This blog covers our wait, travel, and adjustment to our 4 year old adopted Chinese daughter Sarah Shui Qing from Nanjing. There are over 1000 posts. I have moved my blog to Catching Butterflies 2. I hope you will enjoy reading this blog. It has alot of information on Special needs adoption. Follow us to our new address Catching Butterflies 2! Thank you for reading!

Wednesday, November 29, 2006




I got 7 new pictures of Sarah today. This must be some kind of record! She is looking very boyish in her heavy black jacket, and short hair. At least it looks like they are letting the hair grow out! I have loads of dresses, and lots of pink stuff for our little princess...no more boy stuff (unless she wants it)!
One of her eyes always looks weaker then the other. We are going to need to check that out. What do you think?
The new song is called History makers. Juergen and I went to a Delirious concert just a few weeks ago. I guess it is a song to generate a little faith in me, that God can do great things when we are living for him! Sorry for getting preachy, but I am needing so badly to trust in my God to hold me up right now. You may lean on something else, but God is basically everything to me! With out his help and hope, I would not be able to stand. Here are the words to the song...
History Maker

Is it true today that when people pray
Cloudless skies will break
Kings and queens will shake
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

Is it true today that when people pray
We'll see dead men rise
And the blind set free
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

I'm gonna be a history maker in this land
I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind
I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna run
Into your arms, into your arms again
Into your arms, into your arms again

Well it's true today that when people stand
With the fire of God, and the truth in hand
We'll see miracles, we'll see angels sing
We'll see broken hearts making history
Yes it's true and I believe it
We're living for you

Written by Martin Smith ©1996 Curious? Music UK
Oh, my 15 year old autistic daughter just wrote a letter at school saying she wants her sister, but she doesn't want to fly to China! She is too afraid to fly right now! Well, that is super! I don't have anyone who could watch Jessica for a week, and Juergen and I both need to travel because Germany will not let us readopt Sarah here! Everything must be final in China, so somehow Jessica must go! Just one more detail for God...I can not figure it out!


Dreaming out loud
I contacted my adoption agency (IAAP) yesterday. I wanted to find out if we have a LID, that's log in date. The answer is no. I asked if that meant we are not logged in, or they just don't know the date yet. They said, they often get the date a month or two later, and sometimes never. Families use the LID to guess how much time they need to wait for a TA (travel approval). I was pretty depressed about the lack of clear dates! This is for most waiting families the hardest thing! You know your whole world is about to be turned upside down, you know your going to need airplane tickets, visas, hotels etc...but you can not plan anything. We could go in two weeks or four months! I HATE this uncertainty! I do know we want to travel together as a family (all 6+1 of us). We are pretty sure what hotels we would like to stay in. We want to fly to Shanghai on British airways (with a stop in London). We want to take the train to Nanjing, and stay at the Mandarin hotel. We want to see if we can travel over night on the train to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou we would like to stay at the Oakwood ( a full service apartment). From Guangzhou, we hope to take the train to Hong Kong, and fly home from there. If anyone has taken an overnight train from Nanjing to Guangzhou , please tell me about it! I am still praying we can travel over Christmas...but I realize that is not likely to happen. Still, if God wants it to happen, we will go in the next month! I hope everything works out OK. These are only the things we are hoping to do, you can not really plan anything without dates! Right now we can afford to take the whole family , but this could also change as prices go up and down! I would love to scream! I guess this is when I need to really trust God to deal with the details! He knows what we need...every last detail of what we need!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006





These are coke Christmas ads. The 2ND ad is of Germany.
27 DAYS until Christmas!
just thought you might want to know!




I saw this story on the News.I'm going shopping for old porcelain in China!

HONG KONG, China (Reuters) -- An 18th century Chinese famille rose "swallows" bowl has broken the world record for a Qing Dynasty porcelain piece, selling for HK$151.3 million (US$19.5 million) at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The pre-auction estimate for the piece from the Qianlong period had been HK$60 million to HK$80 million.

The finely potted white bowl, exquisitely decorated with a blossoming apricot, willow and a pair of spring swallows is considered to be one of the great masterpieces of porcelain from the Qianlong period.

The piece, which once belonged to the Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, bears the reign mark of the Qianlong emperor (1736-1795) on its base.

Monday, November 27, 2006

My online friend Mary had this on her website. I thought it was cute, so I added it here! If you click on more you can feed Emperor Ming!




adopt your own virtual pet!

Friday, November 24, 2006



The day after Thanksgiving is suppose to be the biggest shopping day of the year.I decided to do some shopping of my own. I like to shop on e-bay. I placed a bid on this great set of old doll furniture in Northern Germany. It sells in 5 days. I'll tell you if I win the bid!
The Translation of the song "Come Un Fiume Tu /together with you" by Andrea Bocelli
Slowly you come to me
Right into my heart
Tell me my love, what do you see there?

The snow has all but melted
My love, I think you know
It's been such a long way
to reach you
A steep, but worthwhile climb
But it makes me feel alive
Only you can set my soul free

A soul which is lost after you
And lost when you're not here
To reach just a part of you
gives momentum to my song
And this for me is life
A life, together, with you
A life without the "if"
A life, slowly learning to fly again,
together with you

The snow has all but melted
My love, and it's thanks to you
And as it melts, like you,
it flows into me
Flows, just like a river
And just like a river
you effortlessly carry my soul

A soul which has opened up for you
Without the "if"
It will light up the colours
in your eyes
There will never be snow again
it will climb and climb until
It will open up with you.

I got a real blessing today.My sister and friend Mary visited Sarah in the children's home today. Thank you is not good enough! Mary, I am really grateful for the pictures and even more the report! Here is what she wrote...

Amy, Okay we just got back from the orphanage. You are going to absolutely kill me! lol I totally forgot to ask about sizes, and I didn't even look at her feet. Please don't get mad. I can't even explain what a scene it was there!!! However, if I were to guess I would bring some 2T and some 3T clothing for her. She's probably a 3T height, but her weight....she's very thin. (Not scarily thin, so don't worry too much about that!)

Coco said that she is a very very clever child. She can outsmart the nannies any day of the week! When we got there, they were just moving the children from lessons to snack and they opened the door and she took off!!!! I mean, Sarah bolted out of that room into the hallway and we all had to chase her down! She is absolutely adorable!!!

When we caught her in the hallway, Coco tried to pick her up, but Sarah just relaxed...jelly-like so no one could pick her up. Coco told her, "Your mama's friend is here to take your picture!" Sarah said something and everyone started laughing hard! Our guide said, "Sarah says she doesn't want mama's friend, she wants mama."

Now that I know you're probably crying, I'll send the pictures. It will probably take 2 or 3 e-mails.

Mary


"Sarah says she doesn't want mama's friend, she wants mama."

I'm going to live on those words for a month!

Thursday, November 23, 2006





I got a surprise new pictures of Sarah today! Another waiting mom got update pictures of her beautiful daughter, and spotted Sarah in two of the shots,so she was kind enough to forward the pictures to me! I actually expect new pictures tomorrow because the Morris family said they are visiting the SWI and taking pictures of Sarah just for me! Oh thank you so much Mary! Please give her a hug (or two or three) from me! I am hoping it won't be long before I can give her my own hugs! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! God bless you and keep you close to his heart! God grant you his favour and fill you with his loving kindness and his peace!

If your interested in adopting one of the 8 kids at All Gods Children and recieve one of their grants, you must act right away! The deadline for the grant is on

Tuesday November 28, 2006. 12:00 pm (pst)

The following information will be required...

1. Completed Moriah Grant Application
2. A statement from each parent stating the reasons why you believe this child is right for your family, if you have initiated the home study process, and a financial statement indicating your ability to spend up to $10,000 of your own funds on this adoption process.(If you live in the USA, there is a tax credit that will refund all the expenses you must pay. These expenses will include your home study, visa, and travel costs).
3. A written statement of your personal faith experience (from both prospective parents). This should be no more than one typed page (single women can also apply).
4. A statement indicating who reviewed your medicals and what understanding you have of the special needs of the child you are considering for your family.
5. A family photo

Please consider adopting one of these beautiful kids. A grant like this does not come along very often...do not walk...run!!! Again, the contact is HERE!

The girl pictured above is 5 years old and I would adopt her myself, but they would not let me adopt two kids at one time. Don't be afraid of their special needs!The 2 year old boy with Myelomeningocele is post surgery and 100% normal & healthy! Do not think you can do this later either...if you want one of these adoption grants then you must move NOW!!! If you need help with the application,let me know by leaving a comment or signing my guest book. I wish someone would give me $12,000 for adoption! What a blessing!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006



Hi everyone, I just read this letter on one of my yahoo adoption groups, and I'm sure the writer wouldn't mind me passing on this amazing offer! If you want to adopt a special needs child from China (and most of their needs are mild and correctable) then rush on this offer! It is basically a free adoption! God bless the person who gave the money, and God bless the families who get to parent one of these sweethearts!

I have to share this wonderful news on All God's Children Int'l's
website. There are 8 beautiful children remaining on their WC
listing. A generous donor has offered to pay ALL foreign fees and
agency fees to place these children.... $12,430 per child!!!!! With
the tax credit that would mean there would be no cost to adopt one of
these precious children. They are all beautiful... go look at them at
HERE You don't need a password. Oh, how I wish
China would allow for two adoptions at once. These children are
precious! Please go see if your child is on this list, especially if
finances were a barrier for you.
hugs,
Angela


There is a 4 year old girl with a heart condition that is so beautiful! I have two kids with heart problems. I would love to talk to you about this special need. Generally it is really easy to manage! You have to take a look, It usually cost between $15-20 thousand to adopt from China! What an amazing offer! What beautiful kids!

The photo is of one of the waiting boys.He already had surgery.
A Thanksgiving Story



Help carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.
Gal. 6:2

It was the day before Thanksgiving -- the first one my three children and I would be spending without their father, who had left several months before. Now the two older children were very sick with the flu, and the eldest had just been prescribed bed rest for a week.

It was a cool, gray day outside, and a light rain was falling. I grew wearier as I scurried around, trying to care for each child: thermometers, juice, diapers. And I was fast running out of liquids for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $2.50 -- and this was supposed to last me until the end of the month. That’s when I heard the phone ring.

It was the secretary from our former church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the congregation. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by the church on my way to the market.

I arrived at the church just before lunch. The church secretary met me at the door and handed me a special gift envelope. “We think of you and the kids often,” she said, “and you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you.” When I opened the envelope, I found two grocery certificates inside. Each was worth $20. I was so touched and moved, I broke down and cried.

“Thank you very much,” I said, as we hugged each other. “Please give our love and thanks to the church.” Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children.

At the check-out counter I had a little over $14.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier one of the gift certificates. She took it, then turned her back for what seemed like a very long time. I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, “This gift certificate is a real blessing. Our former church gave it to my family, knowing I’m a single parent trying to make ends meet.“

The cashier then turned around, with tears in her loving eyes, and replied, “Honey, that’s wonderful! Do you have a turkey?”

“No. It’s okay because my children are sick anyway.”

She then asked, “Do you have anything else for Thanksgiving dinner?”

Again I replied, “No.”

After handing me the change from the certificate, she looked at my face and said, “Honey, I can’t tell you exactly why right now, but I want you to go back into the store and buy a turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie or anything else you need for a Thanksgiving dinner.”

I was shocked, and humbled to tears. “Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes! Get whatever you want. And get some Gatorade for the kids.”

I felt awkward as I went back to do some more shopping, but I selected a fresh turkey, a few yams and potatoes, and some juices for the children. Then I wheeled the shopping cart up to the same cashier as before. As I placed my groceries on the counter, she looked at me once more with giant tears in her kind eyes and began to speak.

“Now I can tell you. This morning I prayed that I could help someone today, and you walked through my line.” She reached under the counter for her purse and took out a $20 bill. She paid for my groceries and then handed me the change. Once more I was moved to tears.

The sweet cashier then said, “I am a Christian. Here is my phone number if you ever need anything.” She then took my head in her hands, kissed my cheek and said, “God bless you, honey.”

As I walked to my car, I was overwhelmed by this stranger’s love and by the realization that God loves my family too, and shows us his love through this stranger’s and my church’s kind deeds.

The children were supposed to have spent Thanksgiving with their father that year, but because of the flu they were home with me, for a very special Thanksgiving Day. They were feeling better, and we all ate the goodness of the Lord’s bounty -- and our community’s love. Our hearts were truly filled with thanks.

By Andréa Nannette
from Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul


This amazing photo was taken by a little girl named Lydia. She is 6 years old. Lydia is the brand new daughter of the Morris family. They just picked her up in Nanjing ,China this week. Notice the tears of joy in Lydia's mothers eyes. What a treasure! I am printing this photo with permission from the family. Maybe it is because it was taken by a little girl who has waited for 6 years to have a mommy,but I think it is one of the most beautiful photos I've ever seen! If you click on the photo, you can see it much larger!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Hi, I just read that one of the TA's (travel approvals) from our agency was given to a family who had a LID (log in date) of October 1. Our documents were sent to China October 27th. We don't have a clear LID, but if we are logged in then maybe we could be in the next batch of TA'S! I am just dreaming out loud here! I don't even know if we are logged in yet. Tell me, where do you draw the line between crazy mother and great women of faith? PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!!!
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
--- Lao-Tzu

Monday, November 20, 2006

I will not be able to sleep for the next month! I am so excited at even the chance of going to China before the end of 2006! I just checked the weather in Nanjing and
Guangzhou in the month of December.In Nanjing it is 4C, and 40F. Guangzhou is a warm 15C and 59F. I am dreaming of a warm Christmas!!!

Some one on my Nanjing Yahoo group just got their TA (Travel approval) in a lightning 27 days! Imagine! So many people this year have had to wait 100 plus days for a TA! I am praying for the impossible! We would love to bring Sarah home before the end of the year! It makes me so excited to hear that the miracle happened at least once! Oh God, me too! ME TOO!!!


Click on the comic strip to make it larger.

We don't really have Thanksgiving here in Germany.I would have to say it is the oddest day of the year here. People go to work, nothing shuts down,same as any other day! I remember the best turkey I ever cooked in the USA. We lived in California, and invited international students from the University home to share the dinner with us. I got a large turkey, and after washing it, I placed it in a new trash bag. Then I took a whole bottle of brandy and poured that into the bag. I let it marinate for 3 days in the refrigerator. Finally, I baked the turkey in a Reynolds baking bag. The turkey fell off the bones, and had the very best flavor! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to bake a turkey for Thanksgiving! It is so easy, and so good!!!

Sunday, November 19, 2006

A family in one of my Yahoo groups posted this video from a waiting family. It uses the Merry Christmas song by 3rd Day.


I found these toys for Sarah's doll yesterday in the grocery store. The director of her orphanage wrote us a short note (this was in the summer)to tell us they got the care package we had sent.In that note they said she really likes dolls. I thought she would enjoy these toys for her doll! It really does make me happy to imagine her here playing with her baby doll!

Saturday, November 18, 2006


The new China

Friday, November 17, 2006



We did not get any new photos of Sarah today (sad). We did get this picture of her Orphanage. I also found out that the organization "Half the Sky" has been there for the last month. They have really well trained nannies that do great stuff with the kids. So Amity has hugging grannies there and half the sky also has nannies. She will probably have unrealistic expectations of me when she comes (with all those nannies helping her day and night). It is great she is in such a wonderful environment! I've read it is probably the best orphanage in China! I am glad for the kids in Nanjing, but since they already had Amity, maybe half the sky should have gone to an orphanage were they don't get any extra input? There is no good reason to spoil one orphan population while so many other kids are starved for additional affection!

I may or may not get photos today. The families traveling say they took lots of pictures, but only of the babies ages 1-3. Sarah is almost 4 so I don't know if she was included in the group. They also say they are having problems loading the pictures. The Internet connection is slow.I guess it takes them 3 minutes to load even one picture. Because of this, they may not send the pictures until they return to the USA in about a week. What a let down!!! I may still get pictures today, but it doesn't sound to positive! I could not load pictures from my hotel room in Thailand either. I had a memory stick that I brought to a fast Internet cafe. That way it only took me 5 minutes to post my blog. Don't you just love technology, and really hate it too!!!
My grow up mind says they did their best, and I should just say thank you for thinking of us. I know they tried! They did try! I am really disappointed! I was so sure,with two families visiting the orphanage today, I would get many new pictures of Sarah! Now I don't even get to celebrate new pictures for the other families. None of us got pictures! I am really SAD!!! I think I will take a hot bath, and eat some chocolate! It is my fault for getting my hopes up too high! They took pictures, but again we must wait to see them! Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
It is 1:30 in Germany and I managed to get some shopping done. I bought donuts and let the kids eat them so I won't need to make lunch for another hour. I have camped at the computer,and still no photos of Sarah. I need to remember this! When I go to China I need to take the time to take good pictures for waiting families, and post the pictures right away! I am sure I am not the only person camping out in front of the computer. I can just feel our collective hope for new pictures. I can also feel our collective disappointment if they don't get posted soon!
As I write this it is 4:30pm in China, and 9:30am in Germany. I've been on the computer checking for photos for one hour. I check the Yahoo group site, my own personal e-mail, and the web sites of the two families I know are suppose to visit the orphanage. I should just turn the computer off and go buy some food! We are out of milk and coffee and just about everything else. I guess I just wanted everyone to know I am not so cool about all this. I am so anxious to catch a new glimpse of Sarah. I will probably cry if I don't get a new picture! It is never easy to wait for what you love!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

A family from my Nanjing Yahoo group is picking up their super cute son this week. In fact they have had him for a few days now. Tomorrow they are scheduled to visit the orphanage, and take pictures. Maybe we will get some new pictures tomorrow! It's like waiting for a birthday, or Christmas!!! Another family from the same Yahoo group visits the orphanage next week (God willing). What a gift to have contact with these families. What a great tool the Internet can be (and yes I also know it can be a tool for evil). Hopefully you will have a good reason to check my blog tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Hi, my poem for the new Love with out Boundaries book, Loves Journey 2 has been accepted. The book should be out in time for Mothers day 2007. It will help raise money for the great projects at LWB. I actually wrote this poem when I was praying for another child named Lian Yun Peng. He is a very cute 7 year old boy who Thank God is being adopted!

My waiting child

I was not there the first time you laughed.
I missed the first bottle, I missed the first bath.
I did not witness your first steps.
You’re growing so big without me.
I hope I will be there to teach you to trust.
You'll learn to speak my mother tongue.
You won't be adopted when you're young,
but you'll know the love of a family.
God has not forgotten every tear
you have cried alone, my waiting child.
And I have not forgotten that you are there.
My days would be empty without you.
By Amy Heymannr>

Friday, November 10, 2006


I am following the stories of 5 families who are right now in China, or going there next week to adopt. I have to admit it is getting harder to just plain be happy for them, which I honestly am, and not feel a deep pain of real envy! I was thinking I was jealous, but looked up the word jealousy,and found out it refers to relationships. Envy is all about wanting what someone else has. They have their kids...and I REALLY WANT MINE!!!Maybe it's just PMS,but I am so green! God please give me grace!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

It made me laugh...and has nothing to do with adoption.



funny commercial


I just got a tip from Denise, Abby Jade's Mom about this new Christmas CD by the group Third Day. There is a song about a Chinese orphan called Merry Christmas. I just ordered the CD and I bet it will be my new favorite! Thanks Denise! My tip, You can download the song at walmarts site for only 88 cents. By the way, Abby Jade is probably Sarah's best friend! Denise and I might (I am dreaming out loud here)take the girls to the National gallery in London and introduce them to Michelangelo and Picasso! Abby's new daddy comes from England! Did you know that most of the galleries and museums in London are free? London will cost you an arm and a leg, but the art and history are free!


"Merry Christmas"

There's a little girl trembling on a cold December morn
Crying for mama's arms
At an orphanage just outside a little China town
Where the forgotten are

But half a world away I hang the stockings by the fire
And dream about the day when I can finally call you mine

It's Christmas time again but you're not home
Your family is here and yet you're somewhere else alone
So tonight I pray that God will come and hold you in His arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

As I hang the tinsel on the tree and watch the twinkling lights
I'm warmed by the fire's glow
Outside the children tumble in a wonderland of white
And make angels in the snow

But half a world away you try your best to fight the tears
And hope that Heaven's Angels come to carry you here

Christmas is the time we celebrate the Holy Child
And we celebrate His perfect gift of love
He came to Earth to give His life and prepare a place for us
So we could have a home with Him above

It's Christmas time again and now you're home
Your family is here so you will never be alone
So tonight before you go to sleep,
I'll hold you in my arms
And tell you from my heart
I wish you Merry Christmas

Wednesday, November 08, 2006


"Our children will someday take their wings to embrace a new and happy life, just as the butterflies."
This was said by a women working in an orphanage in China. I thought it was a good word for my butterfly Sarah.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006


Jessica, my 15 year old autistic daughter made this cute bear in school.(Jessica can not talk) She wrote that she wants to give it to her new little sister Sarah. She is hoping that Sarah can come soon, and that the gift will help Sarah like her. She also wrote that she hopes that Sarah feels good in her new family!

No gift is too small to give,
nor too simple to receive,
if it's chosen with thoughtfulness
and given with love.

Monday, November 06, 2006


Hi, it is cold and dark here in Germany. We don't actually have Thanksgiving here(there is a day of thanks for the harvest in October). Anyway, I thought I would start preparing for Christmas. Maybe if I think about Christmas it will help me pass the days until my TA. You know the saying, a watched pot never boils. I have to think of something else besides traveling to China or I am going to go MAD!

Please sign my guest book.
Hi, I just added a guest book. It's just on the side of the page. It would be really great for me to hear from you! Thank you so much!

Sunday, November 05, 2006

I finally broke, and was able to cry! This song by Casting Crowns basically sums up my feelings. I am stepping out of the boat, and felt the waves taunting me.I want to stand before a giant, but the giant says "you'll never win". But the voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of truth says do not be afraid, the voice of truth says this is for my glory, I will choose to listen to the voice of truth! Yesterday all I could hear were all the other voices, but right now I can finally hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit that assures me that it will be alright.

Saturday, November 04, 2006


I have to admit, I am feeling kind of depressed lately! I felt like I had to fight so hard just to get our papers to China. The papers finally went last week, so I was happy. Now the deep feeling of grief over lost time ( and to be honest with you money- because we will not claim Sarah on our taxes this year) is really getting me down! It does not help that it is freezing outside, and the sky is filled with black clouds! I know that the sadness only lasts for awhile, and our TA will eventually come. My mom tried to cheer me up, but you know sometimes we just need to cry when we have lost something! I think I will be OK, but first I just need to grieve!

Give sorrow words.
Shakespeare

Friday, November 03, 2006

China Wushu city Kung Fu Kids


Welcome to Nanjing,a short video of Sarah's home town.

Thursday, November 02, 2006




Childhood can not wait: consider adoption today.
www.adoptuskids.org (for US adoptions)
www.rainbowkids.com (for international waiting kids)