Ivy Shaffer-Marks,
mother of Kira:

SueAnn Rand,
mother of Calista:

We had a wonderful trip to China, with Holt guiding us and helping us every step of the way. At the medical check-up in Guangzhou, we were told that Calista's heart had healed. We were very excited but wanted to wait until we returned to the United States to confirm this. Upon our return, our physician did indeed confirm that our daughter's heart had healed on its own. We were blessed with a perfectly healthy little girl AND shortened our wait time incredibly! We had our daughter home with us by October, just a short 18 months from our initial application to Holt.

If you are even thinking about the China Child of Promise option, go ahead and fill out the medical conditions list – you have nothing to lose and a beautiful child to gain! Calista fits in with our family perfectly. There is no doubt that she was born into this world to be a Rand girl!

Michele Mazzio,
mother of Daniel:

One day I was reading an article about Holt's Child of Promise Program and about little boys who need families, too. When I think about adoption from China, I only naturally think about the little girls. I had never thought about adopting a boy from China.

My husband and I discussed the program and explored the possibility of being open to adopting a boy. After so many years had gone by, we called Holt and told them that we would like to be considered as a prospective family in the China Child of Promise Program and, in addition, that we preferred adopting a boy with a mild, correctable medical condition.

We left for China in April. Words cannot even express how much love I have for Daniel. He is truly an amazing boy. Daniel has gone through a lot since we brought him home, but he laughs and smiles every day. He completed a month and a half of serial casting for his feet and is now wearing his braces. He will only need to wear the braces at night after about a year, until he is about 3. Our two children have truly blessed us, and I never thought how much my life would be completed by my family.

Sue Smith,
mother of Meighan:

Soon after we were logged-in, (October 2008), we sat in on Holt's China Child of Promise (CCOP) webinar to learn more about the program and process. Because a referral through this program was a much faster process, and the children available were more within our comfort zone, we felt that this program was a good fit for us. We viewed the minor/correctable needs checklist and did some research on the conditions. In November 2008, we sent in our checklist, and had a daughter six days later! Tony said: "I knew the wait was shorter, but I figured it would be six months, not six DAYS!"

A little over four months later, we met Meighan and have been home for a year. It was a "match made in heaven," and we couldn't be happier. Meighan was born with a very minor cleft lip, repaired when she was 6 months old. Now, at 2 ½, she has very good fine and gross motor skills, smiles and laughs readily, loves to run, blow bubbles, be tickled, and do just about anything outside. She also loves music and dancing.

As far as her lip goes, doctors say it's a good repair, and I doubt she'll need more work on it. Meighan came to us as a "special needs" child, but she's as healthy as any kid.