My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

the big brother {news}

A lot of people read about L C.G. right here. A handful of folks emailed me asking for more information. Some wanted to help. Some really were considering if they could bring him home. But, there was one thread of messages among the others that stood out, one that I kept coming back to you because she kept coming back to it as well.

I didn’t know her before that thread started. We have a mutual friend. The friend shared my post on Facebook, and her husband actually happened to see it and click on it with no intention of anything beyond reading a story. But, reading the story became entering in. And, he shared it with his wife who also entered in and found herself thinking about him long after she walked away from the screen. Reading the story led to late night conversations as a couple and lots and lots of prayer. Then, somehow, the thread that was full of questions took a turn.

The joy in my heart is making me want to burst and the effort to restrain my heart from just taking off is enormous! I want to follow the right steps. I just got a message from my husband. “I’m amused at the Lord.” “Sweet, sweet, boy”.

She had already been feeling that tug of yes. And, her husband sensed that tug too…even before she did.

I can’t tell you much more than that, friends. But, this I can say: Somewhere in China right now on someone’s desk in some office is a file folder with paperwork about and old pictures of this sweet, sweet boy stamped in red ink with the word MATCHED…however that is said in Chinese.

LCG waving

I can’t wait to see him in October and tell him that he’s got a family that’s way more than “ordinary” who is already working very hard to bring him home as fast as they possibly can.

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the big brother {advocating}

We were getting into the van to leave the orphanage for the day when the director gently touched my arm and said something to our translator.

He wants to know if he can show you one more child to find a family for.

He brought me to a tall boy who was waiting for me on the front steps, fiddling with his fingers obviously nervous but also impressively willing to look me right in the eye. He continued to stand before me, nodding his head occasionally as the director spoke about him to me with the translator next to us relaying every word.

He goes to a school nearby and is very smart. He’s very social. He likes computers and running.

I saw an opportunity and jumped in.

Running? Wow. Are you fast?

Bigger smile and a head nod as he answers.

He says he’s good and wins races.

I offered him a high 5, and he accepted. The director went on.

The only thing wrong with him is that he looks weird. His brain is all normal.

I was stunned.

His eyes looked away from me as I blinked more than I should have in nervousness.

I wrote down notes in the green binder I carried with me everywhere.

school. smart. very social. computer. running….only his eyes.

That’s his reality. He’s known as the boy who looks weird. But, by some supernatural gift of grace, he’s still able to smile with his crooked teeth and unusual features and look me right in the eye.

On the last day our team was at the orphanage, the staff allowed us to take all the children who were able outside for free play. We blew bubbles and used sidewalk chalk and bounced balls and raced plasma cars. We were nearly finished when I saw L. C.G. in his school uniform running to join us. He looked right at me as he had done before with a big smile but then walked right past me. I saw his head turning, clearly looking for someone. I thought he might be looking for an ayi, maybe looking for the other boys his age whose disabilities keep them from going out to school as he gets to do. Suddenly, he stopped turning as he found what he was looking for.

for advocating post - 1

L. C.G. scooped up a child, a little one who clearly knew him as evidenced by how tightly he wrapped his poofy little arms around his neck. There in the courtyard of a place known for broken relationships, I witnessed brokenness being redeemed.

for advocating post 2 - 1

Before all else, the boy who “looks weird” was searching for this little boy. He hugged him and spoke to him as I stood marveling at how he knew he could offer this child something no one else in that place could.

After a few minutes, he put him down and brought him to an ayi and then ran off to join his buddies racing around the yard on bikes way too small for their growing bodies but not unlike my own sons would do at home.

I added more notes to my binder that night.

Gentle. Compassionate. Would make a great big brother. Look for his file. This boy needs a family.

_____________________________________

His file has been found. He’s on the shared list right now which means any agency can show families his file. And, any family—no matter where they are in their adoption process—can hold and lock his file to move forward to make him their son. Feel free to email me at kraudenbush@sparrow-fund.org if you have questions about him or the adoption process or about an agency to help you. And, click HERE to read the letter he wrote only days ago for me to share with all of you.

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Dear Uncles and Aunties {guest post}{advocating}

I was going to start with a story, introduce you to CG by explaining how I first met him and what he was like. That’s the “normal” way to advocate for a waiting older child, if there is a “normal” way. But, I’m not going to do the normal way this time. I’ll still share how I met him and what he’s like, but I’ll save that for later. Tonight, I’m going to let him speak for himself because he did. He wrote this letter for you. 

older boy china guest post pixelated name

 

Allow me to share the translation with you since I’m pretty sure that most of you, like me, can’t get much out of that except that it looks fascinating and kind of beautiful.

Here’s what he wrote:

Dear Uncles and Aunties,

Greetings! My name is L. CG. I am 12 years old and in 6th grade. Family would be a lifelong shelter to me and become my sweetest memory. I want a warm family. I want my mom to be gentle and warm, like the foster mom I have now. She takes good care of me. She makes me meals and washes my clothes. I feel loved when I see her everyday when I come back after school. I want a dad who is loving and kind and will play with me. I want to enjoy life together as a family. I do not desire a wealthy family; I just want an ordinary one like others have. I just want parents’ care and company. Thank you for trying hard to find me a family. I want to go home soon.

Signed: L CG.

August 5, 2015

adopt older boy 1
older boys from china

He’s on the shared list right now which means any agency can show families his file. And, any family no matter where they are in their adoption process, can hold and lock his file to move forward to make him their son. Feel free to email me at kraudenbush@sparrow-fund.org if you have questions about him.

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In his own words {advocating}

in school

in school with one friend

in school with friends
I shared about him on this space a few days ago, the boy in the blue who t-shirt right there with his friends from school. Actually, I didn’t just share about him; I advocated for him, praying that there is a family out there for him open to adopting a 13-year-old boy whose heart aches for a family.

Now, I’m doing something a bit unconventional. I’m literally sharing my space with him, giving him the opportunity to share himself in hopes that through seeing his penned words–even in a language we cannot understand–the mother God has for him would feel the tug on her heart and hear the words, “You can do this; you can be what he needs.”

his letter

My name is ______ _______. I’m 13 years old. I study in a special education school in ____. I’m in Grade 4. I have many good friends in school, and my school life is full of happiness. I have a good friend named ______ _______ who has a sweet and happy family. I also want to have a warm family like him. In the foster family in the welfare house, under the care of my foster mom and dad, I have a happy life. The ayis in the welfare house love me 100x more. I think I should work hard to pay them back when I grow up. I will have a final exam soon. My favorite subject is math, and I can get more than a score of 90 on my math exams. My dream is to be a mathematician and creating miracles is the pursuit of learning for me. I’m very grateful for my mom, dad, ayis, and teachers. I thank them for giving me a beautiful and happy childhood.

He’s loved well, but he wants more. He wants someone who he can call his–a warm family like his friend has.

Are you the one to mentor and shepherd this child?

He needs a family willing willing to move fast to beat the January deadline the law has in place that will make him no longer eligible to be a son. He’s on the shared list now which means any adoption agency working with China’s special needs program can lock his file for a family, even if they have not started any paperwork yet. Want more information? I’ve got his file which I am guarding for his protection and that of his future family, believing they are out there. But, I will do my best to answer any questions I can. Email kraudenbush@sparrow-fund.org.

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