Very Rewarding....and Many Thanks

May 20, 2011

Our Sponsored Babies BLOG

The past two months have been insanely busy for me as I have been juggling my very demanding full time job, the "Visions of Hope" photography classes, and of course my family life.

There have been times over the last few weeks that I have asked myself.....
"Why on earth did you take on this much and Did I take on more than I can handle?"

Well, those thoughts went right out of my head yesterday morning when I woke up and checked my email to see these two smiling faces.

I believe I posted about a month ago to tell you that through the first round of "Visions of Hope" photography classes, we made a donation to Half The Sky and we requested that the money be designated to the Chenzhou SWI in Reagan's honor. Only a few short days after sending them the donation I got a very nice letter thanking me for the donation. I have to admit, it was such a rewarding feeling and all I could think about were the faces of the children that have been permanantly etched in my mind since October 20th when we visited Chenzhou.

This month after running the second round of classes, I was getting ready to make the next donation and was not sure how I wanted to designate the money. After a little thought and a few emails back and forth with one of my contacts at Half The Sky, I decided I really wanted to do something extra special........

We are now the proud sponsors of these two beautiful girls; Chen Yi Zhi and Chen Qing Tong.
When I say "we", I do not mean just Pat and me.... I mean eveyone that has taken part and supported the "Visions of Hope" project. Each person that signed up for classes, helped spread the word, and those that donated to the cause all had a hand in each one of these donations. So in essence, you too are helping to sponsor these two precious girls for the next 12 months.

Words cannot express how gratifying it is to know that we are making even the smallest difference in the lives of those that are left behind and still waiting to be matched with their own forever families.

Nothing would make me happier than to get an email in the upcoming months to find out that one of these two baby girls has found a forever family. (If that does happen, they will assign us another child to sponsor)

I thought it was important to share with you all some of the things that we have been able to do as a result of the "Visions of Hope". Rewarding and Gratifying doesn't even begin to describe how it make me feel. Even though I am about to take a little break from teaching and have all of my evenings free to spend with my family..... I will be coming out with some new class offerings again in late July or early August, so we can continue to support Half the Sky and the children of China. Stay tuned!

I will also keep everyone updated on "our girls"..... Okay, they are not really our girls, but if I get any updates or news on our sponsored girls, Yi Zhi or Qing Tong, I will be sure to share here with you all.

We were not able to specify the children that we wanted to sponsor, but I did specifically request that they were from the Chenzhou SWI. Both of these girls were there with Reagan and they are exactly one month older than her. Qing Tong and I share the same birthday! Had I known that the day we visited the orphanage, I would have brought a cake to celebrate her 1st birthday.....and my.....ummmmmm 21st:) Only kidding!

So, has it been busy and hectic these last few months? YES..... but I can tell you that looking at these two faces makes it ALL WORTH IT.

Many many thanks to you all for the ongoing support!
This adoption community never ceases to amaze me.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

24 comments:

Laurie said...

Oh Lisa, they are absolutely beautiful and you continue to inspire me!

Kayce said...

My heart just smiles at this. :) Yes, I agree with Laurie...you are an inspiration!

Kim said...

Oh my stars! Could they be any cuter?!!

Sharon said...

Lisa that is SOOOO wonderful! Those girlies are just precious too.

Unknown said...

Lisa thank you for all you have done! They are so very cute.

Margaret said...

Inspiring and Wonderful. They are beautiful and I look forward to following their story.

Christina said...

Beautiful..the children..the cause..your big heart. God bless!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Such beautiful girls I hope they find homes soon and it's a wonderful thing you are doing.

Debbie said...

You look 21 to me!!! Love to hear about the girls and look forward to getting updates. dx

Faith Hope Love Photography said...

So, so beautiful...and you never cease to amaze me with your blessings to others. I can not wait to see what your next classes will be so I can join in!
You absolutely need to enjoy your family...I running crazy right now too with the photography stuff and asking myself the same question. But we will get through it.
I will be praying that they get their forever family soon!

TanyaLea said...

Lisa ~ I just LOVE you heart! What a wonderful way for everyone who takes your classes to be involved in reaching out to orphans... sponsorship! And might I just add how BEAUTIFUL they are!!

God bless!! <><
~Tanya

Gail said...

Oh Lisa,

What beautiful little girls!!!
Thank you for making a difference in their lives. You have such a giving heart!

And I have a few things I've thought of that you could teach in maybe an advanced online PS class. (That I'd like to take and I'm sure others would too!)

Have a wonderful weekend friend!

xoxoxo

Robin said...

A-DOR-ABLE!!

I was in tears reading this & looking at these beautiful little girls. I will pray everyday that those precious babies find their forever family soon!!

I love what your vision and what you are doing! You truly are an inspiration to me!!

Love you!
Robin

Dita said...

Just the thought of how this all happened sends shivers up my spine and puts tears in my eyes. I am overwhelmed with how things somehow fall into place...and the red threads.

These beautiful little girls are forever linked to your precious Reagan....and we get to follow their paths from a world away.

So truly incredible...you never cease to amaze me, Lisa.

See you all tomorrow......we're gonna have so much fun!

xoxoxox
Dita

Unknown said...

What an awesome and incredible blessing to come from your willingness to step out and help others! GOD IS GOOD ALL OF THE TIME!

Love you!
Big hugs,
Jill

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

Lisa,

You should be so proud. What a wonderful lady you are!

lea
xo

JMCS said...

Just wonderful Lisa! I wish I could bring both of those cuties home. You are so giving and making such a difference in so many lives.

hugs,
Jonni
XOXOXO

DiJo said...

Lisa,
They are beautiful. They really look like twins!!! Congratulations on ALL of the work you are doing for the children!

Blessings,
Diana

P.S: I am emailing you!

Diane said...

There are no words to express the love I have in my heart for what you have accomplished with this project....only tears of overwhelming joy and happiness. Seeing these two little angles brings those same emotions I felt with my two little angles. I long for the day we can return to Chenzhou:)

God Bless you for allowing me to be part of this journey and to give back to a place that holds a forever part of my heart.

xoxo
Diane

CC said...

Woo hoo!! We have 2 sponsor children in Rwanda and it really is amazing and humbling.

Jeanne said...

Lisa Your classes have been fantastic and i can`t believe just how much I have learnt already. To think I have gained so much and at the same time been a tiny part in sponsoring these two beautiful children speaks volumes for your kind and generous heart, words cannot express my admiration for all the time and effort you have put into this project, I feel priviliged to have been involved.

Jo said...

They are absolutely adorable! What a wonderful project you’ve taken on and such a benefit to these sweet little ladies.
Jo

Sandra said...

So lovely!! You should be really proud!

Sandra

grants for single mothers

ellieshine said...

They are just precious! What a joy to know that all your hard work results in such an amazing blessing!

Thanks for sharing that blessing with all of us!

You inspire me!

xo ellie