A thank you from the director of the orphanage school

Dear friends

. . . and I dare say family . . .

of the Bao’an Social Welfare Institute,

Hello from Sunshine Academy! My name is Heidi Olson (or you can call me Bao Hai Di 宝海蒂 – yes the same Bao 宝as Bao’an – the gift of a name given to me by our Bao’an children!), and I am the Executive Director of Sunshine Academy. In 2008 I came to China to start our first school at the Bao’an Social Welfare Institute, since that time we have grown to 5 cities! We are so grateful for the many open doors we have been given to touch our precious children’s lives!

Last month Randi Lanz came to pick up her son Pat (our dearly beloved Pat!) and she generously asked if there was anything we might use at Sunshine Academy. We gave her big wish list and to our delight and incredible encouragement she came bearing about 4 massive pieces of luggage (wow!) filled to the brim. Filled with beautiful, fun, educational, unique, precious things for our children, given to us by all of you – our extended family. She included all of the gift cards that came in the Amazon orders so I was able to read each of your names – amazed at how many of you responded!

I wish I could thank and hug each one of you – and your family members! Thank you for your tremendous gifts for our classrooms and thank you for having a vision to love beyond your family. You have selflessly given your lives, opening the doors of your hearts and homes, to welcome one (or in some cases many!) of the least of these. I admire that so much.

THANK YOU for thinking of us and for all that you have done for the children of China – our children.

God bless you!

Heidi Olson

宝海蒂

Pat is home!

We began our travels to bring Pat home on March 25.  We took all four of the kids who still live at home with us.  As is my usual while in China, I didn't get around to updating the blog.  Internet is slow (when we can manage to get it) and by the time I have a chance to sit down I'm pretty much asleep! 

I wanted to thank you for your prayers and let you know that we got home yesterday.  We are doing well but exhausted!  I'll be working on a post in the upcoming days to show you some of the things we did while in China.

Update on Orphanage Donations

A few weeks ago I invited you to be involved in donating educational materials to the orphanage school.  Take a look at what you did!

Thank you!  These things will make such a difference to the teachers and the children!

NOW I'm ready to go to China

Our bags have been ready to go for a few days now but there was one small thing keeping me from feeling ready to go.

My beautiful grand daughter, Miriam was born yesterday.  We were so hoping she would arrive before we left the country.  Ok, NOW we are ready to go.

Growing Feet...

Growing feet leads to this:

Don't worry!  Jen didn't break a leg.  She is simply outgrowing her AFOs. (Ankle Foot Orthosis)  She was casted at therapy this week to measure her for new ones.  She chose a kitty cat design with yellow foam this time.  Snazzy.....

I love how she can smile through the medical appointments now!  It wasn't that long ago that she SCREAMED when she saw anyone who vaguely resembled a doctor.

Jennifer is NINE!

She anticipated the day for weeks, and it was finally her turn!  Happy Birthday, Jen!

More Goodies for the Orphanage School!

I wasn't expecting any deliveries today, but it appears that Amazon was in a hurry to get them to us!  Thrilled to have more educational things to take to the school in Pat, Abigail and Jen's orphanage!  Thanks gals!  Keep them coming and I"ll keep finding room in the suitcases!  http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=1BEFGESV2THMA