我们的心充满了感激——来自美国领养家庭的话

2024年的圣诞节，我和“星之村”的志愿者们一起，完成了一项“大工程”。我们发起的“圣诞心愿单活动”，吸引了75个领养了中国孩子的美国家庭参加。来自世界各地的华人朋友，为这些家庭购买了近三万美元的圣诞礼物。

这项活动从2024年12月初开始，一直持续到圣诞节前。很多领养家庭收到礼物之后，都表达了他们的感激之情。本期我们把这些反馈整理出来，作为2024年圣诞心愿单活动的续篇。

双向奔赴的爱是很美的。我们的每一个礼物，每一个留言，都给领养家庭送去了温暖；而领养家庭发自内心的感激和欢乐，是对于我们最好的回报。

下面就让我们看看这些家庭的话吧。我们保留了英文原文，以方便一些不懂中文的朋友。

来自美国领养家庭的话

翻译：Fengxue Zhang, Clyde Xi

编辑、校对：罗新

1. Anita Haney Lee

We have started receiving our packages. The kids are so excited. I told them they were from Chinese who care about them. I read them the notes. All of them looked dumbfounded that a stranger cared enough to think of them

Putting together a list is one thing, but actually receiving the items by delivery from strangers is unbelievably to them and our family. We are so blessed to have a group who wants to give back to our kids. Thank you village of Stars!

My son doesn't look very enthusiastic but he really did love the gifts sent by village of Stars. My daughter also loved everything she got. My other boy has not slowed down for a picture but will soon. He loved each and everything he received also!

翻译：

我们已经开始收到包裹了，孩子们都非常兴奋。我告诉孩子们这些包裹是来自关心他们的中国朋友，并为他们读了留言。所有孩子听完后都满脸震惊，难以相信竟然有陌生人会如此关心他们，还专门为他们送来礼物。

列出心愿单是一回事，但真正收到来自陌生人的包裹对他们和我们全家来说都是难以置信的。我们真的很幸运，能够有这样一群人愿意为我们的孩子付出。感谢“星之村”的大家庭！

我的儿子表面上看起来不太兴奋，但他真的很喜欢“星之村”送来的礼物。

我女儿也非常喜欢她收到的所有东西。我的另一个儿子太忙了，还没空拍照，他也非常喜欢收到的每一件礼物！

2. Dawn Patrick

We got to enjoy winterfest at carowinds and Audrina actually enjoyed it which was a huge blessing.

I want to thank everyone for all the thoughts and hard work put into blessing us all. May God bless you all in the new year

翻译：

我们去了Carowinds来过冬，Audrina居然玩得很开心，这对我们来说真是巨大的恩典。

我要感谢大家为祝福我们所付出的心意和努力。愿上帝在新的一年里祝福你们所有人！

3. Stacy Richard

so many years as we opened packages today. It was extra sweet for our kids and we are still trying to process my husband’s heart attack last week. He is doing well, praise the Lord! The gifts brought so many smiles to our babies. Thank you for all you do to bless all of us! God uses it in mighty ways 💗

He loves it!!!! 💗💗 thank you!!!

翻译：

像这些年一样，今天拆开包裹时，我们感觉格外甜蜜。对我们的孩子们来说，这特别有意义。与此同时，我们仍在努力消化我丈夫上周心脏病发作的事情。他现在恢复得很好，感谢主！这些礼物为我们的孩子们带来了无数的笑容。感谢你们为祝福我们所做的一切！上帝以强大的方式使用这些恩典 💗

他非常喜欢礼物！！！💗💗 谢谢你们！！！

4. Joanne Greco

Joseph just got his first gift on his list. Thank you Xin and Clyde. This gift was purchased from China.

I’ve received some heartfelt comments. They’re beautiful notes.

翻译：

Joseph刚刚收到了他心愿单上的第一份礼物。感谢Xin和Clyde。这份礼物是中国读者购买的。

我收到了一些发自内心的留言，真的很美好。

5. Angel Jarvis

So many blessings to be thankful for this year . Even in the wait for Meilyn , I’ve seen God work . I’ll thank him always   For these lessons: patience , grace , forgiveness ….. “ give thanks in ALL circumstances “ …. Choosing thankfulness even in her absence … Thankful Mackenzie and London Grace get to experience the love from so many chinese people across the seas and nearby as well . “ For the Greatest of these is Love “💗

God is so so faithful. In his time , Meilyn will be united with her twin …. I have that faith , it will be so .

Thank you all again for allowing us yet another opportunity to be blessed by others …. We are always humbled and so so grateful 🎄🎄

Blessings arriving in the Jarvis home today ….. the girls love and appreciate your thoughtfulness and love ❤️ Merry Christmas 🎄 to our chinese family

Yes . The notes are really , at least as a Mom , the best part … I’ve had several who mention they are praying for our family and Meilyn

So many blessings …. It just overwhelms my heart

As we get closer to Christmas , I just once again want to say thank you for the many blessings that come from this group . Not just in the way of material goods , but in the love that is shared on a daily basis through prayer and knowing someone is there to listen . We so often get caught up in the receiving , we forget the sacrifices made by the givers . That’s one less gift under their tree , so we can have one more . My children this year wouldn’t “ do without “ . But I have to constantly remind myself this isn’t about me . It’s an opportunity for the giver to receive a blessing from God . I have found myself guilty of that on many occasion…. Denying someone else an opportunity to bless and receive a blessing themselves . It’s also such a special gift that my children know comes from other chinese people which makes it all the more special . Each gift wrapped in love . But today , I just truly Want to say thank you to all you givers . You’ve filled our home with love the past few days and we couldn’t be more thankful , or grateful . Merry Christmas to each of you , and may your own homes be filled with as much joy and happiness as you’ve shown ours . ( say a prayer for Mackenzie as she has just not really rallied since her surgery . Thank you )

Our cop runneth over with All the love we’ve received . The packages were not only contained a gift , but he gift of love wrapped in a tiny little note that brought encouragement and words of affirmation …. We are so so blessed !! Merry Christmas dear friend and May God richly bless you and yours

翻译：

今年有太多的祝福值得感恩。即使在等待Meilyn的过程中，我也看到了上帝的作为。我将永远感谢祂教会我的这些功课：耐心、恩典、宽恕……“要凡事感恩”……即使在她缺席的情况下，我依然选择感恩。感谢Mackenzie和London Grace能够感受到来自大洋彼岸和身边许多中国人的爱。“因为其中最大的就是爱”💗

上帝是如此信实。在祂的时间里，Meilyn将会与她的双胞胎团聚……我对此满怀信心，我相信这一天会到来。

再次感谢大家给了我们又一次被他人祝福的机会……我们总是感到无比谦卑和感激🎄🎄

今天祝福降临在Jarvis家……女孩们非常喜爱并感激你们的贴心与爱❤️ 圣诞快乐🎄 送给我们的中国家人。

作为一位母亲，我觉得那些留言才是最珍贵的部分……有几位提到他们在为我们一家和Meilyn祈祷。

太多的祝福……让我内心充满感动。

随着圣诞节的临近，我想再次感谢这个群体带给我们的众多祝福。不仅仅是物质上的，更是通过每日的祷告和彼此倾听所传递的爱。我们常常沉浸在收礼的喜悦中，却忘记了送礼者的付出。他们的圣诞树下少了一份礼物，而我们的树下却多了一份。我的孩子今年不会“有所缺失”。但我必须不断提醒自己，这不是关于我的事情。这是一个让送礼者从上帝那里获得祝福的机会。我也曾多次拒绝过这样的机会，从而剥夺了别人获得祝福的权利。这对我的孩子来说也有特别的意义，因为这些礼物来自其他中国朋友，每一件礼物都饱含着爱。

但今天，我真的想对所有送礼的人说声谢谢。过去几天，你们用爱填满了我们的家，我们无比感恩。祝每一位圣诞快乐，愿你们的家也充满你们带给我们的同样的喜悦与幸福。

（也请为Mackenzie祷告，她自手术以来恢复得不太好。谢谢你们。）

我们的杯中充满了爱！这些包裹不仅装着礼物，更装着爱——通过小小的纸条传递了鼓励和肯定的话语……我们实在是太幸运了！！圣诞快乐，我亲爱的朋友，愿上帝大大祝福你和你的家人。

6. Beck Drake Paul

I am so amazed and feel so much gratitude for all the love being shown to our kiddos and family. We are going through some crazy and tough times right now and this group came around at the perfect time. Thank you so much for inviting me Sindy and thank you to all those who have helped with the wonderful gifts, the prayers and blessings that have been provided for my family.

翻译：我对大家给予我们孩子和家庭的爱感到无比惊讶和感激。我们现在正经历一些疯狂而艰难的时刻，而这个群体的出现正是时候。非常感谢Sindy邀请我，也感谢所有为我们提供这些美好礼物、祈祷和祝福的人们。

7. Mandy Litzke

Beyond humbled and so very, very grateful for the blessings received for our children and family!

We are so grateful and appreciative for the thoughtfulness and generosity of those who have sent blessed our family. The notes that accompanied our gifts have deeply touched our hearts as well. Thank you.

翻译：

我们感到无比谦卑，并深深感激为我们的孩子和家庭带来的祝福！

我们对那些送来祝福的人充满感恩，感激他们的体贴和慷慨。这些礼物中附带的留言也深深触动了我们的心。谢谢你们！

8. Ashley Kellogg

Thank you so so much!  The kids are excited about their new wok!!

Thank you all SO MUCH. Words will never be enough.

We are so grateful for the gifts!!  But more than that, the connection my 4 Chinese children feel towards their people is the greater reward!  They know people who care about them that look like them. And that means the world!  Considering they came from abandonment of their parents and, in a way, also a country that saw their needs as a burden.  This had lightened their hearts in a way, in their limited understanding of their situation.  They love to tell people ‘the Chinese people got this for us’.  Thank you for taking the time to love on our kids. For taking the time to write notes they’ll always cherish. For going out of your way to send money across the world to make a kid smile. We are forever grateful for the connection and the generosity and the love you have shown us all.

The Kellogg’s

翻译：

非常非常感谢！孩子们对他们的新炒锅感到非常兴奋！

非常感谢你们！语言永远无法表达我们的感激之情。

我们对收到的礼物充满感激！但更重要的是，我的四个中国孩子从中感受到与他们同胞的联系，这才是更大的收获！他们知道有像他们一样关心他们的人。对他们来说，这意义非凡！考虑到他们曾被父母遗弃，某种程度上也被一个视他们需求为负担的国家抛弃，这些礼物在一定程度上减轻了他们的心灵负担，尽管他们对自己的处境理解有限。他们喜欢告诉别人：“这些是中国人送给我们的。”

感谢你们抽出时间去爱我们的孩子。感谢你们用心写下让他们永远珍藏的留言。感谢你们不辞辛劳地将善款跨越大洋送来，只为让一个孩子露出笑容。我们永远感激你们给予的联系、慷慨和爱。

—— Kellogg一家

9. Darren and Brittany

This came today! I wish I had videoed his “YES!” Thank you so much

翻译：

今天收到了这个！真希望我录下了他大喊“太棒了！”的瞬间！非常感谢你们！

10. Tammy L. Holcomb

I'm so thankful for this amazing blessing Im saving our gifts for Christmas morning since it's been a very difficult year and without this blessing we would not have anything under the tree. Can't wait to see their faces and explain how angels sent them gifts.

Abe has been playing chess all day. We have had the best and calmest Christmas yet. No major meltdowns. Such a blessing

翻译：

我非常感激这份美好的祝福。我正在为圣诞节早晨保存这些礼物，因为今年对我们来说非常艰难，如果没有这份祝福，我们的圣诞树下将什么也没有。迫不及待地想看到孩子们的表情，并告诉他们是“天使”送来了这些礼物。

Abe整天都在下国际象棋。我们度过了一个最美好、最平静的圣诞节，没有大的情绪崩溃。这真是一个莫大的祝福。

11. Callie Troyer

We got our first package yesterday, and Gideon was SO excited for his “special ramen”! It’s been nearly impossible to find around us for weeks and weeks, and it is one of the only foods he really looks forward to. When we told him it came from a family who lives where his brother Sam still lives in China, he was even more excited. Thank you! ♥️

翻译：

我们昨天收到了第一个包裹，Gideon对他的“特制拉面”兴奋得不得了！这几周来我们在家附近几乎找不到它，而它是他最期待的少数几种食物之一。当我们告诉他这是从中国的家庭送来的时，他更加兴奋了。他哥哥Sam还在中国。谢谢你们！♥️

12. Joanne Folkenflik Griffin

We have been receiving gifts. We love them all. Thank you.

我们已经收到了礼物，我们非常喜爱它们，谢谢你们。

13. Angela Johnson Campbell

Ours are going under our tree, too! I wrapped all the gifts in the same wrapping paper to identify them and from is “VOH”! They are going to be so surprised! We are so extremely thankful!

I wish to express my deep gratitude once again for the blessings that you all have bestowed on my children and the others. I had your gifts wrapped in a different paper so that my girls would know who sent them. To know that someone from their home country who never met them cared enough to send a gift made their hearts feel full. They absolutely loved all of their gifts from Village of Hope. They made their Christmas perfect! I continue to stand in awe of your kind hearts and generosity. It means the world to me that my girls have this tie to China! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and will enjoy the remainder of the holiday season!

翻译：

我们的礼物放在圣诞树下了！我用相同的包装纸把所有礼物包起来，这样可以辨认出它们来自“星之村”！孩子们一定会非常惊讶！我们感激不尽！

我再次想表达我深深的感激之情，感谢你们为我的孩子们和其他孩子们带来的祝福。我把你们送的礼物包成了不同的包装纸，这样我的女儿们就知道是你们送来的。知道有来自她们故乡、从未见过她们的人关心并送上礼物，让她们的心感到充实。她们非常喜欢“希望之村”送来的所有礼物，这些礼物让她们的圣诞节变得完美！

我依然为你们的善良和慷慨感到敬畏。对我来说，知道我的女儿们与中国有这样的一份联系，意义重大！希望大家度过了一个快乐的圣诞节，并将享受假期的剩余时光！

14. Rebecca 'Thomas' Harder

Dear Village of Stars,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving on our family. Our kids were so blown away by your generosity and kindness. My kids kept saying, “Wow! I cannot believe how kind all these people are.” “The notes are so sweet!” My son from China was overwhelmed by the kindness of others from China. It made him feel loved, especially since he didn’t have such a great experience during his years in China. In fact, this made him want to go back and visit China.

So thank you so much for making this Christmas extra special. The last year has been so difficult on our family, and this brought a bright light to our family.

Love,

The Harder Family

翻译：

亲爱的星之村，

从我们全家的心底感谢你们对我们的爱。我们的孩子们被你们的慷慨和善良深深感动。我的孩子们一直说：“哇！我真不敢相信这些人是如此善良。” “这些留言真是太甜美了！”我来自中国的儿子被来自中国人们的善意所震撼。这让他感受到了被爱，尤其是在他在中国的那些年里并没有得到这样的体验。事实上，这让他想回去拜访中国。

所以，非常感谢你们让这个圣诞节变得格外特别。过去的一年对我们家庭来说非常困难，而这次的祝福给我们的家庭带来了光明。

爱你们的，

Harder一家

15. Carolyn Aldridge

We are putting ours under the tree wrapped, also. Thank you, so much!! This has been an answer for prayer!!! Thank you for loving us!!!

翻译：

我们也把礼物包好，放在圣诞树下。非常感谢！这真是我们祈祷的回应！感谢你们的爱！

16. Robin Magana

Thank you so much for all of the gifts! What a blessing they are! Merry Christmas! ❤️

翻译：

非常感谢所有的礼物！它们是多么大的祝福！圣诞快乐！❤️

17. Michele Lee Houde

Good morning ☀️ I am wrapping our gifts too- i have been struggling to make ends meet and these gifts are a wonderful blessing.I have taped the precious notes to each one so on Christmas morning, as they open the gifts they will also know that their Chinese community is thinking of them😊

翻译：

早上好。我也在包我们的礼物——这段时间我一直在为生活拼搏，这些礼物真是一个美好的祝福。我把珍贵的留言贴在每一份礼物上，这样在圣诞早晨，当孩子们打开礼物时，也会知道她们的中国社区在想着她们😊

18. Annie MaCoy Roman

The Roman Family is saving Nicks gifts under the tree. We are so incredibly humbled at the generosity of VOS volunteers.

The Romans are so grateful to all!

We are so grateful for CNY gifts. We do not have names of donors. How shall my son send his thank you notes. He is so touched by your generous kindness!

We are so humbled by the beautiful gifts received last month from Amazon.

The basketball is a constant around in our house.

Not to forget The New Year decorations; table cloth, ornaments, red thread bracelets and sushi making book and sweatshirt were amazing!

Our family will think and pray for all of the VOS gift givers as we wntere into 2025 and the Lunar New Year as well.

Nicholas thanks you and sends you all a big virtual hug!

Please continue to pray for his mouth procedures  coming up this spring. God is so faithful and He has carried us all through life's challenges. We praise His name always.

The Roman Family

翻译：

我们正在把Nick的礼物放在圣诞树下保存。我们对星之村志愿者的慷慨深感谦卑。

我们一家对所有人都非常感激！我们非常感谢中国新年的礼物。我们没有捐赠者的名字，不知如何给他们写感谢信。我的儿子被你们慷慨的善意深深感动！

我们对上个月从亚马逊收到的美丽礼物感到非常谦卑。篮球在我们家里总是不断使用。还有新年的装饰品：桌布、装饰品、红线手链、寿司制作书和运动衫都太棒了！我们的家庭会在进入2025年和农历新年时为所有捐赠者祈祷。

Nick感谢你们，并送上一个大大的虚拟拥抱！请继续为他春天即将进行的口腔手术祈祷。神是如此信实，祂带领我们走过生活的挑战。我们永远赞美祂的名字。

Roma一家

19. Sindy Core Ost

Dear Village of The Stars,

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you and sharing your love and dedication for families like mine who’ve adopted children from China.

I’m speechless about the blessing you gave my family and were very grateful as we’re getting ready to move our family across the country.

My time spent assisting Clyde, Xin and the Village Of The Stars team is a blessing to me and no gifts are needed in return. The last few years it’s given me the greatest joy to be a small part of it.

I wish you all a very blessed and beautiful holiday season and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any more projects that come your way.

With Love and Light,

Sindy and the Ost Family

This note absolutely touched our hearts!! From one high school girl to another.

翻译：

亲爱的星之村，

与您一起合作并分享您对像我们这样领养了中国孩子的家庭的爱与奉献是一种莫大的荣幸。

对于您给予我家人的祝福，我无以言表，我们感激不尽，尤其是在我们准备举家搬到全国另一端的时候。

协助Clyde、Xin和星之村团队的时光对我来说是莫大的福气，我不需要任何回报的礼物。这些年来，能够成为其中的一小部分让我感到无比喜悦。

祝愿您度过一个非常幸福和美好的节日季节，如有任何新的项目，请随时与我联系。

满怀爱与光明，

Sindy和Ost一家

（这张便条深深触动了我们的心！从一个高中女孩到另一个高中女孩。）

20. Karen Bales Rubenstein

This is probably been one of the hardest years of my life. Everything is in upheaval right now. My house hasn’t sold and we are struggling horribly. Thank you, @Xin Luo  and Clyde for bringing some Christmas cheer to us. You’ll never know how much you are appreciated.

翻译：这可能是我人生中最艰难的一年之一。一切都在动荡之中。我的房子还没有卖出去，我们正经历着巨大的困难。感谢Xin Luo 和Clyde为我们带来了一些圣诞的喜悦。你们永远不会知道你们是多么地受人感激。

21. Cheryl Lynn Trautwein Bacco

To everyone at VOS , I want to express my sincere gratitude for everything that you do. We are so grateful for the gifts from the community. The best thing about this is the connections that we will always share.  Thank  you again from the bottom of my heart from myself and my children. God bless you all. Cheryl Bacco & children

翻译：

致星之村的每一位，

我想向你们表达我最真诚的感激之情，感谢你们所做的一切。我们非常感激社区送来的礼物。而这一切中最美好的，是我们之间永远存在的联系。

再次由衷地感谢你们，来自我和我的孩子们的心底。愿上帝保佑你们所有人。

Cheryl Bacco 和孩子们敬上

22. Jillian Shelton

we are wrapping ours in special paper as well so they know it’s from VOS. I cry every time a gift is delivered.

The kids were most happiest with the gifts from VOS! What a beautiful reminder to them that they are remembered and loved

翻译：

我们也用特别的包装纸包裹了我们的礼物，这样孩子们就知道是来自星之村的。我每次收到礼物时都会流泪。

孩子们对来自星之村的礼物感到最开心！这对他们来说是一个美丽的提醒，让他们知道自己被记得并被爱着。

23. Ashley Julian Rohats

Thank you so much for the wonderful gifts. We are placing the gifts wrapped under the tree. I did explain to the boys the love and kindness of those who sent them these gifts. They are shocked by the love from those from the country from where they were born.  It’s so beautiful to see their eyes and expressions in thanks to you all.

Thank you so very much for your beautiful notes. You are such a blessing to our family and we are truly grateful. Thank you just isn’t enough. Merry Christmas and much love, The Rohats Family❤️

翻译：

非常感谢这些美好的礼物。我们将这些礼物包好放在圣诞树下。我向男孩们解释了那些送礼物的人所表达的爱与善意。他们对来自自己出生国的这些爱感到震惊。看到他们感恩的眼神和表情真是太美好了。

非常感谢你们写下的这些美好文字。你们是我们家庭的祝福，我们真的非常感激。简单的“谢谢”远不足以表达我们的感激之情。祝你们圣诞快乐，充满爱意！

Rohats家庭❤️

24. Heather Lychelle Fox

I’m so sad we can’t personally thank people

I’ve been on the phone for an hour and a half with Amazon trying to figure out how I can send a personal thank you note to the people who have blessed us. After talking to six representatives, the conclusion is that I either need their email, their phone number or to tell them in person how much I appreciate their gift. I tried explaining these are strangers and that is not an option to contact them.

I am sick to my stomach to think that people will feel I’m being rude by not thanking them. I am so appreciative of the love and I just want them to know. Would it be possible to publish a thank you note from each family after Christmas?

I just wanted to thank you guys personally for everything you've done for the adoption community. Let's know that they weren't forgotten.They weren't pushed out of their culture.either their mental or medical reasons.That, to me, it says, like, just, it just, it heals. It's so healing for a lot of these kids. I see it here in the adoption community.a lot about the kids going through more than our biological kids go through. Kids born here with their parents, mentally, in their teenage years.because they felt unwanted, and for them to get this blessing and to see, it's not that I wasn't wanted, I think it helps them understand circumstances better. I think it helps them to see, like, when people ask, I tell them my kids were most likely left at the orphanage because they needed medical care, so it wasn't that they were not loved by their parents, they needed care that their parents couldn't provide. Now, I don't know if that's true or not. Sorry. We're all sick. We have strep.For them to know that they're cared and loved by strangers even, I just think that mentally does a lot for them, and I just wanted to thank you guys.It's fun for a lot of people and it takes fun things to build connections and it takes a lot of the burden off financially. Even, you know, the least little bit takes that burden off of a lot of families and I just wanted to just thank you guys for that. I don't think, I know you know that everybody's appreciative, but I don't think that you guys realize, you know,How much it relates to people, because as an adoptive family, we don't realize going into this, the adoptions, that it's going to set us aside. A lot of people don't know how to react and handle our children if they have developmental issues. Physical issues, if it's hard or something like that, that they can't see, a lot of times it's fine. The kids fit right in. But for us, families that have children with developmental issues, it separates us a bit. I don't think a lot of us were aware of that.because we love our children so much and we don't see that everybody else sees them as different.So I think for some families, it adds a bit of isolation. I know it limits some things that we could do as a family.But, yeah, you just push through. I just want to thank you guys.

翻译：

我感到非常难过，无法亲自感谢每一位送礼物的人。

我刚刚和亚马逊客服通话了一个半小时，试图找到一种方法向那些祝福我们的人发送个人感谢信。经过与六位客服代表的沟通，结论是我需要对方的电子邮件、电话号码，或者当面告诉他们我有多感激他们的礼物。然而，我试图解释这些人是陌生人，没有办法直接联系他们。

想到可能会有人觉得我不感谢他们，认为我失礼，我感到心里很难受。我真的非常感激他们的爱意，只是想让他们知道。是否可以在圣诞节后发表每个家庭的感谢信，让他们知道我们的感激之情呢？

我只是想亲自感谢你们为领养社区所做的一切。让孩子们知道他们没有被遗忘。他们没有被排斥在他们的文化之外。无论是因为精神上的还是医疗上的原因。对我来说，这意味着，它就是在治愈。对这些孩子来说，真的非常有治愈作用。我在领养社区中看到了这一点。

很多孩子经历的比我们的亲生孩子更多。因为他们觉得自己不被需要。而现在他们得到这个祝福，让他们看到了，不是因为他们不被需要，我想这帮助他们更好地理解自己所处的情况。当人们问我时，我告诉他们我的孩子很可能是因为需要医疗护理才被留在孤儿院的，所以并不是他们的父母不爱他们，而是他们需要父母无法提供的护理。让他们知道即使是陌生人也在关心和爱他们，我认为这在精神上对他们帮助很大，我只是想感谢你们。

这对很多人来说是很有趣的，它需要有趣的事物来建立联系，也减轻了很多家庭的经济负担。即使是最小的帮助也能减轻很多家庭的负担，我只是想感谢你们。我知道大家都很感激，但我不认为你们意识到，你们知道吗，这对人们的影响有多大。因为作为一个领养家庭，我们没有意识到在这个过程中，领养会使我们与别人有所不同。很多人不知道如何应对和处理我们的孩子，如果他们有发育上的问题。身体上的问题，如果是困难或类似的事情，他们看不到这些。很多时候没关系，这些孩子们能完全适应。但对于我们这些有发育问题孩子的家庭，它会让我们有些孤立。我想我们很多人都没有意识到这一点。因为我们非常爱我们的孩子，我们不觉得别人会把他们看作不同。所以我认为对于一些家庭来说，它增加了一些孤立感。我知道它限制了我们作为一个家庭能做的一些事情。但是，你只需要坚持下去。我只是想感谢你们。

25. Tammy Tarter

All of you generous donors will be part of our family's Christmas morning celebration. We are so grateful for our China family here with VoS!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the beautiful gifts!! Our kids know about your love and generosity and they are so excited to open your presents Christmas morning! God bless you all!! Thank you for showing the love we didn't know we needed this Christmas season! Especially since we still wait for little brother to be allowed to come home!

Much love from our entire family!!

翻译：

所有慷慨的捐赠者都将成为我们家庭圣诞节早晨庆祝的一部分。我们非常感谢中国家庭！衷心感谢您们送来的美丽礼物！我们的孩子们了解您们的爱与慷慨，他们非常期待在圣诞节早晨打开这些礼物！愿上帝保佑您们！感谢您们在这个圣诞季节展示出的爱意，这是我们不知道自己需要却深感珍惜的爱！尤其是当我们仍在等待小弟弟获准回家时！

来自我们全家深深的爱！

26. Jodi VarKonda Weldon

We are thankful for the ones we received. Like others, we are saving them for Christmas. I’m excited because we received a gift from someone in our small town and learned about a Chinese church just a few miles from us!

I echo what others have said, thank you so much for the gifts and making this possible. We all love the notes. My boys were so excited to receive a gift from someone who is about 3 hours from us and from someone who attends a Chinese church in our small town. We are definitely going to look into the church. Merry Christmas!

Words cannot express how thankful we are for the Christmas gifts sent to our boys this year.

Almost every gift came with a note. Each note was so encouraging. Long after the gifts are forgotten, the notes will still hold a special place in our hearts.

One note was from someone who attends a Chinese church in our town. We did not know that this church existed. As a result of this note, my husband and I have decided to make an effort for us to visit this church.

Our 10 year old struggles with being abandoned and not knowing his birth family. He has expressed to us how these notes and gifts make him feel like the Chinese still care about him. Thank you, for helping my son feel cared for.

The words that I have shared can never truly express how humbled we are and how grateful we are and how blessed we are. Thank you!

Many blessings to you,

Jodi Weldon and family

翻译：

我们非常感谢收到的礼物。和其他家庭一样，我们也将这些礼物留到圣诞节再打开。我非常兴奋，因为我们收到了来自同一个小镇的人的礼物，并且还了解到离我们只有几英里的地方有一间华人教会！

我想重复大家说过的话，非常感谢这些礼物以及让这一切成为可能的人。我们都非常喜欢那些附带的卡片。我的孩子们得知收到了一位离我们大约3小时车程的人送的礼物，还有一位来自我们小镇华人教会的人送的礼物，他们兴奋极了。我们一定会去了解这间教会。圣诞快乐！

言语无法表达我们对今年为孩子们送来的圣诞礼物的感激之情。

几乎每份礼物都附带了一张卡片。每一张卡片都让人感到鼓舞。在礼物被遗忘之后，这些卡片依然会在我们心中占据特殊的位置。

其中一张卡片来自一位在我们镇上华人教会参加活动的人。我们以前不知道这间教会的存在。因为这张卡片，我和丈夫决定争取带家人去拜访这间教会。

我们的10岁孩子一直在为被遗弃和不认识他的亲生家庭的问题而挣扎。他告诉我们，这些卡片和礼物让他觉得中国人依然关心他。谢谢您，让我的孩子感受到被关爱。

我所表达的这些言语永远无法真正体现我们的谦卑、感激和被祝福的心情。谢谢您！

愿您多福，

Jodi Weldon 和家人

27. Jody Timm Navratil

I just have to give a big heartfelt thank you for all the love shown for our family. You will never know how much this means to us. I can’t wait for our children to open their special gifts with all the beautiful notes. We will be doing this on Christmas Day separate from our traditional gift opening on Christmas Eve. I want the kids to know how loved they are by the most amazing group of people in China. We are so grateful for VOS. Wish we could thank them in person.

These notes are the best. Makes me cry every time I read them. To know my child is loved on the other side of the world is just unimaginable. Thank you VOS!

She has been playing all morning! She loves her new toy from VoS! Thank you so much for making her day! She keeps saying China? I tell her they love her and care about her. She lights up and giggles! So fun to see!

翻译：

我必须衷心感谢大家为我们的家庭所表达的所有爱意。你们永远不知道这对我们来说有多么重要。我迫不及待想让孩子们在圣诞节当天打开他们特别的礼物，配上那些美丽的卡片。我们会在圣诞节当天单独进行这个仪式，而不是和我们传统的圣诞前夕礼物交换一起。我希望孩子们知道，他们是多么被中国这群了不起的人们所爱。我们对星之村感激不尽。真希望我们能亲自感谢他们。

这些卡片太棒了。每次读到它们，我都忍不住哭了。知道我的孩子在世界的另一端被爱护，真是难以想象。感谢星之村！

她今天早上一直在玩！她喜欢新玩具！非常感谢让她的一天变得如此特别！她一直在问：“中国？”我告诉她，他们爱她并关心她。她脸上露出了光彩，咯咯地笑了！看到这一幕真是太开心了！

28. Kari Sloan

Gabe doesn’t really understand Christmas gifts and thinks opening presents is work, haha! So he’s been enjoying his items as they arrive. I read him all the sweet notes and told him how loved he is by the Chinese community which made him happy, he was smiling so big! We are forever humbled and grateful to be included in this wonderful blessing. Thank you VOS for all you do!

翻译：

Gabe 并不太理解圣诞礼物，他觉得拆礼物是工作，哈哈！所以他一直在享受每一件到来的礼物。我给他读了所有那些甜美的卡片，并告诉他他是多么受到中国社区的爱，这让他非常高兴，他笑得特别灿烂！我们永远感激并谦卑于能被包括在这个美妙的祝福中。感谢星之村所做的一切！

29. Denise Croyle Schweinberg

I’m balling like a baby! It is amazing, humbling and a true blessing to read these passionately written personalized notes to us all the way from China! Living in China for 5 years fostering children was just a glimpse to watch the Christian’s caring and praying for our children. It was humbling to watch. It absolutely increases my prayer life! 💞💞💞

These notes have provided much hope for me. Knowing the Chinese Christian community is praying for us is so humbling. I don’t have the adequate words to express how deeply grateful I am and how loved I feel from people I do not even personally know. My heart is full this Christmas.

Connor says thank you for all your kindness to him! Merry Christmas

翻译：

我哭得像个孩子！读到这些充满热情、个性化的来自中国的便条，真是太令人惊讶、谦卑和感恩！在中国生活五年，照顾孩子们，看到基督徒关心我们的孩子们并为他们祈祷，真是一次宝贵的体验。看着这一切让我感到非常谦卑，真的让我的祷告生活更加充实！

这些便条给了我很大的希望。知道中国的基督教社区在为我们祈祷，真的是一种谦卑的体验。我找不到合适的词语来表达我有多么感激，和我感受到的来自不认识的人的爱。这个圣诞节我的心充满了感动。

Connor 谢谢你们对他的所有善意！圣诞快乐！

30. Missy Porter

We are wrapping the gifts as they arrive and attaching all the lovely notes. What an amazing blessing these have been for our family this Christmas- thank you so so much! Words cannot adequately express our gratitude.

Thank you again for the unbelievable generosity- our children are so grateful and they loved opening their wonderful presents and notes yesterday!

翻译：

我们在每个礼物到达时都会包好，并附上所有可爱的便条。这些礼物对我们家庭来说是多么奇妙的祝福——非常非常感谢！言语无法充分表达我们的感激之情。

再次感谢你们无与伦比的慷慨——我们的孩子们非常感激，他们昨天打开这些美妙的礼物和便条时都非常开心！

31. Debi Power

How do we thank our wonderful gift givers? They gave more than physical gifts. They gave hope and love. For this mama who is in the longest wait of her life for a boy who should have been living in a family years ago, it moves me deeply and encourages me. I know that I am not alone and my son has others throughout the world who care greatly for him. Thank you so much!

I am still so moved by the gifts sent to my son who is still waiting for me in China. I've been telling others about the people around the world who care for him. I got a photo update of him today and I pray that one day he will know the love from all of you and that he will come home.

翻译：

我们该如何感谢我们那些了不起的礼物赠送者们呢？他们赠送的远不止物质的礼物，更是希望与爱。作为妈妈来说，我正在经历人生中最长的等待，等待一个本该几年前就在家庭中的男孩。心愿单活动让我深受感动，也鼓舞了我。我知道我并不孤单，我的儿子在世界各地都有着深深关爱他的人们。非常感谢！

我仍然对送给我儿子的礼物感动不已，他还在中国等着我。我一直在告诉别人，世界各地的人们都在关心他。今天我收到了他的照片更新，我祈祷有一天他会知道来自你们所有人的爱，并且他能够回家。

32. Lisa Murphy

I honestly have no words. Like many others here, our VOS gifts may be the only ones under our tree Christmas morning. We are so thankful for how you wrap around our family. Truly. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!!!!!

Merry merry Christmas to everyone at village of the stars and thank you so much for graciously gifting our family this year!

So thankful for these wonderful gifts! I also loved Roblox and Starbucks gift cards in their stockings!!! so grateful VOS!!!

I loved telling them all about your community and how much you all love our children. It was hard not to get teary-eyed!

翻译：

我真的无以言表。就像这里的许多人一样，我们的心愿单礼物可能是我们圣诞早晨树下唯一的礼物。我们非常感激你们对我们家庭的关爱。真心感谢！从我们心底感谢你们！！！

祝星之村的每一位成员圣诞快乐，非常感谢你们今年慷慨地赠送我们的家庭礼物！

非常感激这些美妙的礼物！我也很喜欢他们的圣诞袜里有Roblox和Starbucks的礼品卡！非常感谢星之村！！！

我喜欢跟他们讲你们的社区，告诉他们你们有多么爱我们的孩子。真的很难不感动落泪！

33. Laura Marshall

We received every item on our wish list and are so overwhelmed with the love from the Chinese community. We have felt the sting of rejection of our children at times and this is such a beautiful reminder that so many people love our children! We have also made new friends and most importantly added advocates for our precious He Miao (Ember) still in China waiting for us! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

翻译：

我们收到了愿望单上的每一件物品，感受到来自中国社区的满满爱意，我们感到无比感动。有时候，我们的孩子曾经历过被拒绝的痛苦，而现在这份爱与关怀是如此美好的提醒，提醒我们有那么多人爱着我们的孩子！我们也结交了新朋友，最重要的是，我们为还在中国等着我们的宝贝何苗（Ember）增添了新的支持者！感谢你们，祝圣诞快乐！

34. Brenda Brown

Thank-you! For making Caleb have a Merry Christmas

翻译：

感谢你们让Caleb度过了一个愉快的圣诞节！

35. Debbie Ann

This single mom of seven special-needs kiddos has been very crazy the past few weeks with surgeries, etc. We are going to take a few pictures this weekend to thank everyone for everything and the unbelievable blessings we have received! You have absolutely no idea how much this helps us and how much it means to us!

Thank you so much for all of your blessings for my children for Christmas!! You all made the holiday more magical for them! It’s so amazing to feel the support of the Chinese people for my three Chinese born children! It really means so much to us!

翻译：

我这位单亲妈妈有七个特殊需求的孩子，过去几周因为手术等事情非常忙碌。我们计划这个周末拍几张照片，以感谢大家所给予的一切，以及所收到的不可思议的祝福。大家的帮助对我和我的孩子们意义重大。

非常感谢大家为我的孩子们准备的圣诞礼物！你们让这个节日对他们来说变得更加魔幻！能够感受到中国人民对我三个中国出生孩子的支持，真的对我们来说意义非凡！

36. Connie Darnell Johnson

Christmas Eve blessings

Our family is so thankful for the kindness of Village of the Stars and its  partners! We were so blessed by the gifts, but the notes with words of encouragement were even better! It’s so nice to be seen and loved upon.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Connie and Clayton Johnson and family

翻译：

圣诞前夕的祝福

我们的家庭非常感谢星之村及其合作伙伴的善意！我们收到了非常丰厚的礼物，但附带的鼓励话语的卡片更让我们感动！能被看到并被关爱，真是太好了。

衷心感谢你们！

37. Kerry Perkinson

Thank you for all the blessings! Rachel has been playing with her toy for hours!

翻译：

感谢所有的祝福！Rachel已经玩了好几个小时她的玩具！

38. Collen Fearson

Thank you Village of the Stars and supporters for the beautiful gifts. I agree with everyone that the notes are most precious. Sending love and prayers to you all.

翻译：

感谢星之村和所有支持者送来的美丽礼物。我和大家一样，认为这些便条最为珍贵。向你们送上爱与祈福。

39 Kendra Allen

Merry Christmas! I haven’t seen Liv smile this much in 2 years. Thank you VOS

Thank you all so much for blessing Olivia this Christmas.   We appreciate each and every one of you.

Kendra

翻译：

圣诞快乐！我已经有两年没见过Liv这么开心了。感谢星之村。

非常感谢大家在这个圣诞节给她带来的祝福。我们感激每一位支持者。

Kendra

40. Lynnie Fleites

Merry Christmas! Thank you all so very much for the gifts and the loving notes! Becky and Lucy were so touched by the notes!

圣诞快乐！非常感谢大家的礼物和温暖的便条！Becky和Lucy被这些便条感动得不行！

41 Cathy Worrell

Thank you again for the gifts! My kids loved it. I let them know they were from their "China Angels." Merry Christmas everyone!

再次感谢你们的礼物！我的孩子们很喜欢。我告诉他们这些是来自他们的“中国天使”。圣诞快乐，大家！

42 Candid

Thank you for this beautiful gift. Like others, the messages were the best part of the gifts and I so wish we could thank the beautiful senders. Words will never express our gratitude.

感谢这份美丽的礼物。和其他人一样，留言是礼物中最美好的部分，我真的希望能感谢这些美丽的赠送者。言语永远无法表达我们的感激之情。

43 Jill Mason

Saying “thank you “ hardly seems close to enough to express how deeply our children were impacted by the generous gifts and heartfelt notes. Even after the season is part of history they will never forget how they were shown love and encouragement from beautiful people from their birth country. They hope you all know how much they love you in return.

说“谢谢”似乎远远不够，无法表达我们的孩子们因这些慷慨的礼物和发自内心的便条所受到的深刻影响。即使圣诞季已成历史，她们永远不会忘记来自他们出生国家的美丽人们如何向她们展示爱和鼓励。她们希望你们知道，她们同样深深地爱着你们。

44. Terry Ann Fithian

We’ve had a bit of sickness and a tummy bug moving through the family. And I can’t believe it’s already January 2nd! Once again I want to thank VOS and anyone who sent a gift! I am unable to use the QR codes to say thank you individually. The gifts still continue to trickle in, we apparently had a few items that took awhile getting here! But we feel soooo blessed by all of you! I pray you all have a blessed New Year!

我们家最近有些生病和肚子不舒服的情况，没想到已经是1月2号了！再次感谢星之村以及所有送礼物的人！我无法使用二维码单独感谢大家。礼物仍然陆陆续续到达，显然有一些物品花了些时间才送到！但我们真的感到非常被祝福！

祈祷你们都拥有一个充满祝福的新年！

45. DAVID SARAH BANDIMERE

Hello,

There is no way that I can adequately express the encouragement and joy that your kind gifts and sweet notes have brought to our family. We love China with all of our hearts and are so incredibly blessed to have adopted five beautiful children from this country.

We pray that we will be able to adopt our 6th Chinese child, as well, and will someday be able to tell her about the many people who prayed for her during this wait. Thank you for your thoughtfulness to our family. We are truly grateful.

Many blessings,

David and Sarah Bandimere

翻译：

你好，我无法充分表达你们的礼物和温馨的留言给我们家庭带来的鼓励和喜悦。我们全心全意地热爱中国，能够从这个国家领养五个美丽的孩子，我们感到无比的幸运。

我们祈祷能有一天领养我们的第六个中国孩子，并且能够在将来告诉她，在等待的过程中有这么多人为她祈祷。感谢你们对我们家庭的关怀。我们真的非常感激。

愿你们福杯满溢，

David 和 Sarah Bandimere

46. David 和 Charity Hodges

Hello Village of the Stars,

We wanted to tell you all again how thankful we are for your ministry.  Thank you also to everyone who gave gifts to our children this Christmas. Our kids were filled with joy and couldn't believe your generosity!  I wish you could have seen them open their gifts as there was much laughter and happiness. Most importantly, our youngest son was incredibly touched that someone from his birth country loved him enough to think of him and bless him this Christmas. My husband and I will never forget your kindness to our kids and to our family. 

Blessings,

David and Charity Hodges

您好，星之村，

我们想再次向你们表达我们对你们事工的感激之情。感谢所有在这个圣诞节为我们的孩子们送上礼物的人。我们的孩子们充满了喜悦，难以相信你们的慷慨！如果你们能看到他们拆开礼物的样子就好了，那真是充满了欢声笑语和幸福。最重要的是，我们的小儿子非常感动，因为来自他出生国的有人如此关爱他，甚至在这个圣诞节祝福了他。

我和我的丈夫永远不会忘记你们对我们的孩子和我们全家的善意。

愿上帝祝福你们，David 和 Charity Hodges