Year 1996 sent us spiraling after losing our youngest daughter in a skiing accident. One door closes and another opens and that was our adoption of Madison from China 6 years later. She was our world! Tragically, she succumbed to undiagnosed Strep A at the age of 2. Our world stopped. We would have crawled up in a little ball and ceased living if it were not for our 2 older children and paperwork for a 2nd adoption submitted just prior to Madison&'s death. Nine months later, we were back in China adopting our 2nd child. We returned to China 3 times thereafter, each time believing it was to be our last. However, blessed as we were, God had other plans. This Spring, a precious 12 year old boy had not been chosen for our agency&'s hosting program. We took the last of our retirement money in order to host him. It was our hope to advocate for him in order to find his forever family. A few days before he was to return to China, his chaperone called to warn him of his pending trip back home. He began to sob and sob; our hearts broke for him. I cradled him in my arms and we cried together. The moment he was taken from us in the airport was devastating. I cried at night asking God what I was to do. We were old, broke, and already raising 4 young children. Further, as we advocated, no one appeared to be interested in adopting him due to his special need of "mental impairment." He was unwanted. After much soul searching, tears and prayer we knew what we had to do. We realized we loved this little boy and that he belonged to us. So, on a leap of total faith, we are bringing JiuCun home. He is our forever son and forever in our hearts.
