Fundraising Event

$20 in advance, $25 at the door. You can pay by clicking on the "Pay Now" button to the right (2nd Chance Prom).

BCI Appointments-check

Our Fingerprints were completed on Thursday, March 17 (St. Patricks Day). Hurray!!! We found out that we will be traveling 11-15 weeks AFTER we receive our approved I800A, which should be in 2-4 weeks from today! So, in 13-19 weeks, we will be leaving for China to pick up our little girl!!! I cannot wait!

Zheng Lan (Lizzie)'s updated photo

Zheng Lan

Check out those darling cheeks. Jake just loves big fat babies. Her growth is good, she is listed in her last report as "HEALTHY"!!! Such great news!!! As of the last report, the date listed as today, she is 19 months old, 26.4 pounds, 29.9 inches long, and her feet are 4.3." I can't wait to see her smile!!!

We also found out that once our I-800A comes back approved, we will travel 11-15 weeks later. It is coming up so fast and we have soooooo much to do! We are hurrying, my little Lizzie Lan!

Lan means Orchid

I've been trying to find some beautiful photos of Orchids to frame and put above her bed to honor her Chinese name. Orchids are beautiful....and there is such a variety. I am excited to decorate!!! And since the girls room is already pink with flowers, bringing in a little of her will be easy!

I love you, my beautiful flower!

BCI Appointments

We received our BCI appointments in the mail today!!! I am so excited! This means that everything is moving forward quickly!!! We have our appointments for next Thursday, and then we'll have approximately 30 days until we receive our immigration approval.

Our next step will be to turn around and file our I800, specifying that it is Zheng Lan that we want to bring home. Travel approval will be issued about 2 months after....so hopefully June? We will see! There is no way to really know, all we can do is estimate and guess....and pray!

Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute

Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute

Zhengzhou Social Welfare Institute, and Zhengzhou Children’s Welfare Institute is part of Government funded comprehensive social welfare unit. Currently, it is one organization with two names, as a subordinate branch to Zhengzhou Civil Affairs Bureau. Built in the early days of liberation, it is located at No. 1 Diancang Road North, Northwest end of Zhongyuan District.

The institute is mainly responsible for taking in the young, the handicapped, and the old who have been left homeless, and without any social or financial supports. Currently, there are 60 staff members, 4 supervising staff, 1head secretary and dean, 1 vice-secretary, 2 vice-deans. There are four divisions in our institute, including main office, adoption management section, medical and rehab section, finance section, and executive management office.

The total area of our institute consists of 43 053 square meters, with a total floor space of 19 226.6 square meters. We have a newly built “home”, a 5 storey comprehensive facility with functions of living, rehab, recreation and etc. The building was made of courtyard style with medical and rehab center, dining room, boiler room, laundry room and public baths. Inside it are recreational facilities such as computer room, arcade, exercise room, and a square for relaxation and activity. 95% of the outdoor areas are filled with grass and garden plants. There are over 100 varieties of flowers and bushes, blooming at different seasons, creating different sceneries all four seasons. There are also rock mountains, fountains and ponds, gazebos, and the environment is excellent and air is refreshing. The living rooms are equipped with air-conditioners, electronic fans, heat, hot water and cable TV. There are also chess room and musical hall. The elders and children are provided with high quality living conditions.

There are currently 216 occupants, among them, 89 children, and 60 elderly, and 67 youths with disability or deformity. Our mission is to contribute all our efforts for the needy individuals, which is also the duty of our staff. In the last few years, under the leadership of CPC and Government, the guidance from provincial leaders, and the undying support from Civil Affairs Bureau, especially since the replacement of the new leadership in our institute, with the guidance from dean and director Mr. Meng Xianpu, who serves as a model for us to follow, the team is led towards progress, development, and change. The team work together to explore new alternatives to new paths, to strengthen professional ethics, to spread work and team spirits, and the spirits of helping others, to give the remnant, elders, disabled and young our love and care, and use our effort and contribution, our warmth and kindness to spread our love across.

(China refers to their orphanages as Children's Welfare Institutions-photo's of kids are of typical orphanages, not necessarily of Zheng Lan or her orphanage)

Zhengzhou City

I found out that we will be flying into Beijing (More East-North China) and spending 2-3 days, then to Zhengzhou City, Henan Province (South of Beijing and and East of Xian) to pick up our little girl, spending about a week, and then to Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province (near Hong Kong) to finalize the adoption, and then back to the US. We should be gone 14-16 days.

Daily Miracles

Again, we have seen miracles in helping our daughter come home.

The first....Jake was offered a new job with Senator Mike Lee. This is an amazing career change and growing opportunity for the goals and ambitions that Jake has. It amazes me how the Lord continues to make us take 2 or 3 steps into the darkness (or 100) and then begins to reward our faith.

The 2nd is that our original location for our 2nd Chance Prom fundraiser fell through, and we almost cancelled it all together. However, on the day we were going to cancel it, Northampton House in American Fork, Utah (an even better location than the 1st) offered their location. We owe them so much for helping us out!!! What an amazing place!! Perfect for what we are trying to do!!!!

3rd-We had another $1600 donated, which brought tears of gratitude and thanks. We have people from all over reaching out to help in so many ways. Thank you!

During the blessing over lunch, my sweet sister-in-law prayed for me and my family while I was helping her the other day that we would be blessed with all that we need. Within days, we have seen that being fulfilled. Thanks, Leta! We are praying for her as well, as she is on bed-rest trying to keep her babies safe. It has been a real blessing and strength to be in her home.

Thank you to everyone for everyone and being an answer to our prayers. Thank you for your prayers and help in so many ways. I know the miracles will only continue!