An itty bitty announcement

The Burch Family is expanding! We are adopting again and hope to complete the adoption by the end of the year!

Commonly asked questions:

Will your next child also be from China?
No. Since China closed to single adopters, I can't adopt from that country right now. After lots of exploration and prayer, I have accepted a slot in an agency's new "pilot program" in Taiwan.

Taiwan? Where's that?
Taiwan is a small island off the coast of China. China still considers Taiwan to be part of the mainland, while Taiwan considers itself to be an independent nation. The U.S. walks a fine line between recognizing Taiwan and not offending China.

Taiwan does international adoptions?
Yes. Many children in Taiwan are adopted domestically within the country; however, Taiwan also has a small international adoption program. Being single and pregnant carries quite a stigma in Taiwan, and some young women are rejected by their families when they find themselves in such circumstances. Those women may choose to parent or to place their child(ren) for adoption. Other children are available because of abuse or neglect in their birth families or because they have been orphaned and there are no other family members available to rear them.

How old will your next child be at adoption?
I don't know. Right now, it looks like I will probably be referred a baby. However, I am open to a child of any age.

Will you adopt a boy or a girl?
I don't know. As part of the program I enrolled in, I am not allowed to request gender. So, the gender of my next child will be totally up to God...imagine that!

What does Amelia think?
She is THRILLED and thinks that any person who speaks the English language must be blessed with the news that she is going to be a big sister.

Do you have names picked out?
NO! This is a big source of debate at our home at the moment. You are more than welcome to leave your favorite picks in the comments section!

Amy, Amelia, and ???