Well, Luke slept from 2pm to midnight when he woke up crying. Meredith took care of him for a little while so I could get more sleep. Then, I got up and told him that I was going to wash my face and hold him. Luke stood at my side crying. This is what the Lord told me and I told Luke.
Sometimes in our life a little rain must fall. It is raining in Luke's life right now. He has been ill, scared of the airplanes, thrown into a new time zone, and has NO apple juice. He is fussy, clingy, and anxious. This happens to all of us no matter how old or young we are. So, while he walks through his storm, I will comfort him, help him grow into a better person, and love him no matter how he behaves. Why? Because that is what our Lord Jesus Christ does for his children. Just like the weather, sometimes we have sunshine, sometimes the weather is enjoyable and pleasant and sometimes it's a dangerous storm. But no matter what kind of weather we are experiencing in our lives, Jesus said that He will never leave us or forsake us. He loves us, is firm with us, and molds us into better people through our storms. We must trust Him and always believe that He knows what is best for us.
And so it is with Luke. We are being Jesus to Luke right now as he struggles through his storm. And when he is grown, he will understand that he can lean on his Savior just like he leaned on Momma and Daddy when he was little.
If any of you, my dear friends, don't have Jesus as your provider, protector, comforter, and Savior, I beseech you to meet Him and let Him guide you through your life no matter how the weather is for you now. For if you know Him, you will never have to fear the plane ride, feel like no one understands you during your trials, or be alone with your deepest pain. You can be held and comforted during your trials just like we are comforting Luke. He is adjusting and we are seeing a change in his attitude and behavior because instead of being frustrated and mad at him, we are taking the time to adjust his behavior and teach him to trust us and obey us. That is the safest place for a child. And the safest place for a child of God is to let him be your Daddy and Mommy.
God bless all of you my dear friend during the sunshine and the rain. We will be getting our new daughter in just 6 or 7 hours. We are excited to be her Mommy and Daddy and introduce her to Jesus too.
February 16, 2008
February 16 Lanzhou, China
Thanks Mary. You are a smart lady! Mary told me how to get around the firewall and be able to access my blog.
Okay, I have a new camera, I can post on my blog and I am ready to get Laura. Sally, our guide, will call us in the morning when they are downstairs with Laura!! I am getting nervous. But more excited than even I could imagine.
Well, today was interesting and MUCH better. After breakfast, Granddaddy the 3 little boys and myself toured the hotel. We found the pool, the pool table, and the ping pong table. We paid for an hour of ping pong and took turns missing the tiny little ball. Granddaddy held Luke up so he could reach to swipe at the ball. And he did hit it a couple of times.
Meredith and Bradley went off in search of food and came back with KFC. They said that it was very hard to order because noone understands them. But they had enough food for everyone and that's what counts. We had chicken. Just chicken. And let me tell you. It was spicy. Really spicy. The little boys were holding their mouths but kept eating! I just can't believe you can't get a Dr Pepper ANYWHERE in China!
Sally arrived at 2pm so everyone went shopping except me and Luke. HE WENT TO SLEEP!!!! God is good. He is still asleep and I am hoping he will make it through the night and get rested. Just to wake up and find that he has officially been booted out of the saddle! I am sure he won't give it up without a fight. Sigh.
Meredith and the boys came back with water. Let me share something with all you spoiled Americans. Water is liquid gold. Preserve it! It is very dry and cold here in Lanzhou and you must drink alot of water which has to be purchased and drank from bottles. Bradley and Sally stayed on the town and shopped for a new cell phone. He got a great deal and Sally is VERY good at getting what her customer wants. And of course, Meredith bought us a new camera. We really must break this camera curse we seem to have. We go through more cameras in one year than is imaginable.
After shopping, we watched Stripes on my computer and now the boys are safely tucked away in Granddaddy's room eating tuna and crackers for dinner. I really look forward to Guangzhou. But tomorrow we will have pizza from the Pizza Mira which other travelers have recommended to us. The hotel dining room is very swank and has good food but it's a little pricey so we won't eat there much.
Meredith and Luke are snoozing and I am typing my little finger off to try to capture every day. For my friends and family but mostly for us since I am sure I will read often of this adventure to Laura.
Tomorrow we will also celebrate my dad's 62nd birthday. We might just have to eat dinner at the hotel restaurant tomorrow night. If I feel brave enough to take 2 babies to dinner!!! lol
Please pray that Laura will adjust quickly and we will be sensitive to her needs as she transitions into our family.
God bless all of you.
Okay, I have a new camera, I can post on my blog and I am ready to get Laura. Sally, our guide, will call us in the morning when they are downstairs with Laura!! I am getting nervous. But more excited than even I could imagine.
Well, today was interesting and MUCH better. After breakfast, Granddaddy the 3 little boys and myself toured the hotel. We found the pool, the pool table, and the ping pong table. We paid for an hour of ping pong and took turns missing the tiny little ball. Granddaddy held Luke up so he could reach to swipe at the ball. And he did hit it a couple of times.
Meredith and Bradley went off in search of food and came back with KFC. They said that it was very hard to order because noone understands them. But they had enough food for everyone and that's what counts. We had chicken. Just chicken. And let me tell you. It was spicy. Really spicy. The little boys were holding their mouths but kept eating! I just can't believe you can't get a Dr Pepper ANYWHERE in China!
Sally arrived at 2pm so everyone went shopping except me and Luke. HE WENT TO SLEEP!!!! God is good. He is still asleep and I am hoping he will make it through the night and get rested. Just to wake up and find that he has officially been booted out of the saddle! I am sure he won't give it up without a fight. Sigh.
Meredith and the boys came back with water. Let me share something with all you spoiled Americans. Water is liquid gold. Preserve it! It is very dry and cold here in Lanzhou and you must drink alot of water which has to be purchased and drank from bottles. Bradley and Sally stayed on the town and shopped for a new cell phone. He got a great deal and Sally is VERY good at getting what her customer wants. And of course, Meredith bought us a new camera. We really must break this camera curse we seem to have. We go through more cameras in one year than is imaginable.
After shopping, we watched Stripes on my computer and now the boys are safely tucked away in Granddaddy's room eating tuna and crackers for dinner. I really look forward to Guangzhou. But tomorrow we will have pizza from the Pizza Mira which other travelers have recommended to us. The hotel dining room is very swank and has good food but it's a little pricey so we won't eat there much.
Meredith and Luke are snoozing and I am typing my little finger off to try to capture every day. For my friends and family but mostly for us since I am sure I will read often of this adventure to Laura.
Tomorrow we will also celebrate my dad's 62nd birthday. We might just have to eat dinner at the hotel restaurant tomorrow night. If I feel brave enough to take 2 babies to dinner!!! lol
Please pray that Laura will adjust quickly and we will be sensitive to her needs as she transitions into our family.
God bless all of you.
February 15, 2008
From China....
Hey friends and family. We are in Lanzhou China. Lanzhou was established in 86 BC! We are on the 17th floor of a beautiful hotel called Sunshine Plaza. The smog is pretty bad but we are handling it. The city is still decorated beautifully since CNY and we came through from the airport last night. It was spectacular. It is a cross between New York City and Mexico!!! Very interesting.
We left DFW at 7:50 am CST Thursday morning. We flew to San Francisco which was a 4 hour flight. We left San Francisco and flew for 12 hours to Beijing China. It was really weird because it never got dark. We were flying into the sun and it was day time for us for over 24 hours. We got to Beijing at 3:15 Friday (China time), caught a 2 hour flight to Lanzhou and met our guide at the Lanzhou airport. We then took a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to the hotel. We got to bed about 11 pm. Luke cried alot last night but the other boys went right to sleep. Luke will adjust by tomorrow and then get a new sister!! Boy, is life hard for him right now. He got diarrhea on the plane and during turbulence we were in the TINY bathroom changing him........needless to say, we used ALOT of wet wipes to clean up the place! He is terrified of flying and I held him for 30 hours straight, except short stints when Meredith held him so I could rest my arms. It was hard getting here but all in all it was okay.
When we arrived at the Lanzhou airport, Luke through a fit that was top notch! Really, it was funny to think that there was about 100 Chinese people watching (I mean staring and talking to each other about it) this exhausted American family trying to shuffle a lot of kids and ALOT of luggage with a 2 year old laying flat on his face in the airport kicking and screaming like a wild banshee!!!! I was really embarrassed. It was 15 degrees here and I was sweating. A priceless memory!!!! I can't wait to tell his fiance about it in 20 years!!! I was so tempted to pull his diaper down and spank his ---- but I was afraid the Chinese police would arrest me!
The children and I sat down in the airport to wait on Meredith, Dad, and Bradley to exchange money and people came up and started taking pictures of the kids. They tried to smile and be friendly but they were exhausted! The babies here are so pretty and Bradley is quite impressed with the shy smiles of the young ladies!!!
We are relaxing in the hotel room right now and will go to the museum this afternoon. Our breakfast was great and we are hoping to stay well from stomach problems.
I lost my camera somewhere between the Beijing airport and the hotel so I must purchase new one today. Sally will help me. I will pst photos asap.
We are tired but very excited and happy to be here. Rebel is blogging for me until I can access my blog from here in China. Thank you for helping me Rebel!!!
We love all of you and will update as often as we can.
Bye for now.
We left DFW at 7:50 am CST Thursday morning. We flew to San Francisco which was a 4 hour flight. We left San Francisco and flew for 12 hours to Beijing China. It was really weird because it never got dark. We were flying into the sun and it was day time for us for over 24 hours. We got to Beijing at 3:15 Friday (China time), caught a 2 hour flight to Lanzhou and met our guide at the Lanzhou airport. We then took a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to the hotel. We got to bed about 11 pm. Luke cried alot last night but the other boys went right to sleep. Luke will adjust by tomorrow and then get a new sister!! Boy, is life hard for him right now. He got diarrhea on the plane and during turbulence we were in the TINY bathroom changing him........needless to say, we used ALOT of wet wipes to clean up the place! He is terrified of flying and I held him for 30 hours straight, except short stints when Meredith held him so I could rest my arms. It was hard getting here but all in all it was okay.
When we arrived at the Lanzhou airport, Luke through a fit that was top notch! Really, it was funny to think that there was about 100 Chinese people watching (I mean staring and talking to each other about it) this exhausted American family trying to shuffle a lot of kids and ALOT of luggage with a 2 year old laying flat on his face in the airport kicking and screaming like a wild banshee!!!! I was really embarrassed. It was 15 degrees here and I was sweating. A priceless memory!!!! I can't wait to tell his fiance about it in 20 years!!! I was so tempted to pull his diaper down and spank his ---- but I was afraid the Chinese police would arrest me!
The children and I sat down in the airport to wait on Meredith, Dad, and Bradley to exchange money and people came up and started taking pictures of the kids. They tried to smile and be friendly but they were exhausted! The babies here are so pretty and Bradley is quite impressed with the shy smiles of the young ladies!!!
We are relaxing in the hotel room right now and will go to the museum this afternoon. Our breakfast was great and we are hoping to stay well from stomach problems.
I lost my camera somewhere between the Beijing airport and the hotel so I must purchase new one today. Sally will help me. I will pst photos asap.
We are tired but very excited and happy to be here. Rebel is blogging for me until I can access my blog from here in China. Thank you for helping me Rebel!!!
We love all of you and will update as often as we can.
Bye for now.
February 13, 2008
Goodbye for Now
Okay. This is it. The time has come! We leave at 3 am for the airport. We will blog again when we get settled in our hotel room. Love to all. Thank you for supporting us and praying for us!
Blessings, Meredith and Tonya
Blessings, Meredith and Tonya
February 12, 2008
We are Ready to Go!!
Hi all. We are ready to go. We leave home in 33 hours for the airport! Our bags are packed and the fridge is clean!!!! Meredith has to get a haircut, pick up his meds from the doctor, and load the van.
John Akiki, our friend, neighbor, and business partner, has graciously agreed to haul us to the airport in his 15 passenger van. 7 people and ALOT of suitcases!! We leave at 3am Thursday morning and our plane leaves at 7:50am CST.
My cousin and best friend, Karla Sessions, called me from Wal Mart today to see if I needed one last thing and I did!! Playdough. I kept forgetting to buy playdough. Well, Karla delivered it to my doorstep today, and wouldn't take a dime for it. She hasn't a clue how much that playdough will help me out with 3 little kids on a 13 hour plane ride. And that doesn't count the 3 hour flight to San Francisco and the 3 hour flight to Lanzhou on either side on the 13 hour ride!
It is very surreal right now. I just can't hardly believe that we will have Laura in our arms in less that 5 days!
Continue to pray for us please and follow our journey. It will be an exciting one, I promise!
Blessings to all.
John Akiki, our friend, neighbor, and business partner, has graciously agreed to haul us to the airport in his 15 passenger van. 7 people and ALOT of suitcases!! We leave at 3am Thursday morning and our plane leaves at 7:50am CST.
My cousin and best friend, Karla Sessions, called me from Wal Mart today to see if I needed one last thing and I did!! Playdough. I kept forgetting to buy playdough. Well, Karla delivered it to my doorstep today, and wouldn't take a dime for it. She hasn't a clue how much that playdough will help me out with 3 little kids on a 13 hour plane ride. And that doesn't count the 3 hour flight to San Francisco and the 3 hour flight to Lanzhou on either side on the 13 hour ride!
It is very surreal right now. I just can't hardly believe that we will have Laura in our arms in less that 5 days!
Continue to pray for us please and follow our journey. It will be an exciting one, I promise!
Blessings to all.
February 08, 2008
A new picture of Laura
WE got new pictures of Laura yesterday and she is a cutie!! We are very happy that LOVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES has set up a Dingxi SWI Nutrition program and is sending formula and cereal monthly to 7 babies at Laura's orphanage. We got the newsletter yesterday and Laura's picture was in it. She was standing at her bedside. I am sure she was looking for me in the room but couldn't find me. Well, honey, I'll be there in 9 DAYS!!!! Oh, yeah!!!
Of course, I can't figure out how to get it on my blog. So, you all will just have to wait and see her in person!!
Blessings to all.
Of course, I can't figure out how to get it on my blog. So, you all will just have to wait and see her in person!!
Blessings to all.
February 03, 2008
Our Travel Itinerary
February 14, 2008 - Fly from DFW to San Francisco to Beijing to Lanzhou.
February 15, 2008 - Arrive Lanzhou and check into Sunshine Plaza Hotel.
February 16, 2008 - Tour Provincial Museum
February 17, 2008 - Gotcha Day!!!! Dingxi SWI director will bring Laura to out hotel. We will celebrate her arrival into our family AND Daddy's birthday!!!
February 18, 2008 - Adoption paperwork, visa picture, and shopping.
February 19, 2008 - Tour Water wheel Park, Mother and Child Statue, and have dinner at Yellow River Oasis Restaurant.
February 20, 2008 - Visit Dingxi SWI (Laura's Orphanage) and Laura's finding spot.
February 21, 2008 - Visit White Pagoda (a major trading spot on the Ancient Silk Road)
February 22, 2008 - Get Laura's passport and fly to Guangzhou in the afternoon. Check into the Victory Hotel on Shamian Island.
February 23, 2008 - Free day to rest and walk in the beautiful parks on Shamian Island.
February 24, 2008 - Go to church at local Christian church. Visit the Wild Animal Zoo with other CHI families and have dinner at Cow and Bridge Restaurant with other CHI families.
February 25, 2008 - Visit the Temple of Family Chen with other CHI families
February 26, 2008 - Medical appointment for Laura and visa photo for Laura.
February 27, 2008 - Visa appointment at US Consulate at 10am. Celebrate Sebastian's birthday in the afternoon.
February 28, 2008 - Pick up Laura's visa in the afternoon. Lunch at Lucy's with other CHI families.
February 29, 2008 - Leave Guangzhou via plane for Beijing to Chicago to DFW to home!!!!! Laura is now an American Citizen!!!!! We will sleep in our own beds tonight!!!!!
February 15, 2008 - Arrive Lanzhou and check into Sunshine Plaza Hotel.
February 16, 2008 - Tour Provincial Museum
February 17, 2008 - Gotcha Day!!!! Dingxi SWI director will bring Laura to out hotel. We will celebrate her arrival into our family AND Daddy's birthday!!!
February 18, 2008 - Adoption paperwork, visa picture, and shopping.
February 19, 2008 - Tour Water wheel Park, Mother and Child Statue, and have dinner at Yellow River Oasis Restaurant.
February 20, 2008 - Visit Dingxi SWI (Laura's Orphanage) and Laura's finding spot.
February 21, 2008 - Visit White Pagoda (a major trading spot on the Ancient Silk Road)
February 22, 2008 - Get Laura's passport and fly to Guangzhou in the afternoon. Check into the Victory Hotel on Shamian Island.
February 23, 2008 - Free day to rest and walk in the beautiful parks on Shamian Island.
February 24, 2008 - Go to church at local Christian church. Visit the Wild Animal Zoo with other CHI families and have dinner at Cow and Bridge Restaurant with other CHI families.
February 25, 2008 - Visit the Temple of Family Chen with other CHI families
February 26, 2008 - Medical appointment for Laura and visa photo for Laura.
February 27, 2008 - Visa appointment at US Consulate at 10am. Celebrate Sebastian's birthday in the afternoon.
February 28, 2008 - Pick up Laura's visa in the afternoon. Lunch at Lucy's with other CHI families.
February 29, 2008 - Leave Guangzhou via plane for Beijing to Chicago to DFW to home!!!!! Laura is now an American Citizen!!!!! We will sleep in our own beds tonight!!!!!
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