Prayers answered

I have dreamt and prayed about this day for twenty-one months. The day I would see sweet Annie girl with her forever family. For those that have not been following me for a while now let me recap you. In June 2015 just a couple of weeks prior to me traveling to New Hope to spend two months on what I thought would be working in the preschool class, taking the kids swimming and other task. I got an email....an email that said "we have a little girl that needs to go to surgery in HK. Would you be open to traveling with her during this time. We don't know for sure how long you would be there and you would leave less than 48 hours after arriving in country. "God blinded my eyes from seeing the part that said "heart surgery", see just 4.5 months prior a very sweet little boy that I loved dearly passed away from complications during his heart surgery just after being home for 2 months. Had I seen the whole thing that said heart surgery I think I would have hesitated on saying yes. I have always gone over with the open heart and mind that I would serve where New Hope needed me the most. After praying and running it all by my parents and wrote back and said of course and can I know which child and how old she is so I can gather some fun things for us for our time in the hospital. Then the email came back saying it would be Annie a 21 month old little girl who was extremely nervous around any strangers especially non Chinese. The first thing I did was went to the New Hope website and found her picture. I stared at that picture for so long and I prayed everyday that she would open to me coming in and just having a day to spend with her before wisking her off on a plane for the hospital. Still having no idea how much she would change my life and heart. I had seen other volunteers take kids for surgery to HK and chatted with a few about what the hospital is like and what to prepare for. I remember boarding the plane that July with so many emotions of saying goodbye to family for two months, heading out on a journey that was going to be all new and different then what I was imagining for that past year of planning for my trip. When I arrived the kiddos were getting ready for bed but I went into her nursery and spotted her immediately there she was...I tried to say hi and walk near her and started crying. I had all the feelings of oh no, this is going to be the longest flight and hospital stay ever...what if she hates me and we don't bond. The next morning I came down and found her outside by the playground and when I went near her the tears started coming back. They said she was scared and with the help of my translate app I was able to tell them I was taking her to HK the next day. At that moment her nanny placed her in my arms against sweet Annie's wishes and told me to go walk. So that is what we did...she cried and I just whispered in her ears that it was okay. As we got walking she settled down and almost went to sleep. We looked at flowers and I just held and talked to her. I was thanking God that we are starting to move in the right direction. After nap I brought the ergo into the nursery and we tried it out she wasn't a big fan but thankfully I had a back up plan! A sweet friend donated an amazing ring sling to my trip and the next morning she fell in love with it. That night I packed our suitcase and diaper bag and prepared for our early morning journey. There were only a few tiny tears on our way to the airport and after we got checked in and a good handle on how we were going to roll we got a chocolate muffin and let me tell you I think that is where our true bond started. She loved it!! Fast forward some time (you can go back and read my old blog post for more details)...we had lots of test, pre ops and then we're ready for surgery. By this point we had known each other for about 2 weeks now and the nurses and doctors all couldn't believe we had known each other for such a short time. We had a bond that I will never forget one that will always hold a special place. Surgery day was so hard to wave goodbye as she headed back and to sit and wait for 8 long hours for any word on updates. She started off with a bit of a rocky recovery but we pushed through it and I soaked up every minute of sitting and praying and loving on her. My biggest prayer was that her forever family would see her!! I had several different people write me during our time do you know if she has a file do you know this...I sent them all through the right lines of communication that we are allowed to share and just prayed. I knew God had the perfect family out there for her. Well guess what one of those families they had a fire and burn in their heart like no other. They were told it is impossible but that didn't stop them. Annie had stirred up something strong in their hearts. They began praying that she would be their daughter. This family adopted a little boy that I had in preschool back in 2013 and that is how we were connected on FB and she followed my trip. This all was happening in July/August 2015....for over a year they did everything they could to locate and get her file processed. We were all praying when I left in September 2015 I prayed so hard that she would have a family soon because it broke my heart to leave her. I arrived back at NH in March 2016 and even though I was happy to see her again and know I was going to have 2 months and this time of preschool life with her my heart was also sad...sad that there had not been a ton of progress in journey of becoming adoptable. And it wasn't because of the family, it was due to paperwork and all that craziness that is the not so fun side of adoption. This family from a year prior they were still praying and doing everything they could to make her their daughter. I loved my time and it was so sad again to leave her at the end of my trip. I prayed fiercely that the next time I saw her she would be with her forever family. I also prayed that if the family that had been fighting for her wasn't the family that I would have connect with whoever it was meant to be. October 2016 arrived and that amazing family guess what they received her file after all those "no's" and "it is going to be impossible" or "some serious miracles are going to need to happen". They immediately said yes and from there out their journey was rocket speed. They traveled in December 2016 and guess what that scared little girl of strangers and Americans especially had changed so much just in our time at the hospital but then that spring she would say hi to people and let them come near her. She got to meet her forever parents and she was open to them. They arrived home before Christmas where she got to meet her two big brothers and they became a family of 5. I guess I should back up just a little bit...right after they got her file and it was a go back in October I got a message that I will never forget. It asked me to be AnnieRae's Godmother. Just writing it brings back the tears in the emotions. God is amazing..all I had asked for was contact with her forever family so I could hopefully one day visit but at least follow them on FB and watch her grow up. God granted me with something so much more a place in her life forever. A place that I will cherish all the years to come. As I right this I am sitting on the plane headed to see her and meet her family. All the emotions and feelings are racing through my heart. How will she react, I can't wait to give her Momma a hug after all these years, I can't wait to see her brothers. To see her new life that in pictures she is just thriving in. I pray this is just the start to many meet ups in the future. I pray one day that my family will get to meet AnnieRae and her family. I pray Her story touches others. And I can't wait to share with her nannies when I head back this summer.

I will of course be posting pictures and sharing once I am home about my trip 🙂

~S

SUPPLIES!!!!

Update and Supply wishlist :

As our trip is nearing closer and closer... we are in the process of collecting supplies to fill our suitcases with lots of goodies for the kiddos, preschool class, and the full time staff. I have been gathering the current request and needs. I have two different wishlist started and items from both list will be mailed directly to me so you don't even have to mess with that. I have also been gathering fun items from targets fun area and local store around that are cheaper then online. Leggings were a big request so I have teamed up with a friend of mine that started her own small busniess making these amazing grow with me leggings along with other fun items. She has graciously set up a link with discounted priced leggings and bubble shorts. She knows what sizes and how many I have requested of each and has it set so that you can pick what size you would like to purchace and then she is going to mail them all to me by mid May so the deadline is fast apporaching. I would like to have all donation items by May 31st! I know there will probably be a few items coming in a bit later and we have E's bag heading out after mine so we will get everything that is donated over! I also have an Amazon wishlist set up for other supply needs and pajama's were another big requst. I have already selected the sizes on the wishlist based on what they need. If you have any questions about either wishlist please comment below or email me stephanie.elizabeth09@yahoo.com and I would be happy to answer any questions.

Here are the two wishlist links (Please note the Amazon list might change as I get other request and we start packing the bags and see what space we have):

Amazon wishlist- https://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/stephanie-elizabeth-newhope-preschool-august-2017-orlando?lid=1B8EPUMGEWABC

Beautiful Babies Boutique wishlist- https://beautiful-babies-boutique.myshopify.com/collections/baby-clothing/products/new-hope-stephanies-wish-list?variant=31923795521

For those wondering about or personal progress and funding report:

Elise's in state flights have been booked and her visa has been issued! This is a huge prayer answered and a big step to having her ready for travel.

Stephanie's- If all stays excatly within budget then I have what we need. So praying my visa run and any extra bag fees or pop up expenses along the way.

Any extra money that we recieve will go towards items on the wishlist or doing some fun summer activies with the kiddos. ( like doughnut day, bounce house, and stuff like that)

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support in our journey,

~S

An Amazing February Update!!

I wanted to share an amazing update with ya'll.   I am trying to be as transparent, as I can be with our funding, and how each dollar will be used.  We wrapped up an amazing month of fundraising in January and I want to thank Cheri Evans, Stacy Lovelace, Jennifer Frey, Angela Cavallo, Megan Bodwell for all donating their commissions back during our parties. I also want to thank each of you that ordered from our fundraiser parties. 

For the month of February we are doing something a little different. We kicked off the month with my birthday wish of 26 donations of $26 for my 26th birthday and ya'll blew me away! Thank you so much to each of you that joined in. 

We have two fun custom pieces this month for sale both of these have the verse Jeremiah 29:13 which is a verse that has really been speaking to both me and Elise.  Check out these amazing shirts!!  Thank you Arthur Gonclaves for sharing your creative talents to bring this idea to life.   We will be collecting pre orders  until Feb 20th. You can fill out this form to place a order, and read all the details about them. Our goal is to sell at least 100 shirts, so please spread the word.  We are inquiring about children's sizes...if you are interested please comment below as it will help us figure out the details. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9jvsfH7HYnWG3cb0_J-3Dr0ELgpoPq5VMDd3NcvCAF9FK3w/viewform?c=0&w=1

Alicia Palmer is a Plunder independent stylist and she helped us create these fun Atlas necklaces! We are collecting orders for these during the whole month of February. You can place your order by sending payment and your mailing address to PayPal.me/aliciastreasurechest if you are local to Stephanie for pick up you can wave the shipping fee. 

Here is our updated breakdown of cost:

Elise:

Plane ticket - $1500 booked!
Plane ticket to MD-$300

Visa- $150

Passport- Covered ( Applied for!) 

China expenses meals, transportation, ect.-$100
Total - $2,050
Raised- $2,055

Remaining- DONE!!! 

Stephanie:

Plane ticket- $1247 ( booked) 

Plane ticket for visa run-$500

Visa run expenses (hotel, food, ect)- $500
Insurance- $500

China expenses ( food, transportaion, phone, suppliesect)-$1000 ( $300 per month of my stay)
Total-$3,747
Raised-$2134

Remaining-$1613

Plus, depending on which flights we are able to book we may have extra baggage fees for bringing  supplies. This will be between $50-100 depening on airline per bag. I will update that once we are able to purchase our tickets.

*Stephanie's flights allow her 2 checked bags for free!!!!

Early spring I plan on getting the final wish list of items needed for the preschool. As in past trips, I am planning to take my personal items in my carry on and load up my suitcases with much needed items for New Hope.  I've been actively working with Rebecca and those at New Hope for the most up to date needs.  

If you are on FB be sure to join our group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/148696522285171/

~Stephanie & Elise

* These totals are as of February 11,  2017
**35 of 100 shirts have been preordered**

**To see the amounts raised in the closed parties please go to the fundraisers tab on the home page of the blog**

the journey of preparing

One of the most challenging first steps in preparing for my  China trips is the fundraising journey. I wish somedays that I didn't need to ask a single person for support,  I just had everything that was needed, and I could be on my way.   However, that is not the case.  One of the many things that God shown me,  is that by allowing people to help, it is  allowing them to play a role in His plan as well. With all that being said I mentioned in my previous post that this trip brings additional fininacal needs than my past trips have. Over the last couple of months, before sharing about my trip, I have been working watchcare at a local church, and several other jobs, all with the monies earned ear marked for my plane ticket.  . Along, with this I reached out to some of the ladies that have helped me in the past,and they so graciously offered to help me again. Be sure to join our mega vendor event fundraiser by following the link below!  The consutlants of these various companies have pledged that they will give 100% of their commisisons earned to our fund. This fundriaser is not just for me, it is also for my sister Elise, who is working hard to come over, and serve at New Hope for a few weeks.  To add to the excited, my cousin Lexi will be joining us as well.  I am so thrilled to have both of these girls share in this special part of my life, as well as meet the amzing people and kids at New Hope.

I am being transparent in this post when I say we need help! Our current cost break down is as follows....

Elise:

Plane ticket - $1500
Plane ticket to MD-$300

Visa- $150

Passport- Covered 

China expenses meals, transportation, ect.-$100
Total - $2,050
Raised- $1355

Remaining- $695

Stephanie:

Plane ticket- $1247 ( booked) 

Plane ticket for visa run-$500

Visa run expenses (hotel, food, ect)- $500
Insurance- $500

China expenses ( food, transportaion, phone, suppliesect)-$1000 ( $300 per month of my stay)
Total-$3,747
Raised-$1400

Remaining-$2,347

Plus, depending on which flights we are able to book we may have extra baggage fees for bringing  supplies. This will be between $50-100 depening on airline per bag. I will update that once we are able to purchase our tickets.

*Stephanie's flights allow her 2 checked bags for free!!!! 

Here are the list of current fundraisers going on for our trip during the month of January.


Younique ends 1/31- https://www.youniqueproducts.com/AngelaCavallo/party/5728551/view?success=1


Tastefully Simple ends 1/31- https://www.tastefullysimple.com/party/10832323/dc80c63349b74f5b8c781b29e7c05471

Noonday ends 1/31-  www.JenniferFrey.NoondayCollection.com, and then enter "Stephanie Irizarry" as the trunk show hostess. It is active now, and we can close Jan 31.

Jamberry ongoing- www.cutenails4acause.jamberrynails.net


During the month of Feburary, we have a few new and exciting ideas, one of them being tshirts!!  Once the design is finalized I will share it with ya'll.   In all honestly my prayer is to have all of Elise's trip covered,and majority of mine, by the first of March. Early spring I plan on getting the final wish list of items needed for the preschool. As in past trips, I am planning to take my personal items in my carry on and load up my suitcases with much needed items for New Hope.  I've been actively working with Rebecca and those at New Hope for the most up to date needs.  

God has showed me over and over, on these trips, that I just need to trust him.  He will provide every penny needed. So that is what I am doing... trying not to stress and just put it in his hands and let him have control over it all.


~Stephanie & Elise

* These totals are as of January 22, 2017

**To see the amounts raised in the closed parties please go to the fundraisers tab on the home page of the blog**

Following the call.....

With much prayer, on when and if God wanted me to go back to New Hope in 2017, it appears that the start of June thru the end of August is the answer. This is a slightly different timing than I had been originally thinking. I am trusting in God to provide everything that is needed for this trip, including the extra expenses of traveling in the summer, and mid trip visa run. I will also have health insurance cost this time. This answer to prayer, has come as a blessing, as New Hope has been without a steady preschool teacher since this past summer,and will now have one from Jan-March. I will arrive the beginning of June. Please pray that this short gap in coverage will be covered as well. . On top of this great news, I am super excited to announce that my sister Elise and cousin Lexi will be joining me for a few weeks. This will be their first trip to China and they are very excited to serve at New Hope. Both girls have been actively working to save for their trip, and will be fundraising as well. I'm working hard on my support plans, and I'm open to ideas. I'm committing my doTerra commissions that are above my normal living expenses to go directly to my cost for this summer. Please keep this trip in your prayers, specifically the financial coverage. Like my previous trips, I will be taking limited personal items, and loading my suitcase allowances with items that are needed at New Hope. I will start a few "wish lists" at Amazon, and others places, as soon as the needs are known. Summer of 2017 is going to be exciting to see where God leads the adventures of our time in China.

~Stephanie

The amazing benefits of sponsorship

Over the years I have had several people ask me about ways they can help New Hope if they are not in a spot to travel over and volunteer or to adopt or they might be in a spot like me where they are simply not old enough to adopt yet. One of my favorite things that I am part of is the New Hope sponsorship program. Did you know it takes at least 8 sponsors per child to cover the cost of their care? This includes diapers, food, medicines,living cost, clothing, bottles and depending on their need sometimes even their surgeries. Certain surgeries cost is beyond the simple sponsorship so that is a different category, if you feel called to sponsoring a surgery that is possible as well. However, one of the fun parts about being a sponsor is you get to choose which child you would like to sponsor and you can do that HERE , On top of that you will also receive quarterly updates and pictures of your sponsor kid(s).

Eleanor Grace in 2013

I first became a NH sponsor back in 2013 when my sweet friend Callie and I were able to witness a new admission and we decided we wanted to sponsor her and so we were able to pick out her English name which is the name the kids go by for anyone reading or asking about them. We chose the name Eleanor Grace and we would get so excited about any and all updates we would receive after we left China that summer. We waited for the good news after her surgery and we prayed for her forever family. Now thanks to some amazing prayers and social media we are connected with her amazing family so we have continued to watch her grow over this past year with her family (her family even named her Elenor).

Annie Spring 2016

Last summer I met sweet Annie through our amazing Hong Kong hospital adventure. I knew that when I got home I wanted to start sponsoring her and so for this past year I have been sponsoring my sweet Annie girl.

Penelope Spring 2016

Then....This past spring while I was at NH this squishy cute little baby arrived and I knew that even though I would have to cut back on personal spending  I really wanted to sponsor her as well and because I was her first sponsor I was able to choose her name so her name is Penelope. She is just the cutest little thing. So, if you read this far you either want to see the pictures I have added to the end of these cuties or you would love to know more of the nitty gritty details about becoming a New Hope sponsor.

New Hope sponsorship
*cost $40 a month and they request a year commitment
*This helps cover all of the kids basic needs and allows for NH to keep as many beds open as they can
*You get to "know" your child through pictures and updates sent out quarterly
*You can even send over goodies if you want (check out my girlies wearing their matching outfits)
*You get to pray for this child and their need and for them to find their forever family
*You get a tax donation receipt at the end of the physical year

**You can sign up now HERE

Now just look at these sweet pictures of my current sponsor princess's in their new outfit that I sent over along with some new footie pj's for them.

Like seriously I just want to eat them up and I miss them so much but I pray everyday for their forever families to be lead to them and for their health and well being. If anyone has any questions about New Hope or the sponsorship program, please ask.

A Fresh New Look

I was very excited when I found out that I was going to be in China during the great Away Day project. The British embassy took on a big job of redoing the Memorial garden, big playground, preschool playground, preschool room and building a chicken coop and donating 30 chickens! It was a lot of fun to watch all the progress of the project happening over the course of a couple of weeks before the big final teams arrived. Here are a few pictures of the progress ( I will be posting the rest on FB)


While a piece of me was very sad to see some of the memories and work we did 3 summers ago to the preschool room leave. I was thankful to have the time to take my last pictures and in a weird way say "goodbye". This wall was becoming very weak and for safety reasons it needed to come down and be rebuilt and now seeing the new wall it is amazing and strong.

Handprints of preschoolers over the past 3 years at New Hope

The door painted by the talented Stephanie Hwang

Handprints of just a handful of the preschool teachers over the past 3 years with our trip dates.

This wall will forever be my favorite wall ever! Created by Stephanie Hwang, Callie Huseman and myself in 2013 using the kids hand and foot prints to create a garden scene.

New wall going up

The wall is now much taller which is great because it will help with distractions

My favorite thing was the quote from the old wall was repainted on and Rob asked me to give it the handprint touch :) So my last morning several of the kiddos hands became "apples" in the tree.

Next up the big playground- I didn't get a great before picture with all the old things in an overview picture. 

Out with the old swing set and ready to start 

Chicken Coop- Oh my goodness I just loved this project! And the kids are loving the chickens as well.

Preschool Playground- This project had a lot of help from our handy preschoolers :)

Memorial Garden: This is a very special place before it was outdated and held the names of kids that had passed away in the Beijing unit now it is cherry and bright and holds the memories of all 900 kids from all the units that were loved and comforted till it was time for them to pass into Jesus's arms. This wall holds names of kids I had the honor of meeting and many that I read about through newsletters but one thing I know for sure is that they had the top care and love up till the very end and they are now forever healed.

That wraps up the amazing work done by the British Embassy to help support New Hope. I can't wait to watch years worth of memories take place at all the new projects.

~Stephanie