a difference to so many little lives. Go read this post and enjoy looking at the beautiful faces of these heroes.

Ability Hacker’s post, A fabulous day for clothes & shoes! is a compilation of one mom’s successes in finding clothing and footwear for her daughter who has spina bifida. Perhaps a few of her recommendations would be helpful to some of you parenting children with this special need.

We all know that sleep is a major concern for many newly adopted children. Sleep and Adoption tackles this issue in a very helpful manner, from special concerns in new adoptees to sleeping environments and sleeping disorders.

The Bethel Diaries: A Q&A with Intern and Teacher Jessie Wheeler is a sweet interview by an American volunteer living in China working with visually impaired orphans. Go read more about this extraordinary young woman.