Thursday, September 10, 2015: Free Day

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Sometimes the very simple verse has the most meaning.  This verse popped in my head tonight as I sat down to write the blog for today.  As we prepare to leave for Guangzhou to get their visas approved at the U.S. Consulate, I find myself very tired from the business of the week.  Wow, what has happened this week has been amazing!  I really cannot how the girls are feeling knowing this is the last night in the province until they visit China again.

We were surprised as we packed tonight that both girls did not want to keep anything that they came with on Gotcha Day.  We kept the outfits on Gotcha Day of both Enoch and Lily for their keepsakes to have in the future.  We are doing the same for the girls as they may not realize what treasures they came with that they might want to revisit in the years to come.

Today we had a lazy day.  Autumn needed some new shoes so we went shopping for her shoes.  We then watched Frozen and had lunch.  After lunch we just lounged around and met with our guide to receive our notarized adoption paperwork.  We went to dinner with our guide for the last time tonight.  I will miss Lisa! 

Tonight we got all packed up and communicated to the girls how to pack for security with carry-ons, etc.  They are picking up English quite quickly.  I think it is because they already learned the basics before the adoption through their exceptional education.  Their boarding school was paid for by a local real estate company that apparently is very large.  The education was top notch.

The next time I blog we will be in Guangzhou for our next adventure.  Thank you for joining us on our adoption journey.

Captions for photos: first: Mom and girls talking to their big sister on QQ; second: Dad and girls shopping at local market; third: Dad and girls playing uno; fourth: Girls holding hands

Wednesday, September 9, 2015: Visit to local park

Psalm 149:4  “For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.”

I like this verse because as our Father in Heaven He delights in us as His children the same as we delight in our children as parents.

Today we visited the Qianling Mountain Park in Guiyang city.  This park was unique as it had wide paths where you walked, a zoo, wild monkeys, and a lot of Chinese culture.  The local Chinese people sing, dance, and play outdoor games.  There were several Chinese women dressed up in beautiful Chinese dresses with fans dancing to music like in a theater. 

The monkeys live in the mountain side where there is a lot of green growth with trees and brush.  They come down to the people to get food.  They just sit on the fixtures and wait to be fed or go after food they see and like.  They are everywhere.  It was really neat to experience.

After the park we went to lunch with our guide, Lisa.  Then we just hung out in our hotel room.  The girls got introduced to Kyle’s ipads and games.  They are hooked now I think.  Lisa and I just talked about the culture and she told me their older sisters have a very good chance of having their own lives and getting married with a job.  This makes me feel much better about the future of their sisters.  We are still going to explore the options of getting them to the U.S. for a visit someday or perhaps for some educational opportunity.

Tomorrow we will have another free day with just the four of us.  Our guide will meet back up with us once she picks up our notary paperwork needed to receive the visas for the girls in Guangzhou.  We will have our last dinner together on Thursday as we all leave the province on Friday morning.

So far this experience in province has been wonderful.  The hotel room is very nice with no smells.  The food is great and tasty with A LOT of spice!  It is very hot!  They like their peppers here.  

Photo captions: First: The girls at the park; second: Autumn giving a monkey a banana in park; third: Girls on Dad's ipads

Tuesday, September 8, 2015: Visit to Orphanage and Abandonment Site

Today I want to begin with the following versus from Titus Chapter 2. 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 2:13  “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  This verse sums up many things.  First, it tells us that God offers us the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ; second, we hope for the appearing of Jesus to take us Home; and lastly that Jesus is God!

The morning began with a visit to their abandonment site.  It was on a road next to a furniture factory.  The factory has been torn down and is now a new apartment building in construction.  The girls did not remember the area as they were just 3 and 5 years old when found.

We then went to the orphanage.  We met a man that is a Christian who runs much of the foster program through the orphanage.  He places many children in Christian Chinese homes.  Our girls were not part of his program.  You could tell by talking with him that his heart is with the orphans just as the heart of Christ.

We immediately met their oldest sister and they got to spend a lot of time with her.  She is now 16 and in vocational school.  When she graduates, she will be found a job by the orphanage.  We think this orphanage does a lot to help their kids and make sure they have a chance to have a normal life once they leave.  We also got to tour the orphanage and see where Hope spent some time between foster families and before being with us.  Along the way we met several orphans.  One was a precious baby and the other a toddler boy.  I really wanted to bring them both home.  They will be adopted soon I am sure.

Once their second oldest sister arrived for lunch from middle school, they all four were reunited.  She was sad they were leaving, but she was happy for them as well.  We hope they will all be able to stay in touch via QQ and WeChat.  In fact, they just chatted with their oldest sister tonight after dinner.

While their sister was having lunch, we met several other older children waiting to be adopted.  They were so beautiful and wonderful.  I really wish I could bring them all back home with us, but it is just not possible.  I will pray families will open their hearts and homes and bring these children home.  They are trying very hard to learn English and embrace the opportunity to be educated.  A refreshing attitude to witness.

The good-byes were hard but all left with smiles and blowing kisses.  They will see each other again in the future, but it will be hard on all of them until then.  Prayers for all girls would be appreciated.

After leaving the orphanage we went to Walmart!  Yes, there is an actual Walmart here in the city of Guiyang.  We got the girls a few last items they needed.

We are really having a smooth time with the transition.  The girls seem to have adopted American culture quite quickly.  For example they like to wear shorts.  I know this may seem strange, but most Chinese do not want to expose their bodies to the sun to stay light. However, our girls have no problem dressing like Mom.  We have also witnessed their good table manners.  Sometimes it feels like they have been with us for years when we are all sitting and eating together at the table.  They are also very polite and want to serve care for their parents.  WOW, what a change for us! 

Tomorrow we are going to visit a local park that is very popular with wild monkeys.  Apparently Hope’s first foster family lived near this park so she has gone several times. 

One last thing I wanted to mention is that we have had the best Chinese food of all three provinces here in Guiyang.  They like spicy food with lots of flavor.  We have been very impressed, as they have been able to make ALL dishes without soy sauce!  We also have a wonderful hotel room that smells good and seems to have no smoke!  The only thing we are trying to get used to is the fact that they do not run their air conditioner after midnight so we wake up in the middle of the night sweating!  Other than that, our accommodations are fantastic. 

Photo captions: First: Girls in van; second: Abandonment site with guide; third: Girls in front of orphanage; fourth: Girls with oldest sister on right; fifth: Hope in room at orphanage; sixth: All 4 sisters

Monday, September 7, 2015: Final Adoption Day (Registration Day)

Today the adoption is finalized.  We receive the adoption certificate and they officially become part of our family!  The awkwardness is over and now we use the translator when we cannot understand each other.  Our guide, Lisa, is a fabulous bridge for our communication deficits.

The girls are very smart and surprise us each day at how much English they know.  I do think they can read it better than understand it spoken.  That will change once they are immersed into the language once returning to the states.  We are getting by with the translator we brought when we cannot understand each other.  There is not a moment when they are not smiling or being helpful.  They like to serve us and make sure they are tidy. 

We have been amazed at how much they understand American culture and how to care for themselves.  They just got done putting together a 300 piece puzzle with Kyle.  We have no other puzzles as they have mastered all of them and in record time! 

Today we did some shopping to get the girls some things they need and want.  After shopping we watched a movie and hung out in the room. 

Tomorrow we visit their orphanage and their two older biological sisters that have timed out of the system.  We will also go to their place of abandonment in the city where they were found on the side of the road.

2 Corinthians 13:14  “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Photo captions: First: At Civil Affairs final adoption place; Second: Final adoption certificates with orphanage personnel.

Sunday, September 6, 2015: “Gotcha Day”

Matthew 11:28  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  I begin with this passage because I am tired. I also am emotionally unsure of what to expect on this day.  I also want to recall the verse that says that all blessings are from above. This day is about blessings.  Children are the greatest blessing we can receive from our Father in Heaven besides the blessing of His Son, Jesus the Christ!

We are off to meet the girls and complete the adoption paperwork as well as get photos for their passports.

Well, today was wonderful!  The girls are joyful and happy.  They want to have a home and are thankful to be our daughters.  The one event that we did today that was surprising was the girls wanted a haircut and style.  Yes, I have two long braids they cut off--all their own idea!  They love to eat and smile.  This day could not have turned out better.  Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Photo captions: First one: Mom and Hope Luo Dan putting on her necklace; second: Mom and Autumn Luo Piao putting on her necklace; third: Girls and foster Dad with Mom and Dad; fourth: Autumn Luo Piao getting her hair cut; Fifth: Hope Luo Dan getting her hair cut. 

Saturday, September 5, 2015: Rest Day

Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

This verse is meant for me today as I sit here and think about what Gotcha Day will bring tomorrow when we meet the girls.  It is comforting to know the Lord is in charge and directs our path according to His Will! 

Today was a rest day.  It is intended to give us rest from travel before taking custody of the girls tomorrow.  Kyle and I walked the streets and explored.  We found a Walmart, if you can believe it!  We took a nap and met with our Holt guide that will be with us all week translating and getting all of the paperwork completed for the adoption and for our visa issuance in Guangzhou.

We in America have so much to be thankful for!  Yes, our country is not perfect, but it is one made under God and it shows.  I think every U.S. citizen should travel abroad to see the living conditions others live in around the world.  I can speak of China right now.  I am confident it would bring most to their knees and humble everyone into a state of gratitude for how we live in America.

Tomorrow we meet the girls.  I am always dreading the awkwardness of the day we all first meet.  All of a sudden we are family and are complete strangers at the same time.  What we cannot see is the work the Lord has been doing in all our hearts the entire process until this day.  

Photo captions: First one: Hotel room; second one: Guiyang City; third one: Poverty just below hotel room

Friday, September 4, 2015: Arrival in China

FYI-China has blocked all google platforms including my vpn that was supposed to unblock what is blocked.  Therefore, I personally cannot post to the blogspot which is why there have been no postings.  My cousin is graciously helping me post from the U.S.  Thank you for your patience.

We made it after 31 hours of being awake!  Yes, a morning wake up at 4:30 to catch a 13 hour direct flight from Dallas, TX to Beijing, China.  Then a 7 hour lay over in Beijing until we boarded our last flight to province (Guizhou) which was around 3.5 hours.  We finally got to lay horizontal around 1 am local China time.

As we arrive a third time to China to adopt I keep these words from Jeremiah 32:17 in mind, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”  Thank goodness our Lord, Jesus Christ, is in charge!