Who would have guessed that one 26 pound toddler would create so much excitement in our family? Who knew the bag required to pack his belongings for a couple of weeks would weigh so much more than him? The Howard's now prepare for an epic journey (at least considered so for our family) to China next week to see our son, Drew, for the first time. Our girls, Dara (10 years old) and Delana (8 years old) are going with us! First time for either of them on an airplane, and they are excited!
This journey began well before Dara was born, when we (Doug and Kara) took long walks after work and talked about the babies in countries like India and China who have no one. After suffering from infertility for a few years, we began to pursue adoption, and then God blessed us with our first daughter. Then a second daughter, Delana, came along 22 months later! Our hands were full for several years, yet we continued to discuss adoption. Then we began to see adoption all around us...families at our school and church were bringing children into their families, overcoming major obstacles and distances in some cases to make it happen. God was burdening our hearts and then I (Kara) went on a mission trip to China in 2008 to see and touch babies who needed parents. They were beautiful and helpless and we were so blessed. Why not us?
Guo Shu Gang (soon to be called Drew) was born in November, 2009. His biological parents probably faced an agonizing decision as their son was born with a fixable, but serious birth defect. Likely not having the financial resources for the necessary surgery, they left him at a day old near an emergency room door, where he was soon found and medically treated. Since abandonment is illegal in China, no information was left with the child and he was sent to the city orphanage where he remains today.
When we began this journey, we assumed our third child would be a girl. We were ready for another girl, with plenty of girl clothes, toys and a pink room. But God has another plan for us. One that includes a little boy, with dimples, dark hair and beautiful eyes. Can't wait to meet him and see what his personality is like. Can't wait to hold him and tell him he is home. Snakes and snails and puppy-dog tails...that's what little boys are made of!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Waiting patiently for his new family to arrive.
Guo, Shu Gang soon to be named Andrew Douglas Howard (Drew) standing outside his orphanage in Kaifeng, Henan Province, China. June 20011 at 19 months old.
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