How we found Anna Lin...

We knew we wanted a daughter. After having three boys, we knew our chances were slim and hey, we had made our contribution to the world population. We were a family wanting a daugher and I knew out there somewhere was a daughter wanting a family. So, where to adopt? Oh, the possibilities are limitless between domestic and international options: here in the US, Latin American countries, Eastern European countries, India, or Asian countries.

We were drawn to China mainly because so many girls are given up just because they are girls, a result of the one-child policy China put in place years ago. Most families feel they have to have a son. In the Chinese culture it is the son who takes care of the parents in old age. For this reason many abandon baby girls. Or it may be they have one child already, and cannot keep another baby. Some families do pay fines to keep a second child, a girl. I have to tell you that when babies are abandoned, they are always left in a place where they are safe and will be found. Anna Lin was left outside the local hospital in the city where her orphanage is located.

Last summer we began the process by applying to Harrah's AIM. An agency that specializes in China adoption. The owners of the agency had adopted three daughters from China and many adoptive families recommended them. A friend and fellow librarian After researching many agencies we chose Harrahs. We originally applied and did our paperwork, dossier, for a non-special needs girl 3-5 years old. This is considered to be a healthy normal child. However, our agency receives a waiting child list about every four months. The waiting child list is comprised of several children who have some type of special need, even as minor as a birth mark or a missing digit. On the last list we found Anna Lin. She is four years old and her need is a crossed eye, called strabismus. We fell in love with her and were blessed to be matched with her by our agency. We sent our Letter of Intent accepting Anna Lin as our referral and future daughter May 12th and now wait for travel approval.