Year of The Rat

Smelly does have a distinct similarity to a rat...she's just a little more standoffish. This picture is for you, Rat Lurker!

Thursday, 2-7-08 is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy New Year and Many Good Fortunes to you!!

Referrals came out today and they match through 12-27-05. Please keep these babies in your prayers, as the weather conditions in China have caused severe shortages of food, diapers, potable water, electricity and heat. Things sound pretty dire in certain provinces. Half The Sky Foundation has set up a special collection to help fund the cost of diapers, food, coal and water. Prices have tripled in some locations. If you are interested in donating, just click the link above and it will take you directly to the donation page. They are also giving updates to conditions of orphanages through China. For families receiving their referrals from these locations, the heartache is tenfold, as they want nothing more than to jump on a plane and go rescue their baby from the cold. But, all they can do is wait and hope that all will be okay. It's going to be a long wait for them until travel.