Mabel Adopted from China
 ​"We are grateful for the grant we received from A Child Waits Foundation"

Nathaniel & Kimberly S.
​China 2016

 
In 2014, after seeing the documentary Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children, we were moved to adopt a blind child from that country’s orphanages.  With no money to start the process, it was truly an act of faith for us to take the plunge and work towards this adoption. Community support was overwhelming as was the support of grantors and in April of 2014 our precious Anelia (then age 6, blind, "globally delayed') came home to our family.

When our hearts became open and ready for another child we asked friends on social media if they could look for a blind child in a Chinese orphanage.  (Social media is amazing!) Our first reaction to the picture of Hong Su La was indifference.  But the next day her little tiny face couldn't get out of our heads.  We knew she was our daughter! Our precious Mabel was in an orphanage in Nanchang, China, and when we finally were able to pick her up she was 2 ¼ years old.
 
Mabel has been gobbled up by her loving siblings and parents and become part of our family so quickly that it seems like she was always here.  In the first three weeks home with us our petite (and underweight) peanut gained three pounds and seems determined to gain enough to be at her ideal weight. She has transformed from an introverted, scared little girl to an active member of this family. She loves music, moving around and her new siblings.
 
We love the newest member of our family and are glad that the generosity of organizations such as A Child Waits Foundation are there to help make it happen. Thinking of Mabel without the opportunities she now has, and without her family ready to love her up, makes us sad, and grateful that we could bring her home to be with us. It also makes us all the more thankful for the grant we received from A Child Waits Foundation.