Monday, June 15, 2009
Off to China!
Today, Zack, Rachel and I are leaving for China! We are so excited to return and spend time at the Shepherd's Field Orphanage outside of Beijing. We leave early afternoon and will arrive Tuesday evening. Enjoy the pictures and entries over the next two weeks!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Fairwell to China...for now
Today we are leaving for the US. As we reflect over the past two weeks we are amazed at God's mercy and grace over us on our adoption journey. We truly feel that our cup has been filled to overflowing time and time again. We have thoroughly enjoyed every moment here in China and have not only met our daughter (finally!) but re-connected with new and old friends. We truly were blessed by the children of Shepherd's Field(www.chinaorphans.org) and the work that so many wonderful people do to care for these children. The children are a constant reminder of why God has called us to adoption and orphan care. They are precious and I encourage all of you that read this post to consider making a life changing trip to China or another country to serve the children.
Finally adopting Grace has been a great joy. Through endless (seemingly) mounds of paperwork it all has been worth the wait. The "paperwork pregnancy" is all but forgotten as we hold our precious Grace or watch her sleep or smile or walk hand in hand with the other kid's. She is a blessing and we are so thankful to finally have her. We continue to pray for her to be bound to us, heart to heart.
We are also completely amazed at how God has brought us together with friends from the past. As I sat in the medical clinic and randomly spoke to a family from Alabama only to discover that the Mom was my good friend from college. We lost contact after graduation 24 years ago and stumbled upon each other in China. It will be wonderful to re-connect with Tina and several other friends that I have not seen in many, many years. Also yesterday at the oath ceremony at the US consulate in Guangzhou we re-connected with a guide we had met while on a mission trip to Fengdu, China. Maggie had been our guide and translator in Fengdu and we never heard from her after the trip. She was in Guangzhou helping another family adopt their child. We had a nice time catching up with Maggie and were again amazed at God's provision of bringing people together.
Lastly, we have been so excited to see the increased number of people adopting the children with special needs. When we adopted Nathan four years ago we were among the very few adopting a child on the waiting child list with special needs. This trip however, we have seen so many children being adopted with special needs. I would say that at the oath ceremony out of 40 children, half of them had some type of special needs. That is such a blessing that so many people would look at these children with needs that are correctable and choose to love them inspite of not being what we deem as healthy. We had the opportunity to get to know a couple this week from New York name Lorena and Leo. They have 5 children ranging from 8-16 years old. They sat in church two years ago and listened to a story about a little boy named Chu that could not walk. Chu's file was going back to China the next day and if a family was not found, he would be considered un-adoptable. The story gripped this couple and their 5 children and they knew that Chu needed to be in their family. Leo told me that all the way to China they still had fears and doubt, then in Beijing they took a ride on the subway. All over there were kid's on scooters pushing themselves around (because they could not walk) begging for money. At that moment, they knew they were doing what God had called them to do because that would have been Chu's fate. Lorena had tears in her eyes as she talked about Chu. I am so thankful for people like Leo and Lorena, that even though they had fear in their souls, they stepped forward in faith to accept Chu into their hearts.
So farewell China... for now. We will return soon. Your children call us again and again. This has been a most astonishing journey...
Thank you above all to God Almighty, once again the author of all things has blessed us beyond measure.
Finally adopting Grace has been a great joy. Through endless (seemingly) mounds of paperwork it all has been worth the wait. The "paperwork pregnancy" is all but forgotten as we hold our precious Grace or watch her sleep or smile or walk hand in hand with the other kid's. She is a blessing and we are so thankful to finally have her. We continue to pray for her to be bound to us, heart to heart.
We are also completely amazed at how God has brought us together with friends from the past. As I sat in the medical clinic and randomly spoke to a family from Alabama only to discover that the Mom was my good friend from college. We lost contact after graduation 24 years ago and stumbled upon each other in China. It will be wonderful to re-connect with Tina and several other friends that I have not seen in many, many years. Also yesterday at the oath ceremony at the US consulate in Guangzhou we re-connected with a guide we had met while on a mission trip to Fengdu, China. Maggie had been our guide and translator in Fengdu and we never heard from her after the trip. She was in Guangzhou helping another family adopt their child. We had a nice time catching up with Maggie and were again amazed at God's provision of bringing people together.
Lastly, we have been so excited to see the increased number of people adopting the children with special needs. When we adopted Nathan four years ago we were among the very few adopting a child on the waiting child list with special needs. This trip however, we have seen so many children being adopted with special needs. I would say that at the oath ceremony out of 40 children, half of them had some type of special needs. That is such a blessing that so many people would look at these children with needs that are correctable and choose to love them inspite of not being what we deem as healthy. We had the opportunity to get to know a couple this week from New York name Lorena and Leo. They have 5 children ranging from 8-16 years old. They sat in church two years ago and listened to a story about a little boy named Chu that could not walk. Chu's file was going back to China the next day and if a family was not found, he would be considered un-adoptable. The story gripped this couple and their 5 children and they knew that Chu needed to be in their family. Leo told me that all the way to China they still had fears and doubt, then in Beijing they took a ride on the subway. All over there were kid's on scooters pushing themselves around (because they could not walk) begging for money. At that moment, they knew they were doing what God had called them to do because that would have been Chu's fate. Lorena had tears in her eyes as she talked about Chu. I am so thankful for people like Leo and Lorena, that even though they had fear in their souls, they stepped forward in faith to accept Chu into their hearts.
So farewell China... for now. We will return soon. Your children call us again and again. This has been a most astonishing journey...
Thank you above all to God Almighty, once again the author of all things has blessed us beyond measure.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Guangzhou
We arrived in Guangzhou on Friday evening and were met at the airport by our guide Simon. After arriving at the hotel we promptly got everyone to bed because we had an early morning medical appointment. All of the kids that are being adopted have to pass a physical by a Chinese medical staff before they are issued a visa by the US Consulate. There was some concern because of the chicken pox that she may not pass the physical. We went to the clinic and they checked her over thoroughly and determined that she was no longer contagious(Praise God!!). The other new law for adoptions between Hague countries is that children have to be completely up to date on immunizations before leaving the country. She was missing three shots and needed to have those(she did great and did not even cry).
Overall, she passed her exam and was given a good reprt to turn into the consulate.
Another amazing thing happened at the clinic. I was talking to a woman that was there with her brother and sister in law who were adopting a little girl. The woman (Twila) told me that she was from Alabama and so I told her I went to college in Alabama at a little school called the University of Montevallo. The next thing I know the woman adopting the little girl pops her head up and said, "I went to the University of Montevallo, are you Natalie?" and I said, "Are you Tina?" We graduated together in 1985 and had lost contact and had not spoken to each other in 24 years! We were in shock that we would meet so many years later on the other side of the world in China. We were so excited to see each other. Our families were able to have dinner tonight and catch up with each other. It is also very exciting because she keeps in contact with other dear friends that I have not been able to find and now we will be able to continue our friendships. God is amazing! She also adopted a little girl with cleft lip and palate, was married the same year Scott and I were married and had many other similarities. It was an unexpected, exciting renewal of an old friendship.
We have been enjoying Shamian Island in Guangzhou. We have been playing in the park and walking around enjoying the weather. Tomorrow I will post pictures of our trip to the zoo. Enjoy the latest Smilebox!
Overall, she passed her exam and was given a good reprt to turn into the consulate.
Another amazing thing happened at the clinic. I was talking to a woman that was there with her brother and sister in law who were adopting a little girl. The woman (Twila) told me that she was from Alabama and so I told her I went to college in Alabama at a little school called the University of Montevallo. The next thing I know the woman adopting the little girl pops her head up and said, "I went to the University of Montevallo, are you Natalie?" and I said, "Are you Tina?" We graduated together in 1985 and had lost contact and had not spoken to each other in 24 years! We were in shock that we would meet so many years later on the other side of the world in China. We were so excited to see each other. Our families were able to have dinner tonight and catch up with each other. It is also very exciting because she keeps in contact with other dear friends that I have not been able to find and now we will be able to continue our friendships. God is amazing! She also adopted a little girl with cleft lip and palate, was married the same year Scott and I were married and had many other similarities. It was an unexpected, exciting renewal of an old friendship.
We have been enjoying Shamian Island in Guangzhou. We have been playing in the park and walking around enjoying the weather. Tomorrow I will post pictures of our trip to the zoo. Enjoy the latest Smilebox!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
In Changsha
We are still in Changsha waiting for the paperwork to come back from the government. We are waiting on Grace's registration and passport. While we wait we have been to the Hunan provincial museum to see artifacts from the region. Today we went to an embroidery museum and store. The needle work is very beautiful the women who embroider are very talented. Grace is doing well and the chicken pox are not keeping her down. She is busy and on the go and has an excellent appetite. She has her moments with all of us when she is playful and then very introverted where she draws into herself. Overall, she is doing really well with bonding in the family. Tomorrow (Friday) we leave for Guangzhou in the south where we will take care of her American paperwork (visa).
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
It's Official!
Today we went back to the Civil Affairs Bureau and completed all of the official paperwork. Grace has been the daughter of our heart for 15 months and now it is officially legal! We signed documents, had pictures taken and were asked many times if we promised to always take care of her. We were able to meet Gracie's nannies and orphanage director one more time and say goodbye to them. Yesterday Grace was very upset to leave them, today however, she did not even approach them and stayed close to Scott and me. Back in December, I had sent the orphanage a photo album for them to show Grace. It had pictures of our family and then pages of each of the kid's and family activities. The director told us that they had been very excited to receive it and were happy to see Nathan and that we not only had a Chinese son but also another child who had been born with cleft lip and palate.
She is truly beautiful and is a very typical two year old. She is playful and laughing one minute and then on the floor with a tantrum the next. She easily extends her arms to be held and is proving to have a teasing sense of humor. Overall, she is joyful and happy. As far as the chickenpox, she seems to be doing fine. She is covered in spots and seems to have come to us with the onset of the marks. We spoke to our pediatrician this morning and he said that should last for 3-4 more days. All of the other guys have had the chicken pox vaccination and Scott and I both had chicken pox when we were younger. So we should all be fine. God is good and we have His peace surrounding us.
Enjoy the pictures of our beautiful girl!
She is truly beautiful and is a very typical two year old. She is playful and laughing one minute and then on the floor with a tantrum the next. She easily extends her arms to be held and is proving to have a teasing sense of humor. Overall, she is joyful and happy. As far as the chickenpox, she seems to be doing fine. She is covered in spots and seems to have come to us with the onset of the marks. We spoke to our pediatrician this morning and he said that should last for 3-4 more days. All of the other guys have had the chicken pox vaccination and Scott and I both had chicken pox when we were younger. So we should all be fine. God is good and we have His peace surrounding us.
Enjoy the pictures of our beautiful girl!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Eve of Grace
Here we are on the eve of getting Gracie and it seems as if it has been such a long road getting here. We had so many barriers in the paperwork for the home study, yet here we are in China and by this time tomorrow we will finally have her. I look back over the past 16 months and think about all of the frustration and impatience I felt over the paperwork and now it seems as if it was a “mantle of oblivion” (to quote Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables!).
Ironically, I was reading my devotional this morning and the topic was patience. The verse was, Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7). It is so easy now to look back on those long days of waiting and think that they were not so difficult. However, if I look at the daily waiting, I was extremely impatient. These are some of the highlights of the devotional that made me reflect on the waiting time for Grace:
Wait for it patiently, for patience eliminates worry. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, then we keep on patiently awaiting it.” If I truly have hope that God will do what He says He will do, then I should trust that He will bring Grace home.
Patience eliminates weeping. Why should I have felt discouraged? He always knew my needs greater then I did and He had a purpose in the waiting. Because of the longer wait, Grace had her cleft lip repaired in China. This is one less trauma to put her through when we bring her home.
Patience eliminates self-works. We are called to believe and not charge forward without Him. So many times we charged ahead of God in various stages of the paperwork as we tried to do things our way. We have learned to wait on His timing. In December, I was so frustrated and could not understand why God had us waiting so long when we were trying to adopt and do what He had called our family to do. I clearly heard the Lord tell me that if I truly had faith in Him, then I would have faith in His timing, not mine.
Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of all the wasted time of Grace in the orphanage and not with her family, I needed to realize that God has been preparing and strengthening our hearts for her and preparing His resources for us as a family.
Patience eliminates all wobbling. Daniel 8:18 says that “He touched me and raised me to my feet”. God’s foundations are rock solid and if we have His patience within, we are standing on a firm foundation in the waiting process. It could have been so easy to give up, but knowing that our strength came from the Lord gave us the endurance to see this adoption through to this very moment.
Patience yields worship. Sometimes the sweetest times of waiting are the times when we can worship the Lord for what He has done and what we know He will do. Even during the long waiting there were glorious milestones. Our immigration officer noticed the difference in us and told us, “that we had been very humble through all of the barriers,” and I was able to say, “It wasn’t me, I can only give the glory to God.” To be able to share that with someone else has been worth the wait.
So, by the time you read this post we will have Grace. Blessings to all of you today and remember that patience in the waiting does have a purpose. He will use it to refine you and your situation for His glory and your good.
Ironically, I was reading my devotional this morning and the topic was patience. The verse was, Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7). It is so easy now to look back on those long days of waiting and think that they were not so difficult. However, if I look at the daily waiting, I was extremely impatient. These are some of the highlights of the devotional that made me reflect on the waiting time for Grace:
Wait for it patiently, for patience eliminates worry. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, then we keep on patiently awaiting it.” If I truly have hope that God will do what He says He will do, then I should trust that He will bring Grace home.
Patience eliminates weeping. Why should I have felt discouraged? He always knew my needs greater then I did and He had a purpose in the waiting. Because of the longer wait, Grace had her cleft lip repaired in China. This is one less trauma to put her through when we bring her home.
Patience eliminates self-works. We are called to believe and not charge forward without Him. So many times we charged ahead of God in various stages of the paperwork as we tried to do things our way. We have learned to wait on His timing. In December, I was so frustrated and could not understand why God had us waiting so long when we were trying to adopt and do what He had called our family to do. I clearly heard the Lord tell me that if I truly had faith in Him, then I would have faith in His timing, not mine.
Patience eliminates all weakness. Instead of thinking of all the wasted time of Grace in the orphanage and not with her family, I needed to realize that God has been preparing and strengthening our hearts for her and preparing His resources for us as a family.
Patience eliminates all wobbling. Daniel 8:18 says that “He touched me and raised me to my feet”. God’s foundations are rock solid and if we have His patience within, we are standing on a firm foundation in the waiting process. It could have been so easy to give up, but knowing that our strength came from the Lord gave us the endurance to see this adoption through to this very moment.
Patience yields worship. Sometimes the sweetest times of waiting are the times when we can worship the Lord for what He has done and what we know He will do. Even during the long waiting there were glorious milestones. Our immigration officer noticed the difference in us and told us, “that we had been very humble through all of the barriers,” and I was able to say, “It wasn’t me, I can only give the glory to God.” To be able to share that with someone else has been worth the wait.
So, by the time you read this post we will have Grace. Blessings to all of you today and remember that patience in the waiting does have a purpose. He will use it to refine you and your situation for His glory and your good.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Phillip Hayden Foundation - February 21, 2009
Today we had a wonderful day visiting with our sponsored children here at Shepherd's Field. We had just recently sponsored 3 new children because our others were all adopted last year! Each of the kids had chosen the child they wanted to sponsor. Rachel had chosen a 15 year old sweet girl named Ling Ling. She had a ready smile on her face and wanted Rachel to color with her. They layed on the floor coloring and talking to each other even though they did not understand each other. Nate is pictured with his sponsored brother named Fred. Fred is approx. 6 months old and was born with cleft lip and palate. There were four babies in Fred's room and Nate wanted to bring them all home. Zack is pictured with Jerak Robbins. He is quite the character. He likes to pose for the camera and show off his karate chop action. Many of these children still need monthly sponsors. Go to www.chinaorphans.org to sponsor one of these children or any of the others on the website.
We have had an amazing time here at the Philip Hayden Foundation/Shepherd's Field and can't wait to return. The children are such a blessing to us and a good reminder in humility. Tomorrow (Sunday) we leave early for Changsha and Gracie on Monday!
We have had an amazing time here at the Philip Hayden Foundation/Shepherd's Field and can't wait to return. The children are such a blessing to us and a good reminder in humility. Tomorrow (Sunday) we leave early for Changsha and Gracie on Monday!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Travel Schedule
Feb 18 - Wednesday
Denver to San Francisco United 377 Depart: 8:15 am Arrive: 10:01 am
San Francisco to Beijing United 889 Depart 11:00 am, arrive next day 3:35 pm
Feb 19 - Thursday
Arrive in Beijing at 15:35,
Beijing: meet Leah from Shepherds Field
Feb 20 - Friday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field
Feb 21 - Saturday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field
Feb 22 - Sunday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field, Leave for Changsha at 9:40 am,
Changsha: meet guide from CWTS at Changsha airport, check in Hua Tian Grand Hotel
Feb 23 - Monday
Changsha: meet with Grace
Feb 24 - Tuesday
Changsha: proceed with adoption registration and notary
Feb 25 - Wednesday
Changsha: visiting the Provincial Museum
Feb 26- Thursday
Changsha: visiting Hunan Embroidery Museum
Feb 27 -Friday
Changsha: visiting Yue Lu Academy, receiving Grace's passport and other paperwork, fly from Changsha to Guangzhou via CZ3166(20:35/21:40)
Guangzhou: meet guide at Guangzhou airport, check in Victory Hotels
Feb 28 - Saturday
Guangzhou: physical exam, photo taking, visiting the Walking Street
Mar 1 - Sunday
Guangzhou: visiting Bai Yun Shan Park and Yun Tai Garden
Mar 2 -Monday
Guangzhou: applying for visa and visiting Liu Rong Temple
Mar 3 - Tuesday
Guangzhou: visiting Liu Hua Hu Park, picking up visa at the consulate
Mar 4 - Wednesday
Guangzhou: fly from Guangzhou to Beijing
Guangzhou to Beijing: Air China 1316 Depart 3:30 pm Arrive 6:25 pm
Beijing to Los Angeles: Air China 983 Depart 9:00 pm Arrive 4:30 pm
Los Angeles to Denver: United 865 Depart 7:00 pm Arrive 10:20 pm
Denver to San Francisco United 377 Depart: 8:15 am Arrive: 10:01 am
San Francisco to Beijing United 889 Depart 11:00 am, arrive next day 3:35 pm
Feb 19 - Thursday
Arrive in Beijing at 15:35,
Beijing: meet Leah from Shepherds Field
Feb 20 - Friday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field
Feb 21 - Saturday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field
Feb 22 - Sunday
Beijing: Stay at Shepherds Field, Leave for Changsha at 9:40 am,
Changsha: meet guide from CWTS at Changsha airport, check in Hua Tian Grand Hotel
Feb 23 - Monday
Changsha: meet with Grace
Feb 24 - Tuesday
Changsha: proceed with adoption registration and notary
Feb 25 - Wednesday
Changsha: visiting the Provincial Museum
Feb 26- Thursday
Changsha: visiting Hunan Embroidery Museum
Feb 27 -Friday
Changsha: visiting Yue Lu Academy, receiving Grace's passport and other paperwork, fly from Changsha to Guangzhou via CZ3166(20:35/21:40)
Guangzhou: meet guide at Guangzhou airport, check in Victory Hotels
Feb 28 - Saturday
Guangzhou: physical exam, photo taking, visiting the Walking Street
Mar 1 - Sunday
Guangzhou: visiting Bai Yun Shan Park and Yun Tai Garden
Mar 2 -Monday
Guangzhou: applying for visa and visiting Liu Rong Temple
Mar 3 - Tuesday
Guangzhou: visiting Liu Hua Hu Park, picking up visa at the consulate
Mar 4 - Wednesday
Guangzhou: fly from Guangzhou to Beijing
Guangzhou to Beijing: Air China 1316 Depart 3:30 pm Arrive 6:25 pm
Beijing to Los Angeles: Air China 983 Depart 9:00 pm Arrive 4:30 pm
Los Angeles to Denver: United 865 Depart 7:00 pm Arrive 10:20 pm
Gracie Pictures - 2007
These are the pictures that we received from Bay Area Adoption when Gracie was put on the waiting child list. They are from sometime during the fall of 2007. She looks so cute. We also know that Gracie is doing extremely well since then. We were blessed to hear news about Gracie from another family who adopted from the same orphanage in November 2008.
Apparantly she had lip surgery during the fall that corrected her cleft lip and is in the "naughty stage", which is great to hear about our little 2 1/2 year old.
Apparantly she had lip surgery during the fall that corrected her cleft lip and is in the "naughty stage", which is great to hear about our little 2 1/2 year old.
Grace
One week ago we found out the news that we had been hoping for a very long time. We finally had a date to travel to China to adopt Grace. After a long wait and many delays we are finally leaving for China on Wednesday, February 18. Yes, this Wednesday! As you can imagine we have been quickly packing for the trip, finalizing the itinerary and gathering the remaining documents that need to go to China. The entire family is going and Zak, Rachel and Nate are so excited to have a sister. She is all they have talked about over the past few months. Scott and I are thrilled and excited to bring home another precious baby from China.
Grace was born September 12, 2006 and has lived in the Ningyaun Social Welfare Institute in Hunan Province in China. Her Chinese name is Yong Ning Gui and we will call her Grace. Her full name is Graeson Rose Ning Gui. She was born with cleft lip and palate and her lip has been repaired. I am anxious to see how her repaired lip looks, the only pictures we have of her are about a year and a half old. I am sure she is beautiful!
Grace was born September 12, 2006 and has lived in the Ningyaun Social Welfare Institute in Hunan Province in China. Her Chinese name is Yong Ning Gui and we will call her Grace. Her full name is Graeson Rose Ning Gui. She was born with cleft lip and palate and her lip has been repaired. I am anxious to see how her repaired lip looks, the only pictures we have of her are about a year and a half old. I am sure she is beautiful!
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