Facts and Figures

Dear Vivi,
  I haven't had the privilege of writing to you yet, but I'm so excited to become your Dad!  As we continue to wait patiently, some of us are concerned about some parts of bringing you home, and others of us are concerned about other parts.  There are many things we are trying to do make sure we get you as soon (and as securely) as possible.  Part of what I've been concerned with has been all of the funding it will take to get you here.  I haven't been worried, but it takes many dollars and many steps to get you here.  As we have let people know about you, and as they have shown such amazing love for our family, we have been blessed beyond measure. . .except part of it has to be measured!
  Our calling to bring you into our family has been strong.  We have trusted that God would provide what we needed to make this happen, because we believed very deeply that we were supposed to search for you and find you and make you part of our family.  The journey has been nothing short of amazing, and we are so humbled by the generosity of so many that we know and love, and even many others that we do not know.  So, here's some of what we've done to get you here. . . and the part so many have played in getting you to your forever family.

As of today, July 26th, 2013, here's the latest on our progress and all that has come together so far:

Expenses:
 Adoption Agency fees for our agency, CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International):  $8476
 CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption):  $900
 Clearances/Fees/Documents:  $1724
 Postage/Courier Services:  $415
 Total Spent so far:  $11,515

Blessings:
 Open Donations:  $5145
 Yard Sale #1:  $1320
 Yard Sale #2:  $1075
 Yard Sale #3:  $430
 Puzzle and Associated Donations:  $6140
 Total Given so far:  $14,110

So, the amazing gift to us is that God has provided each step of the way.  We have put some of our own money into this process and yet, we have not had to borrow anything.  So many different people have joined this process and we continue to be overwhelmed.

But there is still more.  We still have a long way to go, including our travel to get you, payments to various agencies in China, getting you adopted, out of China and on a plane back home.  Those are the big things, and then we will be able to help you join our family and all of the daily blessings we get to experience each day right where we are.  Here's what we estimate is still in store for us.

(promotional consideration given to Airtran, who by the way, does not fly to China)

Expenses Yet To Come
   Our Visas to enter China: $400
   Airfare: $4000, including your ticket home
   Travel and Accommodations in China:  $3800
   Adoption Registration and Notarization:  $800
   Your Passport:  $150
   Orphanage fee:  $5700 (cost of caring for you your whole life so far)
   Food in China:  $800
   Your Physical and Photo:  $120
   Your U.S. Entry Visa:  $230
   Your birth certificate:  $20
   Court validation fee in Hillsborough County: ???? (varies by county)
   Total yet to go:  $15,810

While these estimates are on the high end, that's still a lot of money.  However, we have lots of help and hope to get some grants and assistance through several options available to us.  Besides, people just keep giving!  It is truly amazing!  In the end, you are worth every bit of it.

Here's one more number to consider: 712,000.  That's the number of orphaned children in China alone who need a family.  Because of a calling from God and the incredible generosity of people, we are thrilled to say that there is now one less child who needs a family.

While you are just one, we know that our life together will be so incredible.  We have been so moved by your pictures, the stories of your progress, and the many gifts that you possess.  We are ready to get on a plane now and come get you.  As soon as the paperwork is ready, we will do exactly that.  We have so many others who are waiting to meet you and enter your life when you are ready.  We are also praying for you and for the wonderful joys we have come to know every day. 

The "bottom line" is that we are thrilled to be welcoming you and we simply cannot wait to meet you!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy

Scrumptious

Dear Vivi -

It seems as though the update floodgates have opened... and we hope they never close!!  We now have an address to send the book about our family to so we know that it will get to you, and we have another picture:

Daddy says we can't bring home your little friend. :(

And here's a quote from the director of the medical foundation that has provided for your medical care: "An Xin Ran is absolutely scrumptious and doing well."

Good night, our scrumptious little girl!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

An UPDATE!!!

Dear Vivi -

It has been six l-o-n-g months since we've seen a picture of you and gotten an update about how you're doing.  We had almost given up on knowing anything more about you until we actually meet you in China when today, out of the blue, it's you - there you are!  In all of your 19-month-old glory!

We have never wanted to be able to reach through a picture and touch someone more than we had when we saw this picture.
Along with three gorgeous pictures, we got an incredible written update as well.  Here's what we know about you now:

• You love the iPad and all things technical.  You will get along with your brothers just fine.
• You are in a house where they speak three languages - Chinese, English, and Spanish.  You know several clear words in English, "pretty" and "milk" in Spanish, and "mama" and "papa" in English. (Wow - we have a lot to learn!)
• Ironically, your foster family says that hearing three languages leaves you confused because you talk all day and they don't understand a lot of what you're saying!! (Maybe we're safe after all!)
• You're learning your colors.
• You sleep 11 hours at night and take a two hour nap every day.  Ah, another sleeper. 
• Your foster family calls you "Sharon" or "Xinran".
• The family says that you are "not the crying type", and that you have a beautiful smile.  We agree!
  
  

• You're still learning to walk on your own but love to cruise the furniture, especially when you're bribed with an electronic toy when you get where you're going.
• You're happy and easygoing and have a great personality.
• An eater.  You're an eater.  You're 27 pounds and you love cheese, tofu, chicken, potatoes, yogurt, and all kinds of vegetables.

Those are all wonderful things and believe me when I say that we covet every little teeny nugget of information that we can get about you.  But here are the most important things:

• You are healthy.  You have 12 teeth, weigh 27 pounds, and are 32 inches tall.  You had your last ETV surgery, which drained fluid from your head, in October, and not only did you totally recover in a week, but you haven't needed any additional procedures since then.
• You are clearly happy.  We can see it in the pictures, in your smile.
• You are loved.  That we know from what your foster family says about you and even how they say it.

And they're not the only ones that love you.  We love you too. So much.  We're praying for you, thanking God that you're in a great family now, and wishing away the days until you are part of ours.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy   

Louder than Words

Dear Vivi -

One of the barriers we know that we will face when you first join our family is the language barrier.  You will have heard mostly Mandarin growing up, of which we will be lucky to know a few basic words.  We will speak words of love to you in English, and we will hope that our tone will speak better than the words you will not understand.

But sometimes pictures speak louder than words, and this one overwhelms us.

It has been eight days since we started our puzzle fundraiser to help bring you home, and 258 pieces have already been sponsored!!  That means that we are more than 1/4 of the way to having every piece sponsored and meeting our fundraising goal.

Thank you seems inadequate, and yet sometimes the simplest form of expression fits the best.  So we say thank you.  258 times.

So many different people have contributed.  So far, 26 different families have contributed, representing people from all different times in our lives.  It has been beyond touching to see so many donate to give you a new life with us.

The people that have donated will be etched forever, not just on the backs of these puzzle pieces, but in our hearts as well.  We promise you will know them, and they will be a familiar part of your story.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

If you would like to donate, please go to www.youcaring.com/bringingvivihome to participate.