Dossier arrived in China and "A new Name"

We were informed our Dossier was mailed to China on 12-13-13.  And were were notified it arrived in China on 12-17-13!! So, we wait for our Log-In Date next.

AND, we have come to a decision on Sweet Pea Girl's name.  The kids have helped name her, but don't be scared, they did a good job :)  We recognize that before she was formed in the womb, she was known by God.  And we are blessed to graft her into our family.  And we know that her story starts out like ours, in a broken world.  But we know God has a plan that we get to be part of for this little girl, who was born so far from us.  We know God is satisfied with her.  For her broken past and for her unsettled  present and with hopes and dreams of a fulfilled future.  We will call her:

Elizabeth Grace XinFeng Ryan

Elizabeth= God is Satisfied

Grace= God's Favor

DTC 12-13-143

Friday the 13th, it's a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We just recieved this a few minutes ago......

Overcome with emotion that we have moved onto this milestone.  Now, we wait.  It should arrive in China in 5 days then can take up to 3 weeks to get logged-in.

Each step has been happening right on target.  It feels so real at some moments and at others, it's hard to imagine.

We feel so thankful that we have been matched early, and even though it's hard to wait, we are able to pray specifically for Levi and sweet pea girl!

Lifesong $3500 Matching Grant

On top of learning that we are gaining a daughter, we have also been blessed with a $3500 matching grant from Lifesong for Orphans (http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/).  They will match every dollar up to $3500.  So $3500 becomes $7000!!!!!!!!!!  We recieved the first part of this grant when we got Levi in the amount of $2000 and then another $1500 when we accepted Sun Xin Feng.

Lifesong for Orphans is a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to help meet the needs of orphan children around the world, and to obey God’s call to “visit the fatherless…in their affliction” (James 1:27). With over 147 million orphans worldwide, Lifesong seeks to mobilize the Body of Christ to love and care for orphans. Lifesong serves families, churches and orphans through adoption funding. Additionally, Lifesong brings joy and purpose to orphans globally in seven countries and domestically through foster care initiatives. Please visit our website (www.lifesongfororphans.org) for more information.
Drew and Aimee have sensed God’s call to care for the fatherless and have joyfully stepped out in faith and obedience to adopt Zheng Xiyu “Levi” and Sun Xin Feng from China. As you may already know, adoption can cost $25,000-$30,000 for one child and this financial burden prevents many godly families from adopting. Lifesong in partnership with Orphan Care Alliance believes God has called this family to adoption and has committed an Adoption Matching Grant of $3,500 to help bring these special children home.
Funds donated to Lifesong for Orphans will be given to help cover adoption expenses. Lifesong is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your gift is tax deductible. 100% of all funds raised will go directly to cover adoption costs--nothing will be taken out for Lifesong for Orphans administrative costs.
Will you invest financially in the life of this precious little boy and girl?

Here is how you can donate:
Give by Check
Please make checks payable to Lifesong for Orphans.
RYAN#3983 MUST be on Memo line
Please mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
Lifesong has been blessed with a partner that underwrites all US administrative and fund-raising
costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation will go directly to
the need…helping orphans.
Give Online
1. Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate
2. Select Give to an Adoptive Family
3. Complete online form and fill in Family Account Number & Family Name Fields :RYAN#3983
*Please note that PayPal will charge an administrative fee (2.9% + $.30 USD per transaction). Your
donation will be decreased by the amount of this fee.


Individual donations $250 or more and yearly donations totaling $250 or more will receive a taxdeductible receipt. Receipts for donations under $250 will gladly be sent upon request.
Lifesong is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.
If you have any questions about donations please contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org.
“How blessed is he who considers the helpless...” Psalm 41:1

Twice Blessed: It's a GIRL

Twice Blessed: IT's A GIRL!!!!!!!!

We have been anxiously awaiting the day that we could make this announcement: Sun Xin Feng will also be joining our family when we travel to pick up Levi.  She does not yet have her "Ryan name" picked out.  She is 2 1/2 years old and lives 2 1/2 hours south of where Levi is.  They will be 15 months apart, just like Evan and Anna.  We were open to brining two kids home when we started this journey.  But there were SO MANY things that had to fall into place for this to happen, that we decided we would wait and see if God opened all the doors, before we would talk aobut it.  And today, we recieved Pre-approval to add Sun Xin Feng.  That is as close to "it's a done deal" as we will get.  We will be able to get both kids in the same trip and since they are so close in location to each other, it really shouldn't extend our trip.  The kids are so excited, of course the girls are happy that we will still out number the boys!

DOSSIER COMPLETE

Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   We just recieved word that our Dossier is complete and will be mailed to China by the end of the week.  All these months of papwork are compiled and headed to be logged in.  This is a major accomplishment.  And we celebrate.  We are also hoping to get an update on Levi in the coming weeks.  We hope for new pictures, a develpmental update and if they have any new concerns or progress updates.  Stay tuned, this is going to be an EXCITING month!!!!!!!!!

Our Adoption Story

Our Adoption Story Video

A huge thanks to Dan Skinner for shooting the footage one Sunday afternoon, and Josh Hunt for doing a very quick 5 day edit.  We could not have had the video for our Carnival without you guys.

3 necklaces left!

Unbelievable.....  there has been request after request for the necklaces, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the support!   There are only three necklaces left, any takers?  They are $24 each and hand made, with a scripture carved into the back of each.

Necklaces for Christmas

Handmade Pottery by Compelled Designs:

We are selling beautiful necklaces as our November fundraising idea.  They are hand made and would make PERFECT Christmas gifts, teacher appreciation gifts or just get one for yourself.  Each one has a scripture on the back.  They are on a chain about 16" with adjustable  link at clip.  Here are pictures, there is a variety and we only have 18 left.  These are it.  They are even more beautiful and detailed in person.  Each necklace is $24, shipping will be a few bucks more for those of you farther away :)  If you have any questions, aimee.ryan01@gmail.com.  you can send a check (email me for address) or pay via paypal account to the right on the blog.   If you want a close up of any necklace, I can send you a picture, of just one, just note the number that is by the necklace you are interested in.

           

                           

T-SHIRTS

With the help of a sponsorship from CHILDREN'S THERAPY CENTER http://childrenstherapy.org/ and a talented young artist (Grant Woosley)..... we have created our adoption t-shirt.  It's a line drawing from one of the pictures we had made with our hands stacked on the globe in the form of a heart around China.  It says "To the world, you are one"  "To ONE, you are the world"

And to one Levi Ryan, you are changing his world!!!!!!!

Evan has graciously modeled the shirt for us.....

100% of the sales from these T-shirts goes to our adoption funding.
Sizes available: Youth L, Adult S, M, L and XL
Price $15 each

You can pay on the paypal account to the right of this blog and let us know you made a purchase.  You can emails us @ aimee.ryan01@gmail.com and let us know what you'd like.  If you are local, we can arrange delivery.  You can pay by cash or check.

Our third agency fee will be due soon in the amount of $1950.00 and we are hoping to defray from those costs with the sales of our Fundraising Tshirts.  

Family Fun Carnival

Our Family Fun Carnival happened Saturday September 28, 2013 from 11 am to 3 pm.  The weather was gorgeous.  We had some amazing help to pull this day off.  Our friends at Farmdale Baptist Church let us use their facility.  We had some very dedicated volunteers working hard to make this day happen.  Thank you to all who came, prayed, donated and served to help create this Fundraiser.  We are stepping closer to raising the funds to bring Levi home.  We feel SO BLESSED!

Carnival Reminder

We feel so fortunate to have been matched this quickly with Levi.......... we are in a hurry now to raise funds to bring him home.  If you would like to help bring Levi home  AND want a Fun Family Activiy, we have the event for you :)  ALL PROCEEDS go directly to helping to cover the costs of his adoption. Please come to our Fun Fmaily Carnival NEXT SATURDAY: rain or shine.  We have bounce houses, face painting, snow cones, games and more..... here' sthe info:

FAMILY FUN DAY             

WHEN: Saturday, September 28^th

WHERE: Farmdale Baptist Church

                          1238 Durrett Ln, Louisville 40213

TIME:  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COST: $5 per person/ $25 family max

*BOUNCE HOUSES * SNOW CONES

FACE PAINTING * GAMES * FOOD

THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE AS THE GYM IS AVAILABLE

We've been matched with our SON!!!!!!!

With great excitement we want to introduce to you, our son.........
                        Levi (meaning attatched to/ brought in)

Levi is 14 months old and we still have awhile before we travel to get him.  We have been matched early in the process, so our paperwork is still needing to be finished.  We adore him already and can't wait for the day we will be united.

Prayer Requests for Levi:
*Continued good health
*He has recently been moved form foster care to orphanage, pray for his transition/comfort
*Pray that he is surounded by someone special who will care for him in a special way until we can
*Pray for our fundraising efforts to help defray from the costs of International Adoption

Yeah, he's gorgeous!!!!  Here's another look:

COME ONE, COME ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FAMILY FUN DAY             

WHEN: Saturday, September 28^th

WHERE: Farmdale Baptist Church

                          1238 Durrett Ln, Louisville 40213

TIME:  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COST: $5 per person/ $25 family max

*BOUNCE HOUSES * SNOW CONES* FACE PAINTING * GAMES * FOOD

All proceeds from this event go directly to our adoption.  We are SO excited to have you join us for this major event.  Please bring friends and neighbors.......  

IF you would like to come volunteer at this event, we could use your help.  Please email me at aimee.ryan01@gmail.com

FAMILY FUN CARNIVAL FUNDRAISER

Save the Date: Saturday, September 28th, 2013

Time:  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Farmdale Baptist Church, 1238 Durrett Lane, Louisville

WHY: Fundraising event to bring home the next Ryan from China

Come join in the fun: face painting, bouncy houses, hot dogs, games, and more.........

Donation: $5 per person/$25 family max

More info coming............stay tuned.

PUZZLE FUNDRAISER

PUZZLE FUNDRAISER

PUZZLE FUNDRIASER

SEND US $5 and we'll place your name on a puzzle piece to help bring the next RYAN family member 
HOME! 

This image is being made into an 18"X24" puzzle of 500 pieces.  We are selling puzzle pieces for $5 per family/individual.  We will place your name on the back of a puzzle piece after you have purchased one.  When the puzzle is complete, your name will forever be imprinted on our journey.  And one day, when our child is old enough to understand, he will see our excitement for China and our desire to come get him, and he will see how many people joined us on the journey to bring him home. You are part of our journey.  You are changing his life as his identity moves from "Orphan" to "Son".  Your contribution of $5 is making a life changing difference for our son.  

WHAT TO DO: Purchase a puzzle piece for $5, use creditcard to the right side of blog page, send/give us $5 in person or through the mail.  Message us to let us know you've done it.

WHAT WE DO: Place your name to forever be etched on the back of a puzzle piece to join our journey and show your partnership in caring for orphans.

                                     HOME STUDY COMPLETE

It's been awhile since I'ved updated our progress.  Last week we recieved our completed home study, in our hands, hot off the press:)  This allowed us to file our I-800, which is an application to the US to make an international adoption.  It also allows us to apply for some grants to help fund and lessen the burden of an international adoption.  Most grant applications require a completed home study.  Unfortunatley many grants take 2-4 months before you are notified of receiving a grant.  When the I-800 approval comes back, we can send all our certified paperwork for the final sealing process in Washington DC.  When that comes back, we'll be ready to have our Dossier reviewed by our adoption agency.  So, even though it seems quiet, there is a lot of waiting right now, there is a lot of paperwork still going on.  We continue to anticipate what life will be like as we add to the family.  We are attempting to prepare the house by making slow steps toward finishing the basement too.

Even though this process feels like it's forever, we stand faithful waiting for the right time for each piece to come together.  Psalms 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

                                      $390 Left to Raise for Quilt Fundraiser

We are in the last days of our Quilt Fundraiser.  If you have been wanting to be included in this memory quilt/Fundraiser for our Adoption, we are in the last days.  This Fundraiser Ends WED. June 5th.   You still have time to find piece of fabric to send us.  Thank you so much to all those who have jumped on board already and thank you to those who are still considering it!  We have raised $610 of the $1000.00!!!!!   We feel so blessed.  Thank you!  We have been reviewing our Home Study and should have the completed, ready to move forward version very soon!

OUR FIRST FUNDRAISER...

FUNDRAISER END DATE! (HALF WAY THERE) 
 Thanks to all who have supported us through the Quilt Fundraiser.  We are just over half way to our first goal.  The Quilt Fundraiser will END JUNE 5th, in two weeks.  If you've been wanting to take part in making a memory Quilt for our next child coming to us from China, you still have time.  Please consider helping us reach or first goal of $1000.00 towards our adoption.  If you have questions please feel free to message me.

OUR FIRST FUNDRAISER...

GOAL: $10 per square

WHAT:     "100 Good Wishes Quilt"

WHAT CAN I DO? Send Drew and Aimee THREE THINGS:

          1. A piece of fabric (10"X10" minimum) of your choice

          2. Write something in a note for our child to be: a quote,     poem, scripture, saying, a wish for them

          3. Include a check (to Drew and Aimee) to support our International Adoption Efforts (this is NOT a tax deductible donation)

Please send donation of these THREE things to:

  Facebook Message either Aimee Hotmer Ryan or Drew Ryan for our physical address
                    OR email us at: aimee.ryan01@gmail.com

*Aimee will place all the notes in a scrpbook and put together the quilt before leaving for China.

What is a 100 Good Wishes Quilt?

In northern China there is a centuries old tradition of creating a "Bai-Jia-Bei" otherwise known  as a "100 Good Wishes Quilt" to welcome and celebrate a new life into the family.

One hundred family and friends donate a piece of fabric along with a written wish for the child-to-be. The wish can be anything: a quote, a poem, a saying, a verse or a simple wish from the heart.A quilt for them is made from the pieces of fabric and the wishes are placed in a scrapbook for the child to one day read. A small sample of the fabric is attached to the wish card so that the child can match the wish in her album with the square on her quilt

It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed to the quilt will surround the child when she is wrapped in it. The quilt is passed down from generation to generation.

                                 QUILT SQUARES

So excited..... came home today to THREE NOTES of encouragement for our adoption and TWO fabric squares for the quilt!  

 We finished our last home study meeting this week and will have a copy of the completed version in a few weeks.  Each step is bringing us closer to finding our son and brining him home.  Thank you friends and family for your support.  It's not too late, if you would like to be part of the 100 GOOD WISHES QUILT/FUNDRAIER, please see the page to the side for details.  This is a way to let the newest Ryan see he was being thought of and loved on way before he even came to our home.  

Still paper chasing,

Aimee

SO Blessed to have the support of friends and family as we continue towards China. A great friend of our family who is a talented photographer took our family pictures.......


HOME STUDY PHOTOS by
      Raquel Hubbard of All Angel Photography
 www.allanglesphotography.com/

WHY CHINA

“Why China?” I was asked as I shared my news with a stranger, in the library.  I didn’t just tap him on the shoulder and say “Hey, we’re adopting from China!”  He actually started the questions.  I was looking in the video section with the kids.  I happen to walk past a documentary of France.  I thought there might be one for China and I stopped to investigate.  As I did, this man walked by.  He said, “Oh, are you going to learn French?”  “No, I was just curious if they also had something for China” I said.  Now, this guy didn’t even work at the library J  He naturally asked if I was going to travel there.  And then I said it.  I told a stranger, one of the most exciting things that is going on in my life, “Well, we will be traveling to China when we adopt, sometime next year.”   “WHY CHINA, WHY NOT HERE?” he plainly asks me.  We’ve been asked that question so it wasn’t new, but usually I am more prepared and anticipating it.  I attempted to explain that our desire to adopt wasn’t out of a need to grow our family.  But out of a faith passion.  There are certainly children here, in the US that need forever homes.  But we’ve been led down a different path.  We know that children that live in orphanages have physical and mental delays in growth ONLY due to the fact that they are institutionalized.  So we are drawn to chose a child from a country where they are predominately in orphanages and not foster care.  China offers an extended age for adoptors (over 45), unlike many countries.  And China also offers the chance to get your child in one trip of 10-15 days.  Many countries require 2-3 trips.  And with China, the adoption is final before you leave.  It’s been a tried and true experience for years.  So, that is why we chose China.  And what I really wanted to say, but thought I might back down on, I did say.  I told him that our faith compels us to desire to follow after God’s example.  To father the fatherless.  That adoption might not be for everyone, but caring for the less fortunate in tangible ways, is something we can all do.  That adoption is God’s story, and we want to be a part of it.  Well, he smiled real big and said “That’s great, I’m glad you feel that way, best of luck to you.”  And I smiled, and thought, but didn’t say: Awe, thanks, I don’t need luck, I’ve got God J But I appreciated the chance to tell a little bit of our story.  I anticipate we will have many more episodes of questions when we arrive home with someone who looks different than us.  And the opportunities to affirm our child in our family will be many.  And by the Grace of God, we are all adopted into His family.  So I can speak from experience.

OUR FIRST FUNDRAISER...

Where we are:  We continue completing paperwork and sending away for important papers.  We have Home Study visits scheduled. I wanted to combine creating a quilt for our new family member (as I did for our first three), but in an EXCITING and memorable way!  We have had some friends ask how they can finacially help us at this time.  Well, this is our start......

  OUR FIRST FUNDRAISER...
$10 per Square

WHAT:     "100 Good Wishes Quilt"

WHAT CAN I DO? Send Drew and Aimee THREE THINGS:

          1. A piece of fabric (10"X10" minimum) of your choice

          2. Write something in a note for our child to be: a quote,     poem, scripture, saying, a wish for them

          3. Include a check (to Drew and Aimee) to support our International Adoption Efforts (this is NOT a tax deductible donation)

Please send donation of these THREE things to:

Facebook Message Aimee Hotmer Ryan or Drew Ryan for our physical address OR
aimee.ryan01@gmail.com

*Aimee will place all the notes in a scrpbook and put together the quilt before leaving for China.

What is a 100 Good Wishes Quilt?

In northern China there is a centuries old tradition of creating a "Bai-Jia-Bei" otherwise known  as a "100 Good Wishes Quilt" to welcome and celebrate a new life into the family.

One hundred family and friends donate a piece of fabric along with a written wish for the child-to-be. The wish can be anything: a quote, a poem, a saying, a verse or a simple wish from the heart.A quilt for theld is made from the pieces of fabric and the wishes are placed in a scrapbook for the child to one day read. A small sample of the fabric is attached to the wish card so that the child can match the wish in her album with the square on her quilt

It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from all the families and friends who contributed to the quilt will surround the child when she is wrapped in it. The quilt is passed down from generation to generation.