Orphans in Haiti... A complicated issue

Orphans in Haiti
A complicated problem… Here is my random list of thoughts/questions... I don't have the answers, but I just need to get this onto "paper" so I can put my thoughts together in one visual place.

The situation with Haiti's orphans is so complicated, but something HAS to be done... Trying to wrap my head around a ridiculous CNN interview I just watched in which the lady said that adoption is not the answer and that many of the kids will be absorbed back into the community... What does that mean??? They need families!!! There were 380,000 orphans BEFORE the quake... so many more now... And don't tell me the Haitian PM is highly concerned about trafficking... if he was really concerned about that it wouldn't have been such a huge problem in that country before the quake... There is a stronghold here that no one is confronting.

Do I think adoption is the only answer... NO. Do I think the adoption process is even possible right now... NO. Due to the quake, Haiti doesn't even have a government capable of the organization, paperwork, and checks and balances it takes to process adoptions by normal procedures. It will take a loooooooong time for such structure to be put back in place... But time is what these orphans DON'T HAVE! They are scared, hungry, refusing shelter out of their fear of another aftershock. I'm not implying that Haiti can't take care of their own. No, it was a fact before the earthquake that they had 380,000 orphans. The lady in the CNN interview said that nannies are loving on these kids and the community is taking them in... really??? And that's enough???? Why does it seem that we are changing into a generation that is not pro-family. Why is it that the difference in the color of our skin or our nationality seems to be enough reason for Haiti's Prime Minister to deny orphans the shelter, love, care, and real family that we can offer here in the States - or in any other country with families longing to help through adoption?

I don't think a kid needs to have all the toys, food, big rooms, tvs, etc that American children often have. I'm not looking at this as "oh, those poor Haitian kids need to have more entertainment, more clothes, more toys." I am just saying we should be allowed to "rescue the perishing, care for the dying"!!!! and "set the lonely in families".

At the tower of Babel all the people spoke the same language and understood one another. One thing they had was unity. But they sinned in their pride and arrogance and God broke that unity by giving everyone different languages -sending people across the globe, isolated and unable to communicate. Our sin got us to that point. And so we live in an earthly manner divided by nationalities, borders, etc. But in the Spiritual realm there is but one King and one Kingdom. The reason my multi-cultural family "works" is because God ordained us to be family before the foundations of the world. We are a picture of His Kingdom - multicultural and full of love for one another and our similarities and differences.

Haitian authorities have got a lot to consider. I wouldn't want to be the person deciding what child is free to go and what child is not.... But let's just say Haiti takes a look at the adoption agencies around the world who have had legitimate adoption programs with Haiti for the last 5 years. There would several, if not many. And let's say Haiti chose to let 15,000 children who were already orphaned BEFORE the earthquake, be released to these agencies who could then - with appropriate background checks/home studies/etc. place those orphans into families.... Even then - it would only be 15,000.... That's not even a dent in the number of orphans there were before this disaster. But that would be 15,000 lives saved and given hope. Adoption is vital in the endeavor to saving the lives of the Haitian orphans. But it is not the only answer simply because it would be impossible for the vast number of orphans in Haiti to all be adopted. So - what are the other answers??? I don't know. But let's start somewhere. Emergency visas for the young children orphaned before the quake seems like a good place to start.

Today I learned that several Haitian children already matched to families in the US still have not been released to come here. The Haitian PM told them today that even if he signed the papers, he would only be releasing the children to go into Child Services in Florida.... WHAT??? That is crazy. The families have been matched to these kids after great investigation into the parents' ability to care, love and provide for these children. Many of these parents have even traveled to Haiti more than once to visit their children... And now the Haitian PM can declare that even if he releases the children they won't go to the homes chosen for them yet? There is something really wrong going on here. My stomach is in knots over it.

I am saying - no declaring - May those standing in the way of families being united be found guilty in the eyes of the Lord and be shamed for their evil ways. And may those whose hearts are FOR the orphans find themselves in places of favor and decision making so they can make a positive impact on the lives of as many orphans as possible.

It is time to pray, friends. There is a stronghold over these orphans that must be broken by the cries of God's people before it is too late.

I have more to say. I have more to ask. But I'll stop here for now....

Christmas Day and Gracie's Re-adoption Day

Christmas day photos and Gracie's Re-adoption photos tell the story well enough. Christmas was WONDERFUL! And having Gracie's re-adoption done is a relief. She is now officially Aria-Lu Grace Foote and will be receiving a TX birth certificate soon. Don't have time to tell all the details for now... just enjoy the pics....

Christmas with the Foote Family

For Christmas 2009 we traveled to east TX to spend time with Billy's side of the family. BC, Winky, Wendy, Robbie and Brooke were all there. This Christmas is special in that it is Gracie's first Christmas. We are so happy she is in our lives! Such a blessing! During our stay in Gilmer we ate a lot of great food, drove the golf cart in the woods, had some awesome play times for Libby and Brooke (including playing in the dirt, on the swing set, running circles in the living room, dancing, singing... you name it!), opened gifts, visited Santa's Wonderland of lights, played cards and enjoyed great conversation. It was a fabulous trip! The pictures tell the story of fun and good times....

Papa and Gracie hang out while we wait to enter Santa's Wonderland of Lights. The flash always surprises Gracie, which makes her eyes get even bigger!

Gracie: "Yep, Papa is one silly man!"

Grammy and Gracie enjoying the lights.

Libby and Brooke played so well together and enjoyed being glued hip to hip for every adventure.

The girls with their cousin, Brooke - all in their Christmas red.

The girls were given matching pajamas by Grammy. They looked so cute in their pink animal print.

Here, Grammy is showing off her new wind chimes that have the Lord's Prayer written all over them.

Billy and Brooke

Grammy and Gracie (who loves to suck on Grammy's necklaces, especially this one!)

Brooke and Libby decided to go on a walk together hand in hand. It was soooooooooo cute!

Grammy bought Libby and Brooke flashing Rudolph noses!!!! Libby would put it on and then try to look at the red nose while it was on her face. She would go so cross-eyed doing it that she was making everyone in the store laugh.

The big girls and me.

Grammy and Papa Boots hang out with Gracie. Libby was the photographer!

Grammy and the girls. They love their Grammy!

Wendy and Robbie are building a new (and BEAUTIFUL) house. So we brought them a special house warming gift. Can't wait to travel back to east TX to see them all moved in and happy in their new home!

Papa Boots and his 3 granddaughters.

Gracie and Papa Boots had lots of fun together.

Aunt Wendy and Gracie. I love this picture! And Gracie looks so grown up in it. Her hair is really growing fast! Gracie is teething again BIG TIME! We had a few sleepless nights because the poor girl was in so much pain. I felt so bad for her. Gracie loves being held by Aunt Wendy. And Wendy watched Gracie one morning when I had to take Libby to the eye doctor. Thank you Wendy!

Below: After we returned home, the girls immediately got acquainted with their new toys given to them by Grammy, Papa Boots, Wendy, Robbie and Brooke. Here, Libby is working on her mosaic sticker art and below that picture is Gracie chewing on her new pull toy puppy. It was love at first sight!

A Christmas Gift For You

This year I have had fun finding new recipes to feed my family and our house church. Over time we have collected a few favorites from various magazines and friends. I decided to type up a few of our favorites for some family and then thought I would just post them here to share with you. Below is a little gift for moms out there needing something new to cook this winter season. Merry Christmas! And enjoy!

Rosemary Chicken with White Beans (a crockpot recipe, serves 5-6)

2 tbs. oil

4-6 chicken breasts

1 cup carrots, sliced

½ cup celery, sliced

2 15 oz. cans white Kidney beans, drained and rinsed

½ tsp salt

½ tsp. pepper

1 tsp. rosemary

1/3 cup Italian dressing (I use Ken’s Steakhouse, Lite Northern Italian)

In a large skillet, healt the oil and brown the chicken breast. Remove and drain. Place the carrots, celery and beans in the bottom of the Crock-Pot Slow Cooker and add the chicken breats. In a medium bowl, combine the salt, pepper, rosemary and Italian dressing and pour over the food in the Crockpot. Cover; cook on Low for 8 hours or on High for 4 hours.

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Sausage and Tortellini Soup with Spinach (serves 4-6, easy 30 minute meal. Can be doubled for large gathering. Great with cornbread!)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound sweet Italian sausage (lean/low fat if you can find it)

1 onion, chopped fine

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 cups low-sodium chicken both (Swanson’s Certified Organic Free Range chicken broth)

1 bay leaf

1 (9 oz) package fresh cheese tortellini (usually found in dairy or deli refrigerated areas of grocery store)

3 cups baby spinach

Salt and pepper

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook sausages, rolling occasionally, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot.

Cook onion in sausage fat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth and bay leaf, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to boil.

Cut browned sausages into ½-inch rounds and add to pot. Stir in tortellini and simmer over medium heat until tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in spinach until just wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and papper. Discard bay leaf. Serve.

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Quick Beef Empanadas (can serve as 4 large main course or 8 fingerfood, easy 30 minute meal)

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef (or – you can use ground turkey if you want to be really healthy about it!)

1 onion, chopped fine

2 tablespoons tomato paste

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (low fat, if you prefer)

¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (I only use 1/8 cup)

Salt and pepper

1 (15 oz) box Pillsbury Just Unroll! Pie Crust (One box contains two rounds of dough that you will cut in half. The assembled empanadas can be refrigerated for 12 hours prior to baking.)

Adjust over rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (I just used non-stick cookie sheet and sprayed it with Pam)

Cook beef and onion in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste, garlic, and cumin and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Off heat, stir in cheese and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.

Cut each dough round in half. Arrange one quarter of filling on one side of each dough half, leaving ½-inch border around edges. Brush edges of dough with water, fold over filling, and crimp edges to seal. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Using fork, pierce dough at 2-inch intervals so steam can escape. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve.

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The Best Artichoke Dip!

(I triple this recipe for a large gathering and always run out early!)

1 6oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts (on canned veggie row)

2 tbs. green chilies, diced (this makes it sooooo tastey!)

¼ cup mayonnaise (low fat, if preferred)

1 cub cheddar cheese, shredded (low fat, if preferred)

Drain the artichokes, reserve the marinade. Chop the artichokes. Combine artichokes, chilies, mayonnaise and cheese in a microwavable bowl. Heat in microwave until cheese ie melted. Stir to mix ingredients, then blend in 1 tbs. of reserved marinade. Serve with corn chips.

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Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (from Cassie Graham - THANK YOU!)

(not a low fat nor a 30 minute meal, but still easy AND seriously delicious!)

6 Tablespoons butter

4 Tablespoons flour

2 cups half and half

3 cups chicken broth (free range, organic)

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded

1 small onion, chopped

1 box wild rice with seasoning, prepared as directed

Lemon pepper (as much as you want!)

Melt butter in large pot, blend in flour, cook on low 2 minutes whisking constantly. Slowly add half and half and 1 cup of broth, whisking constantly. Add remaining ingredients.

Can also add mushrooms, carrots, and/or celery if desired… mushrooms are great!)

Simmer at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!

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Black Beans and Yellow Rice (our entire house church LOVES this one! Healthy and SOOOOOOO easy!) (I double and even triple this recipe for guests) serves 3 as is:

1 5 oz package yellow rice mix

1 15 oz. can black beans

3 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon ground cumin

Light sour cream to garnish

Cook rice according to package directions; keep warm.

Meanwhile, drain beans, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Combine beans, reserved liquid, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Serve beans over rice and garnish with sour cream. Serve. Once mixed together this is a very tastey vegetarian main dish!

(This meal also tastes great served with tortilla chips and salsa and pineapples or bananas!)

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Carrot and Raisin Muffins (yummy and great for breakfast too! Not too sweet and EASY to make, kids can help out!)

2 cups SELF-RISING flour

1/3 cup sugar

½ cup shredded carrots

½ cup raisins

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup milk

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

some brown or regular sugar to sprinkle on top of each muffin, if desired

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Stir together flour, sugar, carrots, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a “well” in the center of mixture using a WOODEN SPOON (no metal!). Whisk milk oil and egg in a small bowl until smooth. Pour milk mixture into “well” and stir just until moistened. Spoon batter unto lightly greased muffin pans, filling three-fourths full (makes 12 muffins). If desired, sprinkle brown or regular sugar over top of each muffing BEFORE baking. This adds a little sweetness to the muffins. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes or until golden. Serve warm and with butter if desired.

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Better-Than-The-Box Mac and Cheese (great mac and cheese dish for the kids or for a side dish, makes 6 good size servings!)

12 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni

¼ cup butter or margarine

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups milk

1 (8oz) loaf pasteurized prepared cheese product (like Velveeta), cubed

dash of garlic powder

dash of pepper

2 ½ cups (10oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni in boiling water according to package directions; drain macaroni in a colander, and set aside.

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 6 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cubed cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. Reduce heat, and stir just until cheese melts. Stir in cooked macaroni.

Spoon half of macaroni mixture in a lightly greased 11x7 inch baking dish; sprinkle with half of cheddar cheese. Do the same thing all over again with remaining macaroni mixture and cheddar cheese. Top with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

An Article To Raise Awareness

The details in this article are not easy reading, but we must all be aware of what goes on in China so that we can pray and take action. I found this article on Tom Davis's blog - the president of Hope Chest and author of "Fields of the Fatherless", "Red Letters" and "Scared" (all must-reads in my opinion). Your support of Hope Chest or of other organizations like "Sisters in Service", who are making an impact in this world through their efforts to expel such activity as what you read below, is needed. This season, give to such organizations so they can make a difference... so YOU can make a difference!

From the Baltimore Sun:

We Can't Avert Our Eyes From China's Forced Abortions

November 12, 2009|By Kathleen Parker

One of the few incontrovertible assertions one can reasonably make is that no one supports forced abortion.

Yet, coerced abortions, as well as involuntary sterilizations, are commonplace in China, Beijing's protestations notwithstanding. While the Chinese Communist Party insists that abortions are voluntary under the nation's one-child policy, electronic documentation recently smuggled out of the country tells a different story.

Congressional members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission heard some of that story Tuesday, two days before President Barack Obama was slated to leave for Asia, including China, to discuss economic issues. Among evidence provided by two human rights organizations, ChinaAid and Women's Rights Without Frontiers, were tales of pregnant women essentially being hunted down and forced to submit to surgery or induced labor.

Reggie Littlejohn, founder and president of the Frontiers group, told the commission that China's one-child policy "causes more violence against women and girls than any other official policy on earth."

I met Ms. Littlejohn the day before the hearing. She is a petite wife and mother - as well as a Yale-educated lawyer - who gave up her intellectual property practice in San Francisco following a life-altering illness to become a full-time activist for Chinese women. She is remarkably buoyant considering what she has absorbed. Action, she says, is her way of coping.

Here's the question Ms. Littlejohn insists we consider: What really happens to a woman who doesn't have a "birth permit" and has an "out of plan" pregnancy?

The answer is simple and brutal: A woman pregnant without permission has to surrender her unborn child to government enforcers, no matter what the stage of fetal development.

Late-term abortions are problematic, but the Chinese are nothing if not efficient. On one Web site for Chinese obstetricians and gynecologists, docs recently traded tips in a discussion titled: "What if the infant is still alive after induced labor?" ChinaAid translated a thread regarding an 8-month-old fetus that survived the procedure.

"Xuexia" wrote: "Actually, you should have punctured the fetus' skull." Another poster, "Damohuyang," wrote that most late-term infants died during induced labor, some lived and "would be left in trash cans. Some of them could still live for one to two days."

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Homeschooling Question

Because it seems homeschooling moms are thorough, organized and generally over-achievers (okay - that's a huge generalization, I know) I am expecting to get bombarded with answers - so don't let me down! haha!

I am starting my research on homeschooling. Libby is 4, but wouldn't start Kindergarten until fall 2011. However, she is in need of more challenge and she is so eager to learn that I don't want to put it off. I've ordered the Sonlight preK4/5 curriculum because it is mostly reading and Libby enjoys our reading times together. However, while I've chosen that curriculum for now until her "real" kindergarten year begins I am not closed to other ideas. I am very interested in The Classics.

So... on to my question... What books can successful homeschool moms out there suggest for MY reading. I want suggestions for....

1. books that will prepare me for what is ahead if we choose to homeschool

2. books that will help me understand how it works

3. books that will NOT overwhelm me

4. and curriculum suggestions for pre-K through 1st. grade. - especially the Christian curriculum that uses the Classical education method.

Okay! Thanks!

Cindy

The Xuwen Research Project!

In October 2009, we became aware of a research

project taking place for families who adopted their

child(ren) from the Xuwen SWI in the Guangdong

Province of China. It began with a woman on our

Xuwen/Adoption Yahoo group who had done

quite a bit of her own research. She traveled to

Xuwen because her daughter was adopted from

there and during her visit a relationship began to

form that would open up special doors. This

woman then came in contact with a Chinese

woman who was doing research for families

with adopted children. The research includes

mapping out the town, translations of important

paperwork in files, locating finding spots and

many other special things. We were invited to

participate in a group research project in which

anyone on the yahoo group could pay a fee to

both send information to the orphanage through

this Chinese woman AND receive information in

return. It sounded like a great idea so we joined

in on the project. I gathered many photos to

update Libby's orphanage on the last three years

of her life and then Libby and I made a special

video for them. First, I'll let you view the video

and then you can read below some of the amazing

things that have come from this project!

So, dry your eyes now and read some more!

We were updated almost daily, by the American

woman putting this project together, while the

Chinese woman was in Xuwen doing her

research. Before the research began we were

asked to write down any questions we would like

the researcher to ask Libby's orphanage staff,

nannies, etc. I submitted several questions and

am still waiting to receive the answers to those

questions. Very excited to read those precious

answers! But one of the families submitted a

question I had never even considered. They

asked if their child's finding clothes were kept

and could they obtain those. Little did I know

how that family's brilliant question would become

a blessing to us. The researcher went a step further

and asked the orphanage staff for ALL the families'

children's finding clothes. And better than that -

the orphanage was completely open and shared

that they indeed kept these items and even some

blankets/toys for each child!!! Today, Libby's finding

clothes arrived. The tiny, sweet pink outfit is our one

link to Libby's biological family! It has two

bears on the front, each holding two heart-shaped

balloons. Now, I have no idea if people in China

think of the heart shape as a symbol of love like we

do, but I just LOVE that hearts are decorating Libby's

top in which she was lovingly placed and later found.

And the little pants... well, they are split-bottom

pants - all the way up to the elastic waist! That just

made my day. Hand-cut, tiny split bottom pants! Here

is a picture of the outfit. It's hard to get an idea of the

dimension, but it's a tiny outfit. I put a pacifier in the

picture to give you an idea.

A view of the split bottom pants (above)

We also received some other precious gifts, blessing notes, information about the town's history, the orphanages history, lots of pictures of the town... the list goes on! It's amazing to have all this information in our possession. Libby will be so blessed in the years to come to know more about her beginnings and her birth-land. To the two women who pulled all this research off - THANK YOU! To the Xuwen SWI staff - THANK YOU! We will never be able to put a value on these precious items - they are simply PRICELESS!!!

I have left a lot of details out for the sake of security, out of respect for the orphanage and for Libby and for other reasons as well. But, just know - if you have a child adopted from China and an opportunity like this comes your way - TAKE IT! It's so worth it!