Delight

Today's post was supposed to be about our trip to the Safari Park. But that will have to wait - because I just need to share some delight - utter and pure and joyful delight!

Tonight, Cami's new friend and her mom (who is now my new friend!) stopped by our room after dinner. We had skipped dinner and the girls had made known their disappointment in that, so they came for a visit. They had a blast - there was laughter and bed jumping and light playing. There is no better music to a mother's ear than to hear their child's laughter - and when that child came from a place where there probably wasn't much laughter - it is like the choir of heaven's angels rejoicing!

After our friends left (a little later than normal -but well worth it!), Cami took a bubble bath. Up till now, she had been showering, but tonight I had run her a bubble bath. To say she liked it....well, that just doesn't do it justice!

New friends and bubble baths - life just doesn't get much better than this - for anyone!

So today my friends - try both....it is sure to bring joy!!!

Privileged

Some days, I just feel so privileged to be where I am. Today was one of those days. It started off with a clear TB test for Cami AiLiu (not that I was even concerned - but it's just one more thing checked off the list) and a laundry pick up. Now, clean underwear may not be a big deal for you, but it is for me - especially when someone else does it for me!

After all the business, we went to the Yuntai Park and Botanical Gardens. It's the first real "sight seeing" we have done - and I have to say, I am glad we did it. A beautiful place to remind me of the majesty of God -

Cami Ai Liu also made a new friend; we were joined by another CWA family today for these last few days. They are from my home state of New Jersey and are adopting a 9 year old daughter. The girls were very shy and reserved with each other at first, but by dessert time tonight, they were chattering away (would love to know what they were talking about - probably comparing notes on their crazy new moms!) 

After this beautiful beginning to the day, it got even better after lunch. I got to witness the "birth" of yet another child go from orphan to beloved. Roy and Lori allowed me the honor and privilege of being with them when they went to meet Joy for the first time. They first met this child last summer while they were adopting another little boy from her orphanage. Through their transformed lives and the power of the Holy Spirit speaking into them, 14 months later - they became her forever mom and dad. It was awesome - she was standing in the doorway of the waiting playroom when we walked into the civil affairs office. She saw Roy and Lori - broke free of her foster mom and raced into their arms (much to the utter dismay of the Chinese officials who quickly intervened and dragged her back till the "papers" could be checked)!

It was a God ordained, Holy Spirit filled moment - when as the song says "Heaven reached down and touched earth with a sloppy wet kiss."

Oh - HOW HE LOVES US! 

Not us

I have been simply over whelmed by the outpouring of love and support through all the reader comments. It absolutely stuns me to think that God is using me - imperfect, messed up me - to touch people's hearts. I am humbled by the kindness of strangers and the prayers on behalf of our family - it is God's love up close and personal for me. But I need to set the record straight about something-and this is important.

You see - this - what Doug & I and our family is doing - is not us doing it. It is the Holy Power of Jesus in our lives working - transforming us, shaping us, moving us towards Him that allows us to step out in faith and walk this journey. At this time of the year, when we remember Jesus' coming to earth - we need to remember what He came for - and what He left us with - the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. Today - I got to take Cami AI Liu to her first church service - where I praised God and heard the message of the gospel that reminded me mightily this.

1. 

Some may say "but you are being obedient to the call of God in your life" so it is you. Nope. It's not. You see, Jesus calls us to live transformed lives - we are new creations in Him. We are to abide in Him. We are to follow Him. We are to serve Him by serving others. We are to put others before us - all the time. That's what a transformed life looks like.

Obedience has an overtone of obligation - of choice. Because we are living transformed, when called - we did. Not a choice to obey, just lives being lived.

We got to be in church today with a special family who is also living a transformed life - Roy and Lori Cross are here with us adopting their 8th and 9th children - I think it's number 5 & 6 from China! As I looked down our row, I saw Cami Ai Liu and Joshua Song - who not because of us but because of a mighty and merciful God came to earth to transform our lives so we could be a part of His plan to transform theirs. Humbly - on our knees we were today - because our God sees fit to use our families in this plan.

(yes - that is Elvin in church with us! Pray for him...he is off to become a daddy and I think today, maybe today, he and Jesus had a little get together)

Our transformed lives are still a bit of a mess. We still yell at our kids, think nasty thoughts about our enemies (and even sometimes utter those thoughts), hold back what ever it is God is asking us to give, are critical and bossy and pushy (wait that's just me not Doug!)....well, you get the picture. But every once in a while- God in His unbelievable & indescribable grace and power, uses our messed up but transformed lives to show His glory.

While I appreciate the accolades, and to be honest it feels good to hear people say such nice things about us - it's not us. The glory belongs to God - as does 100% of the credit.

Where to begin?

Today was a loooong day. It is a 4 /12 hour drive to Maoming and the orphanage so we got up early, had room service breakfast and were on the road by 7:15 am. With a few pit stops, we arrived at the orphanage at 11:45 (and only one small bout of car sickness about 3/4 of the way there!). When we pulled into the parking lot - there was literally a welcoming committee there!

This is her teacher at the school (she attended school in the SWI along with some other children whose special needs did not allow then to attend hte local school) The older girl is waiting for her family; as soon as we got there, she wanted to know if I knew her family & knew when they were coming. It was another God moment, for I had been contacted by her mom, and had both a family picture for her and a gift. NOTE-if you have a waiting child - and someone offers to take something to the SWI for them - DO IT!!! If you think the wait is hard for you - I can tell you after talking to her, it is BY FAR harder on the kids!

We then spent some time with these kids and others whom I had been asked to take pictures for their families. I have to say, it is such an honor to be able to send photos back to mom's and dad's who are waiting. I know the wait. I know the sustenance each precious morsel of information provides.

After I got my business done, I found out some interesting information. Most notably, Maoming SWI participates in what they call "imitation families." Four children live with a foster mom (not clear if it was on site or off - but I think it was on site) and Ai Liu had an imitation family. With an imitation mom. That she had for 4 years. That loved her - and that she loves.

Our amazing guide Elvin asked her if she loved her imitation mom - and she said yes and she was sad to be leaving her. Elvin explained it was ok to love both moms, and that she could stay in touch with her imitation mom. Her foster mom seemed SO happy for her - and it was clear that she was loved by her. I am so grateful for that love that she received.

Ai Liu was the oldest of the four and the other three seemed to have fairly severe special needs, yet the mom loved them and they were a little family. I am SO glad I got an opportunity to meet them - and that she got the chance to say good-bye. 

I am going to step way out on limb here - to those who are waiting to travel, if it is at all possible - visit the orphanage. For both Becky and now Ai Liu, we endured 8+ hours in the car in one day to do that - and it was a priceless opportunity for me to see and learn, and it provides closure for the kids. Most guides - and most agencies - will try to dissuade you. There is a belief that these children should be placed with you and never look back, but the fact is, they need closure. Press for it - you are the client and you are in charge of your child's well being. For kids that are grieving and having a tough transition, this might give them what they need to grieve and move forward. Even Becky at 14 months needed it. Ai Liu clearly did - and I was provided with some critical information that simply was not in the report. The Director remembered the day she was found - 6 years ago, and told me about the tiny little girl left at the gate. I met her foster mom. Skip the sight seeing for a day, and do something that will have lasting emotional value for you and your child. 

(ps- on the ride home - no car sickness at all!!!) 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Thank you to all who have been praying for Doug & the girls! If I knew the person who invented Skype, I would kiss them! It has been a life saver to be able to talk a couple of times a day and with the phone application, I can even say goodnight to the girls no matter where I am!

They are doing good - ok....Becky is - to quote her "having a hard time and trying really hard." Doug managed to make it to work three days this past week - although for one of them he had a 4 year old assistant! It is hard to be away from them - and really hard to miss some important dates - like Becky's Christmas Pre-school program. Thanks again to the miracle of technology, I woke up to find a video on my phone - and some pictures in email, but it is just not the same as being there to see my Angel.

Doug had to have some parental participation to ease her into the whole thing - but once it started- all was well!

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I sure do miss my girls - 6 sleeps!!

I saw some things today

I saw a man stand up in a VERY nice restaurant and yell across it for service and no one seemed to mind - not the people he was with, not the server he yelled at, not the other patrons.

I saw my very first Chinese adult with down syndrome in the same restaurant - don't see too many special needs adults in China - unless they are half naked and begging on the street.

I saw people try to fit two buses and one car into the exact same spot on the road with nary a horn blown or curse  word uttered - several times.

I saw people be outright rude and openly stare at my daughter and I - and  not in a nice way.

I saw a shop keeper extend extraordinary kindness to my daughter.

I saw unbelievable bravery in a mom traveling with her sister to adopt two boys - one with down syndrome. Their father passed away a few days into the trip. Please pray for them - their grief is deep.

I saw my daughter pose for the camera without a care in the world this morning...

I saw the doctor at the medical clinic who told me after he examined Katie 2 years ago " you know she will never be able to learn anything" (I was very good and fought the urge today to tell him how wrong he was!)

The medical clinic visit is always hard for one reason or another. With Becky, it was simply the uncertainty of it all. With Katie, it was the 7 vaccinations they required (thankfully the US has changed that regulations). With Ai Liu....oh it was bad. First, the nurse came in to do the ear & eye exam. Part of her scaring is her left ear is badly damaged. This nurse tugged and pulled and pushed trying to get a look in her ear. It wouldn't have made me so made, except this was the same woman that 3 1/2 years ago looked in Becky's ear and gave her a clean bill of health - never mind the SEVERE ear infection she had in both ears. This nurse has zero credibility with this momma - and her lack of compassion almost made me come unglued. 

Had to imagine, but it got worse, because in waltzed in the doctor who after examining Katie two years ago, told me "You know, she will never be able to learn anything. She is too mentally damaged." Yep -that's what he said. He's not my favorite person to start with, ad then when he started examining Ai Liu, and poking & prodding her scar tissue - when he started turning her hands this way &that - I pulled her onto my lap - and gave him my best "that is enough" look. Elvin got us out of there - quickly! 

Some retail therapy and a good dinner helped --- but looking back at this photo from the morning was the best balm for a hard visit!

How are we doing?

I have to say I am absolutely over whelmed at the prayers that are being raised up on our behalf - thanks to Kim & her loyal readers! Your comments have been such an encouragement. It is hard to be here - 7000 miles (or whatever it is!!) away from my husband and other kids, and I have to say I am feeling the love of all of you across the ocean. Thank you - it means more than you can ever know! (Because a couple of comments referred to traveling alone and/or older kids, I am putting together my thoughts on that too for one of these days) 

AI Liu is doing well - we have had no tears yet, although I did detect a bit of sadness today during the paperwork - followed by another bout of car sickness, so my momma instinct tells me it is as much emotional as anything else (and can you believe I can not find anything that even resembles ginger candy for her in China- what????) 

She is starting to learn to enjoy some of the perks of being a Yingling - most notably the presents from Grandma!! 

She also is becoming a big fan of all things Christmas! Which is good because she will land right in the thick of it all!! This tree is in the lobby of our hotel and is HUGE!!!

She is doing well! She and I are doing well! 

We could use prayer however for the car sickness as we have a very long ride (two ways) on Saturday back to her orphanage to say good-bye to her friends. I think it is so important for her to have that closure and to process her sadness at leaving all that she has known - but it won't be comfortable for anyone if she is sick the whole time.