Day 13--Packing and Travel to Hong Kong

Not a terribly eventful day, other than Jadon coughing pretty constantly and now telling of a sore throat. He has no fever so there should be no problems in travel. Packing was interesting because Jadon wanted to be sure that we didn't forget anything.

We left the hotel on bus around 6:15 and came to the China/Hong Kong boarder around 8:15 or 8:30. That was a process due to health concerns and entry papers that needed to be filled out and lugging all luggage. After finishing the process we walked out to be put onto a different bus than what we had arrived upon. That was unexpected, but it took us to the airport and then we found our way to the airport hotel. When we arrived in the room we discovered that it was a typical overseas hotel and had only two single beds. We called the front desk and they gave us a cot for no charge. Jadon slept on the cot and we pushed the two single beds together where the other three of us will (Alan in the middle). Never a dull moment.

Day 12--Last Full Day in Guangzhou

Today was basically a free day for us. Alan had to be in the room between 10 and noon just in case there were questions about the paperwork that was submitted to the consulate--no problems. During that time Ruth gave Alan the gift of two hours to himself that were much needed and helped quite a bit. After lunch the family took a cab to the White Swan Hotel to meet up with Jadon's friend from the orphanage and his new family. It was great to meet the family with whom we had some contact by blogs and e-mail prior to this. It was fun to have the boys together for some time also. They seemed to really enjoy it. We returned to our hotel in time to say goodbye to three of the families with whom we have shared this adventure as they have adopted children of their own. We pray for them as they take their new family members home to their new lives. It was difficult to say goodbye since these families have been a great encouragement to us during this process.

Tomorrow we have the morning free and will spend part of the time packing. At 3 PM it is off to the consulate for a swearing-in ceremony stating that all we have said is true. Then it is back to the hotel to have our bags taken and prepare to get on a bus for Hong Kong. We will leave Guangzhou around 6:15 PM (5:15 AM in WI) and arrive in Hong Kong around 9:45, check-in to our hotel, sleep, eat breakfast and go to the airport (flight leaves at 12:45 Thursday afternoon--that is 11:45 PM Wednesday evening in WI). It will be a whirlwind. This may be the last blog entry from China (We will try to get one in tomorrow from Hong Kong, but it may not happen). Thanks so much for your support and especially your prayers. We know that it has made a tremendous difference.

Some urgent prayer requests for this day: 1. Ruth is not feeling well. We think that it is just being overly tired, but pray that she would be well tomorrow. 2. Jadon's passport was not completed earlier today. We absolutely need that tomorrow in order to leave. 3. Pray that travels will go well (see yesterday's entry) and that we would have a healthy perspective on the process.

Our journey has only just begun and we desperately need continued support in these days of transition. While it will be great for us to get back home, it will be quite the adjustment for Jadon. It will be a great adjustment for us as well since nothing can be as it used to be (in most ways anyway).

Thanks again for your support and interest. We can't wait to see you again. We arrive in Minneapolis on Thursday evening around 5:30 on United flight 7607 from Chicago.

Day 11--Group Encouragment and Shamain Island

After breakfast today we met with several other families in our tour group by the pool to share stories about what we are experiencing and how God is speaking to us in the process. It was a tremendous encouragement. We were sensitive to the needs of the kids so it wasn't a long time, but it was a blessing. We prayed together and then went on with the day. That meant swimming, lunch and off to Shamain Island for shopping and seeing the famous White Swan Hotel. For those of you who are not in the Chinese adoption loop, that is the hotel where for years families have stayed when they come to Guangzhou for adoption of Chinese children. There are numerous shops around the hotel and the island that cater to the families in this situation. We were able to get some good deals on some small items that we needed.

We are coming to the end of our China trip experience. Several of the families will be leaving our hotel tomorrow evening, heading to Hong Kong and flying back on Wednesday. Those of us who have adopted children from Guangdong Province must wait one additional day for the completion of the necessary process. In many ways it is difficult to see these families leave because they have shared in this journey is so many ways and have been a great support, even if they don't know it. (Thanks travel group). In addition, we find ourselves wishing we were on the same timetable.

As we come to the point of leaving China please pray for Jadon earnestly. He appears to be bothered by something in his ears--don't want this to be an issue on the plane. He has never been on a plane before--he will want to push every button known to man and Alan will be nervous that he is constantly kicking the seat in front of him and bothering others. He seems to be a little less interested in pleasing his new parents all the time as he becomes more comfortable and his extremely strong-willed nature is asserting itself. We expect that this will subside a little bit when we first get home. He doesn't appear to be very interested in Western foods, which will be a problem in a short time if something doesn't change. He has tried things when we have insisted, but don't know if this will continue. Pray for Ruth, Alan, and Andrew also. We are pretty much spent emotionally, physically, and to some extent spiritually. Pray that we get a good night sleep tonight since Jadon woke up last night at 4:30 and thought it was time to get up. It took about an hour of convincing before he finally went back to sleep and then only for an hour or so. I keep thinking about the need "to lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord" (Psalm 116:13). Calling on the name of the Lord is our best hope for all of us.

Thanks again for traveling with us.

Day 10--Guangzhou Sightseeing and Tea

We left the hotel this morning at 9:30 to go to a local museum that was a family temple of the Qing Dynasty. The ornate art work was incredible. There were local artists within the structure doing their craft. The first one that we saw was a gentleman who painted only with his hands--no brushes. It was amazing! The detail and the beauty of this work was not something that I had seen in this manner. The carvings (wood, ivory, stone, bone) were fantastic as well. The crafts that we thought were most unbelievable were the embroidery. There were some that were done with such precision that it looked like a photograph (unfortunately, no photos allowed in this room).

After this adventure it was off to a local tea house, where we learned about the Chinese art of making tea. One of the amazing things is that the tea, when done their way is only in the water for about 20 seconds. They say that if you keep it in longer it becomes bitter. We tasted several teas and were amazed at the pungent flavor of all of them. There are different teas for different ailments. It was a good deal of fun.

This afternoon was a wonderful lunch in the Food Street in the hotel, all the boys went swimming and Ruth was given 2 hours of down time to get some rest (Happy Mother's Day). Jadon took another bath and played a new computer game. Alan did some laundry. Andrew did some blogging, then off to dinner. Back to the hotel for some Skyping with Kirsten, some strong will confronting in Jadon, and then to bed.

I think we all shed a few tears today while missing Kirsten. It is time to all be back together again. Pray for continued wisdom in demonstrating to Jadon the family expectations while maintaining the process of bonding and trust-building. It is our prayer that Jadon would be brought into the security of love while knowing the responsibility of membership in the family as well. Pray that Ruth will sleep well tonight (Alan was pretty restless last night and kept her awake).

Thanks again for following our journey and for taking the time to think of us, pray for us, and write to us. It is a tremendous encouragement to have so many partners in this process. Love to you all!!

Day 9--Medical Check, Paperwork and Some New English Words

The basic events of this day are not terribly exciting. We began with individual pictures of all eight children being adopted in this group. It was GREAT to be with the families that we have not seen since Monday in the Beijing airport. Andrew had very much been looking forward to this. After pictures it was next door for the medical checks--pretty straight forward. After some shopping, where we purchased goggles for each of the boys, some sandals for Jadon since the shoes he came in were too small, and some food (including oreos--an American staple) we were back to the hotel. Lunch and then swimming. Jadon likes the jacuzzi more than the big pool because the water level is more to his size. He became a bit too confident in the big pool and wandered away from the ladder prior to Alan being in the pool. There was no real danger, but just a little bit of a scare (probably a healthy one). Alan spent the next hour and half doing paperwork required by the U.S. government to get Jadon's visa and citizenship. During that time Ruth, Andrew and Jadon played "Trouble" and did a few other things. Then Jadon took his daily bath (on his own request--a time to use the goggles again). Dinner was with several of the other families at the Japanese Restaurant in the hotel--very good.

There is some indication that Jadon is beginning to try new English words. Today's words were "later" (for which we have had a hand signal for several days) and "hungry" (a word that is used frequently in our family even if it is not entirely accurate). It was great to hear them and know that they have meaning.

We are all starting to become a bit worn by the long process. I wish there was more planned for the group so that we didn't have to always be creative in an environment with which we are unfamiliar and uncertain about what creative tools are available. We are all needing some person space that is just not available when four of you are sharing a hotel room. Andrew is tired of being whapped while sleeping by his brother so he has decided to sleep in an easy chair with extensions tonight. He has done a great job and we are so happy that he is here with us. Pray that he will see some rewards for his efforts towards his brother. It is obvious to the parents that Jadon likes and enjoys Andrew, but he is not feeling it much.

Day 8--Trip to Shenzhen and Orphanage Visit

Today was a good day. Unexpected pleasures and some encouragement. It had some challenges, as they all do, but it was productive all the way around.

The trip to Shenzhen is just over 2 hours. As you travel, you never reach a point where you feel as though you are really in a rural area. It is fairly built up all along the way. Yes, there were some farm type fields, but always amidst buildings, industry, business or homes (mostly apartments).

Arriving at the orphanage, it was obvious that it was familiar to Jadon. When we arrived we were met by a worker and taken upstairs where the classrooms are located. There are over 300 children in this facility and it is fairly self-contained. The kids go to school in the building as well as eat, sleep and play. Jadon's arrival was quite the excitement for his classmates. We were told that he is very much missed. He was pleased to be able to show everyone his new things and especially the pictures of his family. (The picture we placed in his picture book of the house with snow drew gasps from the children who have probably never seen snow.) The kids were very sweet and his teachers seemed like very warm, caring, and enthusiastic individuals. They told us a few things about him, the most interesting piece being that he plays a little bit of piano. Jadon looked for his friend whom he knows as Harrison, but who will be called Drew when he is adopted next week. Drew was upstairs since he has had a little bit of a fever. They want him to be well for when his family arrives early next week. We did get to see him when we arrived to see where Jadon had slept. After visiting the play area, they invited Jadon to go upstairs and say goodbye. He went up, came to the door of the eating area, said goodbye, waved and turned to leave. Overall an encouraging trip.

We then went to find the spot where Jadon was found on November 7, 2005. After getting lost, we finally found the location. He was left outside of what we might call a gated-community. It is perceived by those in the area of being filled with more affluent people. It is most likely that his parents wanted him to be found by someone in this community and thereby be given the potential for a better life. Jadon did not recognize the spot since it has changed so much in the past few years with construction. He obviously remembers something of that time, maybe we will hear about it some day. In the meantime, we trust that God will help him to have a growing confidence in his new position as a member of our family.

Please continue to pray for our communication. Things seem to be getting a little better on both ends. We are picking up some of his phrases and he is picking up some of ours. Pray also for the older two children. Kirsten has an AP European History Exam today for which she has spent a great deal of time preparing. Andrew is struggling with some of the transitions, although overall doing well, he has moments where he feels pretty overwhelmed by his new position and shuts down a bit. Pray that God would help him to know the love that we have for him and the love that He has for him and that Andrew would be settled in the certainty of God as the Rock.

Thanks for sharing the journey with us!! We are starting to really be anxious to get home!!

Day 7-- The Guangzhou Zoo and More Testing

Our day started with an early morning visit to the zoo. We saw a variety of monkeys, bears (including a Panda!), big cats and antelope. The whole trip was very pleasant. Jadon did a great job asking to be able to take pictures and returning the camera when he was done. He actually took a few really nice pictures!

After the zoo we went to a nearby 7-11 to purchase some lunch items for Jadon. While I (Ruth) took Jadon to the room, Alan took Andrew and purchased some lunch for the rest of us at McDonalds (Jadon didn't want McDonalds again although the rest of us had that because the price is right). We ate in the room and after a brief rest wandered down to the pool for a swim. Jadon continues to become less fearful of the water. We spent a couple of very nice hours there.

The boundary testing started in the evening. After confronting him over some items he'd taken without permission from my purse (we'd already dealt with this before) Jadon made a dash to escape from the room. When Alan stopped him a great deal of crying ensued...eventually leading to him pulling his hair and slapping himself. At that point Alan enveloped him in a great big bear hug (whereupon the crying turned to screaming--eek!) But after several minutes he settled down. We called Amy (our Chinese guide in Guangzhou)and let Jadon express his feeling to someone who could understand him. It seems the whole incident frightened him (I understand that...it would me too). As we talked about it later Alan likened this process to justification and sanctification. Jadon has been made part of the family (as justification does) but he still needs to to learn to function as part of the family (a lot like what sanctification accomplishes in our lives). I think the whole thing probably did a lot to solidify the relationship rather than weaken it. Afterwards there were smiles and hugs in abundance.

Continue to pray as we learn the best ways to establish the boundaries with love. Pray that our communication will become more and more effective. It's so very difficult for a couple of communicators to feel as though our best parenting skill has evaporated. Also pray that the trip to the orphanage tomorrow will help to bring us together in a greater way rather than create confusion for Jadon.