Friday, January 4, 2013

We're having a baby...

...a bloggy baby, that is!
 
Colin, our oldest, has asked on and off for almost a year now, how he can help other kids who are either newly adopted, or considering adoption.
 
I loved his heart and his desire to help encourage others, but couldn't think of what that would look like, practically speaking.
 
Over the last year, he has joined me at airport homecomings, skyped with newly adopted kids while they were still in China, translated letters for waiting families...
 
While all of these were great things, I could tell he didn't think it was enough.
 
Most of his ideas were shot down because they would have compromised his safety...
 
things like,
sharing his QQ address with every orphanage in China... (seriously, that's what he asked for...)
 
After many months of asking how he could help, we finally settled on this...
 
Colin has started a blog.
 
That's right!  My baby is blogging!
 
He hopes to share some of his experiences and encourage those who might be unsure about being adopted as well as those who might be considering adopting an older child.
 
How many times have you adoptive parents looked at your kids and wondered what in the world they were thinking?
 
Or perhaps you feel God might be leading you to adopt an older child, but you just weren't sure you were ready, or wondered if they even really WANT to be adopted?
 
Well, I don't know that Colin's posts will have answers, per se, and I don't want to put any pressure on him, but his willingness to share his thoughts is a serious sign of his own growth and I am very proud of him!
 
It seems like just yesterday that he wouldn't choose a shirt to wear, or tell me where he wanted to eat, or give an opinion on ANYTHING!  Click here to take a look back on one post that will give you an idea of just how far he's come this year...
 
I hope you will all check out his post, leave a comment of encouragement, and even "follow" his blog.  It will make his day.  More importantly, it will give many parents a glimpse into the world of the adopted teen, even me! :-)
 
Read his first post HERE ...
 
God Bless,
Angie
 


3 comments:

Vicky said...

How proud you must be of this fine young man!

Terry said...

Colin sounds amazing! you are blessed. I posted a comment on his blog but I wanted to post here too, since you're his mama :) I adopt a daughter in 2011 as well, her legal age is 15 but she tells me she is older, and I believe her. She is such a delightful, beautiful young woman who loves having a family! We love her to pieces. But she's had such a hard time with English. Reading, Writing, Speaking. And because of it she's very ackward. She loves being around people but most don't understands her. It breaks my heart because she's very social by nature! I've been praying she find a friend. Having said that, I think she misses speaking in chinese, freely. I know she misses being understood completely. We limited her QQ time because of being a young female, and also not knowing most of her QQ friends. But I'm considering allowing her more time once again because I truly trust her completely now. (just don't trust the world haha) She loves the Lord! And is growing everyday. I asked Colin if he minded contacting her by email with your permission. I gave my email. But Arielle also has a FB page if Colin would friend her. She is Arielle LiXue. I really want her to find a legit friendship. She has a heart for orphans as well. I can see that God is going to do powerful things through her someday, as she works on these communication issues. God Bless! Terry Fithian jonesy4him@comcast.net

Rylands family said...

Terry, Thanks for your note! I have to help Colin with his typing, so I will be keeping a very close eye on his blog. His english is a slow process too, and his speech is hard to understand also. I know he would sympathize with Arielle's struggles. He does not have his own fb page yet, but maybe soon. Mama needs baby steps there.... :-) Maybe we can arrange for them to skype some evening and we can "meet" each other. My email is: tommysfolks@gmail.com My best to you and your sweet daughter! Angie