Coming Home

I can't believe that I am already typing my last entry from China.  Tomorrow
night at 7:00 pm (our time) after picking up Addison's Visa we will leave
Guangzhou and head for Beijing where we will catch an early 6:55 am flight
straight to Chicago.  Please pray for us as we are not looking forward to that
long flight home with a baby:)  Mike and I cannot wait to see our precious girls
Maggie and Gracie.  The look on their faces as they see their sister for the
first time will be priceless.  It will be so good for Addie to be around the
girls.  This afternoon I turned on a TV show that had Chinese children on it and
she was jabbering Chinese and waving her arms a mile a minute.  I have a feeling
that she will adore her sisters as much as they already adore her. 

As I type this email Steve and Lisa should be safely arriving in Chicago within
a few hours.  We have been praying them home safely.  We can't begin to tell
everyone how awesome it was having them here with us in China. 

While in Guangzhou we have spent most of our time walking around visiting with
the locals and shop owners.  We have also met some incredible American families
who are here adopting as well.  Last night we were able to visit with some of
them at dinner and hear some of their God stories.  Today we went to the
consulate to apply for Addie's Visa, while there we took our oath and got to
watch many families celebrate as they took the last step of becoming a forever
family.  Most of the families we meet have other children at home and have even
adopted from other countries besides China.  I love hearing all of their stories
and how they got to where they are.  I have to say that there are alot of
Americans here being radical for God.  

Yesterday we did visit the local 3 story McDonalds, Mike and I did agree that
the cheeseburgers were better than home!  I never thought that I would say that
in China!   Tonight we are going to introduce Addie to KFC for some mash
potatoes and gravy....welcome to America! 

I had better go and resume my packing but before I do.....I want to thank you
all for your thoughts and prayers.  She is the right one for our family and is
already loved more than she can imagine.  It is incredible to think that in the
grand scheme of life....Addie's only needs are to be loved, cared for and to
know Jesus.  

Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I want to EMBRACE each moment as we become a family of five.......this is our
"new kind of normal" and we wouldn't have it any other way!!!!

Good-bye Kunming....Hello Guangzhou

Friday started out like all of our other mornings in Kunming....back to the
orphanage for medicine or as the Chinese call it "drops".  As we were waiting in
the "time-out" room for Addie my emotions hit me like a ton of bricks.  I hadn't
really had time to sit and process all that God had done and was still doing to
help bring Addie home.  As I sat in that room I looked around at the four walls
that had held my baby girl for the first year of her life and the tears just
came streaming down my face.  I think I scared Mike a little bit but I had
warned him that this may happen:)  I had 5 months for this to all build up and
now I was seeing it all unfold before my very eyes.  As we drove thru the gates
of the orphanage one last time, I whispered to Addie "You are going home baby
girl".  We are forever grateful to the people at Kunming City Children's Welfare
Institute for taking care of our Addie J.  Thank you God for opening their
hearts to our daughter....we can SEE every day that she has been well cared
for. 

Friday afternoon we headed for the airport and said good-bye to a dear friend
and guide named Jack.  Jack made sure we all got checked in and our luggage was
where it needed to go.  After all of this was done we headed to security where
we had to say our good-byes to Jack.  We told Jack that we loved him and would
be praying for he and his church.  When we got to the other side of the security
check point we looked back thru the doorway and there was Jack with tears in his
eyes.  Thank you Jack for letting God's light shine thru you in a sea of
darkness.  Please pray for Jack......hopefully we will see him at LABC in the
future!!! 

We landed in Guangzhou late last night, so I apologize from being absent from
the blog for the past couple of days.  We want to take in as much of the culture
as possible,so we do not stop during the day.  I have a pouch that we put Addie
in during the day and she sleeps when she needs to and takes in the sites the
rest of the time.  We had her medical exam today with all of the other children
who are currently being adopted.  She passed everything with flying colors and
has been given the green light.  Our last paperwork will be Tuesday when we have
our appt. at the consulate.  I am telling you that she is an AMAZING
baby.  She looks at us with such love....I can't describe it and I don't think I
have ever seen anything like it! 

Mike and I have been so blessed to have Steve and Lisa with us.  They have
showered Addie with love and have helped show her what it is like to have a
family.  Plus it's kind of fun to tell everyone you brought your
own Pediatrician and nurse!!!  All joking aside..having them here has made
a HUGE difference and we are extremely grateful. 

I can't stop here.  I have to tell everyone out there what amazing mothers Mike
and I have.  Thank you Grandma Burger and Grandma Glenda for showering Maggie
and Gracie with love while mom and dad are away!  I know that there are others
out there too keeping an eye on our precious girls.  Thank you from the bottom
of our hearts!

Okay, I have to get some rest but I will leave you with some pictures and Psalm
139:13  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's
womb.

Picture 1:  Our last meal at Mama Fu's in Kunming

Picture2:  Saying good-bye to Jack

Picture 3:  Addie showing off for the camera

Picture 4:  Dr. Steve listening to Addie

Picture 5:  Addie sporting her new look

Picture 6:  Addie getting checked out at the medical clinic

Humble Beginnings

Our day started out by going back to the orphanage for more "drops" as the
Chinese like to call it.  Please do not think that Addie is sick because that is

not the case at all.....she is doing amazing but the orphanage feels the need to

carry out their traditional ways of treating what we would call a common cold. 
Addie's little friend and her family were also there with us this morning. 
Since Dr. Lillpop kindly gave suggestions and asked questions yesterday, we were

told today that we would need to wait in the "waiting room"  during today's
procedure. 

So we were laughing this morning because the Americans got put
in time out and had to wait in a separate room.  Whatever...it's all good!!! 

Some of you are probably wondering why Addie has so many clothes on....well the
Chinese strongly believe in wearing layers upon layers of clothes.  They want
the babies to have 4 layers on top and at least 2 layers on the bottom.  We are
learning this the hard way and if we do not layer her up when going out the
older Chinese ladies will stop and point.  We have no idea what they are saying
but it I am sure it sounds something like "Put some clothes on that baby...you
crazy people."  That is why you will often see Addie with a blanket wrapped
around her.  This morning the orphanage director told the guide to tell me that
the "baby needs more clothes"...we just smile and nod our heads.

After we left the orphanage we set off to find Addie's finding spot.  Jack and
our driver took us to the exact town approx. 30 min outside of Kunming.  We were

able to find the exact park and the exact location according to what had been
written in the ad.  We got out of the van and found the restrooms in the park. 
According to her ad she was left right outside of the restrooms next to the
wall.  It was a very emotional, yet peaceful time for us and we were able to
take

lots of pictures and video.  We walked around for about a 1/2 hour just taking
it all in

and by that time it was getting close to lunch.  There was an open steamed bun
shop across the street where our guide Jack had gotten something a little
earlier to eat, so the 4 of us and Addie decided to cross the street and get
some steamed buns w/pork.  We stood on the sidewalk eating our buns and taking
in some more of the sites when Jack our guide walked next door to get a drink. 
We all decided that we were thirsty as well and followed Jack in the store. 
Just so you know....we were showstoppers in this area because it is more rural
and they do not see alot of white people.  While we were in the store the lady
at the checkout asked Jack "Why are these Americans here?"  Jack explained to
her about our adoption and that we were here to see the finding spot of our
baby.  The lady then became very excited and said, "This baby....I know
her....she was found right over there (pointing to the park) next to the
restrooms...she was found in a box on a cold morning at 8am.  She was very very
hungry and very angry when she was found.  She was left with formula sitting
next to her and some older lady in the park got some water and mixed it with the
formula so

that she could eat before taking her to the police station."  That is all the
lady knew but it was just enough and she seemed so please that Addison had
been adopted and she kept looking and feeling her chubby thighs.  Today just
gives me chills and lets me know that God is walking every step of this journey
with us....He has not left out any detail and He keeps showing himself in
various ways.  We are so blessed to have gotten to SEE where our beautiful
daughter so bravely took some of her first breaths.  Remember she was about 3
1/2 lbs when she was found and her finding ad has a picture that reflects the
conditon she was in at that time.  God is good all the time!!!!!!!  Giving
thanks for Addie today

and the decision that her birth mom made.
 
Picture 1:  Addie chillin in her PJ's
 
Picture 2:  Playful Addie
 
Picture 3:  Addie learning to explore food
 
Picture 4:  Outside of the orphanage with some of the staff.  (Lady on the far
right is the director)
 
Picture 5:  Addie's food at the orphanage....rice porridge with eggs.
 
Picture6:  Our family picture at her finding spot.
 
Picture 7:  Her finding spot outside the restroom in the park.
 
Picture 8:  At the park with our guide Jack.
 
Picture 9:  The store where the lady knew all about Addie.
 
Picture10:  The park where she was found with Uncle Steve and Auntie Lisa

Kunming Cutie

Wow I am not sure where to even start......there is not enough time to get this
all out.  After spending a couple of days in Beijing and seeing no signs of
Christianity...I was beginning to wonder how anyone would ever be able to break
into this culture and explain true salvation.  I was feeling very sad and
discouraged for the people of China until we met Jack.  Jack (is not his real
name but easier for us) is our Baptist tour guide....YES a Baptist in Kunming
China.  When Jack picked us up from the airport yesterday he asked us in the van
if we were Christians...and we responded yes...and he then asked what
denomination.....and we answered Baptist.  Jack's face lit up and he responded
me too!  After much conversation with Jack we were able to find out that he does
not usually do adoption guide work but had gotten this job at the last
minute...Is that a God moment or what......we also learned that he was born and
raised in Kunming and has never really left the city.  He has been a Christian
for 2 years and cannot speak publicly about the truth that has set him free.  In
a city of 4 million...Jack belongs to a church of 50 which meets privately on
Tuesday nights and Sundays.  How Radical is that for those who have read the
book????   We can't wait for Jack to come visit us in the states and attend
church with us.  He is hungry for God's word and is a remarkable young man to be
able to carry out the Christian life in south western China!!  Please pray for
Jack and others like him!!

Okay back to Addie J as we like to call her.  Overall she had a good first
nights sleep...she has a cold that is making it a little difficult to breath
when lying down but she is a good baby.  She is a self-soother and loves to suck
her thumb.  That is how she puts herself to sleep which just breaks my heart in
a way because I know that some nights that is all she had.  We are trying to
learn what she likes to eat because their food is so different.  She is not
overly fond of the baby formula that we bought yesterday at Wal-mart but she
will drink it.  She does love rice porridge with eggs mixed in....thank goodness
the hotel has it on the breakfast buffet.  We also met a sweet family from
Indiana who got their daughter yesterday with us.  She and Addie were friends
from the Orphanage and we are hoping to be able to keep in touch once we get
home.  Both babies had to go back to the orphanage today for some medicine to
treat their colds.  When you are here you just shake your heads and agree with
what the people tell you to do.  The fact that we have a pediatrician and nurse
with us doesn't seem to matter...the orphanage insists on giving the babies
Penicillin for their colds thru an IV....it is the worse thing in the world to
watch but necessary at this time.  Dr. Lillpop and nurse Lisa are overseeing the
process with our guide so I know that she is in good hands.  

While Addie was getting her medicine we were able to take a tour of the
orphanage.  Rows and rows of precious babies are what we saw as we walked in and
out of the rooms.  The orphanage did show us the room that Addie was in but we
were not allowed to take pictures.  Our hearts just broke as we walked by and
tried to touch them or talk sweetly to them.  I would hate to think of what
would have happened if the orphanage was not there so it is bitter sweet. 
Someone out there reading this has to be thinking about adoption....I am begging
you to pray about it and SEE if it is what God has willed for you.  It is so
obtainable and I would be more than happy to help walk anyone thru it.  Excuses
do not work.....all God needs is willingness and He will provide the rest. 

Picture 1:  Stylin Addie

Picture 2:  Going to sleep sucking her thumb

Picture 3:  Playful Addie

Picture 4:  At the orphanage getting her medicine

Picture 5:  Our 2nd trip to the Wal-mart....so much cheaper than home.

A Forever Family

She is here with us and she is perfect!!!!  She is much smaller than we thought
so there will be shopping in order once we get home.  She has the best giggle
and toothless grin.  She is not walking yet and we are excited that we won't
miss some of those firsts!!!  I don't want the computer to take me away from her
right now so I will keep this short.  I can tell you that God has prepared her
for us because she didn't cry once when Mike and I held her for the first time
and she has been nothing but giggles all afternoon in the hotel room.  I can't
wait for Maggie and Gracie to meet their sister.....they are just going to be in
love;)  I am so ready for ALL of us to be together!!!

Get ready to fall in love.......

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

Another amazing day of site seeing and taking in the culture.  Our guide is
AMAZING!!  Today we visited Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and for lunch
we visited a Chinese family in their home.  The family cooked us an authentic
Chinese lunch and kindly served us in their home.  Their home was the same size
or smaller than our hotel room and the water from the bathroom faucet drained
into a bucket on the floor.  I am not typing this to belittle what they have...I
want ALL of you, including myself,  to realize what we have.  Mike and I
realized that we are so blessed and have so much compared to most in the
world.  From there we went to have tea with an 82 year old Chinese lady who has
lived in the same home for 52 years.  We were told that most Chinese people do
not move around and it is very common for them to live in one place all of their
life.   Being content with what you have is very important to them. Every person
we have encountered has been so kind....even though most of the time we cannot
communicate by words...our smiles and a friendly wave of a hand can tell alot. 
In 6 1/2 hours we will be flying out to Kunming City......aka home of Baby
Addison!!!!!!  To God be the glory!!!!!

The Great Wall and a Great Day!!

We have been tremendously blessed with having an amazing guide.  Kathryn (yes,
she is Chinese) took us out to the Great Wall yesterday where we got to do lots
of exploring and have some really great Chinese food.  I was even able to find a
Coke Light;)  I find the culture here so rich and so traditional compared to the
USA.  Sadly enough there is one BIG component missing for me and that is
Christianity....it seems non existent here. Yesterday, I did manage to find a
cross painted on a Christmas ornament but it had a Santa face painted on the
cross.  The NEED for the truth here is so great so please keep the beautiful
people of China in your prayers so that they too may know the joy of knowing
Jesus as their Saviour.  Facebook is blocked on my laptop, however, I do enjoy
reading all of your comments thru my email.  Thanks for the encouragement and
prayers!!  2 MORE DAYS.....UNTIL OUR SWEET BABY GIRL MAKES HER DEBUT!!!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE FINALLY HERE!!!

My blog is blocked in China, so I am unable to see anything I am posting.  I am
sending this all via email and hoping that is makes it to the blog!!  The sun is
finally starting to peek thru the smog covered sky.  I am so anxious to take in
all of the scenery this morning because we have been in the dark for over 24
hours.  Our guide told us some interesting things last night as she picked us up
from the airport such as 17 million people live in the city of Beijing, approx.
1,600 cars are sold a day in Beijing, she has only one son due to the one child
policy in China and most school aged children are still finishing up homework at
11pm.  Those were just a few things that boggled my mind. 

Mike, Steve, Lisa and myself will soon head downstairs for our first "meal in
China" and then it is off to The Great Wall.  Steve and Lisa have been such a
blessing to have with us already because we are definately the "foreigners" in a
city of 17 million.

I am going to do my best to focus on taking in as much culture and sites as I
can before leaving for Kunming on Sunday.  Please continue to pray for us and
Addison, I know that God is moving mountains right now that I can't see:)

Love to you ALL!!

WE ARE HERE!!!!!

Hello Friends, we are FINALLY here.  We got settled into our hotel room around 2
AM and after only 3 hours of sleep, here I am sitting at the computer.   Jet lag
is NO FUN! 

oH......HaPpY dAy!!!!!

Plane Tickets......Check

China Visas.......Check

Bags Packed.......Check

Quality time spent with the girls.........Check

Holding our baby girl for the first time....Priceless!

This past weekend was our last weekend as a physical family of four.  You see, God has always known that we are a family of 5 or maybe 6,7, or 8 (just kidding Mike).  Wednesday at 2:20pm we will step onto a plane and begin the journey to our "new kind of normal".  Soon we will SEE the beauty that He has created and our hearts will be forever joined together with a little girl that we need and desire just as much as she needs us. 

"And like the rain that falls into the sea, in a moment what has been is lost in what will be." - When Love Takes You In/Steven Curtis Chapman

Thank you God for always being good enough even when we are not. 

Next post.....China!!!!

Finally.... The time is here

We are so very excited to finally get to be with our baby girl.  Our Gotcha Day is March 21st and the time can't go fast enough for Michelle or I right now.  Over the course of this journey, I have been very  much at ease and I had become almost lethargic to the entire adoption process.  But now that the date is set and the tickets are in hand, Dad has become the nervous one in the house.  As my wife packs the bags and prepares to bring our dear Addi J home,  I spend my time wondering what is going on in my daughters head.  Last week Addison was to of been taken out of her foster care home and taken back to the orphanage to await our arrival.  I can not imagine what that felt like to her... Being pulled from the only family she has ever known and taken back to the very place that she started her journey from. I pray that she can be brave and that my God has placed a calm over her that lets her know that the time has come for her to join her forever family.

Sleep well baby girl.... Daddy is coming.