Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sunday
It has been a couple of days since I was able to blog. It is hard to remember what I have blogged and what I wrote in my journal. For some reason I can post to the blog but I cannot access the blog to read it.
The past few days have been like a bud beginning to flower and open up. Quiet, stoic AnGrace finally has begun to laugh and smile and smirk at us. She has the cutest little dimple when she gives a full smile. The other night as we were putting her to bed she began to cry a very sad cry and we encouraged her to cry and let it out. We really believe she was missing her Aunties (nannies) and the other children with whom she had spent all her life.
Yesterday as Debbi was filling out paperwork, AnGrace and I were hanging out in the room and she fully came out of her shell. She was laughing and climbing and acting like a little 2 year old. We were playing the old cover your face with a blanket and say where is daddy? and she actually mimiced daddy. When I put it on her head and would say Ta Da when she would pull it off she would mimic Ta Da - which I actualy have on tape.
A whole new world is beginning to open up for her. She just soaks it all in. She had not had any solid food before and now she is tasting all sorts of new foods. Last night we taught her to feed herself with a spoon. She loved feeding herself and did a great job this morning at breakfast as well. We also had to teach her to put food in her hand and put it to her mouth. She is now accomplished and loves banana bread. She is still working on the art of eating a lollipop. She just chews the stick and lets the juice drool out of her mouth.
Today AnGrace went to her first church service. It was a packed service. The pastor preached on Numbers 21 - Israel's rebellion and the Brazen serpent that delivered the people from their sin. He tied it to John 3 where Jesus will be lifted up on the cross for our sins. He preached the Gospel loud and clear to this packed church. This would not have happened twenty years ago.
We have enjoyed our leisurely Sunday. We spoke to our girls this morning and it was great to hear their voices. We miss them very much and wish we could board the airplane today.
We miss all of you and can't wait to introduce you to AnGrace. More later....
The past few days have been like a bud beginning to flower and open up. Quiet, stoic AnGrace finally has begun to laugh and smile and smirk at us. She has the cutest little dimple when she gives a full smile. The other night as we were putting her to bed she began to cry a very sad cry and we encouraged her to cry and let it out. We really believe she was missing her Aunties (nannies) and the other children with whom she had spent all her life.
Yesterday as Debbi was filling out paperwork, AnGrace and I were hanging out in the room and she fully came out of her shell. She was laughing and climbing and acting like a little 2 year old. We were playing the old cover your face with a blanket and say where is daddy? and she actually mimiced daddy. When I put it on her head and would say Ta Da when she would pull it off she would mimic Ta Da - which I actualy have on tape.
A whole new world is beginning to open up for her. She just soaks it all in. She had not had any solid food before and now she is tasting all sorts of new foods. Last night we taught her to feed herself with a spoon. She loved feeding herself and did a great job this morning at breakfast as well. We also had to teach her to put food in her hand and put it to her mouth. She is now accomplished and loves banana bread. She is still working on the art of eating a lollipop. She just chews the stick and lets the juice drool out of her mouth.
Today AnGrace went to her first church service. It was a packed service. The pastor preached on Numbers 21 - Israel's rebellion and the Brazen serpent that delivered the people from their sin. He tied it to John 3 where Jesus will be lifted up on the cross for our sins. He preached the Gospel loud and clear to this packed church. This would not have happened twenty years ago.
We have enjoyed our leisurely Sunday. We spoke to our girls this morning and it was great to hear their voices. We miss them very much and wish we could board the airplane today.
We miss all of you and can't wait to introduce you to AnGrace. More later....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Gotcha Day plus1 & 2
GD plus 1
Yesterday we finished all the paperwork and our adoption is official on the Chinese end of things. Once again we were the only people in the adoption affairs building, a very unusual circumstance. Our two interviews lasted all of 60 seconds. We then went back for lunch and then a nap. We went to the police station to file for her passport. We were in line behind some people from Holland whom we ran into this evening and had a great visit for about a half hour. It is a five year process for adoption in Holland.
AnGrace has been very stoic and stone faced. You can tell she is sad and unsure of what is exactly going on. Last night while Debbi was in the bathroom washing and I was out of the room, AnGrace began to play in the crib, talk to herself and play with her toys. Prior to that she has said nothing. In fact she is trying to not show any emotion. She would not cry when Debbi washed her hair even though you could tell she wanted to. She also would fight back some smiles when going down a slide.
In the middle of the night last night she woke up and she sweetly called out twice. That was the first time we had heard her voice.
Gotcha Day plus 2
Today we went sight seeing with Rebecca, one of our facilitators. She is very joyful and a great guide. She also loves children and has been great with AnGrace. Today she has been more relaxed. She loves to walk. She smiled some more tonight when I would pick her up after she slid down the slide and toss her in the air. Still no words even when locals speak to her. The Dutch family was experiencing much the same transition with their daughter who is about the same age.
Tomorrow we will do some shopping and then have the afternoon free to walk around Shaiman island and continue to get to know AnGrace and build trust with her.
Tonight we ate at a Shanghai style restaurant. I am not sure Americans go there often, they did not speak any English. My limited Chinese was able to get us through and we had a great meal!! Very spicey bbq and sizzling garlic eggplant.
Keep praying for AnGrace to warm up to us and trust us. More later....
Yesterday we finished all the paperwork and our adoption is official on the Chinese end of things. Once again we were the only people in the adoption affairs building, a very unusual circumstance. Our two interviews lasted all of 60 seconds. We then went back for lunch and then a nap. We went to the police station to file for her passport. We were in line behind some people from Holland whom we ran into this evening and had a great visit for about a half hour. It is a five year process for adoption in Holland.
AnGrace has been very stoic and stone faced. You can tell she is sad and unsure of what is exactly going on. Last night while Debbi was in the bathroom washing and I was out of the room, AnGrace began to play in the crib, talk to herself and play with her toys. Prior to that she has said nothing. In fact she is trying to not show any emotion. She would not cry when Debbi washed her hair even though you could tell she wanted to. She also would fight back some smiles when going down a slide.
In the middle of the night last night she woke up and she sweetly called out twice. That was the first time we had heard her voice.
Gotcha Day plus 2
Today we went sight seeing with Rebecca, one of our facilitators. She is very joyful and a great guide. She also loves children and has been great with AnGrace. Today she has been more relaxed. She loves to walk. She smiled some more tonight when I would pick her up after she slid down the slide and toss her in the air. Still no words even when locals speak to her. The Dutch family was experiencing much the same transition with their daughter who is about the same age.
Tomorrow we will do some shopping and then have the afternoon free to walk around Shaiman island and continue to get to know AnGrace and build trust with her.
Tonight we ate at a Shanghai style restaurant. I am not sure Americans go there often, they did not speak any English. My limited Chinese was able to get us through and we had a great meal!! Very spicey bbq and sizzling garlic eggplant.
Keep praying for AnGrace to warm up to us and trust us. More later....
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Gotcha Day
Last night, Rebecca, our guide met us at the airport. We arrived in Guangzhou around 10 pm and checked in at the White Swan, a beautiful hotel. We went for a late night walk down what must be the Chinese lover's lane as couples were sitting on the benches by the river holding hands.
This morning we had a leisurely morning as we awaited our 2:30 appointment to meet AnGrace. Rebecca came at 1:30 pm and helped us get some paperwork in order and then we headed to meet AnGrace.
The moment was nothing like we expected. We arrived at the office and we were the only people there in a large waiting room filled with pictures of adopted children. We sat down on the couch and Rebecca handed them our paperwork. While we were sitting on the couch we saw two ladies walking in the door with a little girl dressed in a pink corduroy coat with a white fuzzy collar and Minnie Mouse on the left chest. There was AnGrace literally just out of the car. They walked towards us and I fumbled for the camera and took the world's worst video. Oh, well. I did get a good picture of Debbi holding her. I wish we could post it but you will have to wait until we get back home.
AnGrace did not do very well on the 5 hour ride to Guangzhou. She threw up 4 or 5 times and felt very poorly. She also had not napped and was very tired.
Debbi held her first and gave her a great big kiss. I then held her and she rested her head on my shoulder and tears ran down my cheeks. The culmination of two years of planning had come to fruition. Of course, it is only just the beginning of the great adventure with AnGrace.
We had a long time to sit with the nannies and ask all sorts of questions. We asked what made her mad and the nannies said strangers. She always cries and screams with strangers. They were amazed she was not screaming when she met us. In fact she was in my lap and I was playing with her and tickling her. She would tilt her head down and look away trying to keep me from seeing her smile. She then began to giggle and we both laughed. Since then she has been a little more reserved but we did see a smile and a laugh.
We returned to the apartment and made a bottle for her of rice cereal and formula. In the orphanage she ate 7 times a day. She was with the little babies as well so when ever they had a bottle she wanted a bottle and would cry for them. We will be cutting back on meals. AnGrace and I played on the bed as Debbi filled out more paperwork for tomorrow.
She is beautiful. Dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a light complexion. She makes the cutest face, pursing her lips to the side.
Debbi fed her a bottle and she stared into Debbi's eyes making wonderful eye contact. She is now sleeping and snoring a little (much like Brooke did when she was a baby). I have slipped out of the room to post this blog to share the event with you.
We prayed that God would prepare her heart for us and us for her. I know it is too early to really tell how she will do but the hand off from the nannies to us was more than we could of asked for or imagined. We had extended time with the nannies and she seemed to know we were not strangers.
Tomorrow we go to the police station and to a notary to fill out more paper work. We will have a couple of more appointments through out the week but most of the time we will be able to take walks with AnGrace or explore the huge hotel. There is a waterfall in the hotel and a play room for kids.
On a different note - thanks for the comments everyone has been leaving. They have been fun to read.
This morning we had a leisurely morning as we awaited our 2:30 appointment to meet AnGrace. Rebecca came at 1:30 pm and helped us get some paperwork in order and then we headed to meet AnGrace.
The moment was nothing like we expected. We arrived at the office and we were the only people there in a large waiting room filled with pictures of adopted children. We sat down on the couch and Rebecca handed them our paperwork. While we were sitting on the couch we saw two ladies walking in the door with a little girl dressed in a pink corduroy coat with a white fuzzy collar and Minnie Mouse on the left chest. There was AnGrace literally just out of the car. They walked towards us and I fumbled for the camera and took the world's worst video. Oh, well. I did get a good picture of Debbi holding her. I wish we could post it but you will have to wait until we get back home.
AnGrace did not do very well on the 5 hour ride to Guangzhou. She threw up 4 or 5 times and felt very poorly. She also had not napped and was very tired.
Debbi held her first and gave her a great big kiss. I then held her and she rested her head on my shoulder and tears ran down my cheeks. The culmination of two years of planning had come to fruition. Of course, it is only just the beginning of the great adventure with AnGrace.
We had a long time to sit with the nannies and ask all sorts of questions. We asked what made her mad and the nannies said strangers. She always cries and screams with strangers. They were amazed she was not screaming when she met us. In fact she was in my lap and I was playing with her and tickling her. She would tilt her head down and look away trying to keep me from seeing her smile. She then began to giggle and we both laughed. Since then she has been a little more reserved but we did see a smile and a laugh.
We returned to the apartment and made a bottle for her of rice cereal and formula. In the orphanage she ate 7 times a day. She was with the little babies as well so when ever they had a bottle she wanted a bottle and would cry for them. We will be cutting back on meals. AnGrace and I played on the bed as Debbi filled out more paperwork for tomorrow.
She is beautiful. Dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a light complexion. She makes the cutest face, pursing her lips to the side.
Debbi fed her a bottle and she stared into Debbi's eyes making wonderful eye contact. She is now sleeping and snoring a little (much like Brooke did when she was a baby). I have slipped out of the room to post this blog to share the event with you.
We prayed that God would prepare her heart for us and us for her. I know it is too early to really tell how she will do but the hand off from the nannies to us was more than we could of asked for or imagined. We had extended time with the nannies and she seemed to know we were not strangers.
Tomorrow we go to the police station and to a notary to fill out more paper work. We will have a couple of more appointments through out the week but most of the time we will be able to take walks with AnGrace or explore the huge hotel. There is a waterfall in the hotel and a play room for kids.
On a different note - thanks for the comments everyone has been leaving. They have been fun to read.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Gotcha Day Eve
It is Monday morning and we are in Kunming visiting friends from college days at JMU. We arrived yesterday and were able to catch up on the amazing things that God has been doing in their lives and in their work for our Father. I cannot wait to share some of the amazing stories when we return.
We had a great afternoon on Saturday with a young lady working with English Language Institute in China. We have mutual friends from Raleigh. She too is here working for the Father. I also look forward to sharing more about her work. Unfortunately I cannot go into much detail here on the blog.
Our friends in Kunming have three boys the exact ages of our girls so we are talking about match making....just kidding girls... but they actually did bring it up.
Kunming is a much different city than Beijing. It is smaller, only 3 million people, but older feeling and not as progressive. We went out to a local Chinese restaurant and the food was amazing. One of the best dishes was the root of a locust flower. We also had calamari (squid) and Debbi actually tried it.
We were able to participate in a progressive Christmas party with my friends' cell group. It was great to meet his partners in the work here. We also went Christmas caroling to some other Americans and to a couple of his Chinese neighbors. The doors came flying open to listen to the Americans sing.
Tonight we will fly to Guangzhou and then tomorrow we will meet AnGrace. Girls, remember we will call you at 6:45 Tuesday evening and share what happened on Gotcha day.
It is still hard to believe that after almost 2 years we will meet this little girl that God has set apart for us. Needless to say we are anxious for tomorrow and know that a new season of life will begin.
I have been meditating on Psalm 33 every morning and reminding myself how God-dependent and God-confident I need to be. It is so easy to be self-reliant and self-confident at home in our comfort zones. Being put in a different culture has reminded me of my tendency to trust in my own strength, wisdom, experience etc. instead of the Lord. Psalm 33 is a great antidote to my self-reliance and self-confidence. I am sure I will need to soak my soul in this as we all adjust to life with a new family member.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share our experience.
We had a great afternoon on Saturday with a young lady working with English Language Institute in China. We have mutual friends from Raleigh. She too is here working for the Father. I also look forward to sharing more about her work. Unfortunately I cannot go into much detail here on the blog.
Our friends in Kunming have three boys the exact ages of our girls so we are talking about match making....just kidding girls... but they actually did bring it up.
Kunming is a much different city than Beijing. It is smaller, only 3 million people, but older feeling and not as progressive. We went out to a local Chinese restaurant and the food was amazing. One of the best dishes was the root of a locust flower. We also had calamari (squid) and Debbi actually tried it.
We were able to participate in a progressive Christmas party with my friends' cell group. It was great to meet his partners in the work here. We also went Christmas caroling to some other Americans and to a couple of his Chinese neighbors. The doors came flying open to listen to the Americans sing.
Tonight we will fly to Guangzhou and then tomorrow we will meet AnGrace. Girls, remember we will call you at 6:45 Tuesday evening and share what happened on Gotcha day.
It is still hard to believe that after almost 2 years we will meet this little girl that God has set apart for us. Needless to say we are anxious for tomorrow and know that a new season of life will begin.
I have been meditating on Psalm 33 every morning and reminding myself how God-dependent and God-confident I need to be. It is so easy to be self-reliant and self-confident at home in our comfort zones. Being put in a different culture has reminded me of my tendency to trust in my own strength, wisdom, experience etc. instead of the Lord. Psalm 33 is a great antidote to my self-reliance and self-confidence. I am sure I will need to soak my soul in this as we all adjust to life with a new family member.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share our experience.
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