I haven’t shared much about Heidi yet because we have been waiting to get our LOA (letter of approval) from China first, but we just received our LOA yesterday!
Heidi was left at the gate of a social welfare institute on April 28, 2013, approximately 3 months after her birth. I have to wonder what the story is—why did they wait three months, what happened at three months that led to her being left at the gates of the SWI, and so many other questions come to mind too. Unfortunately we do not know all the circumstances and I cannot even begin to guess at the answers, but I can only imagine it must have been a very hard decision to make and just like with Olivia, Heidi’s birth parents will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout the years to come.
Heidi is from the Guangxi province which is just one province over from where Olivia is from—both along the coast of southern China. Her medical file stats that she has hydrocephalus, developmental delays and low muscle tone to her lower limbs. She is in a foster care program through her SWI and has been receiving physical therapy to help out with her low muscle tone in her legs—from the videos we have seen of her and the updated reports from foster care she appears to be doing great in this area! Her hydrocephalus never required surgery or a shunt and seems to have resolved on its own. We have been told she is “on track with her peers” as far as her development goes as well. We have received a few updates on Heidi since receiving our PA (pre-approval) and it appears for the most part that she is a very healthy and happy little girl.
One thing that is very different between Heidi Grace and Olivia is not only that Heidi will be 2 ½ years old when we bring her home, but that she is in foster care ant not an orphanage. Olivia was just 12 months old when we met her and although I am sure she wasn’t quite sure what was going on when she was handed over to us on “Gotcha Day”, she was easily distracted and won over with food, toys and lots of playing. She also came from an orphanage setting where there were many caretakers and children, and probably little time for much one-on-one time for her. Heidi Grace on the other hand will be old enough to know that she is being handed over to complete strangers and will probably not be happy about that at all. It is our understanding at this point that Heidi has been in foster care most of her short life so I am assuming she will also have strong bonds and attachment towards her foster family. My heart is torn for her knowing that here we are excitedly preparing to travel to China and meet her to bring her home, when for her that day will probably not bring the same kind of excitement and joy. Although adoption is a beautiful thing, we have to remember that in every adoption there is grief too and that is ok.
Prayer requests for now:
- Pray that God would protect Heidi Grace and keep her safe, healthy and loved while we are not there with her
- Pray for Heidi Grace’s heart that will be grieving many losses soon
- Pray for her foster family that they will have peace about Heidi Grace leaving them
- Pray that God would bless our fundraising efforts and move our paperwork quickly through our remaining outstanding grant applications
