We leave for China on October 3rd.
So, this means we leave a week from tomorrow! Whew! We are now packing and getting together everything we will and might need. It's so hard to believe- finally! It's happening!
I have been unable to blog or even explain what was going on in the adoption, because before this last week when we found out our travel date, no one could help us or tell us where we were at in the process, they didn't even seem to know what they were doing and we were feeling a little anxious about it all. We were having to do everything for them- make phone calls, send emails, check up on if they did what they were supposed to, tell them what was next, contact the government offices, etc. Even our friend who has adopted 3 times was baffled about everything that was going on. But now that's all cleared up, and praise God, the timing is perfect!
Mom for the past month has been randomly telling me how much she misses Chloe. She keeps telling me (I can hear it now- it's the same every time), "How can I miss someone that I've never even met?!" I will admit, I've had some strange instances myself where I literally see her running into mine and my sister's room, or when I'm sitting on the floor, I will suddenly feel her crawl into my lap... It's awesome. Excited doesn't touch what we are feeling right now.
Because orphanages in China generally don't speak or even teach English, I started learning Mandarin about 6 months ago. I hoped it would help her adjust much faster to us and that maybe I would be able to understand a tiny bit of what she was saying, or that she would feel more comfortable hearing her own language from a mouth of her new family. She is in a foster family in a little town that does (from what I hear) speak the common dialect of Chinese/Mandarin, but a rural form of it. I'm hoping and praying that she will be able to understand me, and I be able to understand her, and that it will sound like what I'll be trying to say. We heard that a lady who speaks fluent Mandarin and was adopting from the same city went to pick up the little boy, and the next morning he woke up and said "Oh look, the sun is shining." But the way he said it sounded to her like he said, "I'm going to jump out of the window and kill myself." So I'll try to be careful and not panic if I hear her say something out of the ordinary.
Switching gears to health now- We have lately all been feeling very much up to par and energetic (especially with the new news!). This is perfect, because we'll be having to keep up with a 3 year old for the first time ever (for me, that is)! I thank God for everyone's prayers and support of our family during this time. I honestly don't know how we would've made it through all this stress and drama without you all. Each and every one of you have been a blessing and I truly don't know how to express my gratitude. It all means so much to us.
Our friends who have adopted before have kept telling us not to worry- that it's in God's hands and that the timing is always perfect with Him. We've tried to keep that in mind (though it was very hard!), and now we see that it is so very true! Everything seems to be as close to perfect as possible, which could only happen with God.
Hopefully while we're in China I'll be able to find some time and ways to post pictures and updates.
I can't wait for her to be home.
God Bless,
Cameron
