Skype, Letters, and More Pictures!

Last night we were able to Skype Brayden! What an experience that was! Unfortunately the video wasn't working and so we could see him (which was awesome) but he could not see us (which he was bummed about, he really wanted to see us). He was happy to hear that Bradley is the same age as him, that we have 2 dogs, a cat, and a turtle, and that we have a bastketball hoop outside (he loves basketball). We had a translator on the phone with us to help talk with him. We put her on speaker phone but most of the time it was difficult for her to hear what he was saying. Regardless, it was a wonderful time seeing him through the computer! He told us he loved us and promised to write us a letter. I just received that letter, along with some pictures, tonight and had the same person who translated for us during the Skype call translate the letter for us.

The letter says:

Dear mom, dad, brother and sisters,

How are you? I'm happy to be a part of a loved family. I'm very thankful that you can adopt me so I will experience life being a part of a family. Thank you for the love you have given me. I'm looking forward to the day we meet. Mom and dad, I want to tell you I love my family. I like yellow, blue, and green. The sports that I like are basketball, track, and jumprope. Also helping out with chores. I like watching TV and computer. Dad, mom, I love you guys. I wish you health and happiness.

Your loving son,

Zhong Yong

Oh my goodness! I cannot wait for the summer so we can bring this boy home! We should have our paperwork to China this week and then it's all up to the Chinese government and how quickly things are processed. Praying for sooner than later!

Both Hands Fundraiser Project

The replaced fence
Painted house and new landscaping

With the widow, Maria

Lookin' Good

Our team!

Before the work began...

Today we had our big Both Hands Project! You can learn more about Both Hands by clicking here. Our project ended up being quite the journey but something God orchestrated so perfectly. We first had a widow in Madera who didn't need much done but she was trying to sell her home so she wanted things "spruced up". We met with her and went over what she wanted done. A week before the project she called and said she had sold her home...so we had to find a new widow and quick if we still wanted to do the project on the same day. We had no idea who we would get (it's not as easy as it sounds) but my mom told me there was a widow who lived next door to her. This widow does not speak much English so it was kind of hard talking with her about the project but she was willing to let us do whatever we felt we could do to help her. He son died in a car accident a couple years ago. Then shortly after her "husband" died of a heart attack, leaving her to raise her other two sons. She was never married to this man so she does not receive any type of Social Security from his death. All she has is his retirement which will run out in a couple years and at that point she said she does not know what will happen. Her back fence was totally rotting and falling down, the outside of her house needed painting, and her yard needed some TLC. With the help of some caring donors, we had all the supplies donated. Today we had about 20 volunteers show up to do the work for this widow. It was a sight to see! Everyone worked so hard, the weather was perfect, and the house looks amazing! I feel totally blessed to do this project where we could raise money to bring Brayden home and at the same time help this widow who truly needed it! Thank you to all those who were involved! James 1:27

EMAIL AND PICTURES!!!!

Love this one below!
We got an email from the orphanage nanny just now! She is known to absolutely love all the children there at "Z" and wants the very best for them. In her email this is what it said (remember that is was typed in Chinese and translated so the translation isn't the greatest but you can get the idea):

Thank you very much love to zhong yong, Thank you, you can adopt him, he has your parents, we feel very honored, and we do not know the how to thank you for.He is a very sunny, and intelligent little boy, he is now getting along very well, rest assured.
Mom and Dad, he is often ahead of schedule in front of me and I'll tell him you are trying to apply to adopt the relevant procedures, thank you.
Miss zhong

More Pictures!

These are from a friend on the Yahoo Chat Group, Vicki. She is adopting the girl who is in the yellow Hello Kitty shirt (Allie). It's her birthday so Vicki had a birthday cake sent to her. Brayden is right next to her on her left. Can't wait to get to bring him home!!