Looking Back...Photos We received From Katie's Orphanage

Today we received another set of photos from Katie's orphanage, so I decided to share them here because most of you probably don't really know what Katie's first home was like. I had an idea, mostly from photos I've seen on a web site that the 'home' for a group of parents who have adopted from the same orphanage as Katie. Brad and I sent Katie a care package for Christmas that included the panda bear (returned to us on her Gotcha day), a disposable camera, candy for the caregivers, a list of questions about Katie and a photo album of our family. We received that camera back and got the photos developed yesterday. Our agency, Lifelink, also sent a disposable camera to Katie's orphanage and those were the photos we received today. While all of the photos were taken in the last month or so, they offer a glimpse into a world which we can never know.

The Suichuan Social Welfare Institute where Katie lived is a 5 hour car trip from Nanchang over bad roads. Even if we could make that trip, the orphanage does not receive visitors. Most orphanages in China do not allow the adoptive parents to visit. I

I have to admit that it is more than a bit odd to benefit from this place's philosophy on the value of gender. If it weren't for these beliefs, I would not have a daughter today. And I know I was meant to be Katie's mother. I'm still a bit fuzzy on why God decided that my daughter would be born in China, but I am certainly not the first to be sent down this path. I am only eternally grateful that this was my destiny.

So below are photos of photos, so they aren't the greatest. But they give you a glimpse into where Katie lived from the time she was about 1 day old until Sunday morning. Good people raising the babies others have abandoned. A noble task indeed.

Katie in a walker. Big smile! I can't wait until I get to see this smile in person...

Katie in walker.

Katie & caregiver and Carly Kinnamon & caregiver at entrance to orphanage.

Katie and Carly in walkers.

Katie (front) then mystery baby, Carly and Maddy Andreson.

Katie & caregiver.