Comments for Letters from Beijing http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com a girl from the west goes east. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:05 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on A New Apartment by Tanya http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/at-lasta-new-apartment/#comment-335 Tanya Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:05 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-335 Wow...very nice place!! I'm guessing this is a pretty upscale unit for the area?! In any case, I'm lov'in it!! Can we stay with you when we come to China?!?! ;) j/k!!! Wow…very nice place!! I’m guessing this is a pretty upscale unit for the area?! In any case, I’m lov’in it!! Can we stay with you when we come to China?!?! ;)

j/k!!!

]]> Comment on True Portraits of Beauty by Tanya http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/true-portraits-of-beauty/#comment-334 Tanya Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:58:23 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=315#comment-334 I love this post. LOVE it!! I don't know why, but it even choked me up a little. I guess it's just the realization that we all have something in common as women...we enjoy feeling 'pretty' and the compliments they gave to one another as they viewed your photos. Priceless. Thank you for taking the time to 'care' and capture the best angles possible...you KNOW this made each of them feel special and like a bit of a star, even for just a moment! :) I love this post. LOVE it!! I don’t know why, but it even choked me up a little. I guess it’s just the realization that we all have something in common as women…we enjoy feeling ‘pretty’ and the compliments they gave to one another as they viewed your photos. Priceless. Thank you for taking the time to ‘care’ and capture the best angles possible…you KNOW this made each of them feel special and like a bit of a star, even for just a moment! :)

]]> Comment on by Tanya http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/263/#comment-333 Tanya Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:46:16 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/263/#comment-333 oh wow. I know I'm commenting on an old post, but I am busy perusing through your blog and 'reflecting' through your words and life experiences. This post reminds me of one that Carrie did earlier in the year about Victoria (when she was still Olivia)...and how she spent one evening 'after hours' at the foster home and how she realized so clearly, that it was more than a day care, but that these children were indeed orphans. And how she cradled Victoria in her arms, singing to her, just as you did with Abigail and the other children who waited their turn in line. To know that both Abigail and Luke are now in their families arms, getting cradled daily is comforting. But as I read the above comments and seen the one from Abigail's mama, it just reminded me of my own thankfulness for all that each of you do...for the sacrifices you make for the sake of these children. I know that I feel so grateful and blessed that Khloe is one of the recipients of that unconditional love! Thank you!! Blessings and Hugs, ~ Tanya oh wow. I know I’m commenting on an old post, but I am busy perusing through your blog and ‘reflecting’ through your words and life experiences. This post reminds me of one that Carrie did earlier in the year about Victoria (when she was still Olivia)…and how she spent one evening ‘after hours’ at the foster home and how she realized so clearly, that it was more than a day care, but that these children were indeed orphans. And how she cradled Victoria in her arms, singing to her, just as you did with Abigail and the other children who waited their turn in line. To know that both Abigail and Luke are now in their families arms, getting cradled daily is comforting. But as I read the above comments and seen the one from Abigail’s mama, it just reminded me of my own thankfulness for all that each of you do…for the sacrifices you make for the sake of these children. I know that I feel so grateful and blessed that Khloe is one of the recipients of that unconditional love! Thank you!!

Blessings and Hugs,
~ Tanya

]]> Comment on faith, hope, love – Part II by Tanya http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/faith-hope-love-part-ii/#comment-332 Tanya Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:21:45 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=536#comment-332 Oh Caroline~ Between your post and Carrie's, my heart is so heavy and my eyes are filled with tears. You both have a way of putting your heart-felt thoughts into extremely profound words. I have been so touched by Carrie's posts lately, and then she linked over to you ...and I read your words, only to be touched even deeper. I can almost feel the pain and agony of your heart as you found that precious little boy on that April day back in 2008. The thoughts and emotions that raced through your mind, and still have a way of haunting you to this day. I think it's God's way of reminding you (us!) to pray. Not just for the children, but for the brokenness that desperately abandoned them. I hate using that word "abandon" because for some reason, it sounds so cold and heartless. When I know that the decision to leave their child for someone else to find, was anything but that. It was a love so deep and so selfless, that most of us will never understand. But it leads me to pray for Khloe's birth mother more than ever before. I often think of where she is today? Are we both thinking of our 'mutual' daughter at the same time? Does she know that Khloe is okay, and that she is so loved?! Does she know that she does have hope and a future? I pray for her that if she doesn't already, that she will one day know the love of Jesus and that He will help bring healing to her broken heart. That somehow he will let her know that this mama loves her daughter SO much and that I will do my best to raise her well and that Khloe will always know her birth mother loved her...still loves her...with the most desperate of loves, that she wished for her daughter to get the surgery and care she needed to live a full and happy life. I pray that she will somehow know that Khloe is alive and well... and that her smile is as beautiful and bright as she remembers! And I pray for all of the millions of other birth mothers forced to make the same desperate decision of abandonment... that they will one day know the love of Jesus and the peace that surpasses all understanding, only found in Him. Thank you for your dedication to these precious children, and for your heart of understanding for their birth families. I can only imagine how emotional some days are when you are living in the midst of it and this is your everyday life. But thank you for allowing your life to be a vessel that He is working through...not just for the sake of the orphans...but to reach all of us in ways that you may never know! Have a blessed weekend! < ~ Tanya Oh Caroline~

Between your post and Carrie’s, my heart is so heavy and my eyes are filled with tears. You both have a way of putting your heart-felt thoughts into extremely profound words. I have been so touched by Carrie’s posts lately, and then she linked over to you …and I read your words, only to be touched even deeper.

I can almost feel the pain and agony of your heart as you found that precious little boy on that April day back in 2008. The thoughts and emotions that raced through your mind, and still have a way of haunting you to this day. I think it’s God’s way of reminding you (us!) to pray. Not just for the children, but for the brokenness that desperately abandoned them. I hate using that word “abandon” because for some reason, it sounds so cold and heartless. When I know that the decision to leave their child for someone else to find, was anything but that. It was a love so deep and so selfless, that most of us will never understand.

But it leads me to pray for Khloe’s birth mother more than ever before. I often think of where she is today? Are we both thinking of our ‘mutual’ daughter at the same time? Does she know that Khloe is okay, and that she is so loved?! Does she know that she does have hope and a future? I pray for her that if she doesn’t already, that she will one day know the love of Jesus and that He will help bring healing to her broken heart. That somehow he will let her know that this mama loves her daughter SO much and that I will do my best to raise her well and that Khloe will always know her birth mother loved her…still loves her…with the most desperate of loves, that she wished for her daughter to get the surgery and care she needed to live a full and happy life. I pray that she will somehow know that Khloe is alive and well… and that her smile is as beautiful and bright as she remembers! And I pray for all of the millions of other birth mothers forced to make the same desperate decision of abandonment… that they will one day know the love of Jesus and the peace that surpasses all understanding, only found in Him.

Thank you for your dedication to these precious children, and for your heart of understanding for their birth families. I can only imagine how emotional some days are when you are living in the midst of it and this is your everyday life. But thank you for allowing your life to be a vessel that He is working through…not just for the sake of the orphans…but to reach all of us in ways that you may never know!

Have a blessed weekend! <
~ Tanya

]]> Comment on faith, hope, love – Part II by Valerie http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/faith-hope-love-part-ii/#comment-331 Valerie Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:27:04 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=536#comment-331 Oh Caroline, thank you for sharing your story. I had not read the original post until I came across a link to it and to this one via Carrie's blog today. I have wondered in the past how common it was to find a child that had been left to be found. (What would I do in that situation? How would that forever change me? What would happen to the child? I wish he could have stayed with you and the place he was left! AND how touching that he was found wrapped in the warmth of his FATHER'S blazer. That is so telling on so many levels. My heart breaks for these parents.) And I am certain having read your words on the red thread on his wrist and the sweet details of how the little one was dressed that his mother picked that very safe spot for him knowing the good work you all do. Oh her grief must be deep. Her hope and love even deeper. I pray that he has found a surgery, a family, a Christian home to grow up in, a Godly Father who will bring him home someday. Last night as my husband and I tucked our little ones in as God would have it we read the Moses story. We read how his mother and father had kept him as long as she possibly could, put him in the basket in the river that flowed toward pharoah's sister/wife. (I would bet that having such a deep love for her child she had checked out the situation and when they would be down by the river bathing) where she knew he would be found and how Moses' sister watched from the weeds and ultimately how the mother ended up nursing him and teaching him about God. My heart ached with that story thinking about Carrie's post yesterday about the mothers in China (and in other places) whose arms ache with emptiness having made a similar choice not 2 thousand years ago but today in 2009. It seems unreal that despite all the changes, this has stayed the same. Oh the deep love that parents have for their children is so great no matter the time or situation. I cannot fathom the deep grief in having to be brought to desperation. You bring to the forefront what is our response ... what is God's purpose for this. I continue to pray for understanding as God's plan unfolds. Thank you so much for sharing these stories ... it is amazing how God links our minds and our hearts to do His will. Blessings Oh Caroline, thank you for sharing your story. I had not read the original post until I came across a link to it and to this one via Carrie’s blog today.
I have wondered in the past how common it was to find a child that had been left to be found. (What would I do in that situation? How would that forever change me? What would happen to the child? I wish he could have stayed with you and the place he was left! AND how touching that he was found wrapped in the warmth of his FATHER’S blazer. That is so telling on so many levels. My heart breaks for these parents.) And I am certain having read your words on the red thread on his wrist and the sweet details of how the little one was dressed that his mother picked that very safe spot for him knowing the good work you all do. Oh her grief must be deep. Her hope and love even deeper. I pray that he has found a surgery, a family, a Christian home to grow up in, a Godly Father who will bring him home someday.
Last night as my husband and I tucked our little ones in as God would have it we read the Moses story. We read how his mother and father had kept him as long as she possibly could, put him in the basket in the river that flowed toward pharoah’s sister/wife. (I would bet that having such a deep love for her child she had checked out the situation and when they would be down by the river bathing) where she knew he would be found and how Moses’ sister watched from the weeds and ultimately how the mother ended up nursing him and teaching him about God. My heart ached with that story thinking about Carrie’s post yesterday about the mothers in China (and in other places) whose arms ache with emptiness having made a similar choice not 2 thousand years ago but today in 2009. It seems unreal that despite all the changes, this has stayed the same. Oh the deep love that parents have for their children is so great no matter the time or situation. I cannot fathom the deep grief in having to be brought to desperation. You bring to the forefront what is our response … what is God’s purpose for this. I continue to pray for understanding as God’s plan unfolds. Thank you so much for sharing these stories … it is amazing how God links our minds and our hearts to do His will. Blessings

]]> Comment on faith, hope, love – Part II by Anna http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/faith-hope-love-part-ii/#comment-330 Anna Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:57:58 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=536#comment-330 I cannot imagine what the mom must have gone and still is going through. Good post. I cannot imagine what the mom must have gone and still is going through. Good post.

]]> Comment on faith, hope, love. by faith, hope, love – Part II « Letters from Beijing http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/faithhopelove/#comment-329 faith, hope, love – Part II « Letters from Beijing Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:14:31 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=162#comment-329 [...] 13, 2009 by Caroline Over a year and a half ago, I wrote THIS blog about one of the most emotional days I’ve ever spent in China.  It was the day I found [...] [...] 13, 2009 by Caroline Over a year and a half ago, I wrote THIS blog about one of the most emotional days I’ve ever spent in China.  It was the day I found [...]

]]> Comment on Amber is cool. by Kinsey http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/amber-is-cool/#comment-322 Kinsey Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:50:56 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=529#comment-322 So beautiful Caroline! I'd love to see some pictures of the wedding! You should post some! So beautiful Caroline! I’d love to see some pictures of the wedding! You should post some!

]]> Comment on Transparent Tuesday. by dawn http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/transparent-tuesday/#comment-320 dawn Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:55:04 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=525#comment-320 ok, it works. Caroline, I really appreciate this post. For the past two years I have been questioning why I'm doing certain things in my life. Don't get me wrong the things I am questioning are positive things but like you I wonder what is my motive. I constantly pray for direction but I don't feel any closer to an answer. I recently decided that I would take a break from all my volunteering and 'be still' for a while. Unfortunately that lasted about 2 weeks and my calendar is once again full of things I think I need to be doing. Take care, Dawn Rentmeester ok, it works.

Caroline, I really appreciate this post. For the past two years I have been questioning why I’m doing certain things in my life. Don’t get me wrong the things I am questioning are positive things but like you I wonder what is my motive. I constantly pray for direction but I don’t feel any closer to an answer. I recently decided that I would take a break from all my volunteering and ‘be still’ for a while. Unfortunately that lasted about 2 weeks and my calendar is once again full of things I think I need to be doing.

Take care,

Dawn Rentmeester

]]> Comment on Transparent Tuesday. by april http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/transparent-tuesday/#comment-318 april Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:03:36 +0000 http://carolinekoopman.wordpress.com/?p=525#comment-318 I love you more b/c of your honesty, Caroline. I have spoken very highly of you b/c of what you're doing in China--no doubt about it. More than all that, I admire you for wanting to get your heart in the right place. That is important for all of us, whether we are living in China and helping orphans or stay at home moms going through the daily grind. Love you and can't WAIT to talk to you in person in December! I love you more b/c of your honesty, Caroline. I have spoken very highly of you b/c of what you’re doing in China–no doubt about it. More than all that, I admire you for wanting to get your heart in the right place. That is important for all of us, whether we are living in China and helping orphans or stay at home moms going through the daily grind. Love you and can’t WAIT to talk to you in person in December!

]]>