Loudi Foster Care

For years now, I have had so many blessed moments during my volunteering with LWB’s foster care program that I thought I should write a few lines about the joy it has brought me.

I thought perhaps the best way to give a sense of the joy I have experienced was to share some photos of the children who daily inspire me and warm my heart. Each day I see “success” in the most normal of days. “Normal” surely is a benchmark of the success of LWB’s foster care program as children learn to love in their foster homes and then are able to continue to share this important gift when joined with their forever families. It is this aspect, this joy, that I want to share with you today.

From Susu’s mom: “I look at this photo and think of you. . . . Look at the girl she is today. Thank you”

Susu was one of the first children with a special need other than cleft lip adopted from her orphanage. I have her photo pinned to my wall over my computer. I marvel at the journey she has made to her forever family, and I rejoice in the most normal of events told to me by her mom. Normal is SO beautiful, don’t you think? Susu’s adoption inspired more SN adoptions from her orphanage.

BoBo, who views photos of me on the blog and says, “That’s MY Julie.” The fact that she associates me with her life fills my heart up and makes me grin!

WeiWei, swimming in her home pool, all full of life with such a big grin. Who would ever think I worried so much about her special need and if she would find just the right home. She did—a world away—in the arms of another LWB volunteer, my program assistant! I get to see her smiles still and receive regular updates… how lucky am I!!!

Quinn, who sent me a handwritten note at Christmas, just a few months after being united with his forever family. “Dear Ayi Julie, Happy Christmas. I love you. Quinn, Loudi, Hunan.” Now that just about did me in! The tears flowed down my cheeks. The next day a voice mail on my home phone revealed a tiny cute little voice wishing me a “Happy New Year from Quinn.” Oh, my heart missed a beat when I heard the voice I instantly recognized, now speaking in English, not Mandarin as in our last meeting.

These and all the wonderful photos and updates from past foster care princes and princesses, too many to share here, make it all so amazingly worthwhile and puts me in such a privileged place seeing their life unfold.

To those of you who write and thank me for volunteering, I say thank YOU for supporting the children and granting me this gift and blessing—the blessing and honor of knowing these children close and personal and sharing their journey.

Wow, aren’t I the lucky one!

Julie Flynn Coleman

Brody

I met him first in a picture. His face was almost expressionless, the tear-stained cheeks giving the only hint of what he was feeling. As I read through his description, I became aware that life had not been kind to him. He was over two but not yet walking, and he couldn’t stand without support. Speech that is normal at this age was nonexistent for him. His rocking behavior indicated challenges with attaching to a primary caregiver. I was hopeful that foster care could turn this around, but I must admit I was afraid we might be too late.

I was so happy when he was placed into a wonderful foster home at the beginning of the year. He had a couple of bouts with respiratory illnesses and high fever, but each time he bounced back. I found myself worrying about him and reading his report first each month as I received them from our China Manager. I cannot pinpoint exactly when it happened, but he had worked his way into my heart and I often thought about him and hoped he was being loved. In February, I was happy to read he was beginning to walk with the foster parent’s help, and was able to play outside with the neighbor children. Even the rocking behavior was occurring less and less often. When I visited in March, I recognized his sweet little face immediately, though he was much tinier in person than I had imagined. He willingly took my hand and we walked all around the courtyard, practicing going up and down steps and a ramp. The progress he had made was indeed amazing, but I couldn’t help but wish for a smile from that somber little face.

Well, in April I received the best news ever! The picture in his report shows Brody walking down the road, maybe even trotting, with a hint of a smile on his face!

Jeanie

Jeannie was born premature and needed the extra love and care that a foster family could bring. She thrived in Shunyi foster care and blossomed into a healthy, happy toddler before being adopted.

"Wow – thank you Karin! These are amazing. Jeannie has looked at all the pictures, and especially poured over the ones with her foster Mama in them. I think it’s so important for her to be able to see them. We have given her a little album with all the foster family pictures in it, and she is really happy with it.

The reports are so great. Its amazing to read about all these precious milestones. Thank you so much! We feel very blessed tonight. I have added a few more pictures of our girl in China with us.

Love F M."