"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller

God is so good!  He has blessed our family with another child.

With great pleasure, we introduce Gianna Francesca JiYing.  Gianna is from the same orphanage as Clare.  We first met Gianna in November, 2008, when we went to Shantou to see Clare's orphanage.  She is eight years old and visually impaired, and she is the most angelic little girl you've ever met.  We hope to have her home by early May.  Our dear friend, Mui, has been able to bring Gianna to her home so that we can see her and visit on Skype. 

Gianna attends the Love Without Boundaries "Believe In Me" School in the orphanage in Shantou.  Thank you once again, Amy Eldridge.  By the way, Amy knows Gianna and has spent a good bit of time with her in Shantou.

We are starting to prepare to parent a visually impaired child.  Brycie has spent many hours reading about visual impairment, and has been in contact with the Oklahoma School for the Blind.  We have made an appointment with a pediatric ophthamalogist at the Dean McGee Eye Institute here in Oklahoma City.  Last Thursday, the outreach coordinator for the Oklahoma School for the Blind came to our home and spent several hours showing us many books, tools and educational aids, and giving us tips on educating a blind/visually impaired child.

Please pray for Gianna; that her transition into her new family will be smooth. 

Gianna Francesca JiYing

Gianna with the photo album we sent her.

Gianna showing photos of her new family and home.

This is a picture taken in 2008 shortly before we adopted Clare.  Gianna is the little girl in the yellow top at the front of the picture.  Clare is just behind her in the pink shirt.

Gianna, Mui and Portia -- three precious ladies.

This is an interesting photo.  As you can see, Gianna is running.  Her head is tilted to the right.  The lady from the Oklahoma School for the Blind thinks that she probably has some peripheral vision.

Two sweeties -- Portia and Gianna.

Gianna, Portia, and LiYing, formerly an orphan and now a teacher at the orphanage in Shantou.

Isn't she a cutie?  Visually impaired or not, she can handle those chop sticks.

Pals.

Gianna skyping with mom and dad.

Two tickled little girls.

Christmas in Shantou.  The box in the background has the gifts we sent.

We got Gianna and Portia Hallmark recordable storybooks for Christmas.  Brycie and Jim alternated reading a page, so that they could hear our voices.  Hutson, Clare, and Immaculée also recorded a greeting for the girls.

Sweet Mui and Gianna.  We are so grateful that Mui is a Christian woman.  She teaches English and has her own studio where she tutors students in English.  She made drawings of the Christmas Story and had a Christmas party for her students.  You can see her drawings in this and the next few photos.

Mui, Portia, and Gianna.

Portia and Gianna showing their books.

Look at the sweet faces.  Merry Christmas, precious girls.

Gianna loves her storybook.  She is celebrating her last Christmas before coming HOME.

Thank you, Mui, for all the wonderful things you have done for our family.  We so love you.