The End?

As we sit here on our last night in China, it seems bittersweet.  Certainly we are ready to get back to the other kids, family and friends, the comforts of home, clean water, our personal bus, and our very own washer and dryer.  But our time here is special too.  We have gotten so close to the families in our travel group.  Adoption brings families together in more ways than one.  We have also been able to explore the country in which three of our children were born.  We have been here four times in the last 18 months, and everytime when we left we knew that we would be back.  This time is different.  We don't have an expected return date, and in some ways it feels like the end.  We now have 7 kids, and we haven't quite figured out how to manage all of them yet.  Although we never will rule out another adoption, right now it doesn't seem realistic. (Not that 7 kids is very a normal either).  We also might have the opportunity to serve in an orphanage here, but getting out of the country for a couple of weeks isn't going to come easily in a house of 9. Adopting, working in orphanages, following the adoption stories of many families and children, and walking alongside the people of China changes you.  It changes your heart.  It makes you want to do more.  It makes you want to pray for the hearts of the people, and for the lives of the orphan.  It makes you want to wrap every orphan in your arms, and bring them to a loving home.  It makes you want to encourage others to adopt. It makes you want to support organizations like New Hope, Love Without Boundaries, Show Hope, CCAI, Lifeline, and New Day.  It makes you want to lift up workers like Joyce and Robin Hill, Steve and Laura Martin, Amy Eldridge, Joshua Zhong, and countless others who have given their lives for "the least of these." My heart longs to do more.  I guess that's why tonight I am glad to be going home, but sad to be leaving at the same time.  

I'm thankful tonight that God has entrusted 7 of His precious children to Lauren and me.  I am glad that he provided 3 of those children through adoption.  It allows me to feel a glimpse of how He felt when he adopted me into His family, and as I have said before that feeling is pretty great.  The journey that we have been on has been wonderful despite all of the ups and downs.  If God is closing a chapter in our lives, I know he will soon open another one.  2 years ago I had no idea the road that we would travel.  2 years from now I will probably be saying the same thing.  That's the wonderful part of following a living, breathing God.  You never know what tomorrow holds, but you always know that He holds you in His hand.  

Early tomorrow morning we begin our 24 hour trip home.  We ask that you continue to pray for us as we travel.  There are so many of you who have supported us every step of the way and to all of you we are eternally grateful. I don't have any pictures to post tonight, but for those of you who want to catch the live show, we will land in Birmingham at 4:45 pm Friday.  We would love to have Jian Xiang welcomed home by a crowd of family and friends. 

One week down

Although its hard to believe, our first week in China has passed as we travelled from Zhengzhou to Guangzhou today. In Zhengzhou we received John's Chinese passport.   Here in Guangzhou we will get his medical exam and his US visa.  Other than 3 of us getting a a stomach bug which ruined a few days, our time in Zhengzhou was a lot of fun.  We made several trips to Walmart, sampled a good bit of the local cuisine, and played a lot around the room and hotel. 

We were able to visit Maria's Big House of Hope in Luoyang.  Both John and Davidson spent the first part of their lives in Maria's receiving the loving care of the staff, nurses, and of course Dr. Steve Martin.  We are so thankful anytime we get to visit the Martin family.  Janie and Rebecca played with the Martin children like they have been lifelong friends, and Lauren, Laura, Steve, and I join in conversation seemingly where we left off this summer when we spent time together in Beijing. This trip we were also able to meet the Renich family, Nate, Vicki, and the boys.  They are the newest addition to the Maria's family. They live in Luoyang, near Maria's, and do...well it seems like a little bit of everything there!!!  While there it seems like we are home, I guess because it will always be our John and Davidson's first home, and we will always be indebted to Steve, the ayis (nannys), and New Hope Foundation for giving life to two of our sons. 

Before going to Maria's, Lauren asked for updated pictures of other Maria's babies that are now with their forever families. She shared those pics with the ayis in each of the rooms.  You would have thought she gave them all gold coins they were so excited.  These ladies put their lives into caring for these sick babies, and after  the babies leave they almost never get to see what happens to them.  It was a special time for sure.  I think the best part, however, was that John wanted only his Mama while we were there.  No one  else could even get close, not even his favorite Ayi. 

There were plenty of firsts this week too.  A first bath in a hotel bath tub (or probably any tub for that matter), a first ride on an amusement park style ride, a first airplane ride, and of course a first trip to McDonalds. And of course, the first time to be with his family. The way this boy likes to eat, there will probably be  many more in his future.  

Below are some pics of all of the fun...

Gotcha day

It has taken me longer than I had hoped to post this because of technical problems but gotcha day has come and gone and we couldn't be any happier.  There really aren't words to describe this day, but this is a blog so I will try.   I've said this many times now but if everyone could experience for just a moment the feeling that comes from adopting a child, there would be no orphans in the world. Trust me, there is nothing like it. Ask another adoptive parent, and they will agree. Gotcha day is the culmination of months of paperwork, months of anticipation, hours of travel, and lots and lots of prayer.  It's worth every bit of the effort.

As we prepared for Gotcha Day, there were so many signs that God's hands were all over it.  Some people would call the signs coincidence, but there is no doubt that God was with us and our travel mates every step of the way. He has blessed us with another precious son, and we are thrilled that  He has entrusted us with another of His children.

Here are the pics.  I've included some of Rebecca and Janie enjoying the trip and of Walmart for those of you who have asked..

We are here!!!

30 hours after leaving home we finally made it to our hotel in Zhengzhou last night.    We were most certainly exhausted and for the most part slept well. We were able to do a small amount of exploring today in a shopping mall near our hotel. It was good to be the entertainment for everyone who stared and stared as we shopped. When I say stare, understand its not a passing glance at the Americans in the mall. It is a full blown go out of your way to STARE at someone.

The girls and I did recieve one small surprise this morning after breakfast. The CCAI families who got their kids the previous Monday were in the hotel lobby preparing to leave for Guangzhou.  We stopped to speak and realized one of the boys was at New Hope while we were there this summer. It is wonderful to see one of the boys we cared for this summer be with his forever family.

For us the countdown is on. When we wake up tomorrow it will be the last day that we will spend without John Reinhart as a part of our family. On our last adoption trip we were in China less than 24 hours when we met Elisabeth. Today and tomorrow were meant to be days of rest and preparation but no doubt we would exchange both for an extra day with him. We will meet the other members of our group tomorrow, and then leave our hotel at 930AM Monday for "gotcha day!". That is 730 PM Sunday in Alabama. Needless to say we can't wait.  For those of you who have been praying for us, thank you. Please continue to pray for a smooth transition for us and John. We will update with pictures as soon as we can.

Reflections on travel and adoption

We got the news late last week that we are finally approved to travel to China soon to adopt our precious John Reinhart.  I put our latest picture of him to the left.  We leave early March 6 and our Gotcha Day is March 10.  For those of you who have adopted you understand the wave of emotions that we are going through currently.  Elation to be finally going.  Frenzy trying to prepare and pack.  Nervousness about the unknown of the child.  Overwhelmed is the probably the best word to describe it.  We are so thankful for those of you who have prayed with us through the process, and ask you to continue to pray as we prepare and travel. 

Time to reflect over what God is doing in our family is rare these days, but recently I was able to read a book that quickly reminded me of why we are so thankful to be adopting again.  The book is called Appointments With Heaven  written by Dr. Reggie Anderson and Jennifer Schuchmann.  It is the story of a country doctor and his experiences with heaven through his patients.  I was so drawn to the story because so much of it could have been my life.  However, one particular story in the book touched my heart more than others.  Dr. Anderson was caring for a elderly female, Lois.  Lois was blind, and was hospitalized with a kidney infection.  Lois' mental status was normal despite her infection.  One morning as Dr. Anderson was making rounds, Lois seemed confused.  She was agitated and was anxiously saying, "Keep them away from me.  Please keep them away from me."  She seemed to be shoving something away while asking, "Don't you see them? There are so many of them.  Their brilliant lights are hurting my eyes!"  This type of confusion is quite common among the elderly when they have infection.  After trying to comfort Lois with no success, Dr. Anderson started writing orders for medication to calm her down.  Before he could complete the order he heard Code ten, room two.  That was Lois' room.  As he reentered her room he realized it was not Lois, but her roommate, Sissy,  who had suffered cardiac arrest.  Despite the best effort of the medical staff, Sissy died.  After attempting to save the other patient, Dr. Anderson returned to Lois' bedside.  To his surprise she was now completely calm. Lois said, "They're gone now, Doctor."  She explained further, "The angels. They're not flying over my bed anymore; they've gone with Sissy.  They've taken her away." Lois was back to her normal self.

Dr. Anderson reflects on his time with Lois further in his book.  He states, "Children and the elderly both have the same kind of faith.  The very young have clarity of vision that has not yet been clouded by the things of this world.  They see God and his work more clearly than the rest of us.  On some level I believe they recognize that where they came from is a very real place and that it still exists. They believe without effort, and they're willing to talk freely about their spiritual experiences.
Likewise, the elderly seem to have this same clarity.  As the very old near death, their physical bodies grow weaker, and their vision begins to dim.  Whether the cause is cataracts, glaucoma, or just old age, they can't see as well as they once did.  But their inability to see as clearly as before has some positive benefits.  For the first time in their adult lives, they're able to slow down.
As the sights and sounds of this world start to fade, they tune their eyes and ears toward heaven.  It suddenly seems much closer than they'd previously realized.  They start to reflect more, and they begin to see and hear from God in ways they'd never been able to before....In other words, they become more childlike in their faith."

He goes on to say, "Several times in the New Testament, Jesus is quoted as saying that we must become like little children if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  I think he's talking about the faith I've seen both the young and the elderly...I think I know why Jesus asked us to care for the widows and the orphans, and I don't think it's only because they need us to provide for them...I think it was to help us.  When we spend time with widow and orphans, we are able to see him better.  If we want to know God, we need to learn from those who know him best, and who is closer to his heart than widows and children ?"

These excerpts from Dr. Anderson's book portray the way my family feels about orphan care and adoption.  It answers the "Why are you adopting question" perfectly.  We adopt because God commands us to care for orphans, but also because God draws us closer to him as we care for those same orphans. 

Jeremiah 49:11 provides even more evidence that if we want to align our hearts with God, we must care for those who can not care for themselves.   Chapter 49 tells God's plan to destroy several nations and people groups because of the way they warred against Israel.  While describing the calamity that He plans to bring on Edom, God stops and states, "Abandon your fatherless; I will preserve them; let your widows trust in me."  What a powerful reminder of God's heart for the "least of these." 

As if I need more evidence of that childlike faith we all desire, Lauren sent me a story that Janie had written in her journal today.  I included that story below.  I am blessed to have a six year old child who understands that adoption is part of God's plan regardless of differences in appearance.

Chasing Butterflies

 

One day Lilly went outside and saw 2 butterflies.  They were flying to China to adopt a baby boy.  He was a beautiful flue and white chevron pattern.  When the mommy and daddy butterflies got him they named him James.  When James got home, his sister, Caroline flittered and fluttered all over their yard.  It didn't matter that she was polka dots and he was chevrons.  She loved him with all her heart even if he was different.  They are a happy family now!!!

 

I plan to share our adoption journey as we travel the next two weeks.  Thanks again to those who have prayed and continue to lift up my family through this journey. 

I encourage everyone to purchase copy of Appointments With Heaven.  I honestly could not put it down.  The book website is http://appointmentswithheaven.com/.

What a difference a year makes!!

One year ago on Orphan Sunday Lauren and I shared with our church that we were not adopting one child from China...we were adopting two!!! Not long after we travelled to China and came home the first week of January with Davidson He Yi Ayres and Elisabeth Ming Yu Ayres.  At 20 months DD fit in to the family right away.  He was a baby.  Loving him and feeding him captured his heart.  He fell in love with his Mother immediately and with the rest of us quickly enough.  He has continued to blossom, and has brought so much joy to our home.  Adjustment to a new life did not come so easily for Elisabeth.  At 13 years old she had no idea of the horrible future that she most likely faced.  Her physical needs were met in the orphanage, no one pressured her to learn or the work hard, and as far as she knew life would continue like that indefinitely.  She definitely didn't feel "rescued" by this crazy American family who claimed to love her before they ever met her. Since arriving home we have had many good days.  We have also had our share of bad!  What a difference a year can make. 

Yesterday, Elisabeth came to Lauren and told her that she wanted to accept Jesus into her heart.  Overwhelmed is by far an understatement. We have prayed countless times that her heart would be changed, but had no idea that God would answer those prayers yesterday.  For 13 years of her life Elisabeth was taught that Jesus was merely a fable.  In her country the most common religion is none, and she was in the majority.  But if you believe Ephesians, our God can do immeasurably more than any of us can imagine.  He could have saved her in China, but He chose instead to bring her to America, make her part of our family, and save her here.  You can't imagine how humbling that is for us.  All I can do is thank God that he chose to use my family for his eternal glory.  Elisabeth still has a lot of work to do in her English and the rest of her education.  She is also still learning all that family means.  She is about to experience her first Thanksgiving and her first Christmas.  Imagine that.  Last year on Christmas she knew nothing about the love of Christ.  This Christmas she will celebrate as an adopted daughter of the one true King!!! (As we say here in Gadsden, if that don't light your fire, your wood's wet!!!).  With all that she has to learn, she has made the most important decision that she will ever make.  However, she didn't want to stop there.  After asking God to forgive her from her sins and to save her from an eternity separated from Him, she asked if she could share her testimony in front of the church.  I have attached a video of her from church today. I'm a little biased, but I think she did a wonderful job.

Just a little about our current adoption.  We are still in the process of adopting Zheng Jian Xiang.  We were informed on Friday our dossier was sent to China.  Now we wait to be logged in with China.  We still anticipate that we will travel sometime during the Spring to get our son.  Prayers for his safety and our patience are greatly appreciated.

They have a name. (Watch out this is gonna get a little preachy)

"Are yall crazy?"  "Why?"  "Where are you gonna put him?"  "Are you gonna start driving a school bus?"  These are among the questions that my family has been asked since we announced that we were adopting another son from China.  Most of the time I try to respond with a smile or with a nice answer, but honestly that is becoming more difficult to do.  Sure, what we are doing is unlike most American households and their 2.5 children.  We hold no judgment against families who choose what many consider the "normal" path. Adoption isn't a calling for many.  We also aren't seeking recognition for our choices. We do, however, feel that we shouldn't be forced to explain ourselves or judged for doing what we feel led to do because of our faith in God.  The Lord set a path before us that may appear strange to many, but frankly I feel honored that He chose my family to minister to those in China and to bring 3 (at least) of these precious children home.

Not too long ago my focus was on following the American dream of obtaining more things, planning for the next vacation, building up my earthly castle, and pretty much looking out for myself and my wants.  I still struggle against this on a daily basis, but thankfully God has placed a desire in my heart for something more. One year ago Lauren, Maggie, Rebecca, and I travelled to China for the first time.  That trip changed our outlook forever.  Orphans were no longer the 147 million faceless children that were only a concept.  They were real.  They had a name.  They had needs.  Many of their needs were left unmet. In Radical David Platt writes, "We learned that orphans were easier to ignore before you know their names.  They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.  It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms.  But once you do everything changes."  This statement has been true for my family.  We are changed.  Our lives are different than they were 1 year ago.  I'm not boasting.  I'm thankful.  As Christians we are saved by the Grace of God.  In Ephesians, it is written that this in not of ourselves, it is a gift from God.  My new outlook is not from myself.  It also is a gift from God.  Instead of focusing my life on earthly things that won't stand the test of time,  I now focus on the eternal, and how I can participate in God's kingdom, for his glory.

Our God is known as a Father to the fatherless, and the 147 million fatherless need a family who will introduce them to the Father.  There are multiple places in the Bible that command us to take care of widows and orphans.  It would certainly be easier if my family did this by only sending money or running a benefit 5k.  These children and the ministries that care for them desperately need that money.  If that is where you feel led certainly give.  We feel led to give.  We also feel led to travel and use our God given gifts to serve.  We feel led to bring some of those children into our family.  Right now we have brought home two, and are planning to bring one more.  Will that be all?  I thought I was finished having children at 4, and now I have 7.  "No" and "never" are not words that I use anymore.

 Are we crazy?  Probably so.  Are we in the market for a school bus?  Not yet, but we will be driving a van pretty soon...a big one.  How are we going to put them through college?  I don't know, but I guess I will figure it out as I work for years, many years, to come. Why are we adopting again?  We feel drawn to a young man in Zhengzhou China that crossed our path over a year ago.  He has a name and a face, and we have held him in our arms. He changed us.  I don't think that was a coincidence.  I believe it was God ordained.  Again I don't want anyone to misunderstand.  I'm not bragging and I don't think I'm better than someone who does not feel led to adopt. Pray that you would find God's will for you and your family and embrace it.  He will be glorified.   If you feel led to go and hold those babies in your arms, I pray that you will take that opportunity and soak it up.  It is a gift from our Father.  A gift that will change you forever. 

By the way, this is our baby boy.  His name right now is Jian Xiang.  He will have an English name eventually.  We just don't know it yet.  We anticipate that we will travel some time in the spring.  Sooner would be great, but probably won't happen.  We would appreciate your prayers as we go through the process to bring our baby home.