… and I have a birthday wish.
But first let me back up a bit. In 2007, I met someone – who would become a dear friend – when her little girl was on the same SN list as my Shepherd. We bonded over the fact that our kiddos were living at the same orphanage, with similar special needs, and even got the chance to squeeze each others necks in Guangzhou in the summer of 2008.
Since then we have stayed in touch. Annie became even more passionate for those left behind, advocating tirelessly and even creating a website devoted entirely to older special needs children… to help find their forever family.
And, all the while, Annie has wanted to adopt again. But, for one reason or another, it just wasn’t God’s timing. She continued to advocate and pour her heart into doing everything she could for those left behind, selflessly giving of herself, even though part of her heart was aching with the burden of wanting one of those little ones to be her own to love forever.
Finally, after almost 5 years of waiting on God, Annie and her husband found their new daughter – a little girl with cerebral palsy and developmental delays who had been waiting years to be matched with a family.
The last few years have been very difficult for them. Her husband had been without a job for a long time. And they have had to sacrifice much. But Annie always kept her joy and continued to trust the Lord. She and her husband even felt led to sell their house, and recently put their beloved home on the market in order to downsize.
But then her husband lost his job. Again. Amazingly, Annie continues to hold onto her joy. She counts herself and her family blessed. And although they have had to sacrifice much, she sees the blessing in giving up those things that have no real value in order to gain those things that count for eternity.
But the reality is that a lack of funds could them to lose their new daughter, too. Currently their adoption in on hold until her husband finds another job. And Annie feels confident that the Lord is already at work to bring this to fruition.
But they still are over $20,000 short to bring Xiaomeng home.
Please, pretty please, take a moment to go read a bit of their story. And, consider donating to this family’s adoption. Any child would be blessed to call this family their own – I have watched Lizzie grow from a malnourished, neglected orphan to a vibrant, joy-filled, and most beloved daughter.
If we all join together, we can be the difference for this family… and for Xiaomeng who has waited so very long for a forever family of her own.
And that is my birthday wish. I’d be so honored if you would be part of making that wish come true.
And if you’d like your donation to be tax-deductible, send a check to:
Journey Together Ministries
2197 Sandy Point Lane
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
and put HAMLIN FAMILY in the memo section.
But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help – how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord.
1 John 3:17-19
P.S. PLEASE share, either this post or your own post on FB or your blog, about this effort… we need to spread the word to make this happen!
Thanks Stefanie for helping Annie! Let’s get this adoption fully funded! It wouldn’t take much if everyone gave something!
So true, Vicky! Woot!
Happy Birthday! Gladly donated in your honor.
You ROCK! Thank you for making this birthday girl smile 🙂
My dear sweet wonderful friend!!!!!!! You are absolutely amazing! First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and secondly, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! Your heart for these children and your incredible faith has been such an inspiration to me and I am at a loss for words that you would do this for us and our precious child!!!! I truly hope that one day, I will get to hug your neck again – maybe in China!!!!!!!
Would love to squeeze your neck again, but maybe here in the US 😉 Don’t think we’re going to China again until we go back for a heritage tour 🙂
Hugs to you, my friend! God is gonna do big things, I just know it! Thank you for letting me be a tiny part of this God-story!
Jim and I donated $20 to the Hamlin family in honor of your birthday….have a great day!!
That’s so cool, Carleen! Blesses my heart to hear that… thank you for donating and thank you for sharing 🙂
Let’s help fund this adoption! Awesome birthday wish. Love to you on this day!
Woot! Totally agree, Amy 🙂 And thanks for the love for this birthday girl, you made me smile today for sure!
Happy Birthday, Stefanie!!!! The donation is on its way!!!!
Woohooo! Thank you, Mary!
Hi Stephanie!
It’s Crafts for China’s Orphans! We read about Annie’s story and we were so touched by her adoption story! Tomorrow, the Fourth of July, we are going to be selling our crafts to raise more money for the orphans in China and after reading about Annie’s adoption process we have decided that a proceeds of the money we earn tomorrow will be donated to her to help fund her adoption process to help bring her daughter home! Our email address is on our website. If you have any questions please email us! 🙂 Please pray that we raise a lot of money for Crafts for China’s Orphans and for Annie’s adoption! Thanks so much!
LOVE this – y’all are awesome!! Prayers that y’all raise lots of funds tomorrow 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful birthday and praying that your birthday wish comes true for that precious girl and her family.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy to help this wonderful family! (tried to use the link from your blog but it wouldn’t work, just fyi, used the link on Annie’s page)
Just wanted to share with anyone thinking about donating a quick story about Annie and her BIG ole heart for those who are waiting. While our family waited to bring our 2nd child home from China we researched special needs, limb differences was something we felt very comfortable with .. until .. the call came. And our agency shared with us about a little boy who was missing almost all his fingers and toes. And fear set in – suddenly it seemed like more than we could handle. I posted quickly on a yahoo site that Annie was part of and she sent me the most wonderful message, shared her blog and information about her sweet Lizzie. She continued to be available for me to ask questions as we reviewed his file and then, as we waited to bring him home.
Annie was definitely a part of God’s plan to unite us with our amazing son Eli … and then 2 years later, his brother Hudson, who shares the exact same need.
Just wanted to share and encourage others to donate to this wonderful family
Again, Happy Birthday!
Heather
Thank you sweet Stef and thank you to all who have donated!!!!! I am still just at a loss for words and so completely blown away by the beautiful hearts that surround us! Dear Heather, your sweet comment just had me in tears and I am just so, so happy for your precious family! God is just SO great and you ALL are just so amazing!
THANK YOU!!!!!
Happy Birthday you sweet woman you!
What a marvelous birthday wish……to bless someone else.
Annie is just an amazing person and truly has been an inspiration to me for a long time now!
I do completely believe that together we all can ‘be the difference’ for this family!
I can NOT wait to see the amazing things God has in store for the Hamlins!
I’m a little behind here, but Happy Birthday Stefanie!! I hope your day wa sfilled with lots of love and laughter!!
I am so excited to watch and see God move on behalf of Annie and her family and the incredible plans He has for them. Go God!!!