Bringing Grace and Hope...

I apologize in advance for this slight detour from math-i-ness, but school issues pale in comparison to the impact that this story has had on our lives...

Almost 5 years ago, this gorgeous baby was born in China.

Photo removed.
For unknown reasons, his biological parents could not care for him. He was eventually delivered to an orphanage. Although he was cared for, he did not have a family to love him like their own. At about the time this photo was taken, his life could have taken a very different path, with years of institutionalization ahead of him.

Yet, around the world, people were already rallying:

• In Oregon, USA, Grace and Hope for Children was working to provide him a foster family.
• A sister agency, Hope4China, located in Scotland, looked for an individual sponsor willing to cover the cost of a foster family.
• The sponsor, a Scottish woman, paid to keep him with a Chinese foster family for what she later would call, "all for the price of a daily newspaper."

At the time, no one had any idea what this would mean...

The 20-day-old infant went to live with a foster family, who loved him like their own. He grew from a beautiful baby to a charming toddler to a thriving 3-year-old. That loving 3-year-old joined our family 18 months ago.

He is a happy, loving, well-adjusted child. We know that the first three years of life are absolutely crucial in a child's development, especially where attachment and relationships are concerned. The loving care he received in foster care has allowed him to go on to form bonds with us. We do not take this for granted.

I won't go on and on...or my computer might short-circuit in a puddle of tears.

Since my son arrived home, we have learned about all the earth angels who cared for him. We didn't know about them when we picked him up, but one internet connection led to another and another and another...til we've fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Angel hands around the world have carried him...physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially. (Someday we will also thank his Heavenly angels! In person, that is.)

For the last year, we have attempted to pay it forward by sponsoring another child from our son's orphanage. We will continue to do so. However, the list of children needing foster families continues to grow. Knowing what a huge difference that early, loving experience can make, we want to do more.

SO...that's my long-winded way of saying this...beginning November 1st, all the Amazon commissions we make here will be sent to Grace and Hope toward sponsorship of another child. As you probably know, when you click through this site to Amazon they give us a minimal commission at no additional cost to the buyer. That money will now go to Grace and Hope.

I appreciate the interest you've shown in this site. It's fun for me. A hobby. And I'd like that time to go toward a worthy cause. My own selfish reasons, really. I'd like to know that somewhere, someday, another kiddo will have an expression like this. Photo removed.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!