Long Road to China - our adoption story: And this is our story.......

Long Road to China - our adoption story: And this is our story.......:     We know some of you have been following our journey for over a year but we've gained some new followers.  To keep you from reading all...

Long Road to China - our adoption story: Video from WREG 3

Long Road to China - our adoption story: Video from WREG 3

What happens IF she "ages out?"

This week I had a question asked to me. I want you all to know I'm glad to answer any questions concerning our adoption!  I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to ask us the questions you want to know because we do not get offended by questions.  We feel that the best way to learn about something is to ask the questions you want to know!  I cannot think of anything that we wouldn't be comfortable answering but if we don't feel comfortable, we will let you know.  Also, the orphans are where God has broken our hearts!  We are not the know all by any means but we will tell you what we know to the best of our knowledge/understanding.  I do not know where I've actually typed out a post dedicated to this question so I thought it would be a good one to put on our blog.  This is the answer to the best of my knowledge!  I often tell people and fail to write it in the blog - not on purpose.  I'll share what was asked to me

"I'm sure you've been asked this and have probably addressed it but I can't find it so I'm asking now... What happens after she "ages out?  If she is just turned out on the streets what's stopping her from just "moving" to the US with a family? I guess what I'm asking is could you and Phil not be in China after her birthday with a passport and just bring her home after she walks out? I know, it sounds way too simple so I know there's a catch...just wondering what it is."  

Honestly, I cannot say for sure what would happen to Guan Ya!  I can tell you that she will never be adopted to know the love of a forever family!  The rest I can to the best of my knowledge tell you what I've been told by people when we were in China & others in the adoption community about what is likely to happen when these children age out.
My response:

• No unfortunately the law does not allow this. The law would not let us take a minor out of the country and after she is old enough she would have to apply as any other non-citizen to try and become a citizen of the US. I wish it were that easy. I even have a friend that married a Chinese native and they had to go through so much to get her to the US and make her a citizen. There was nothing illegal, it just took a lot of time, paperwork, etc. and they were married. I don't think an orphan with no reason to enter the US (us being her family because we tried to adopt her doesn't stand up in law) would ever be allowed citizenship.
  

  Sadly, most orphans are turned out to the streets between the ages of 16-18y/o with little to no education.  It's so different there that I cannot even explain. It's hard for us US citizens to understand! 

  The orphans NEVER lose their orphan status and orphan. Getting a job with little/no education AND being an orphan is almost impossible. You know how hard it is to get a job here? Imagine always living below our middle class and fighting for jobs with 1.3 BILLION people in China. The orphans do not get issued a birth certificate like the other Chinese non-orphans. When they go for jobs, they are automatically known as an orphan. Even when/if they wed, they do not lose their orphan status .

  We've told too many female orphans turn to prostitution to try and provide a living and they often do not live long after released. GuanYa is deaf so I doubt anyone on the streets could communicate with her. They don't have a welfare system or anything like that in China that helps these children.

  There have been some organizations that have tried to go into a few cities to provide living quarters and to try and educate but they can never remove the orphan status. However, there are very very few of these places (I only know of 2) and of course the Chinese gov't dictates everything so they have to agree and oversee everything. Yes, you would think they would want the help but remember, they do not recognize these precious lives as we see them in the US. It's a very sad situation!

  We saw many orphans that had been turned to the streets that would be going through garbage cans looking for left over food, drinks, etc. So many are poor that it isn't just the orphans, but you could see this at almost any garbage can for just normal citizens.
• Phil and I have said IF she ages out without us adopting her, we will support her as best we can. However, there are so many questions on how we could do this - where would she even get mail? People will take complete advantage of the orphans. You would think things are cheap there, but they are NOT! The prices of food was = to that in the US. The price of living was WAY more than we pay here. That is why they don't have a middle class. If they try to "purchase" they do not even OWN the property, but only own it for 30 or 40 years depending on their payments/agreement with the govt. We were told by our guide to "own"a small apt size place cost between $250,000-$300,000   

  
  

  I hope that helps you to understand what we know.  We really do not know what would happen to our daughter if she ages out.  The situation seems grim to us about what might happen to her.  We also know it is very unlikely that she would come to know Christ's love for her living on the streets of China. However, there have been so many completely Awesome people that have reached out to us & continue to reach out to us so that's not even going to happen! :0)  I've just been lost for words the last few weeks at the love everyone has shown toward Guan Ya! Each act of love people does really helps & so appreciated! We've had some dark days during this process but we are at peace with God's will today!  You have forever touched our hearts in a way I cannot even explain!  YOU are part of bringing Guan Ya home and assuring she does not have to worry about the '"what ifs" & not worrying about not knowing her forever family!  We have 28 days and with your prayers, encouragement, sharing, donations, time, etc. we will give our daughter the love she deserves!  Thank you for being a part of there being one less orphan!  We could NOT do this without our Lord and each of YOU! 

  

  
  

  
  

           

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Listing of Fundraisers - NEW.....

We have another orphan loving sweet gal Jennifer Torrence Webster that has set us up a 31 online party and she is donating 100% of her commission to bring Guan Ya home! Wow, some pretty supper, awesome, spectacular people God has put in our lives - counting YOU (if you are reading, you likely know our story)! Many we do not know but they/you have heard our cries for help to get our daughter home before time runs out. God has touched their/your hearts to help us and walla, Blessings just flow!
Here is the link to the fundraiser she has set up for us
https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E2816094&from=DIRECTLINK

We now have fundraisers mapped out for every weekend & in between thanks to some very special people that will always have a place in our hearts!
This is a list of our current fundraisers or the ones in the works
->ENDING SOON so please place your orders! MaryAnn was so kind to set us up an online Tupperware party. I know some said they wanted to order but there have been no orders placed. She has taken the time to set this up for us so if you like Tupperware, please consider purchasing
http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/!twx$eparty_ctl.p_guest_welcome?pv_eparty=f242f13b571d3a3
->300 puzzle pieces and drawing http://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-fundraiser-u-do-not-want-to-miss.html
->restaurant coupons http://coupaide.com/deal/smith-adoption-fund/
->trying to get a booth for this weekend at the TFM (huge thank you to our MILSmith for helping on Saturday if we can reserve one)
->hot dog stand next weekend - local location to be announced but Phillip is checking with WalMart
-our dear friends the Bennett's are giving us a Spaghetti supper the weekend of the 22nd at their church in Satillo (I don't know what I would have done without this girl lately!!!!)
->Change a Child's life hosted again by my sweet friend Barbara Bennetthttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Change-A-Childs-Life/430628360341115(tentative plan to turn in change was the 20th but you can bring it to the fundraiser they are having for us on the 22nd - I want to turn it all in at one time to get a total count week of the 24th)
->New friends from Blue Mountain College ( Crystal Graves & LeeAnne Price & other staff and students are hosting an auction for us on March 2

Did I miss something? Maybe? I'm running in many directions lately but if it wasn't for the giving people above and many more we Could NOT do this all! We have too many things on our plate to run these fundraisers as they take lots of hands. heart and preparation! PLEASE help them be a success because much work & heart from others have been placed into each one of these! How can you help?
->PRAY, PRAY, & PRAY for the next 29 days! Make GuanYa & our famiy a part of your daily prayers!
->SHARE our events, our blogspot, our story
->Assist/give to these kind people/events in anyway you can!
It maybe though donations of food (items for spagetti, desserts, bread, salad, drinks), plates, items for sale/auction etc, etc
OR maybe you can give of your time to help prepare, during or after the event
OR maybe you are willing to go around to businesses and ask for donations for the fundraisers (food, plates, items for auction)
OR maybe you are willing to go around and post fliers about events
OR maybe you can get up a bunch of your friends and attend the events - make it a party for all of us!
OR maybe there is another way you can aid in making these fundraisers a success!
->AND my brain is fried after going to sleep after 3am but hey that's just an hour later than my norm bedtime so why am I complaining?
OH YEAH AND maybe you know of another way you can help! There are plenty of ways for you, your group, your friends, your kids, your
organization to get involved if you are interested in helping!
->Did I mention to Please PRAY? and Pray some more? Your prayers carry us through!

Well, I'm just not sure what to say about all the people (YOU) that have reached out to us though our journeys & loved our daughters enough to help! I guess with the advice of Mary Poppins I don't know what to say, so I'll simply say supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus! And if you have read this far it's a double supercalafragalisticexpialadoshus kind of day! Thank you & we are beyond BLESSED!!!!!

Just when we start to feel kicked down, God sends 3 or more to lift us up immediately! This am
I've had a friend message me to help us
I had a guy knocking on my door asking me if I was Niki Smith (honestly I didn't know if I was in trouble again for something) so I hesitantly said "ÿes" He walks to his truck and hands me a bag full of change that his kids had collected!
Then, I had not idea and was tagged by Crystal Graves about a fundraiser that I had no idea about. NO, I didn't attend Blue Mountain College! These are just God loving/orphan loving Christians helping in anyway they can!https://www.facebook.com/crystal.graves.37/posts/497202186990344?notif_t=tagged_with_story

I'm sorry when I grumble because we have been so blessed! I mentioned 3, but I could add pages of wonderful people that have prayed for us, sent us encouraging messages, helped us, donated to us, set up fundraisers, and the list could go on & on! Thank you so much!

 

PLEASE share our links and pray for us as we enter the ONE month mark to get our daughter! God is able to move mountains if we have faith! 

What will the next 31 days hold?

After a call from PayPal this afternoon telling me someone had turned us in for our 300 piece puzzle pieces/investment into Guan Ya and drawing - which they said was not illegal, but PayPal could not accept payment after we were turned in- we can no longer accept payment through PayPal for our pieces of the puzzle.  (NOTE:  To the large number fundraising adoptive families that have drawings or stores onlines that do drawings after purchase, etc.  You cannot use PayPal and offer any type/size of drawing for a prize.  If you do and someone turns you in, you will get a call by PayPal.)   
We are only promoting this fundraiser here & we are selling pieces of a puzzle that will be an investment in Guan Ya's life.   After our 300 piece puzzle is completed, we will have a drawing for the prize mentioned in our previous post HERE. 
Our local grocery stores offer the same type of prize giveaways each week when you purchase groceries and put your ticket into the big turning shaped barrel.  I could list off the numerous stores that offer a drawing after purchase, but I'm sure you had rather get to the Superbowl (as I will be getting back to Science Fair projects).  Our drawing after the purchase of each of the 300 puzzle piece is a thank you to you for your purchase and support! 

I guess as a very good, sweet, & knowledgeable friend of mine said best today
 "The closer you walk with God the more the devil works against you.  If you are far from Christ's path and plan then the devil has nothing to fear.  It's not the easy path; it's the righteous one." 

If you are at a SuperBowl party tonight or really anywhere, PLEASE share about our 300 piece puzzle, investment in Guan Ya and prize drawing. 

Thank you & in the words of Forest Gump

"That's all I have to say about that."

NEW Fundraiser - U Do NOT want to MISS!!!!

O.k. This is a fundraiser that never entered my mind, but I got a text from a very sweet person yesterday after I posted on FaceBook that I was looking for fundraiser ideas.  Oh I'm so excited about this one!  

I have a 300 piece puzzle.  Each puzzle piece cost is $55 or 2 for $100.  When you purchase a piece of this puzzle, you are investing in a child's life - GuanYa's life to have a family.

For each piece of the puzzle you purchase, we will enter your name into a drawing. The lucky winner of this drawing is going to be a happy one because this is a great prize we are drawing for! And since there are 300 pieces to the puzzle, we will have 300 entries - when the puzzle is completed, we will draw the name!

  Purchase a puzzle piece, invest in a child's future & get entered for a prize?

    

Soooo, how many of you like the looks of THIS prize:

Pick from RED or GREEN 4x4

Wow!  Pretty awesome prize we are drawing for hum?  Thought so!  

Bummer, you don't like 4x4 ATVs or live for away so you couldn't get it shipped to you?  

No, problem at all!  

If you do not want the 4-wheeler or live too far away to get it, guess what we will purchase the ATV from you for  

Yeap, we will buy the ATV from you if you don't want the ATV.

Girls, how many pairs of shoes can you buy with that????  

New wardrobe?  

Pay off a bill or 2?

Get the kids that new play-set they want?

                   

(SERIOUSLY, at Sam's you could get

BOTH of these play-sets for under $5,000)

Get some work done to the house? 

Donate to charity?

Pay on Adoption expenses -past/present/future?

I don't need to think for you as I'm sure you know how you could spend this type of money if you wanted us to purchase the 4x4 4-wheeler from you!

We would LOVE to have this puzzle put together and draw for this prize by Valentine's Day!!!! 

 How awesome would that be for a Valentine's Day gift for you or your sweetie???  However, that will depend on how quickly we get our 300 piece puzzle put together. 

SOOOO BUY your piece of the puzzle & invest in Guan Ya NOW!!!!

It's pretty easy actually!  

Each puzzle piece is $55 or 2 puzzle pieces for $100

We are promoting this giveaway on our blogspot and we are not allowed to take payment for the puzzle pieces by PayPal.

Send money to 

Phil or Niki Smith

P.O. Box 332

Rienzi, MS  38865

***MAKE SURE YOU PUT ON THE CHECK OR A NOTE SAYING piece of the puzzle. With this note/message, you will be purchasing a piece of the puzzle, investing in Guan Ya and we will enter you into the drawing for the ATV.
   Also, make sure you have ways for us to contact you - phone number, email, and address would be best! 

You can also, pay through the Go Fund Me HERE or (put in the notes "piece of the puzzle" only) 

Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions.

SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!!!!

There are going to be 300 pieces sold to the puzzle so the quicker they are sold & the puzzle completed, the quicker the prize is going to be drawn! :0)

If we complete the puzzle by Valentine's Day, we will consider doing another one so Start Buying your tickets and SHARING!!!