Before and After - to the point

BEFORE - V is in the middle holding onto the chaperone.  This shaky photo was taken by another dad who tearfully sent his child back to the orphanage while she waited too.  She is now home with her family forever!  Look closely at V's face and the faces of the others leaving America after being loved by families for a little more than a month.  Many are asked to join the families in adoption later, but can't be told yet.  Horrible moments captured here - but the stories aren't over!

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AFTER - Adoption complete and the "new normal" has begun.  Look closely at the face again.  What do you see?  There is a difference of about a year in time, but age alone can't bring these changes about.

So, the point is - I keep advocating for kids who are not yet to the "after"stage.  They are orphans who are over the most usually adopted age.  Their chances without being hosted first are minimal - rarely adopted and rarely survive in a happy and productive way if not adopted.

Some of the kids I've pictured for winter hosting have families now!!!  Yippee!!!  But, not Kristine :(  And there are way too many more for me to think about.  So, I will keep praying and posting.  Maybe someone, somewhere, will see and respond.  Maybe someday her before and after pictures will grace my screen.  She has a lovely smile already.  Imagine what she'd radiate with a family surrounding her....

 Contact me or www.newhorizonsforchildren.org to get more info on Kristine or the others.

The End...The Beginning

THE END!  The last adoption step required before heading home from Latvia - with new birth certificate and as an American citizen!

THE BEGINNING!  A brand new school where so many possibilities are waiting...a family to support and love him...and a safe place to let God do some healing....

So much more could be said about Vitaly's adoption.  So much happened on this last trip and since then.  However, he is home.  The rest will come about one day at a time.  We are forever grateful for each of you who has encouraged and supported us through this process which lasted about 18 months from applying to host through the final adoption trip.  Whew!  Exhausting in so many ways, but wouldn't change a moment - even the most stressful ones.  They are all a part of this unfolding story :)  

Because V is every bit our son as our other 3 boys, the blog is moving now to having a bit more of an advocating role.  I will never forget the amazing men, women, and children that we have worked with and met on our journey.   I also believe that every single child in every orphanage needs a family.  Money and ignorance and fear prevent this.  I may not be able to adopt endless numbers of those amazing kids, but I sure can do something.  Right now, the something includes bringing to the attention of any who will listen or look a few of the children who want to come and spend Christmas with a family.  You can learn more about these kids and others at  newhorizonsforchildren.org


1.  This is the child that I would host this winter if I could.  She has my heart!  I am praying for funds to help her with some scholarship money so that someone might be able to host her more easily.  If you can't host, could you help a little toward her scholarship?

Kristine age 11
tine shared she also likes to watch cartoons.

2.  Ritvars is not a fan of liver!  If it is your favorite, don't worry.  I'm sure that you'll find many other things in common lol!  This child likes legos, sledding and snowball fights.  Those would be wonderful hosting memories this winter.  If you live where there isn't much snow, take a little drive and find some!

Ritvars

3.  When life is touched by tragedy, it is not over.  This child has seen more than many adults can imagine, but he could have a very different future!  A glimmer of hope and joy this winter might give him the strength he'll need to overcome the past.  And maybe he'll meet his forever family, who would have the privilege of walking a healing path with him.  Praying for a very special mama and papa for this young man.

Normunds - age 12

Three of so many, but these three are my focus for this hosting.  Should they all find a family, then I will happily choose some others!!!  Please join me in praying for them, giving for scholarships, sharing their stories, or getting more info on welcoming one (or more) this Christmas.

With hope X 3,

Sue