
Our time in China is coming to an end. Yesterday we had our appointment at the US Consulate where US immigration takes place. Each family signed one last document, and then all 37 American families, adopting a total of 40 children, raised their right hand and repeated an oath stating that all of the information that we presented to the US government on behalf of our child is correct and true. The woman who led us in the oath explained that in 2009, 3000 Chinese babies entered the US as adopted immigrants. Praise the Lord that these children have homes and families!
Today we are waiting for Evian’s passport to be returned to us with her visa stamp. We will pick that up this afternoon, head over to the airport in the evening and fly to Hong Kong late tonight. Early tomorrow morning we will fly back to Minnesota with a layover in Tokyo.
We’ve prayed all along that throughout this trip we’d walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and that we’d connect as a family and love others well. Even though we’re separated by continents from Elianna and Ember, God has given us sweet times praying for them and talking via Skype. We know that airports, long layovers, and long flights are also within God’s tender care for us…along with jetlag and culture shock (no more housekeeping, laundry service, or eating out every day?…we are actually very much looking forward to “regular” daily life at home!).
We’ve prayed all along that throughout this trip we’d walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and that we’d connect as a family and love others well. Even though we’re separated by continents from Elianna and Ember, God has given us sweet times praying for them and talking via Skype. We know that airports, long layovers, and long flights are also within God’s tender care for us…along with jetlag and culture shock (no more housekeeping, laundry service, or eating out every day?…we are actually very much looking forward to “regular” daily life at home!).
As I reflect on our time here, I wondered if we did enough to capture the Chinese culture – did we take enough video/photos and buy the perfect gifts for Evian and her sisters? I started to ask myself if maybe I should have gone along to the orphanage. I began to feel pressure to make sure that we did all of the right things in these 16 days to document the first 8 months of Evian’s life - where she’s come from, her heritage, and her culture.
Then the Lord gave me a simple picture. The other morning I was looking out the window and a beautiful monarch butterfly fluttered by the window, then landed on the bush right in front of me. It lingered there and while it did, the Lord reminded me that He is all about exchanging old for new, bringing life out of something that is dried up. I thought about that butterfly, which was once stuck inside a cocoon until one day when it burst out, colorful, free, beautiful.
As beautiful and intricate as Evian’s past is, it is something we leave here. Like a cocoon, it is a very unique and precious part of God’s plan and purposes. We treasure very much Evian’s home land, the dear women who cared for her in the orphanage, and this culture which is so well preserved. As she grows up, it will be our privilege to share these things with her. It has been such a gift to experience this place and enjoy the people here.
Most of all, I am grateful for the unhurried days - playing with Evian, taking family walks, learning what makes her smile and laugh, looking in her eyes while giving her a bottle, holding her while she naps, listening to Daddy splash at bathtime… We look forward to living in the moment and enjoying all of these things and more with Elianna and Ember too.
Most of all, I am grateful for the unhurried days - playing with Evian, taking family walks, learning what makes her smile and laugh, looking in her eyes while giving her a bottle, holding her while she naps, listening to Daddy splash at bathtime… We look forward to living in the moment and enjoying all of these things and more with Elianna and Ember too.
1 comment:
Hey Diane & Russ,
Right away I picked out my New Great Niece
from all her little girlfriends.
I guess I must be a PROUD Great Auntie
Ya Think :-)
I have soooooooo enjoyed following Evian’s Journey.
Thank You So Very Much for doing this blog,
the blog was such a wonderful idea.
I hope everyone has enjoyed and appreciated this
as much as I have.
The Emotion's Have Ran High
I’ve Laughed
I’ve Cried
I’ve Prayed for all of you
I feel like I already know your precious little girl.
I can't wait to meet Evian in person.
I also can’t wait to hear how excited her 2 Big Sister’s were when the 3 of you arrived home.
I love you/all of you,
Your Very Proud Aunt Cheryl
AKA……Great Auntie Cheryl
P.S. DUMMY ME :-(
I would of made comment's
all along the journey, however
I didn’t realize that I could,
without creating a followers account.
Yep that would be......
DUMMY ME ‹(•¿•)›
Post a Comment