I have peace this this afternoon. Lots of peace.
I woke up this morning to feeling better. I think sleep can do that to a person. Since I was going to church this morning, I didn't do my regular devotions and began instead with my gratitude journal. Words began flowing out of me and as I wrote about things that I was thankful for yesterday. . .yesterday didn't seem so bad. When I focused on all the great things that God had put into place (There was enough room for our luggage on the train. When I fell yesterday, neither Michael nor I got hurt. We had a great ride on the train. Our supper was surprisingly wonderful. We have a room with an air conditioner. Michael gave me a hug.). There is so much goodness coming from The Lord our way! I know we were under attack yesterday, but I got up and put on the armor of God and was ready to go!
Then I checked my e-mails and there was one from our China coordinator. Yes we have a new guide starting tomorrow (we didn't today), but no apology. No "we are so very sorry." Instead we read "there must have been some confusions (spelling correct)". Confusions? We were not confused! We were on the train! We got off! You weren't there!!! I sat fuming and then. . . Then God gave me new eyes to see.
I have a choice here. I can choose to get upset and look for the bad that has been done against me, and seek justice. . . Or I can forgive even when they don't admit they were wrong. I'd rather live in peace today and move forward and put it behind me. It took a little bit. I kept thinking about things again. . .but every time I claimed the Lordship of
Christ!
So today turned out to be wonderful so far. We really enjoyed our time as a family and time with friends. We were outside from 9:00-4:00. We are sticky and hot and sweaty. We made it to church and even got seats together (it was packed!). As I sat down I cried. Gary asked what was wrong and I was able to say, "Nothing. We are together with Christians and are worshipping Him with believers all over the world." It is so amazing to sit with the family of God. . . to listen to singing and praying in another language and not understand a thing, but feel the heartbeat of God.
Thanks so much for your prayers. I know that people read the blog post and prayed. My friend Nancy asked people to pray over Facebook. It was such an encouragement to see and know that people were covering us. We felt it today. I also received a message fom Sarah with scripture. I drank in Psalm 91 and felt comfort from The Lord.
"For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against the stone." V. 11-12. "Because he loves me, says The Lord, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." v. 14-15
Such promises! Such friends! Such family! Such an amazing God!
Tomorrow--medical exam and TB test for Michael. They don't let parents in the room for the shots, so I'm praying over my little guy's heart. Gary is uploading pictures, so I'll try and get those on later tonight. It has been awhile!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
A little teary
Here is a little upbeat amazing mama thing that happened on the train today--I'll be real quick!
So I was sitting my Michael and I don't even remember what I did or what was going on. . .I do remember that he was giving me his huge wonderful smile and then suddenly he was hugging me! He had hugged my legs a couple off times and I have been hugging him very often, but this was the first time he has given one to me--all on his own.
Love it!
So I was sitting my Michael and I don't even remember what I did or what was going on. . .I do remember that he was giving me his huge wonderful smile and then suddenly he was hugging me! He had hugged my legs a couple off times and I have been hugging him very often, but this was the first time he has given one to me--all on his own.
Love it!
Oh what a day!
Friends friends friends
We are in a new place. We made it today from Changsha to Guangzhou. Yes! We had a great train trip and listen to this---Michael did better than we were expecting! God just took over that situation and gave us a wonderful surprise. Considering our last train trip on Wednesday was 40 minutes long and all I could think about was "how in the world are we going to survive a 15 hour plane ride?!?" -- this one went more smoothly and it was 4 hours long. Look for far we have come in just 6 days! Michael has been with us for six days. Imagine all the cool ways he is going to adapt and change and love and fit in with our family as time goes on. Imagine all the cool ways we are going to adapt and change and love and fit with him in our family as time goes on. Yes!
So there is also bad news. We are struggling. We really feel like we are under attack. My devotions this morning centered on faith and in the shield of faith and about the story of Elisha and how Elisha asked that his servants eyes be opened so that he could see the mighty army of The Lord all around. (Run on sentence there--just go with it.) :) So this morning I sat in the hallway and asked to see the army of The Lord. So when we arrived at our destination and our guide wasn't there (again) and we had no idea where to go. . .I strode around that station singing "I know who goes before me. I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies. Is always by my side." And you know what? I didn't fear. Fear is the enemy of faith. I feared last time. I feared when we got off the train at the wrong stop last Saturday. I didn't fear today. Nope. I felt peace.
The guide showed up. And we couldn't understand her. Fear? Not today. Faith. We have asked for a different guide and I'm trusting that God will take care of that. The hotel didn't want to let our kids eat breakfast for free. The worker at the desk walked away and never came back in the middle of us checking in. Our room key didn't work. Our guide took it back down the the desk to fix it. It didn't work again--back down. She came up with a worker--didn't work. She asked if we wanted another room. Yes--on the 12th floor please. We have a room on the 13th floor. We tried to order a cot for the room. It didn't come. Our phone would randomly turn on speaker and we would hear people. Three times. Now, I could be fearful of this week. What else is going to happen? Instead, I need to have faith. Claim my Lord!
See I got a little bit angry during some of this. I might have even gotten a little stressed and crabby. I believe that is what the evil one wants. So tonight I will laugh at all the has happened. I will consider myself honored that I am worthy of an attack. I will walk with confidence tomorrow because the God of angel armies is always by my side!
So if you are praying for us, can you ask that we get a new guide or that our ears are opened to understand her? Will you pray that all of our paperwork stays the course--wouldn't that be a great way for the evil one to attack?!? Will you pray that nothing heeds us from going to church tomorrow morning?
After talking with my mom tonight, I'm also filled with joy because things at home are going so beautifully! I feel such peace about my girls and I have many of you to thank for that. Thanks for praying for them, for encouraging them, for meals and babysitting, for checking in. . . They are so secure and I couldn't have dreamed for anything better! God is completely in this. Amen!
We are in a new place. We made it today from Changsha to Guangzhou. Yes! We had a great train trip and listen to this---Michael did better than we were expecting! God just took over that situation and gave us a wonderful surprise. Considering our last train trip on Wednesday was 40 minutes long and all I could think about was "how in the world are we going to survive a 15 hour plane ride?!?" -- this one went more smoothly and it was 4 hours long. Look for far we have come in just 6 days! Michael has been with us for six days. Imagine all the cool ways he is going to adapt and change and love and fit in with our family as time goes on. Imagine all the cool ways we are going to adapt and change and love and fit with him in our family as time goes on. Yes!
So there is also bad news. We are struggling. We really feel like we are under attack. My devotions this morning centered on faith and in the shield of faith and about the story of Elisha and how Elisha asked that his servants eyes be opened so that he could see the mighty army of The Lord all around. (Run on sentence there--just go with it.) :) So this morning I sat in the hallway and asked to see the army of The Lord. So when we arrived at our destination and our guide wasn't there (again) and we had no idea where to go. . .I strode around that station singing "I know who goes before me. I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies. Is always by my side." And you know what? I didn't fear. Fear is the enemy of faith. I feared last time. I feared when we got off the train at the wrong stop last Saturday. I didn't fear today. Nope. I felt peace.
The guide showed up. And we couldn't understand her. Fear? Not today. Faith. We have asked for a different guide and I'm trusting that God will take care of that. The hotel didn't want to let our kids eat breakfast for free. The worker at the desk walked away and never came back in the middle of us checking in. Our room key didn't work. Our guide took it back down the the desk to fix it. It didn't work again--back down. She came up with a worker--didn't work. She asked if we wanted another room. Yes--on the 12th floor please. We have a room on the 13th floor. We tried to order a cot for the room. It didn't come. Our phone would randomly turn on speaker and we would hear people. Three times. Now, I could be fearful of this week. What else is going to happen? Instead, I need to have faith. Claim my Lord!
See I got a little bit angry during some of this. I might have even gotten a little stressed and crabby. I believe that is what the evil one wants. So tonight I will laugh at all the has happened. I will consider myself honored that I am worthy of an attack. I will walk with confidence tomorrow because the God of angel armies is always by my side!
So if you are praying for us, can you ask that we get a new guide or that our ears are opened to understand her? Will you pray that all of our paperwork stays the course--wouldn't that be a great way for the evil one to attack?!? Will you pray that nothing heeds us from going to church tomorrow morning?
After talking with my mom tonight, I'm also filled with joy because things at home are going so beautifully! I feel such peace about my girls and I have many of you to thank for that. Thanks for praying for them, for encouraging them, for meals and babysitting, for checking in. . . They are so secure and I couldn't have dreamed for anything better! God is completely in this. Amen!
Friday, July 11, 2014
My son Michael
How do a I begin to describe my newest son? I've only known him for five days. I want to write this down so that I remember, and so that you my sweet friends and family can begin getting to know him too.
1. I feel like sometimes he is two different people. I look at him and he is mine. He is beautiful. Then he smiles and he looks like a completely different person and he is beyond beautiful. His smile is huge and joy comes out of him. Sometimes what is coming out of that smile is a little bit of naughtiness--he knows he is pushing it. :)
2. He is quick to catch on. No, I'm serious. The child doesn't miss anything that you do. He especially doesn't miss anything that his brothers do. If they walk on the edge, he does. If they do a naked butt dance, he does. If they touch the leaf of a tree. . .you get it. We've had to remind them that they need to be extra on their guard because he is watching everything! He is even watching me. So. . .the hotel has these really cool little spoons that they use for yogurt and I like them. And I took one. And I put it in my pocket. And no one saw me. And I'm sorry now. Anyway, Michael needed a spoon and so I pulled it out of my pocket. He got done eating, cleaned off the spoon with his napkin, and then PUT IT IN HIS POCKET! Ugh. I taught my kid to steal. Or I need to not him him wear shorts with pockets.
3. He needs to go to the bathroom a lot.
4. He is the busiest boy I think I have ever met. He is everywhere. He can't concentrate on anything for very long. Gary and I sat and stared when we brought him to the room the first time. Honestly, it was a bit scary. Things have calmed just a bit, or better yet, we have changed our eyes to see him differently. He was in a room with very young kids. He has been institutionalized. He is in a brand new situation. He has never had his own things or own place before. Please pray that the 15 hour flight goes well.
5. He is noisy. The kid is snoring away right now.
6. He likes to cheer. When he does something right or gets it right. . .he cheers. He throws up him hands in victory and gives a little shout.
7. He likes to be in charge. When he figures out the way it goes. . .then he wants to do it next time. The elevator, the buffet, brushing teeth, hailing a cab, entering the pool, paying money. . .he wants to do it every time. This will be fun to watch in action when he meets Penny. :)
8. Though we don't understand most of what he says, he has no trouble communicating with us. Happy or mad, we are very aware. He also gives a little nod if he wants something and a little nod with a shaking hand in front of his face if he doesn't want something. Gary and I have adopted this way of communicating with each other as well as it works so very well for Michael. Let me tell ya--he is hilarious--and opiniated. :)
9. When he is naughty, he flashes his smile. Um. . .not gonna work mister.
10. He makes me laugh every day and I'm liking him more and more. See, I said yes to God's request to adopt and then I fell in love with a picture. Suddenly, there was a person living with me that I didn't know. We are getting to know each other more and more. I like him more and more. Last night in our cab he leaned over and kissed me on leg. He kissed me. For the first time. I think that he might like me too.
1. I feel like sometimes he is two different people. I look at him and he is mine. He is beautiful. Then he smiles and he looks like a completely different person and he is beyond beautiful. His smile is huge and joy comes out of him. Sometimes what is coming out of that smile is a little bit of naughtiness--he knows he is pushing it. :)
2. He is quick to catch on. No, I'm serious. The child doesn't miss anything that you do. He especially doesn't miss anything that his brothers do. If they walk on the edge, he does. If they do a naked butt dance, he does. If they touch the leaf of a tree. . .you get it. We've had to remind them that they need to be extra on their guard because he is watching everything! He is even watching me. So. . .the hotel has these really cool little spoons that they use for yogurt and I like them. And I took one. And I put it in my pocket. And no one saw me. And I'm sorry now. Anyway, Michael needed a spoon and so I pulled it out of my pocket. He got done eating, cleaned off the spoon with his napkin, and then PUT IT IN HIS POCKET! Ugh. I taught my kid to steal. Or I need to not him him wear shorts with pockets.
3. He needs to go to the bathroom a lot.
4. He is the busiest boy I think I have ever met. He is everywhere. He can't concentrate on anything for very long. Gary and I sat and stared when we brought him to the room the first time. Honestly, it was a bit scary. Things have calmed just a bit, or better yet, we have changed our eyes to see him differently. He was in a room with very young kids. He has been institutionalized. He is in a brand new situation. He has never had his own things or own place before. Please pray that the 15 hour flight goes well.
5. He is noisy. The kid is snoring away right now.
6. He likes to cheer. When he does something right or gets it right. . .he cheers. He throws up him hands in victory and gives a little shout.
7. He likes to be in charge. When he figures out the way it goes. . .then he wants to do it next time. The elevator, the buffet, brushing teeth, hailing a cab, entering the pool, paying money. . .he wants to do it every time. This will be fun to watch in action when he meets Penny. :)
8. Though we don't understand most of what he says, he has no trouble communicating with us. Happy or mad, we are very aware. He also gives a little nod if he wants something and a little nod with a shaking hand in front of his face if he doesn't want something. Gary and I have adopted this way of communicating with each other as well as it works so very well for Michael. Let me tell ya--he is hilarious--and opiniated. :)
9. When he is naughty, he flashes his smile. Um. . .not gonna work mister.
10. He makes me laugh every day and I'm liking him more and more. See, I said yes to God's request to adopt and then I fell in love with a picture. Suddenly, there was a person living with me that I didn't know. We are getting to know each other more and more. I like him more and more. Last night in our cab he leaned over and kissed me on leg. He kissed me. For the first time. I think that he might like me too.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
It's hot!
Sorry I missed blogging for a day. We are having a wee bit of trouble. . . well we are just having trouble with connecting to the internet and with connecting with our vpn. I hadn't heard of a vpn before I came, but without it I can't use any sites that are blocked by China. That includes Blogger and Facebook. I'm thankful that I have access when I do.
It is 12:09 p.m. here and most of you are sleeping away. I've had trouble sleeping and have been getting up around 5:00 each morning, although this morning was 4:00. It has given me time though to do my devotions either in the bathroom or the hallway. I also went running one morning--through the 30th floor. Our floor is set up like a triangle, so for 15 minutes I ran around and around. I can't use the exercise machines in the "health room" because I can't read what they say.
Today is a free day so we have nothing planned. Yesterday we went to Martyr's Park in the morning. When we traveled to get Simon, we went there twice. Though I wish we could have stayed longer (It is a place that I love! It is huge! And there is an amusement park inside, although many of the things are a bit sketchy), the front of Garrison's shirt was soaked after about 20 minutes. To say it is hot here doesn't even begin to describe the wet crazy heat outside. So because we are done with appointments and touring, we are spending our days in the hotel mostly swimming in the pool, playing soccer by the elevators, Legos, and right now Gary is showing Michael what a pillow fight is. Sometimes the hours are long, but we just keep plugging away. It is a times like this that we all long for home. We have another week left--and that seems daunting. I know though that God's work for us here is not done, so each morning I will say "Yes Lord" and then see what things He asks for me to do.
We leave tomorrow by train for Guangzhou. This is a city of 13 million where the U.S. Consulate is. Michael will get a physical, a tb test, we'll take an oath not to abuse him, pick up his visa, and then we can come home. I'm not excited for the trip back to America for a variety of reasons (which I'll share with you later), but that is not a problem for today. I'll pray about it and then let it be. I'm hoping that our train trip is not like the last one.
Tonight we'll be having dinner with Karen, a missionary with ICC. She was one of Simon's nurses when he was a boy. I'm excited to talk with her and listen to all that God is doing in her life. She is in Sanmexia working to build up an ICC program in that city. I love seeing all these points of light for the Lord.
Tomorrow (or maybe later today) a post about Michael. It is strange and fun and weird and interesting to have a new person living with you 24 hours a day. I'm constantly trying to find out what makes him tick, how he reacts, when to correct, how much he needs to sleep, discover his intellect, looking at his body. . . everything.
It is 12:09 p.m. here and most of you are sleeping away. I've had trouble sleeping and have been getting up around 5:00 each morning, although this morning was 4:00. It has given me time though to do my devotions either in the bathroom or the hallway. I also went running one morning--through the 30th floor. Our floor is set up like a triangle, so for 15 minutes I ran around and around. I can't use the exercise machines in the "health room" because I can't read what they say.
Today is a free day so we have nothing planned. Yesterday we went to Martyr's Park in the morning. When we traveled to get Simon, we went there twice. Though I wish we could have stayed longer (It is a place that I love! It is huge! And there is an amusement park inside, although many of the things are a bit sketchy), the front of Garrison's shirt was soaked after about 20 minutes. To say it is hot here doesn't even begin to describe the wet crazy heat outside. So because we are done with appointments and touring, we are spending our days in the hotel mostly swimming in the pool, playing soccer by the elevators, Legos, and right now Gary is showing Michael what a pillow fight is. Sometimes the hours are long, but we just keep plugging away. It is a times like this that we all long for home. We have another week left--and that seems daunting. I know though that God's work for us here is not done, so each morning I will say "Yes Lord" and then see what things He asks for me to do.
We leave tomorrow by train for Guangzhou. This is a city of 13 million where the U.S. Consulate is. Michael will get a physical, a tb test, we'll take an oath not to abuse him, pick up his visa, and then we can come home. I'm not excited for the trip back to America for a variety of reasons (which I'll share with you later), but that is not a problem for today. I'll pray about it and then let it be. I'm hoping that our train trip is not like the last one.
Tonight we'll be having dinner with Karen, a missionary with ICC. She was one of Simon's nurses when he was a boy. I'm excited to talk with her and listen to all that God is doing in her life. She is in Sanmexia working to build up an ICC program in that city. I love seeing all these points of light for the Lord.
Tomorrow (or maybe later today) a post about Michael. It is strange and fun and weird and interesting to have a new person living with you 24 hours a day. I'm constantly trying to find out what makes him tick, how he reacts, when to correct, how much he needs to sleep, discover his intellect, looking at his body. . . everything.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
A visit
Good morning.
I didn't write last night because. . .well the vpn wasn't working, I was super tired, and frankly there was so much running through my head. I'm not exactly sure what to do with it all.
We visited the orphanage yesterday. I've never been to an orphanage before, and now I have two sons who spent the first years of their lives in one. . . and an amazing one at that. But really--it is still an orphanage.
We took two taxi's to the train station (we are a large family!) and boarded a high speed train. We arrived in Hengyang where we were picked up in mini-bus of sorts by one of the directors and brought to the orphanage. Simon was pretty quiet. Michael was very busy. Garrison was chit chatting away with the driver and director. My boys.
My friend Kyla came over soon after we arrived and hijacked our group. I just adore her! She runs the whole ICC show in China and she insisted that rather than do the formal stuff first (sit in a room, pose for pictures, eat fruit) we instead go visit right away as the kids would be napping if we waited. So off we went! I laughed and laughed as Michael took over the tour at this point. This is his place and he was in charge of the Sprick family now. He made loud announcements to everyone and would make big windmill motions with his arm to get us to move along and follow him. I didn't understand what he was saying, but Kyla told me it involved something along the lines of "move it" and "we are going to the 6th floor". He was right. He got the elevator for us, he held the door, he pushed the buttons.
We went into his classroom and met his classmates. We also met many of the teachers and carers. Honestly, it was all a whirlwind. Women were running in to see Simon. Teachers were hugging Michael and Simon. We gave a gift to Biao from his mom and dad (they had sent it to our house for us to deliver it.) We also sponsor Biao, so it was amazing to see this little one whose picture is on our fridge. One teacher gave us a binder full of work that Michael had done in class. His teacher cried and I cried with her as I thanked her for teaching my son. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was beautiful to see the love these people have for my kids.
We continued on with a larger group now as some of the teachers joined us as well as Michael's best friend Biao. We ran into more and more people who just wanted to see Simon. Simon is the first child who has returned to the orphanage. He was one of their first babies. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, so all of this attention was a lot for him. There was one granny in particular who had cooked for him and loved him and wouldn't let him go. The hug was long. Imagine for these carers to see that what they did for him was not in vain--God honored their work! This YiYi, our Simon, is now healthy and happy and big and has long hair. Oh the hair issue! :) Every single person commented on the hair and said he looked like a girl. Poor Simon.
We went into another building, and though we couldn't see the first room where Simon had lived as it was made "unlivable" last month by a mudslide, we did see the room where he had been right before we adopted him. We saw his bed. I'm still pondering this in my heart.
Michael's room was next, although Michael had gone there several minutes before. Michael wasn't really with us during the tour as he was moving from room to room and greeting nannies and kids. This was his territory and we were very comfortable with it. It helped us to see him in his element. I got on the floor of his room and sat and listened as the nanny talked to me while Kyla translated. I made sure to touch the face of every child in that room. Every one. I wish I could have been there longer. I wish I could have picked them up and touched my cheek to theirs. We moved to the next room where Michael's bed was and I got a picture of him sleeping on it. I don't have pictures to post yet as we didn't upload them and I need to be careful what I post. Taking pictures was a touchy thing. I cried as one of his carers (carer and nanny seem to be used interchangeably) picked him up and cried as she loved him and hugged him and said her good-bye.
On this floor too we met so many who had loved Simon. We even had a story confirmed that another adopted girl, YunYun, whom we sponsored and eventually met, had told us about Simon sharing his food with her every day. He is still a sharer. Many of the nannies wanted to know about his tumor and if he is o.k. He is. He plays soccer. Some couldn't believe it. Sometimes I can't either.
A 20 year old handsome man showed up who was a former orphan there. He was 12 when Simon came and he remembers "holding him twice".
We went into the next room then which wasn't Michael's, but where he spent a lot of his time. His best friend was in this room. We saw several children who are up for adoption and as Kyla says, "this one really needs a family." Think about that. This one really needs a family. Friends this should not be. Garrison and Simon both approached Gary and I at different times asking if we were going to adopt "this one" as they pointed to a child. I made sure to touch everyone in this second room too. They are precious. They are His children.
We did the formal thing with the fruit and then left for lunch. We were taken to a restaurant and had a wonderful meal. Garrison had a great attitude and didn't complain (we talked about this on the way over" as he only liked the steamed bread). Simon munched away on everything including the bullfrog and squid. I was so thankful that Kyla and Anna (she came in on her day off--she is the occupational therapist and became a good friend via e-mail with me) were invited. We talked more. We laughed more. We marveled that these two boys have homes.
There is so much more rumbling around in my heart, though I don't know if it will come out on the blog. I'm not even sure that I can give voice to it. This is what I know. My God is so very faithful and my sons were in wonderful and nurturing hands. God is doing great things at ICC. God is doing great things in the Sprick family.
I didn't write last night because. . .well the vpn wasn't working, I was super tired, and frankly there was so much running through my head. I'm not exactly sure what to do with it all.
We visited the orphanage yesterday. I've never been to an orphanage before, and now I have two sons who spent the first years of their lives in one. . . and an amazing one at that. But really--it is still an orphanage.
We took two taxi's to the train station (we are a large family!) and boarded a high speed train. We arrived in Hengyang where we were picked up in mini-bus of sorts by one of the directors and brought to the orphanage. Simon was pretty quiet. Michael was very busy. Garrison was chit chatting away with the driver and director. My boys.
My friend Kyla came over soon after we arrived and hijacked our group. I just adore her! She runs the whole ICC show in China and she insisted that rather than do the formal stuff first (sit in a room, pose for pictures, eat fruit) we instead go visit right away as the kids would be napping if we waited. So off we went! I laughed and laughed as Michael took over the tour at this point. This is his place and he was in charge of the Sprick family now. He made loud announcements to everyone and would make big windmill motions with his arm to get us to move along and follow him. I didn't understand what he was saying, but Kyla told me it involved something along the lines of "move it" and "we are going to the 6th floor". He was right. He got the elevator for us, he held the door, he pushed the buttons.
We went into his classroom and met his classmates. We also met many of the teachers and carers. Honestly, it was all a whirlwind. Women were running in to see Simon. Teachers were hugging Michael and Simon. We gave a gift to Biao from his mom and dad (they had sent it to our house for us to deliver it.) We also sponsor Biao, so it was amazing to see this little one whose picture is on our fridge. One teacher gave us a binder full of work that Michael had done in class. His teacher cried and I cried with her as I thanked her for teaching my son. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was beautiful to see the love these people have for my kids.
We continued on with a larger group now as some of the teachers joined us as well as Michael's best friend Biao. We ran into more and more people who just wanted to see Simon. Simon is the first child who has returned to the orphanage. He was one of their first babies. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, so all of this attention was a lot for him. There was one granny in particular who had cooked for him and loved him and wouldn't let him go. The hug was long. Imagine for these carers to see that what they did for him was not in vain--God honored their work! This YiYi, our Simon, is now healthy and happy and big and has long hair. Oh the hair issue! :) Every single person commented on the hair and said he looked like a girl. Poor Simon.
We went into another building, and though we couldn't see the first room where Simon had lived as it was made "unlivable" last month by a mudslide, we did see the room where he had been right before we adopted him. We saw his bed. I'm still pondering this in my heart.
Michael's room was next, although Michael had gone there several minutes before. Michael wasn't really with us during the tour as he was moving from room to room and greeting nannies and kids. This was his territory and we were very comfortable with it. It helped us to see him in his element. I got on the floor of his room and sat and listened as the nanny talked to me while Kyla translated. I made sure to touch the face of every child in that room. Every one. I wish I could have been there longer. I wish I could have picked them up and touched my cheek to theirs. We moved to the next room where Michael's bed was and I got a picture of him sleeping on it. I don't have pictures to post yet as we didn't upload them and I need to be careful what I post. Taking pictures was a touchy thing. I cried as one of his carers (carer and nanny seem to be used interchangeably) picked him up and cried as she loved him and hugged him and said her good-bye.
On this floor too we met so many who had loved Simon. We even had a story confirmed that another adopted girl, YunYun, whom we sponsored and eventually met, had told us about Simon sharing his food with her every day. He is still a sharer. Many of the nannies wanted to know about his tumor and if he is o.k. He is. He plays soccer. Some couldn't believe it. Sometimes I can't either.
A 20 year old handsome man showed up who was a former orphan there. He was 12 when Simon came and he remembers "holding him twice".
We went into the next room then which wasn't Michael's, but where he spent a lot of his time. His best friend was in this room. We saw several children who are up for adoption and as Kyla says, "this one really needs a family." Think about that. This one really needs a family. Friends this should not be. Garrison and Simon both approached Gary and I at different times asking if we were going to adopt "this one" as they pointed to a child. I made sure to touch everyone in this second room too. They are precious. They are His children.
We did the formal thing with the fruit and then left for lunch. We were taken to a restaurant and had a wonderful meal. Garrison had a great attitude and didn't complain (we talked about this on the way over" as he only liked the steamed bread). Simon munched away on everything including the bullfrog and squid. I was so thankful that Kyla and Anna (she came in on her day off--she is the occupational therapist and became a good friend via e-mail with me) were invited. We talked more. We laughed more. We marveled that these two boys have homes.
There is so much more rumbling around in my heart, though I don't know if it will come out on the blog. I'm not even sure that I can give voice to it. This is what I know. My God is so very faithful and my sons were in wonderful and nurturing hands. God is doing great things at ICC. God is doing great things in the Sprick family.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
July 8
Good morning! It isn't morning here, but perhaps it is by you. We are leaving in about 10 minutes to go and get supper. We are going to McDonalds for the first time ever here in China. We didn't go at all last time, but are going to give it a go tonight. It is about a 20 minute walk and the price can't be beat--15 Yuan ($2.50) for a full size value meal. That is right up our alley tonight.
We went back to the Civil Affairs office this morning to finalize our adoption here in China. We signed many papers and answered questions like "Will you abuse this child? Did you know about his condition before you came? Does this child satisfy you?"
He does.
We are learning about him and he about us. There are several surprises regarding our son, but he is ours and know that God has put us together.
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| (An out of order picture) Mom gets to go swimming with her boys today. |
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| He looks good in mom's sunglasses. |
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| Before we go in to sign the papers. |
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| My boys! |
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| Signing my name! |
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| A family photo before we sign the final documents. |
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| After signing, I needed to dip my thumb in red ink and put my print over my signature. |
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| Gary does her thumbprint. |
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| Michael needs to do his full hand print. |
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| He did two prints-one for the official papers and one to take home. |
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| Michael then had to write his name. We all laughed because he only wrote two parts of his name. When asked why he didn't write the "Heng" part, he said it was too hard. He knew how to do it, but there are so many strokes in that character. Notice how close he is too the paper. This is how he looks at everything. This boy will be getting glasses as soon as we can get him to the eye doctor. I can't wait to see what getting glasses will do for him. |
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| Our first photo as a family outside civil affairs office. Right after this we got into our van and had an accident. A woman backed into us. No one was hurt. |
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| We stopped at a grocery store on the way home and found some necklaces. Noel and Penny--we got one for each of you too! |
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| Garrison poses in front of the chips. Roasted BBQ Pork chips anyone? |
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| Simon was thrilled to find the bullfrogs--the biggest we have ever seen. He ordered bullfrog last night for supper and so it was cool to show them how big they have to be in order to eat them. Of course he wanted to keep one. I don't think it would pass customs. |
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| Seriously over a pound a piece! |
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| Lunch in the room. |
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| We even got oreos! |
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