Life since back at Hope

Crazy to think that I have been back at New Hope for 2 weeks now. I will admit that the first part of coming back was hard. Handing over sweet Annie to her nanny was heartbreaking because I knew I was going to miss caring for her 24/7 and going to sleep and waking up to her sweet face everyday. But I know she is in the best hands and her nanny was so excited to see her again. Plus, I still get my daily snuggles in with her everyday. I have been staying busy getting into the swing of things and learning about all the kiddos that are living here now.

I have loved being back in the preschool classroom. We have been enjoying singing the ABC's, Counting, and doing crafts. I was excited that Sweet Annie was able to join the preschool class line up when we got back as well.

ABC time 

Isabel showing off her "beach ball" 

Leah loves getting her feet painted 

Annie is fitting right into preschool 

Ava Jo the master painter 

McKinley loves painting 

Plus twice a week we get to have swim days instead of class!!!! This has been loads of fun to give the kiddos a bit of summer fun. Majority of them love the pool but we have had a few that were uncertain but are starting to come around. I can't not thank everyone enough for all of the swim diaper donations. They have been a wonderful :)

Darkon blowing bubbles 

Ava Jo loving the new swim floats 

Lots of swim diapers after a long day

Jade and Isabel love all the water toys 

Leah is ready to swim 

4 little cuties all wrapped up 

Oh sweet Kiah how I love this girl 

Goodbye Hong Kong

(Our "home") 

We have come to the end of the great "Annie and Stephanie Hong Kong adventure". It has been a crazy  34 days of hospital life but I wouldn't change one minute of it. Over this past month I have seen such a wonderful change explode from Annie she is so vibrant and full of giggles. We came here for one very important thing and that was to have her heart repaired and her amazing team of doctors were able to do just that. I know that God has been by our side every second of this trip. We have had so many answered prayers and surprise blessings along the way.

As we say goodbye to the wonderful nurses we have had who have become our "hospital family" it is bittersweet. They love this sweet girl so much and for that I am so thankful. They have given us the best care anyone could ask for. Thank you so much Hong Kong Adventist Hospital for your love and support. 

We are also sad to be saying goodbye to all the wonderful Medart mom's that have blessed us with doing our laundry, bringing us toys, and lots and lots of yummy food and prayers. These ladies have no idea how much each of their visits meant to me. They were all so special, wonderful Godly women and their kiddos are just adorable. This is an amazing organization and such a blessing to so many Hope babies and those that care for them.

(Out on a walk in our Cassiope Woven Ring Sling which has been a huge blessing on this trip) 

We are looking forward to our return to New Hope as that means Annie is going to be able to attend preschool class and I will have a few weeks left of being able to help out in preschool.  I am so excited to be there for a couple more weeks during the transition back. This is also going to be a bittersweet time as I have cared for this sweet girl through everything these past 5 weeks and now I will hand over everything to her nanny again. I hope her nanny is ready for this new personality that has exploded over these past 5 weeks!

(Did you know that heart babies tend to have longer eye lashes) 

Some random things I have discovered about myself while in Hong Kong:
*I know every show on Disney Jr. better then I ever thought I would ( and I already knew it pretty well)
*I think they should bring back Hi-5 to the states or at least air the Aussie version
*PCSing prepared me for living out of a suitcase with limited clothing options
*Don't ever take for granted being outside and enjoying the fresh air
*I don't know what I would have done without my oils! This picture just shows a few of my staples during this hospital stay! (If anyone wants to know more about them I always love to talk oils)

*I like kiwi's
*The southern style Chinese food is so yummy! I could eat veggie rice and meatballs everyday
*Vegetarian life still isn't for me
*I have become more adventurous of a eater ( my momma would be proud)

(Someone agrees with me about the food) 

Prayer request:

*For our flight back that it be smooth and on time 

*For the readjustment phase for both of us 

*For her little body to keep healing 

*Prayers for her forever family where ever they are 

~Stephanie

New Hope Foundation

As you all know by now that New Hope Foundation is very near and dear to my heart. From the moment I stepped foot into their building in Beijing 6 years ago it changed me. Robin and Joyce Hill are an amazing couple with such a heart for these babies. Over the past 15 years they have had their doors open to loving and caring for the least of these. This past year has been a hard year for New Hope on the financial side and with that they had to close down several of their rooms. This was terribly sad because that meant they had to say goodbye to some of the precious children in their care plus let go of some of the wonderful local ladies that worked as nannies. This year is focused on rebuilding with the hopes of being able to open up all the rooms again in 2016. But they won't be able to do it without the help of others. Here is a short video about New Hope made by my very talented friend Stephanie Hwang- https://youtu.be/p7OwO6w0CyM 

There are several ways that you can help support New Hope Foundation. Each and every one of them is a blessing.

*You can sponsor a child this cost $40 a month and you can choose which child you would like to sponsor ( like Annie) and receive updates about the child quarterly. This so much fun for the whole family to know that you are helping make a impact in this child's life by not only sponsoring them but praying for them as well. What does your money go towards? It helps with the cost of food, diapers, minor medical expenses, daily needs, and share of utilities. Just to put in perspective they need at least 20 sponsors per child to cover all of their needs.
http://www.hopefosterhome.com/get-involved/child-sponsorship/


*You can make a one time or recurring donation to New Hope to help with the most needed areas at the time. This helps with the cost of keeping the building up and running all year long or with large medical surgeries. Winter is approaching soon and that means they need enough money to heat the building.
http://www.hopefosterhome.com/get-involved/donate/

All donations are tax deductible

* There is also a on going supply needs wish list that you can shop from anytime and the items will be sent out with travelers heading over.
To access the registry, go to www.walmart.com and baby registry.

Type in:
First Name: New Hope
Last Name: China

* I will also have another tshirt fundraiser starting sometime in the fall (hopefully October) so be on the lookout. 

If you have any questions about any of this please feel free to contact me because I would love to chat about ways to help. I am closing with this video as it shows just how much your donations mean- 
 https://youtu.be/-OIbo80DJ7k

~Stephanie 

When it all started........

It is crazy to think back to 6 years ago when I stepped foot into China for the very first time. At times it feels like forever ago that I made that very first trip and other times it feels like yesterday.

(2009) 

(2009- A day of new arrivals) 

(2011) 

6 years ago I was looking for a missions trip to serve on after graduation and God placed China on my heart and then lead me to Show Hope's site. I remember how nervous and scared I was as I met this team of strangers the night before we would be boarding at 12 hour flight that would take us half way across the world. I am so thankful for that trip and what God opened my eyes too. I made lasting friendships and met the most amazing staff at New Hope and was there in the very beginning stages of Maria's Big House being opened. I met the most amazing kids  that changed my world. My eyes were opened to the orphans and my heart was changed forever. 

(2011 - I had met this sweet girl on my 2009 trip) 

(2011)

Maria's Big House of Hope 

Great Wall fun 

Here I am sitting here writing this from a hospital in Hong Kong with a wonderful princess from New Hope. 6 years and 4 trips later my heart is still very much attached. Each trip brought about new challenges and experiences but God had a way of showing me after each one just what he wanted me to see. 

(2013)

(2013- summer fun) 

Over the past 6 years I have met the most amazing people and have been able to connect with some of the most amazing families. Families that have opened their arms to kiddos that stole my heart on different trips. Some people might not like facebook but I am so thankful for facebook as it has opened a whole new door and a way to connect and watch these kids grow up in the love and care of their forever families. 

(2013)

(2013- The Nanny's are all such amazing ladies)

(2013- My sweet sponsor baby who is now home with her forever family)

(2013- preschool fun) 

(2013- photo credit to Stephanie Hwang....it is one of my favorites) 

Two years ago I was getting ready to board a plane back home after spending 10 weeks at New Hope that trip forever changed me and grew me in so many ways. It also helped prepare me for the 8 weeks I would spend this summer. Little did I know when I planned the trip that I would be caring for a baby like my own in a hospital in Hong Kong. But all the doors opened up and I know this is where God had planned for me to be this summer. While I am missing all the summer fun at New Hope with God's will I am still going to have a couple of weeks there. But the bond and love for this little princess is amazing and I am trusting God with her future he knows the plans he has laid out for her. 

(2009- Arrival day....this sweet angel will always hold a special spot in my heart) 

(2015) 

(2015)

(2015)

(2015)

(2013) 

6 years ago I never thought when I boarded  that plane that I would still be coming back but here I am and I know in my heart that this will not be my last trip. I am trusting in his perfect timing to open up the doors for my next trip (maybe I will be able to break my every other year tradition). I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds and where he will keep leading me on my journey in China with New Hope and Show Hope. 

New Hope Foster Home 

( one of my favorite quotes-I also know for sure that 13 of these amazing kiddos are now home with their forever families) 

~Stephanie 

*Sorry the pics are out of order*