Terraced Rice Fields, Yunnan, China
Photo by Jialiang Gao
www.peace-on-earth.org

February 1, 2007: A Start

I've been delaying writing here since we launched. We've had so many tasks to complete and deadlines to meet. I've found an excuse to do something else everytime I sit down in front of the computer. Today, though, I want to write. Much has happened since we brought our first daughter home from China in 2002. I almost can't believe that after four years of thinking, planning, working, praying, dreaming and more working, we've shipped our first products. Seeing the tangible results of all our efforts is amazing. I know we have a long way to go, but I am so thankful for our family, friends and many many people who have listened to ideas, provided feedback, given us time and valuable advice and just been there.

As excited as I was when we shipped off those first kits last week, I've had two even bigger thrills since. First, you, our customers, have started sending us back thoughts on the kits. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to hear that people enjoy the books and materials. When the first customer email came in at 9 pm the other night, telling us about the children's excitement about the kit and love for the book, I dragged my hubby over to my monitor to read it! Thank you so much.

We also are interested in the ideas for improvement as well. We don't operate in a vacuum and want to know what is working and not working. Send it all our way.

With these "firsts" for MoonRattles on my mind, I went this past Sunday to attend Holt International's Silk Bag Luncheon in San Francisco. The luncheon's goal was to raise $25,000 to fund care for children in China. This second-annual event was planned by the Holt Eugene, Oregon event office, but what I loved was the support of everyday people, moms and dads in particular, who setup and hosted tables, made desserts and recruited people to give to the silent auction and come to the event. We enjoyed talented Lion Dancers and a Chinese drum group, munched on lovely food and learned about the 50+ year ministry of the Holt International family. Susan Cox, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, shared her own personal story of being one of the first Holt children adopted from Korea at age four. Ms. Cox is an accomplished and beautiful woman and certainly those of us with children, adopted or biological, listened to her with an eye to the future when our children are grown. May they be as giving, warm and genuine.

Those of us with children are often inundated with fundraisers from school, afterschool programs, church and other organizations. Those of us with ties to other countries through our children see additional requests come in. We want to give, but cannot give to all. However, at the luncheon, everyone gave readily and generously. Perhaps one of the reasons was another "first" -- the desire of Holt to provide 500 Chinese orphans in Yunnan province with a simple request, new clothes for Chinese New Year. A portion ($8,000) of the fundraiser goal is targeted for these children in crisis. Many of these children have lost one or both biological parents to HIV and come to the orphanage older than the average age in China. They have a bleak future and Holt's Chinese Director had this special request. These children need not only clothing, but also food, care and joy.

I went home with two small bead purse necklaces made by older children in a Chinese orphanage for my daugthers. My husband and I talked a little with our girls about the children who made them, who didn't have parents or a home now.

As we approach Chinese New Year and many of our children slip on new lovely dresses and jackets, may we remember these special children who are about to receive a wonderful and surprising gift of new clothes to welcome the Year of the Boar and may we all take a few moments to find a way to be involved and reach out to the children waiting.