We are also in the process of adopting a waiting child and are so excited. We are excited to follow your journey to Faith. Don't you love Colorado. We live close and spend a lot of time there. Grace, Peace and (Faith) Suzanne
Hi, I am Jenny Markmiller- our family just adopted a sweet Chenzhou girl, Katie Mei who is now 17 months old. Our Gotcha Day was on March 28th. What a blessing you are giving and receiving. Chenzhou is an amazing place from everything we have seen. We will be praying for you! Any news on when you will go?? Congratulations. The Markmiller Family, Michael, Jenny, Jack, Sammy and Katie Mei markmillerfamily@sbcglobal.net
Hi Susan! I just happened on your website. What a beautiful family with a beautiful story! Cynthia
We are in the process of a NSN adoption, and happened upon your site. I was moved to tears by Faith's description and her desire for a family. I am so impressed by your other daughter's acceptance of an older sibling and her willingness to give up her role of "oldest child". That's a brave move. I hope and pray that the rest of the process goes smoothly for you and that Faith can quickly acclimate to her new life. Best Wishes, the Beck family
We are currently waiting for our referral, as we are adopting a baby girl from China, Lily Grace. Your story is beautiful and a true testament to God's work in our lives. Your family is truly blessed. Faith is entering a loving family and her excitement is touching. May God bless and keep your family. The Stowe's- Memphis, TN
I just read your site!!! I am in tears!!! How wonderful and beautiful!!! We just returned home on Nov 5th with our beautiful daughter from China. Please see our site: www.myadoptionwebsite.com/kiah We hope to adopt a waiting child next!!! May the Lord bless you on your journey!!! -Nicole Baker
Great website and good luck with your new daughter. Dave and Kathy Murray from sunny Santa Ana, California.
Hi a wonderful site can't wait to follow your story.We came home with our daughter in September she is 1 year old on Wednesday, but would love to adopt and older child. Sally in Norway:)
Praise God for your family and desire to serve him. We have 2 daughters from China, adopted as infants. My brother adopted a 15 year old from Russia and 2 families in our church adopted 12 -13 year old girls. What a blessing they are in our lives. There are difficulties, but no more than raising a biological teenager, just a little different circumstances. Otherwise, they have all bonded and are a family member in every way. God bless your trip and may He open Faith's heart to accept the love you have to share. Debbie Wright, Stoneboro, PA, friend of Klimchaks
Thank you for sharing your journey to Faith with me and my family. You inspire me and I send my love and support as you continue building your wonderful family through the miracle of adoption. Love, Amy Kozelek (Trevor, Leela, and Anya too!)
Hi! I am also using AH to adopt a WC and I have been checking your site the past few days to see if you've received TA with this latest batch! I'm a month behind you in terms of my LID. Can't wait to hear of your news. Best of luck in your upcoming travels! Shannon
Congratulations! What a blessing for Wen Yan and for your family. I wish all of you a speedy union. I'm waiting to adopt my second daughter, a waiting child, in Dongguan, near Guangzhou. She is 2 1/2. My older daughter was 12 months at adoption. I've always hoped to adopt an older child...perhaps in the future. I love reading stories like yours. Thank you for sharing. Jeana in Illinois
My husband and I just arrived home December 22nd with our daughter Claire....your family's story is amazing...what a beautiful daughter you are bringing into your family, both inside and out! best of luck...we will be praying for all things blessed for your family. JR and Stratton McLaughlin Fort Worth, TX
Susan & Michael, Shea & Sophie, I'm so excited for all of you!! I think the Lord has definitely had a hand in bringing all of you together. I was excited to hear the news and my thoughts & prayers are with. Have a great trip to China & back. Stay in touch, when you can. God Bless you, Lisa Blonquist (Humble, Texas)
I love this site Susan. You have done a really great job on it. I think I have read every word on it. It is amazing how much you have learned about the international adoption process. Even though I have read about adoption, watched you go through this and you have patiently explained many parts of the process to me, it is overwhelming to me how much you know and are doing. I am praying for you and Michael & the girls-all three of them! Love, jan
Hi Michael and Susan. What a beautifully told story. Though it's been a long time since we've lived close, we still feel close to you and are interested in what's happening with you. All our prayers...love, Sean, Shelley, Evan and Kelsey
Hi Susan, I know you are leaving in a few days and just wanted to say good luck and hope you have an amazing experience. We'll miss seeing you and Sophie in "school" but hope to see you after you return and get setteled. Will be checking this site to follow your journey. Many Blessings, Torrie (and Riley)
Dear Susan, Michael, Shea, and Sophie, Thank you for allowing me to follow your journey to Faith! She is a beautiful girl and all of you are so blessed to have found each other. I look forward to reading about your trip to China and Faith's homecoming. God Speed! Sara Lang
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this journey of love Grandpa Snider
Congratulations~What a beautiful girl Faith is. She is going to be a wonderful addition to your family. God bless you all!!! Melody :)
I was so excited to see your adoption site and read all about your precious Faith! We are in the process of adopting a 10 yr old little girl from China. We are interested in following your journey. Our site information is www.caringbridge.org/visit/temples God bless you as you travel to bring your sweet girl home! Linda Columbia SC
We wish you a safe and joyous trip to your new daughter. Our oldest is from Chenzhou, so we have a special place in our hearts for the children there. Wishing you and Faith all the best. Barb, Arnie, Haley (Chenzhou) and David (Jiangxi) Brucks Mid-Missouri
I have been following your journey to Faith. I was so excited to see that you are leaving tomorrow to bring your beautiful girl home. I will be checking back daily. I am so excited for you. Suzanne Griffith Scott City, Kansas Momma of Gui God Bless
Congratulations to you on your beautiful new daughter from Chenzhou! Our daughter, Anmei, also had Chenzhou as her first home. She would have been there at the same time as your daughter as she is 3 1/2 now and was adopted in April of 2003. Best wishes to you! Lori D. & Family
Bon Voyage and God Speed to Faith! I will be following your journey and I look forward to hearing about your wonderful reunion with your daughter. I say "reunion" because I know that she is already in your hearts, and you are in hers. Blessings, Sara Lang
Michael Susan Shea and Sophie. You guys are so cute in this picture I am so exite for you and your new adition to the family . what a great name Faith. you guys were made in heaven just perfect for each other. I wish you the best with your wonderful family. Shea I love you and MIss you always Love sister Masters Camblin
Dear Susan and Michael, Congratulations on your referral and adoption of Faith WenYan! We wish you and your family all the best! Sincerely, Tom, Valerie, Emily (Chenzhou) and Molly
I am personally touched to hear of this adoption, specifically. James 1:27 calls each of us to an obedience that you are all living out. "Awesome Wonder"to the future days that will follow bringing her into a family...blessings to you. It truly is a priviledge for others to watch your family in this journey. Be Blessed, Be appreciated. Lori Duryea "Precious Stones" Adoption Liaison www.preciousstonesadoption.org
2/12 - Just wanted to let you know you are in our prayers and we are thinking of you and Faith. We hope everything is going smoothly. What a beautiful website! I love all the information and pictures on it. I don't know why but I never accessed the whole website before now - just the info on Faith and your itinerary. It's great. Looking forward to hopefully seeing you on March 4th. Much love, Amy
Michael, Susan, Shea, Sophie and Faith, I am so happy to hear the news of the addition to your family. I feel blessed that I was able to follow you on your journey! Thank you for that blessing. I pray for a safe trip and safe return. You are a wonderful family. I have beautiful cousins!! Someday I hope to meet you all in person. Until then, blessings to you all. I am proud to call you family. Much love and blessings to you all! Patsie Lindsey-Travelstead, Kaile Jean and Jackie 1307 Knott Street Chester, IL 62233
2/13 We're thinking of you all and praying for you tonight. Cant wait for you to meet your sweet daughter! Love, Powers4 in TN
Susan and Michael, I hope you are having a ball in China. The Pacheco's are cheering for you all and praying for a safe and peaceful trip. Love, Alecia and family
Susan, Just want you to know that I'm thinking of you. My husband and I are following your journey, and hope that you have a good meeting with Faith on Friday. Maybe we will get to bring home a friend for Faith soon. All the best, Suzanne
I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear about your meeting with Faith! Take care - Maryann Izzarelli http://www.adoptiontrail.com
I just wanted to tell you I just love that you have set up this sight! I wait each day to read a new excerpt, you could say it's very addicting!!! I am so very excited about all of this, I can hardly imagine how excited you are... Lots of Love, Suzanna
I don't have much to say except how grateful I am that we're going to have WenYan in our family! I love being able to read about your experiences in China, expecially since I am closest to your time (except a day behind!) here in Hawaii! I love you guys and am grateful for the blessings you've added to our family :) Can't wait to hear about your meeting with WenYan! Much aloha, Jennifer
This is the Gaylords and Snider girls in Oklahoma. We are SO excited!!! Shea & Sophie were very excited to talk to Wenyan on the phone. After the phone call, Shea & Amy hugged & danced around(as much as Amy could do on one foot as she has once again tore some ligaments in her right foot & is wearing a boot & using crutches). We all talked until late, then cousins all slept together in the family room as they couldn't bear to be apart at this special family time. This a.m. the first thing we did was go to the computer to see if there were pictures & we were all excited to see the pictures & read all about the first day together. The girls are doing great here & anxious to meet their new sister! Jan Gaylord, Shea, Sophie & Wenyan's aunt in Oklahoma
Faith is BEAUTIFUL!! We are another adoptive family, and we have a baby girl from Chenzhou. Her name was Chen Jing Ying- now Katie Mei. Congratulations. Jenny Markmiller
Hi Susan and Michael! I am SO HAPPY to read that you have your LOVELY WenYan and that you are melding together as the part of the Sniders that waits to link with the Other Sniders here in Colorado! (wow - that was a long sentence) I cannot wait to see you, and to meet your beautiful new daughter! I am SO EXCITED! Hanging on every word and photo from you till I see you again ... and praying that all continues to go well and safely for you three. Love, Holly
God bless you and your newest daughter! What a beautiful jewel she is! We were thrilled that our first visit to your site happened to be on your "Gotcha Day". We share in your joy and wish you and your three lovely daughters a lifetime of happiness and love. We'll be thinking of you! Scott and Nancy May of Steamboat Springs CO
Snider family: I logged on again today to see the GOTCHA page!! How wonderful and exciting, we are all so happy for you. This is a great website! Susan, YOU should write a book also! Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Love, the Noland's
Dear Snider Family: We love you all and can't wait till we get together again!! The McHughs
Oh my goodness! I have to stop the tears long enough to type this message. It seems like so long ago that you called me and said you wanted to bring WenYan home as your daughter. She is even more beautiful in the new pictures you have posted from your Gotcha Day! You are a great example of how wonderful adoption of an older child can be. Thank you for taking this leap of faith and trusting that God would bring together your family as He intended. Sara
Your website was passed to me by a friend; we are both China parents as well. She and I were together on a Half the Sky build in Chenzhou in 2002, and met your lovely Faith/Wen Yan when she was about 10!!! That trip was one of the most emotional times of my life, and your daughter and her friends played a huge part in a life-changing paradigm shift for me. I'm leaving in 8 days to return to China with Half the Sky, and this was a WONDERFUL thing to see right before I left!! I hope you are all doing well, and if you ever have an extra moment, would love to hear how Faith is adapting to her new life and family!! Warmly, Mindy Carney mom to Jaede Fenfen, 10.5, Huazhou, Guangdong and Joerdan Ximing, almost 8, Feixi, Anhui
Thank you so much for letting others share in your journey. We are the Littlejohn family from Ohio and returned from Taiwan in December with our 13 year old daughter. Just as Faith has richly blessed you, we have likewise been blessed by our Karyn. When asked why a 13 year old or why Taiwan, it's like, "God is good and He knows exactly what He is doing." She is such a natural fit in our family! Michelle
May God continue to bless your family -- it's obvious He has already done so. I'm sure Wenyan cannot even believe that this is happening to her, what a lucky, lucky young lady! I sit here with tears in my eyes reading your story (which I've followed from the beginning) and wishing I could be a fly on your wall when you get home and Wenyan gets to meet her sisters. Congatulations to all five of you. Kelly in Ada, Michigan
What a beautiful family you have! Wen Yan looks so happy with you. It will be an exciting day when she meets the rest of her family. Thank you for sharing your story. Our daughter,Dang Ling, age 12, just came home in July of 2005. Blessings to you all! The Lockhart Family in WI http://www.mysimplefamily.com/lockna
Hi Susan, I just got to see your beautiful new daughter, Faith, and I am delighted for you all! What joy and what a gift for Shea and Sophie to have a big sister -- all of a sudden! I can't wait to meet Faith and see Sophie and Shea again at a future China Mom's event. Amy will love her too! Congratulations and more blessings on all of you! Marilyn Rhodes
With my great computer skills I just lost my previous message. So I will close with all our lov. and are awaiting your return with great anticipation Granpa and grandma snider
Logged on again to see the progress! It is all going so well, we are SO happy for you! I am praying Faith and handle the long trip in the car to and from her prior home. God bless you all. Love, Amy
I love finding new pictures and stories every day! It's always a bright spot in my day :) I just can't wait till I see you guys again and give WenYan a big Snider(Gaylord) squeeze!! I love you guys!!! Aloha, Jen
Hi, I am Alecia's mother, I met you at the gotcha party several years ago. Alecia gave me your link and I am so thrilled with your good fortune to have another daughter in your family. Bless you all and good luck and love in the future. - Sharon Ragle
Susan & Michael & Family, It is so exciting to read that you have been able to travel to China to get your daughter. She is beautiful and has an amazing smile! Y'all look like you 'fit' together as a family. Shea & Sophie are also beautiful! Congratulations and I send my love and prayers for continual happiness and peace in your home. Lisa Blonquist, Humble, Texas
Faith is so beautiful! My heart has just melted reading about this wonderful union. I know you all must be very proud to be her parents. I love reading about you adaption to each other. I pray Faith will easily adjust to her home in the States. What a beautiful family you have! Pam in Tennessee
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing about your trip to Chenzhou. What a blessing for you , and for Wen Ya, Faith. What a gift too to those of us whose babies came from Chenzhou. Jenny Markmiller
Susan & family, Congratulations! Your daughter is beautiful! Just saw the entry from the orphanage and the pictures with the older girls. Those girls are so precious! I just want to take them all home! Congratulations again! Donna (from China moms group)
Hello, thank you for sharing your website. We also used myadoptionwebsite.com for our journey, and we read your updates every day - usually with tears in our eyes by the end. WenYan, you are an amazing and brave young woman. And it sounds like you have a wonderful family to share your life with. We are so happy for all of you! The Melde Family - St. Paul, MN.
WOW!!! I am just speechless!!!! In tears and just so darn happy for you guys!!!!!! HEAVEN ON EARTH that is where you are!!! We are hopefully on our way to adoption this year....I have enjoyed your story....and I just can't tell you how happy I am for you all! Linda Williams PS We also used Joe and Jennifer...we are under paperchasing..."Our Red Thread Journey"
Hey Guys! I'm loving keeping up with your journey! I'm so proud of you all, you're such special people. Get home soon! Love, Januari
Susan. I am reading your informacion every day. it makes me cry. Iam so proud of you and Michael and all that you do. I hope one day i will go to colorado and visit your lovely family. good luck in all you do in China . have a great trip back home. I miss you always you were will be one of my best friends ever here and in the life to come love Camblin
I want you to know how fascinated I have been in reading about your journey for Faith. I'm not sure if you realize that you have the beginnings of an incredibly inspiring article with this site. I truly hope everything works out wonderfully for your family. I also hope you continue this site for awhile. I check it out several times a day to make sure I don't miss anything. My best to you, Faith and your other children.
Congrats on your beautiful new daughter. What a wonderful future she will have with her new family. We adopted a daughter from Chenzhou in July and recognized some of the folks in your pictures. Our daughter was 8.5 months old and her name was Mei Hui. I wondered if Faith might remember her. Have a wonderful blessed life together. Bonnie @ bonniec@chartertn.net
Deaer Susan, Im sitting here teary-eyed reading about your wonderful union with your beautiful sweet daughter and grieving with her goodbyes. You all are a wonderful family and Im so in awe of all of you for your courage, love, and strength. We love you and our thoughts and prayers are with you all for safe travels and good health as your journey as a family continues. Love and God Bless All of You The Powers 4 in TN
Michael & Susan, All I can say is "What a blessing!" I read through your entire web site tonight and was just in "awww". You two are so blessed beyond comprehension. Wenyan...you are so beautiful and smart, you are entering the most loved family I have ever seen in my entire life!!!! You are so blessed. I wish you all of the love and happiness anyone could have. I will pray for a safe trip home for all of you to join the rest of your family. God Bless all of you. Michael, Thank you so much for sharing this website (and your lives) with me. Everything I have read is so heartfelt I still have tears of joy for you. Thank you again, Bonnie Kusmider (CSR @ Worzalla Publishing)
WenYan you ROCK!. Welcome to your wonderful family and to our extended group. We feel as if we already know you and are excited about getting the chance to meet you in person soon. We cannot wait to meet you at the beach. Anyone that can sandbag his or her Ping-Pong skills is a friend of ours! Mike & Susan, We will be billing you for the excessive tissue that we have incurred due to your egregiously sappy posts from this trip. Take care and enjoy your incredible family! Love, Amy, Trevor, Leela & Anya
Hi, Susan, Michael, Shea & Sophie! What a beautiful website to follow your journey on! You are a beautiful family & those girls are very lucky to have you as parents as well as you are to have them as daughters! I can feel the love of your family just from the pictures! How neat! I wish you all the best & will continue to check your website for updates. Love, Your cousin, Amy, Mark, Madison & Lindsey
Hi! Enjoyed reading your website. We are soon to be parents of an 11-year-old girl from DongGuan. We have a 2-year-old from Hunan. Adopted. Gotcha Day was yesterday 2/22/06. Your journal is very helpful. Looking forward to reading more. Angie and Dale Kennedy Maui, Hawaii
We were very touched by your experiences in adopting from China. We are also LDS and we had sensed that maybe you were as well. As I read your comments today, I went back to your first days in China and noticed that you mentioned attending the LDS Temple in Hong Kong. It is wonderful to know of other LDS families that are adopting from China. We are awaiting our referral, we have an LID of 5-20-2005, so they are telling us we should receive the referral in a few days. We are so excited. Good luck with your trip home. We hope you find everything well there. Paul & Amber Eriksson
We are waiting with great anticipation to meeting our new grand daughter on March 4 tell he hello for us and we love already Love Grandma and grandpa Snider
Hi. We have a 3 year old daughter who was adopted from China 2 years ago. I like to check out china websites now and then and found yours by chance. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it each day. How wonderful that an older child is having her chance to have her own family! She sounds like such a wonderful young woman. It sounds like your journey is going well and I wish Faith well as she settles into a new life with new sisters at home and her parents. Congratulations on becoming a family! From Theresa, mom to Kelly Yue-Lin (Taizhou, Jiangsu) from Canada
While I am in the "paperchase", I am constantly reading about families that are currently in the process of being united with their children/siblings from China. I am especially drawn to your journey as I am touched by all of your good fortune. What a wonderful unification. Faith, yours is a story of hope; "may all of your dreams come true". You truly are a brave and couragous young lady. Faith is a very appropriate name for you. Sincerely, Shelley
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to follow your journey! Faith is such an inspiration! We too are adopting an older child from China. Her name is Li Sang and she is 10 yrs old. Here is our site info www.caringbridge.org/visit/temples. We hope to travel late summer to bring Li Sang home. I can't tell you how much your site has encouraged my heart!! Thank you for sharing your life with us! Linda
Susan, Michael & Wenyan, I feel so drawn to reading your adventures each day and am delighted that things are going so wel. You are an inspiration for all of us and your website is so uplifting and informative and provides hope to others who are journeying along the same path. You are a beautiful family and are doing so well together. I wish you much continued blessings and joy as you finish your trip in China and return home to the rest of your beautiful family. May God bless you always!! Lisa Blonquist, Humble, TX
I am loving each and every post you have made since being united with WenYan. What a lucky family. I can't wait until she meets her sisters. Lisa (NYC, almost DTC)
I have just finished catching up on the last few days of your remarkable journey & my heart is so full!!! What an amazing young woman Wen-Yan seems to be & I do believe will be a great example for our entire family. Please share with her that I already love her & admire her for strength at such a young age. We can hardly await your arrival home & look forward to lots of fun in the future!!! Love You, Suzanna (One of Mike & Susan's neices, Jan's daughter & Wen-Yans cousin :)
Dear Susan, Michael and Faith, thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with all of us. My daugher and son in law returned in October 2005 with our little angel. Her name is Cadence. I am her Nai Nai (grandma). I could never imagine my heart could feel so much love. Even now, 5 months later, I can't hold her without wanting to cry. She has brought something into our lives that only God can do. I wish, like you that they could do it over and over. I pray that God will give each child a family to love them. But he can love them and hold them until that time. May God bless you and your girls. Each day will be a great challenge, but a wonderful adventure for all of you. May God bless you richly. Darlene
Susan\wenyan and michael, how's you guys donging now? i miss you guys so much all these days, what a big pity, my computer was dead there days ago, and i wont get it back until 15th of March. so i cannot write to you these days, but i still sent best wishes to you and hope you will have a good stay in china. take care, my friends. please say hello to shea and sophia. yours jacky wong (from Hunan)
Your family is beautiful and Faith is a rare treasure! Thank you for sharing your travel journal and story! It brought tears to my eyes to think about such a brave girl and the way she found her family! Sandy http://agirlwaits.blogspot.com
I followed your entire story and what an inspiration! My husband and I are traveling some time this year to bring home our daughter! God Bless you all and thank you for sharing your wonderful and touching story.
Snider Family, and especially Wen Yan, These greetings come from Chen Cai Cai's family! We have loved reading about your journey - what an inspiration! We wish you all the best - it sounds like things are off to a beautiful start! We are working diligently to bring Cai Cai home and look forward to meeting you all and reuniting Cai Cai and Wen Yan during one of our annual trips out to visit family in Colorado. Enjoy the rest of your time in China and have a safe trip home - I bet Wen Yan's sister can't wait to meet her and see mom and dad after this long trip! All our best! Beth Hahn and family
Thank you for sharing your journey. My husband and I have been considering adopting an older child and your journey seems to have sealed the deal. We will have be contacting our agency to notify them of this change tomorrow. Even moreso after seeing the older girls from the orphanage, I wish there was a way that I could get information about them or at least contribute in some way to help them and the orphanage.
Hi WenYan, I'm looking foward to meeting you at the airport on Saturday. It would be my first time meeting you in person. You might have seen me in the orphanage because I was in the same orphanage as Shibi but you might not recognize me because I'm much older. Good luck! From Rosa (Shibi's sister)
Dear YanYan, I miss you since I got here and I been thinking about you when I listen to your favorite Chinese pop singer Shu. I really am enjoying your Mommy and Daddy's writing about you. I'm very excited to see you again and meeting your mommy and daddy. I hope you have a great journey for the rest of your way. Love, SiSi (Shibi)
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing journey. WenYan is just simply amazing. What a wonderful match for you all! I loved reading about your trip to Yueyang County. My daughter is also a Ba baby adopted in Sept. 2002. I am thrilled that they were open to receiving pictures of the children who have been adopted. I just sent a few pages of pictures to them via chinafinding.net and Fran Morris. Many blessing for your lovely family. Perrin Slowey
Hey Susan--so WenYan is a talker too! Oh no--when her "Auntie Misha" comes to visit with Motormouth little Miss Mimi McHugh--I can't even begin to imagine the chaos!!! We can't wait to see you all! Hugs Misha (from the Humidity Capital of the World--Houston)
Aloha! Beautiful website include your beautiful daughter, too! We can hardly wait to go to China to get our son in no time. Our fingerprinting are done last week so we're now waiting for I171 form not knowing what it looked like til I read yours. I love reading your journal very much & I'll do the same, too. You all enjoy with your gorgeous daughter. Hugs, Kaila
We have never met but I must tell you that your story has touched my heart! I wish Faith great happiness in her new life with her forever family and pray that your journey to beautifully bond as a family continues. God bless! Susan Arp
Your website is terrific, I have been hanging on your every word! Kaihua said, When are we going to get to see her? Maybe a trip out West is in our future. By the way, I think she must have sat on that same camel! Coming home will be amazing. WenYan is one strong girl, and we wish her all the best in her new home. Best to you all, Barbara
Snider Family, Safe travels home. Faith Wenyan, you are SO beautiful in your glam photos! The boys in Colorado are going to be thrilled to meet you! :) Erika Lily and I have been following your trip cloesly, and she is excited to meet you, Faith, when we come in August for Gotcha. Shea and Sophie must be so excited for you all to come home! Love and prayers, Alecia and Erika Lily
Thank you so much for letting us share in your journey to Faith. She is beautiful. The "glamor shots" of her are stunning!!!!! I followed your journey ever day and so enjoyed your wonderful and eloquent posts. You are all so blessed to have each other. Congratulations! Sandra in Cincinnati http://geocities.com/sandrapeffly
I have love following your journey. Thanks for letting me "tag along". We just got our referral so we should be traveling within the next 2 months. The last pictures of your daughter in lavender and with the flowers in her hair showcased her beauty. Congratulations to your family and WenYen for finding each other. Andrea
Congratulations on your adoption of Faith. What a beautiful girl. I hope we can get together next year for a family reunion. I can't wait to meet Sophie and Faith and get reaquainted with Shea. You are truly blessed to have three beautiful girls. Love, Aunt Cindi
Susan and Michael: I have followed you every step of the way on this website. I thought you might be too busy to keep up with postings,though, so I hadn't written yet. I just want to say that your journey to becoming a family with Faith has touched us all tremendously. We are so happy for you and all of the blessings God is pouring out on your family. We pray taht the transition to USA goes smoothly for Faith. We know God is holding you all in His hands, and will work all things for good. Much love, and congratulations! Laura, Troy, Bekah & Rachel Hartwig
Susan, MIchael, WenYan, Shea, Sophie, It is so good to see all of you together! I have enjoyed your daily posts from China so very much. Susan and Michael, you are an inspiration!!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful family with us! Sandra http://geocities.com/sandrapeffly
Thank you for allowing me to follow your journey to WenYen. She is a beautiful girl and I wish her and your family well. Congratulations, Brenda Zinram (AnnaMarie - GD 12/5/05)
Dear Faith Wenyan (and Snider Family), I was referred to your blog by a friend. We also have a baby from China, but if we ever go back, we will probably bring home an older child. Thanks so much for posting this for us to see! It is an inspiration, as is Faith Wenyan. My husband was reading it last night and said, "I didn't think you could adopt an older child." I think he's hooked. Faith, you are a beautiful addition to the Snider family and we wish you all the best. Laurie Wells
What a blessing this adventure must have been and will be. I have truly enjoyed your adventure. Thank you for sharing it with the world. Wenyan is a beautiful girl. In your explanations of her, she seems wise beyond her years for going through this experience. I hope you share in the future more of her thoughts as she learns english. I would love to know what she remembers of this whole experience. God bless you all and all the best for the future. Joei Tribble Florence, Kentucky
What a wonderful journey best wishes from Norway Sally
Dear Susan and Michael, I have followed your journey and I wish you much love and happiness for your family. Your daughters are beautiful. May the Lord continue to bless you and guide you through this adjustment. My husband and I adopted our daughter from China last year, she is now 2yrs old. We are presently on a few websites for waiting children as it is in our hearts this time to adopt a child on a waiting list. I am always encouraged when I read stories like yours. God Bless you and congratulations!!! Rosalie Farmer
Dear Susan and Michael, I have followed your journey and I wish you much love and happiness for your family. Your daughters are beautiful. My husband and I adopted our daughter from China last year, she is now 2yrs old. We are presently on a few websites for waiting children as it is in our hearts this time to adopt a child on a waiting list. I am always encouraged when I read stories like yours. God Bless you and congratulations!!! Rosalie Farmer rafarmer63@yahoo.com
I have been following your journey almost from the time you reached China. It is such a remarkable journey you have undertaken. I am so pleased to have been able to read about your experiences. I will continue to check the site for updates. Thank you for being advocates for adoption. Whether children are born in the US or elsewhere, they deserve a forever family. Best wishes for a wonderful life with your eternal brood! -Bekkie O'Neal
Dear Susan, Michael, Faith WenYan, Shea and Sophie. What great pictures of your homecoming! I know our time was short at SFO but I was so excited it worked out to see you. I love this website and all the postings. You are doing a great job as parents and I know WenYan is blessed to be part of your family. I can't believe how short Shea's hair is or how tall she is!! :) Much love to everyone, Amy, John, William and Emma
Susan, MIchael, WenYan, Shea, Sophie : I am linna,when I saw the all of picture,I think meet your happy familly.you are so frendly. wenyan,你应该开心你现在拥有的新家，我祝你天天开心，永远快乐，读好书，以后上大学啊，有空你也可以邮件给我啊！ susan,Michael,I very meet you are,hope you come back china again. Linna
Michael: I was touched by reading your journal and am greatly impressed by your ability to love and nurture. What child wouldn't want a father like you? All of God's children have an desire to love and be loved and that is clearly the core of your family. When time is appropriate, that new love can be sealed for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord a an eternal family of 5. Congratulations and may God bless you and your beautiful familyl. Bruce Bracken
Thank you for sharing your story and journey to Faith. It is absolutely beautiful. I wish you and your family a long and happy life together. I hope that Faith has an easy adjustment to her new life in America. Congratulations! Michele, Darren, Megan, and Caitlin (a. 02/06/06 Jiangxi)
Thank you so much for sharing your adoption journey, it's been wonderful for me to read. It's really made me start thinking about older child adoption. I loved the glam shots of Faith taken in Beijing, I bet she had a blast taking them. She really is a beautiful girl. I wish your family the best as you continue on your journey. Jeanie Hinckley Rennie Issaquah, Washington
Susan I follow your trip every day. I am so happy you have your family . you are so deserve of so many blessings. and Michael also. you guys are the best i will never forget you and your kindness to me and my family. Our friendship is forever Love Camblin
Congratualtions! Your family is beautiful. We are just beginning our journey and our papers are in China. Thanks for sharing.
Your story warmed my heart and brought tears to my eye. What the world needs is more loving people like your family. I look forward to reading the updates. Best wishes, Sandra in London England.
It is good to have Faith in our lives! Uncle Blaine Welcome Faith!!!... to your new country and most of all to your new family! We have waited a long time for you to arrive, and we are so glad that you are finally here! Cheers! Aunt Lily
My name is Paula , My husband and I are leaving for China on March 28 to receive our Lily,(14 Months old) she is from Hunan. I have been following your journey to Faith and I am so happy for your family. Faith is such a beautiful young lady , I have shed so many tears of joy for all of you!!! Your journey has inspired me to check into adopting an older child from China. If you have a little time to respond I would appreciate knowing how you started the process and found the waiting list... Thank you and best wishes to you all, Paula hunteradoption@wwdb.org
I want to thank you for sharing your story. I am very interested in adopting from China (once I turn 30) and feel a young school aged child would be a wonderful fit because of the age our children will be. I followed your journey each day you were in China to see how things went with the language barrier and now I look forward to your updates to see how school is going- my two biggest fears in adopting a slightly older child. Your love for your daughter is an inspiring reminder that when we do what God has put on our hearts we can overcome the obstacles- no matter how big they seem. I hope Faith realizes that her story is opening the hearts of readers to the possibility of adopting an older child. So many times we hear about the attachment issues with older children- it is refreshing to hear about a child who truly wants a family. Prayers that you continue to grow closer as a family with each passing day and good luck adjusting to meeting the needs of three beautiful girls. Amy
I have been following your journey for weeks now. Years ago we sponsored a young Vietnamese refugee girl. Much of what you write about with Faith brings back the memories of those times. Though I will never know exactly what you are going through, I can tell you that much of what you describe--the highs and lows--are so normal when language and culture come into play. Please, please keep us posted on Faith, and your family's journey. NR, Buffalo, NY
Thank you for this site. I cried and cried. No words can express. We are hoping to adopt an older child too down the line. Faith is just beautiful. You are truly blessed. Christy dh-Josh dd-Mia. Jiangxi. 23 months. CCAI waiting for I171H for Kai, hopefully on CCAI's WC list
I have truly enjoyed reading each page of your website. We are in the process to adopt an older girl from China, also (she is 6), so it is wonderful to read of Faith's adjustment to your family (and yours to her)! Blessings, Kimber Graves mom to 4 great kids (3 from China)
Susan and Michael: very happy to hear that about wenyan,look at the picture ,she is happy right now,I think is better than she in china.she is lucky girl,has happy family.you say she can talk English to you ,that is nice.you are try the best.If I have time ,I can Email to wenyan. 文燕,看到相片知道你过得好开心啊,我好为你开心啊,加油学英语啊! Best wishesfor your family. Linna
Dear Folks--I love Faith's website and my heart is filled with love for her! I am adopting a 2 1/2 year old from Changsha--and if Faith were closer--wouldn't it be wonderful for her to come and babysit!! I also have Adoption House and I live in the Amish country of south-central Pennsylvania. Love to all---Wilma
I have cried and had chills while looking through your website. What an amazing story. May God richly bless you and your family. We are in the process of adopting from China. I have always hoped for a large family and have at times given up on that dream. Your story gives me hope. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Folks--I just want to express my appreciation for your sharing the journey of Faith. I am so happy for all of you. I am in Pennsylvania and am adopting a WC from AH. Thank you for the updates. Love to all--Wilma
I just have to say that I thought your 'blog' about going to China and getting your daughter Faith was gorgeous. I was sitting here with tears in my eyes reading about Faith saying goodbye to everyone etc. It is nice to see that everything is turning out ok and hope for the best. Take care... Felicity http://flissandmikeadventures.blogspot.com/
Would love to hear an update. I hope everything is still going well with Faith. Melissa (frequent China adoption blogreader)
I check your blog perodically and would love to hear how you are all doing. I'm sure that a lot has occured since your last entry. I pray that you are all well. Corena
I am waiting for the referral of my daughter Olivia. It has been a very long wait. I was petitioned for a 5 year old with a hip problem, but that fell through, so I'm in the NSN program. Your journey to Faith touched me greatly and I can't wait to see how she enjoyed her first summer. Hope you post soon. Nikki from CT
Hi! I have followed Faith's story, and I would like to ask some questions about adopting older children, if you don't mind sharing! My address is tishgoff@hotmail.com. If you don't mind sending me your email address, I will write you back! Thanks, Tish
what a lucky girl!! And how wonderful that you put this all together for her and your family. It will be cherished in the years to come.
Hello, I have enjoyed following your journey. We are in the process of adopting an infant and were DTC May 15, 2006. Your story is amazing; it is wonderful how a teenager is fitting into your family. You have given me hope that someday our family too can adopt an older child! Please know that your family is truly inspirational. We to will be writing our adoption journey on this website. (Journey to Eliana) Best, Melissa F.
Your journery to Faith is amazing! All three of your girls are beautiful. I am 26 years old and I have a very strong desire to adopt a little girl from China. Of course I have a while before I can do that. Reading the stories on myadoptionwebsite.com has been such a blessing. Everyone has such a wonderful story tell. I look forward to seeing the updates. -Mary Katherine Littrell (Florence, AL) mklittrell@yahoo.com
Good morning, I just read your latest update on life with Faith and I continue to be amazed at the progress these girls make once they arrive in their family's lives, regardless of their age! She sounds like an amazing girl - and your family seems to be making such good decisions about how to proceed. I'm sorry that you've had a bad experience with a stranger over this site. I'm a stranger as well and I can't imagine that happening. As my husband and I have gotten more serious about adopting in China, I've become completely addicted to this site, learning so much thru your experiences and I'm so grateful to be able to follow along in the journeys. A close friend, who is also adopting and loves the site, and I affectionately refer to it as "checking on our girls" as we follow the stories daily. Thank you for being so open about your experience - its been wonderful to watch it unfold. Take care, Diane
Dear Snider family, Thank you for sharing your story with us. We are in the process of adopting our first child from China. I never thought about adopting an older child until I read your story which is deeply touching to me. Your openess, generosity and faith(what a perfect name!) have inspired me greatly. I completely understand your quandry about the balance of openess and privacy for your family and Faith WenYan. I am very sorry that anyone intruded in a painful way. I wish excellent health, much laughter and every blessing for your family of five. Love, genevieve
I just wanted to tell you that your story is so amazing and beautiful. I have followed it on the website. My husband and I are waiting to adopt of first baby from china, we were DTC 2-13-2006, so we have quite some time, but you have inspired us to think about an older child in the future. I wish you many blessings and a wonderful future. Lisa
I love reading about your daughter, Faith. Yes, you are right that an older child is not for everyone, but I believe when God puts it on your heart to do, then we must be obedient because He ultimately knows what's best for each of us, His children. Faith is such a pretty girl and I know you are so proud of her! Although you may have had a bad experience with someone online, please know that sharing your journey to Faith and the updates are such a blessing and testimony to the awesome God we serve! You have a beautiful family and I have enjoyed reading all that you've shared. We are waiting on our daughter from China and I look forward to sharing our wonderful journey to Chloe with others. God bless your family! :) Susan from Georgia
What a beautiful family!!! I followed your journey to Faith and was so excited to see such a wonderful udate! It is such a blessing to see how much God has blessed you and your family! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! We will be going to China in 2 weeks to bring our daughter home too! Your family is such an inspiration! May God continue to richly bless you!!! In Christ, Julie Wilson www.thestoryofyou.net/KlaireJulianna.html
Thank you so much for posting updates on your family despite the unfortunate experience. It is wonderful to see how Faith has come around. Thank you for sharing this so other families can learn from your experience. Jutta http://theslowboattochina.blogspot.com
I love reading Faith's updates every month. She is quite an amazing and beautiful young girl that I know is blessing your family beyond measure. I praise God that you followed His lead to bring Faith home with you, through all of the unknowns. You have a beautiful family and story. Thank you for sharing. Blessings, Andrew, Mignon, Madaline, Abigail and Meibeth Cannon... Journey to Meibeth (this site)
I just want you all to know that I think you've answered a wonderful call and I know God will bless you for it! Thanks so much for your updates. We adopted a baby girl from China last October, but I've always had a heart for the older children.. and would love to go back to China to bring another son or daughter home.. God willing! Regards, Laurie Wells, Newark, Ohio
Thank you so much for updating us on how Faith, and your family's life is going. I can't believe the difference in how she looks from your last post until this one. She's gorgeous. I would so love to know how things continue to go. Best of luck and happiness to all your family.
Thank you so much for updating us on how Faith, and your family's life is going. I can't believe the difference in how she looks from your last post until this one. She's gorgeous. I would so love to know how things continue to go. Best of luck and happiness to all your family.
Thank You, Your story is very heart worming. We read it several months ago after we chose a child of a WC list and now we are seriously thinking about adopting an older girl/ boy next if Lord is willing. We never thought about an older child till your site , we stumbled onto and we also have been blessed and hopefully because of your site another older child has a chance in life. Your family has been blessed and so has Faith. Please don’t let an ignorant person darken your spirit but stay alert and cautious of what you share. Everything sounds like your family will have a lot of precious memory in store yet. Good luck and thank you. And thank you Faith for touching our family through your story. Good luck in school but doubt that you will need it. David and Denise Fayetteville, NC Our site will be labeled Journey of the Heart-
I have been keeping up with your "journey" over the last couple of months as my husband and I are in the embryonic stages of considering adoption of an older child. It breaks my heart that someone would strike out in a negative way to you and your family. I apologize for my fellowman/woman. I admire your patience and persistance in following your heart in the adoption process. The world would be a better place if more would follow your example. Take care of your girls and God Bless you all. Teri Caskey Pifine Louisville, Kentucky pifine@msdlouky.org
Susan, I have been reading your story about Faith for a while now and I am so touched by your family's love to adopt an older child. All children need families, but so few older children are ever considered when it comes to adoption. God bless you! Di
Thank you sooo much for sharing your blog....It has ment a lot to be able to read your experiences. We are in the waiting process for our first adoption, but are already thinking of an older child once we've settled in with the first. Thank you!
I love following your journey! Your family is so incredibly beautiful - do not let one immature ignorant person get you down. They will answer to God when the time comes...for now, let us continue to follow you - are are an example to us all. God bless you and your girls (and hubby too of course :) ) Heather in MD - on day 27 of TA for Kara Li Dan - age 2!
I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading about your journey. We brought our little girl home from Gansu last July, and she will be 2 in September. It sounds like your family has done a wonderful job adjusting to life together. I hope Faith enjoys Middle School. I work with kids that age, and it is truly an interesting time in their lives. Congratulations and Good luck! Shawna
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your journey. I have found your family to be an inspiration. Thank You. Kim Meyers DTC 1/17/06 www.onemoremakesfour.blogspot.com
I hope that you will continue to post about Faith and all of your beautiful girls. You have one of the only stories online about an older child adoption and I think it is wonderful what you have done and extremely interesting to find out how she is adjusting to the USA. Best wishes for you and your family..... you are so lucky to have 3 beautiful girls... (and they are lucky to have you too) Kim from Massachusetts
Thank you so much for this latest update. I have enjoyed following your journey from the beginning and I must tell you that your family is such an inspiration. It is so good to hear that Faitd is doing well and looking well, too! She is simply gorgeous...I am sorry you had a negative experience with someone. That is his/her problem and I am sorry you had to deal with it. Please know that the big majority of people admire your family and is honestly interested to see how Faith is doing. Best wishes to you all, Sandra http://jazzieandtahlia.typepad.com
I have been following your website for several months now. It is an inspiration to me. My husband and I are waiting for a referral from China so that we can be first time parents. But we strongly believe that an older child adoption is in our family's future. So, even if some of your experience online has been negative, please know that your openness and sharing are much appreciated. Sincerely, Deanna K. in PA
Thank you for sharing your story. Faith is an extraordinary young lady. I wish Faith and your family the best in health and happiness. Sincerely, Diana from New York
Hi Susan, I am so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with the website. I hear of this happening quite often. How unfortunate that the nasty few have to ruin it for everyone else. As usual, your update made me cry. I wish you and Faith all the luck as she starts Jr High (yikes!).We won't be in Chinese school this fall, so don't know when I'll see ya- maybe at one of the China Moms get-togethers. Take Care, Torrie (and Riley)
Thanks so much for the up to date post. I've been very interested to hear how you are all making the adjustment. Faith is an inspiration. Bless you in this journey into a family of 5.
Thanks so much for the up to date post. I've been very interested to hear how you are all making the adjustment. Faith is an inspiration. Bless you in this journey into a family of 5. Corena from Cambridge, Ontario
Dear Wonderful Family of 5, I can't begin to thank you for sharing your experience. I have followed your story and can't tell you how very much it has touched and moved me. Faith seems so happy and she is blessed with a loving family. Your girls are beautiful and their smiles say so much. May God bless and keep your family always. Sincerely The Stowe's- who are very close to referral for our sweet Lily Grace who is waiting in China
Thank you for sharing your family's journey to bring home Faith. It lifted my heart to read each update and I am so happy that the transition from 4 to 5 has come so naturally for you all. All three girls are beautiful and their love & affection for each other is so evident in the pictures. Congratulations! Denice Panco - Pottstown,PA DTC - Jan "06
Thanks for sharing your Faiath update. I've often wondered how she is doing. Don't let one "bad apple" spoil your experience. Many of us followed your journey and prayed for you during the ups and downs. I for one am thankful that you shared your experience. Linda
As a total stranger here but I just wanted to say that I love reading your updates. It is wonderful to hear that Faith is doing so well. I think many people would never consider adopting an older child but reading your web site might change thier minds. I hoep you will continue to keep updating!
I just finished your story. What a different girl from the time you got Faith until August! A very grown up young lady. Bless you and enjoy your new daughter. I think your oldest daughter is a very special sister to Faith. Pat Jesse
I find the story of Faith's journey to your family so inspiring. Faith is such a beautiful girl and all of the circumstances that brought you together are amazing. What a wonderful, complicated, very real family!
I am a stranger to you, but I have read your blog. I am a Chinese immigrant, looking into adoption. I stumbled upon your blog and your family story is just so heartwarming to me. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your private life. I applaud you for adopting an older child. Faith is so pretty. She does indeed look like she enjoys her life here very much. Kudos to you, her mom, and your family. Sincerely, Annie, Seattle, WA.
Your journey to Faith has been one of the most inspiring I have ever followed. I have eagerly awaited the updates. Faith has just blossomed since the pictures I last saw. Her face radiates happiness and her eyes sparkle. Her little face is round and peaceful. I am so glad she is adjusting so well. I wish I could just reach through the computer and give her big hug! You all make such a beautiful family. As far as the negative comments, there's a few in every crowd. I believe you have tasteful shared your journey and apparently Faith agrees. Pam in Tennesee, LID 9/8/05, still waiting
WOW i cant believe that it has been 6 months. I followed your journey to bring Faith home. I hope that you continue to advocate older child adoptions in spite of the negatives reactions of some. I know that i have now taken the stance that if someone reacts or comments in a negative way regarding my upcoming adoption of my daughter Zoe i simply no longer mention it to them again. I know that i cant change everyones opinion and do know that those whose hearts are open will recieve her warmly. I think it is great that Shea has a sister closer to her age, that they both have a younger sis and that Faith will be able to teach her baby sister about their heritage firsthand. Good luck to all of you. Hmmm... dont you think your girls need a brother? God bless... Bonnie www.youbelong.net/dragonwild
I loved following your journey, may all be blessed richly. What a beautiful but arduous journey. All worth it in the end.
I have a adopted a child from China and always look at this site. I loved following your wait, journey and now your home life together. I love that Faith has a forever family, perhaps one day, the door will be opened for us to adopt an older child. Our site is hollisadoption.com or ktsslambbok.blogspot.com
Hello, We have really enjoyed your site and I would love for you to keep updating it because it is very encouraging for us who are waiting and watching. You have a beautiful family and I appreciate your sharing!! Thank you. Gerri Thomas Lexa and Ella (both 3 years old) Waiting for Tong Tong, 13 years old
My mother helped translate for Faith while you went to be sealed to her in the temple. My father sent me the link to this website, which is all the more special to me because I myself was adopted. You have a beautiful family, and I have a testimony that children who are adopted are meant to be in their families just as much as any child that is born into their family. All the best to all of you!
Hi, this is Aunt Lily. It would be wonderful if Faith could dictate some things for you to add to this site. I would like to know some of her feelings about this experience. Of course, not all of her feelings would be positive. I am sure that she has felt joy, happiness and wonder. But also, fear, worry, lost, confused. It would be good if she could feel secure enough of your acceptance of her, so that she could share all of her feelings with you. As time passes, each of you will be able to feel more secure and form a closer bond in your newly formed family structure.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences...its been wonderful to read....Good luck with everything. Sally Thailand
I traveled about the same time you did, to adopt my 3 year old daughter. I've enjoyed reading about Faith. I keep a blog, also. I'm so sorry you had an unfortunate experience. I try to be cautious, also. Your story is an inspiration. My daughter had such a rough time dealing with the changes in her life. She's made wonderful progress. I kept reading about Faith when my little one was raging, tantruming, and being miserable. I think you're right that it was important that Faith wanted a family. I'm so glad you found her. Jeana from Illinois Mom to Hannah, 8, and Grace, 3
I've really enjoyed reading your updates, and I'm sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience with someone online. I'm happy to know that Faith is doing so well!
It has been too long since I have visited your site. I am stunned at how much Faith has grown and changed. What a beautiful young woman she is! Thank you for your continued testimony to those who are considering adopting an older child. Your family is a blessing to all! Sara Lang Adoption Specialist
Thank you for your latest August updates. I hadn't checked in a while. I'll be sad to see fewer updates, but totally understand the need for privacy in your lives. I'm sorry a bad apple had to spoil your experience. Your recent update made me tear up, again(!). Best wishes for your entire family. This is what adoption is about!
Hey Susan! Seeing all the pictures make me miss you all so much! I would like to say what a pleasure it was meeting Faith. She is a phenomenal young woman, and you are very lucky. She's beautiful, kind, and I can tell how much she loves all of you. It's as if she's been there forever, really. I can't wait to watch her grow, and I'm honored to be a part of her life! Januari
Thank you for writing your family story. Our family is waiting for travel approval for our soon to be 12 yr old daughter YangYang in Jinan China. It is so nice to hear other storys. Vicki from Atlanta GA
It's been awhile since you updated us, and though I know you had a bad experience, I, for one, have loved the story of your family's journey to Faith. I understand if you don't post again, but I want you to know I think of you often. Bflo., New York,
Thank you for the update on your daughter. I am just now getting to read it. We returned from China about a month ago with our 11 yr old daughter. It is so helpful to read about Faith's journey. I wonder how things will be for us in 6 months. Here is our site info www.caringbridge.org/visit/temples THANKS AGAIN for your willingness to post your progress!
Hi! My name is Corena and I have been checking in on your blog periodically to follow your expanding family! I know that you don't know me but we plan to adopt from China. Our situation is not "common" in that we have three bio kids now but ever since our oldest daughter was about 6 months old I've had a 'sense" that we have a daughter in China. It doesn't make sense, unless God is in it! Our daughter is 6.5 years and we have two sons, 4.5 and 2.5 years. At first the most natural route appeard to adopt a baby but as we consider this I'm coming more into a mind of us being done with the baby stage but yet still wanting to bring our daughter (who I have been praying and thinking about for 6 years) home from China. I'm starting to think that our daughter might be much older then we originally anticipated and are now considering a child who is closer in age to our oldest girl but older than the boys. I was wondering if you would be willing to offer any input into this dynamic we are considering creating? Thanks for your time! Corena Ontario, Canada corenadorothy@yahoo.ca
Faith Its been a while since you last visited our site and I wanted to let you know we received an up date a few days ago with three new photos. Getting our daughter has been all I can think of- sorry to say- I know she is Chinese but in my mind I see her as my daughter first and worry for her. Good news- she had her surgery in Jun 28 and is healthy now to travel- waiting for TA then off to Shaanxi. We are planning visiting severial locations in China and traveling to Hong Kong by boat. I miss your updates and it is a joy to see how well you are doing. We have already decided to go and get an old sibling for Grace next year- a brother if God allows and would love to hear your view on how to make his transition into our family easier. Your parents are blessed with you and you are blessed with them. Take care and God bless you and keep you safe davidcphillips1986@yahoo.com or Journey of the Heart (our travel for Grace) Denise, David and clan
Thanks for sharing - I have been encouraged by Faith's go get it attitude and by your willingness to share the trials and blessings of bringing home your daughter at an older age. Blessings
Thank you for sharing. It is heart warming and inspirational for adopting an older child.
I worked with Michael at META Group and now work with him again at IDC. I remembered the earlier trip to China and when I asked Michael today about how things were going, he pointed me to this blog. I am deeply touched by Faith's/Wan Yen's journey and the loving support of her sisters and parents. The five of you inspire me deeply, and I was repeatedly impacted by Faith's resilience and courage. I have lived in several countries where I learned the language while being there. It is isolated and challenging in the extreme. Continuing to move forward with openness and courage and on-going love is living at its best. Thanks for sharing and bless you all -- Melinda Ballou (analyst and mother of Liam, 5, and Marianna, 17 and wife of Patrick...)
Hello,Susan, Michael,文燕: So happy to read about your family'story in your life .wenyan is been so nice . When I hear she can chat in English with family ,I think she be happy she can do it . In china here every thing is same , every week all can see different family come to china to got the Q baby , I think the baby is lucky same like wen yan . Beacuse have nice baba and mama. China and USA is vevy far , but from here , I feel so close . 文燕， 好高兴你现在过得好开心啊，你应该还读得这些中文对吧，我也希望你中英文都会啊，看到你在海边玩得很开心的样子，让我仿佛也感觉到你开心与欢笑啊，似乎我们也不是隔得很远啊，愿你记远开心，快乐！ Best wishes for your family ! Linna
I know your last post said that it might be the last, but I still keep checking to see if there are any updates. I have loved reading of your journey to Faith. I turn 30 in 2008, and six months prior to that (just over a year from now) we can begin our paperchase. We are considering older and/or special needs children.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am looking into adopting a waiting child, but I have to wait until I am more financially secure. I hope that you continue Faith's story (with her permission, of course =) and that she posts updates here herself too. Thanks again, Amy H.
Hi,What a wonderful story,thanks so much for sharing. My husband and I are waiting for our referral hopefully in Jan. I already feel like we our keeping our minds open to a second adoption from China. Your story has encouraged us to look at adopting an older child the next time.God Bless you and your lovely family. Tyra.
Don't stop sharing! This is great! It has made My husband and myself think not only about International Adoption but the possibility of adopting an older child. Best of luck to you and your family. Faith is going to be an English speaker in no time!
Any chance we will get an update? I would love to know how things are going and what Faith thinks of Christmas. Blessings, Stacy in Tampa
Hello there! I have thought often of your family and have told your story a million times. I remember you saying you had a negative experience and I have checked back periodically to see if you have updated your site. I do not know if you ever will again but, I wanted you to know how inspired I was by your story, how much your story touched my heart. I hope that ALL of your girls are doing well and thriving. We are LDS too and I know that Faith is certainly blessed by Heavenly Father to call you mom and dad. SO forget about the quirky and nasty people. YOu and your family are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best wishes to you always. Anna Bearden Boise, ID bsbnlou@cableone.net
Hello, my name is Amy and my husband and I are DTC 2-9-07 so our wait has just begun. I found this website and I love all the stories. I have to say your site is so precious and I cried tears of joy for new daughter and I'm so happy for you all! God Bless! Amy Corzine corzine03@hotmail.com