As soon as I heard about the earthquake in Haiti, the first person I thought about was my friend Amanda whom I met on my trip to Uganda last spring.

Throughout the trip, she told us stories about growing up in a family that valued ministering to the poor and underprivleged, especially those in Haiti. She told us about the numerous mission trips she had experienced, and introduced us to her one-year-old “son” Isaac that she was planning to adopt from one of the orphanages in Haiti. Because of the long adoption process, she had been able to visit him several times, but knew it could be years before she would be able to bring him home to America. [I find it so sad that the process is so difficult, involves so much paperwork, and takes so long... there are so many wonderful parents here longing to adopt internationally. I have heard that the wait to adopt from China is up to six years now.]
Fast forward to January12, 2010. Amanda was actually IN Haiti at the time of the earthquake on yet another missions trip. You can visit her blog and read about her experiences here. For the short version, Isaac and the orphans survived the earthquake, but their building was destroyed and all of the adoption paperwork that had been in process was lost. Amanda had to come back to the U.S. without her baby boy, not knowing what would happen to him and all the other children she had come to know and love throughout her visits. I am so so SO very happy to report that because of some heavy lobbying by a senator, Isaac was granted Humanitarian Parole and was able to fly to the United States to be with his mama. I can’t imagine the joy that must have filled Amanda’s heart knowing that her baby was safe and coming to live with her forever! I am so happy for you Amanda and so proud of everything you are doing to continue to help the people of Haiti.
To watch a quick video of Amanda and Isaac’s homecoming click here…

dani wrote: Awesome Job Lindsey! And I wish my babies could still wear that size. Super cute! (02/08/10, 2:48 pm)
Megan wrote: Those are awesome, which etsy site did you find them? I'm collecting many knit things (mostly hats and wraps) to try on my soon-to-be-born newborn. Do they come in blue? It's so much more fun when it's your own, I think! (02/08/10, 3:43 pm)
Casie wrote: I was wondering if you knew about The Savvy Photographer blog! (02/08/10, 4:31 pm)
Tara wrote: Lindsey is one lucky girl to be able to work with you...and by the looks of it, you are lucky to have her too! Can't wait to see a baby in that outfit! (02/08/10, 9:36 pm)
Linds wrote: ahhh...ria you are so sweet! thanks for picking me! im one lucky girl!! :) (02/08/10, 10:04 pm)
Sara wrote: I can't wait to see the new issue! Tara is from my home town, and I haven't seen her in YEARS!!! She's as beautiful as ever! (02/09/10, 12:28 am)