2 years ago today . . . .

a beautiful 2 week old baby girl was left in the transfusion room of ChouZhou Hospital in Yiwu, China where it was certain she would be found quickly. At examination it was discovered that the baby had a heart condition that would later require surgery. Named after the hospital and given the common surname of all the children at Yiwu Social Welfare Institute: Ni ChouZhou would spend her next 19 months there until an American family living in Australia would cross the ocean to bring her home to her forever family.

That my friends, is the beginning of the known story of our little Tia.


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11

All day I've been wishing I could send Tia's birthmom a letter. This is what I wish to say:

"I awoke this morning to realize that 2 years ago today you were required to make the most selfless decision that a parent should NEVER have to make. On July 29, 2006 you had to take your beautiful baby girl and leave her in a place where she would be assured of getting the medical attention her sick little heart required. Oh how your own heart must have been breaking! The sorrow you felt must have been overwhelming . . . . words cannot express how sad I am for your loss and how my heart breaks when I think of the sacrifice you had to make to give your baby girl hope and a future. . . .

I want to tell you . . . she had surgery and her heart is doing well! she is beautiful, she is charming, she is funny and smart and somehow I'm sure she looks like you! From the moment we met this daughter she has had an aura around her that says that she is loved, she has been loved. I wish you could know that you made the right decision! Oh how I long to tell you about how she is so very sweet and also such a sass! She believes she is the center of the universe, and she has us all convinced of it also. If ever a child stole hearts, it is this little beauty . . . We love her, we really do.

I want you to know that we promise we will always love this little girl you made such a sacrifice for, we will teach her that you made the best decision you could in order to give her the very best future. . . . . we will teach her that God also wanted to give her hope, he loves her too! He has a wonderful future for this little Princess! God has this same promise for you. It is our prayer for you that you would feel God's love envelop you during the times your heart aches for your baby daughter, that somehow you would know God's peace and his healing, - We pray you will know his hope and his love . . . .

and we promise to give Kristiana Hope, a future.

we promise."

Tia & mom (& the vice director of the Yiwu SWI) in the Transfusion room March 4, 2008 - the day after she met her forever family.