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.