A Decade Later: Lillie Pearl’s Journey Since Adoption

GIVE THE GIFT OF FAMILY!

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This year, we’re excited to share updates on some of the amazing children who have found their forever families through Connected Hearts Ministry. These stories remind us that your support isn’t just a one-time gift, it’s a lifetime of love, care, and security for a child who might otherwise be overlooked. When you give, you’re not only meeting a child's immediate needs; you’re also helping a child step into a future filled with hope, joy, and a family to call their own.

One such story is Lillie Pearl Patterson. In 2015, with the help of generous donors like you, Connected Hearts Ministry was able to help the Patterson family raise the remaining funds they needed to bring home Lillie Pearl, a bright and joyful 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome. Our team and wonderful donors worked hard to help the Pattersons raise funds quickly, as Lillie Pearl was about to age out. Just two weeks before her 14th birthday—the age at which children in China’s orphanages “age out”, making them no longer available for adoption—Lillie Pearl arrived home to her forever family!

Now, over a decade later, Lillie Pearl is thriving at 24 years old. She graduated from high school in 2020, completed a year-long work internship, and recently reached her goal of becoming more independent by moving into a Christian group home that provides community and continued support. She values having independence while still being surrounded by loving care. Her mom Lorraine said, “Lillie Pearl loves dancing, karaoke, and going to the movies. Lillie Pearl is so smart and capable. She learned English within a month of coming home. She is fearless, adventurous, and shines brightly!”

Lorraine also shared the incredible impact Connected Hearts had on their family: “What a tremendous blessing it was to have Connected Hearts come alongside our family to help us bring our daughter home. Lillie Pearl arrived to our family just two weeks before her 14th birthday, which was the cut-off age in China. If we hadn’t been able to complete Lillie Pearl’s adoption prior to her 14th birthday, she would have aged out of the system in China and would not have been adoptable. I cannot imagine our lives without Lillie Pearl, and I’m confident she feels the same! Your investment as a donor to Connected Hearts changes lives forever!”

Lillie Pearl’s journey is a powerful example of the lasting impact of adoption—and the difference your support makes. Because of donors and prayer warriors, children like Lillie Pearl are not only getting a forever family—they are thriving, growing, and living lives full of love. We are truly grateful to everyone who has donated over the years to give children like Lillie Pearl a lifetime of love and support.

Help more children like Lillie Pearl find their forever family.



Your gift today provides hope, love, and the chance for a lifetime of belonging to a child who is still waiting.

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Below, you can read Lorraine’s full update and learn more about Lillie Pearl’s incredible journey.

How has Lillie Pearl grown or changed since coming home?

We adopted Lillie Pearl in 2015, just before her 14th birthday. She has Down syndrome. She is full of joy and is thriving. Lillie Pearl graduated from high school in 2020, then she participated in a year-long work internship where she learned valuable skills working in a hospital setting. Lillie Pearl set a personal goal to move to a group home setting where she would be living as independently as possible while still having the support of group home staff if needed. In 2023, Lillie Pearl achieved her goal and moved to a wonderful Christian group home in San Antonio where she is thriving and loving her independence. 

How old is Lillie Peral now?

Lillie Pearl is 24 years old now. She will turn 25 on February 9, 2026.

What are some things she loves or enjoys?

Lillie Pearl loves dancing, karaoke, and going to the movies. She loves attending dance parties and going on cruises where she always wins awards for her outstanding karaoke skills. She enjoys working hard and helping others. Lillie Pearl is a treasured member of our family, as well as her group home. She shines brightly!

What has surprised you most about who Lillie Pearl is becoming?

Lillie Pearl is so smart and capable. She learned English within a month of coming home. She is fearless and loves adventure. A week after her arrival home in 2015, we hosted a birthday party for her at an indoor inflatable park. She eagerly climbed to the top of a 20’ tall inflatable slide that required a rope ladder to climb it. Nothing slowed her down and nothing intimidated her, which we really weren’t expecting. In the summer of 2015, just a few months after being adopted, Lillie Pearl copied her big sister’s cliff diving adventure and excitedly jumped off a 20’ cliff into Jacob’s Well in Wimberley. She came up out of the water after her jump, smiling from ear to ear, and immediately climbed back up the cliff to do it again. Lillie Pearl is an adventure seeker and has never said no to a risk-taking adventure!

How has adoption impacted your family as a whole?

We have adopted a total of 9 children from around the world. James 1:27 and Proverbs 3:27 are our family’s life verses. Our family has been forever changed for good by adoption. We love because He first loved us. 

What would you say to someone who is considering adoption today?

Adoption changes lives. It is hard work, but it is Kingdom work. Expect your life to be changed every bit as much as your child’s!

What would you say to someone considering supporting Connected Hearts and how their support helps families like yours?



Where God guides, He provides. When we committed to adopting Lillie Pearl from China, it was our ninth adoption. We didn’t know how we would fund her adoption, but God did!... God provided exceedingly, abundantly more than we could think to ask! What a tremendous blessing it was to have Connected Hearts come alongside our family to help us bring our daughter home. Lillie Pearl arrived to our family just two weeks before her 14th birthday, which was the cut off age in China. If we hadn’t been able to complete Lillie Pearl’s adoption prior to her 14th birthday, she would have aged out of the system in China and would not have been adoptable. I cannot imagine our lives without Lillie Pearl, and I’m confident she feels the same! Your investment as a donor to Connected Hearts changes lives forever!