[Bachmas]

This is a post from my Lansing FCC group, I had read about this poor woman and never dreamed that it may be someone that I might know. Please pray for her.

Thanks,
Sue Bachman

There is a need for prayers and thoughts for an FCC-Lansing family
who is in China right now. It is for Sandi Sheldon and her new
daughter Hannah. Sandi emailed a friend from her adoption agency a couple of days ago to pray for her husband, Dennis, as he had not been feeling well because he is diabetic and his blood sugars were
VERY high. We just got word yesterday that he died from a diabetic coma while in Guangzhou. As you can imagine, Sandi needs every prayer imaginable right now. Her mother and brother are trying to get emergency visas to fly to China to bring her home. We're also praying that their adoption of Hannah will continue as planned and that China will not interfere.

Sandi will fly into Lansing at 4:00pm Saturday.
Sandi's brother is trying to get to Hong Kong so he can fly home with Sandi. They think Hannah will be coming home. They think Dennis' funeral will be on Dec. 1
Sandi's sister will be staying with her for a couple of weeks

Sandy B. asked if there was anything we could do to help Sandi…she said that if we wanted to do a gift, the best bet would be to give Sandi gift cards to Meijers or Speedway Gas. Sandy asked if taking any meals over so Sandi would not have to cook would help at all. Her mom said yes and that Sandi likes chicken and lasagna as
long as it does not have too much cheese. Hannah seems to like noodles.

UPDATE- She will be able to bring her daughter home with her.

[prechrswife]

Oh, my! Prayers for this family...

[jerusha]

This is truly sad! my thoughts and prayers are with
the family.

[Celesyee]

Of all the concerns we PAPs/APs go through, this is certainly not one of them. My prayers, hopes, and thoughts are with this family!

[amyfk]

Wow! I am sorry to read this. It's hard enough adjusting with a new child, but with the fresh loss of your spouse. I hope the local adoption community rallies around this family to give them the help they need right now.
Amy K, NJ

[rose_red]

Oh no - I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm so glad she will be able to bring her daughter home, I can't imagine how hard it would have been to come home empty-handed after losing her husband.

Our best wishes to the Sheldon family.

[sakelley]

It seems things have taken a turn for the worse. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. The latest news from her agency:
The US Consulate in Guangzhou has denied Sandi Sheldon permission to proceed with the adoption of Hannah. They want her to fill out a new I-171 and are making no guarantees after that. Sandi, of course does not want to leave China and leave Hannah here because she has no where to go. Sandi needs our help desparately! Please start a massive campaign of calling to her US Congressman and US Senator and urge them to intervene on Sandi's behalf. We have discussed this with Sandi and she wants our help. Please pressure these elected officials to contact the State Department and straighten this out. Sandi should not be denied Hannah's adoption because her husband passed away unexpectedly. The adoption has been finalized here in China.

[Sheba]

Sue,

Do you know if anyone has contacted the Lansing State Journal or the new programs in Lansing? I would think this would warrant some media here and that John Schneider would be very interested in this. Maybe it could help push our reps to get in contact with the US Consulate and get them all home safe!

[Bachmas]

I do know that a few of the newspapers have been contacted and some of the local tv stations as well. Here are the contact numbers for her congressman and senator. Please contact them and tell them that you support Sandi Sheldon.

Sandi's congressman is Mike Rogers. His Washington office number is 202-225-4872. His Michigan office number is 517 702 8000, he also has a toll free number 1-877-33 3-MIKE.


Sandi's US Senator is Debbie Stabenow. Her Washington DC number is 202 224 4822 and her Michigan office number is 517 203 1760.


Thank you for your help on this serious matter. This could have been anyone of us.

Sincerely,

[Sheba]

I have already emailed Debbie and Mike. We both belong to the same two boards but I live in Lansing and I have not heard anything about it on the news or in the paper.

I hope she makes it home safe and sound with Hannah. The emails for the reps have been passed along thru many yahoo groups as well. I hope the adoption community really comes together and helps her out. The more of us that email, the more pressure they will get!

[mom3boys]

Just to let everyone know. There is an update on one of the threads at RQ. Supposedly the mother is requesting that we stop calling the senators as she feels it may be doing more harm than good. Reportedly they have received more than a thousand calls this morning. I think we need to sit back and wait to see if there is anything we can do that will help.
Marjorie

[KarenInCa]

The power in the unity of the adoptive community never ceases to amaze me.

[sakelley]

There was an update on her agency's forum this morning saying that Sandi and Hannah are both coming home. She was at the swearing in ceremony this morning and they will be leaving China tomorrow.

[lonni]

This was on the local Lansing news last night. I am pretty sure it is going to work out, thanks to Mike Rogers ect...
Welcome HOME girls;~)) and our prayers remain with you as you continue to travel this journey.

[lonni]

Lansing woman OKed to return home with adopted Chinese daughter Midday update James Prichard
Associated Press

A woman whose husband died in China while they were in the country to pick up their newly adopted daughter will return home with the child, a spokeswoman for a Michigan congressman said today.

Sandi S., of Lansing, and the 17-month-old girl were expected home sometime Saturday, said Sylvia Warner, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton.

Rogers and his staff, who learned of the situation on Thursday, called the consulate late that evening - first thing in the morning in China - and worked out a resolution.

The filing of the proper paperwork was fast-tracked. Rogers' office was notified around 4 a.m. today that Sheldon, who had been staying in the city of Guang Zhou, was cleared to return home with her daughter, Warner said.
Lansing State Journal: Lansing woman OKed to return home with adopted Chinese daughter