Happy Chinese New Year 2009!!!

I found something exciting in the mail today...

A Happy Chinese New Year 2009 card from the Hefei Orphanage (Noelle’s orphanage in China)!!!

I knew that the other family in our travel group - the Denzel’s daughter XuXu came from the same orphanage - received one a few weeks ago, but we still had not. At this point, I was beginning to think we might have been missed. I realize that the folks from this great orphanage have cared for hundred’s of children over the years, and they couldn’t possible get cards out to everyone. But I still hoped. Receiving a card from Director Yin would be just another element to Noelle’s life story and something she could cherish along with her other mementos.

When I flipped through today’s stack of mail and saw the now familiar Chinese script on the front of the envelope, I shouted “Whoopee!”…And then nearly wept. I gingerly opened the thick linen envelope and had difficulty reading the card through my wet eyes. Receiving this card, this gift, from people who cared for my daughter during the first year and a half of her life, is a precious blessing. I am so very grateful that they took our little girl, identity unknown, and gave her a home and gave her love.

What saddens me, however, is that Noelle’s first family will never know for sure what happened to their little baby. My prayer is that they know deep within their hearts that she has another family, her Forever Family, and is deeply loved. And that we owe them everything for their heart wrenching, courageous decision.

http://www.hefei-welfare.com/english/etfly.asp (Hefei orphanage website)

**Chinese New Year 2009, the Year of the Ox, is on January 26. We will be officially celebrating on the 31st with the local chapter of Families with Children from China. There will be a big catered dinner and a professional photographer available for family portraits (we plan to take advantage of this opportunity and will be wearing traditional Chinese outfits purchased during our trip last March). I’m not sure what else is planned, but I can hardly wait! We’ll let you know all about it. And don’t worry-- there will be photos! (eventually… ;-)

http://www.123chinesenewyear.com/ (interesting information here)

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