Half the Sky

What is Half the Sky?

Half the Sky foundation seeks to ensure orphaned children receive the early childhood
opportunities they need to thrive by providing infant nurture programs with trained nannies to love and care for the babies, uniquely tailored preschool education for toddlers and beyond, personalized learning opportunities for older children, and loving, permanent family care, medical care and guidance for children with disabilities. HTS offers the care, individual attention and development environment that a loving family would otherwise secure for a child’s
healthy development.

"Changing children’s lives does not require new facilities or expensive playthings or complicated new procedures. Human contact is the most important ingredient, and caretakers can make a huge difference—just by taking an extra moment whenever possible to hold the babies, talk to the children, hug them all, and assure them that someone cares." —For the Children, Half the Sky’s training manual

Selah's orphanage is a Half the Sky orphanage. She lives in a "foster village". Basically a group of foster families that live in apartments next to the orphanage. The foster families typically care for 4-5 kids so that they may grow and develop healthy attachment in a family atmosphere not an institutional setting. During the day they do go to the orphanage for classes/services. The foster village is sponsored by Alliance for Children Foundation. If would like to learn more about the set up of the foster villages click on the link above!


When we were sent Selah's updated pictures we were also sent these PRECIOUS pictures as well! Taken in September.








I noticed this is the same picture she is looking at in her Half the Sky book (which is her record book they have kept of her since she came to the orphanage). This is a very special book! From what I have been told this will be coming home with her. I am currently trying to find out if this is her foster mom or a nanny at the orphanage.

Nathan and I often talk about the sparkle of JOY in her eyes. We are so thankful for the care she is receiving here.

Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Thankful

Sweet Jesus...I am thankful for my adoption found in you. Life is found in you. I have so much to be thankful for this season. I pray that this life in you would not be wasted but used to it's fullest. Because of love. Because of love all things are possible. Thank you.


This Thanksgiving I am thankful for....







Our DOSSIER and it being finished!!! Our life on paper, approved by agencies and the government. Documents notarized, State certified, Department of State certified and Chinese authenticated, completed and now out of our hands and in our agency's!





I am Thankful for ....


The very next morning after our dossier was sent we woke up to an email from Ann at Red Thread( Ann lives in China and has good relationships with the orphanages). We had contacted her less than 48 hours earlier on sending a care package to Selah. She was also able to request an update and new pictures!

You can imagine the emotions that hit us as we laid eyes on her sweet face!






The pictures that came with her file are now 8 months old so we have longed to see a recent picture of her. These were taken just two days ago.... just for us. Something about that messes me up inside. I am honored. I am wrecked.



Then there is this picture....HALLELUJAH there is this picture! She is WALKING y'all!





We did not know if we would get to see this until after we got her treatment for her feet. It is such a beautiful sight! Oh and her shirt says "Wanna Play?" Do you hear that...it's the sound of my heart breaking!

Here she is looking at her Half the Sky book... I am just about undone at this point.



In just a couple days she will be receiving our care package and she will be given a new book, a photo book of HER FAMILY!