Orphanage visit......

• Things are going better than I could have expected! The orphanage was a wonderful experience for everyone! Of course there were tears but I would have been worried if not! It was bittersweet at best! It was such a comfort to feel YaYa clinging to me when she cried but it hurt so much to know we were the reason she was being pulled (eventhough I know, she knows, & all the staff/friends know it's the very best things for her).   YaYa is also very happy; we see it; the guide sees it; her nanny, orphanage director, & teacher stated it.  

  She held my hand, hugged on me, laid her head on my shoulder as I comforted her as mamma! We got lots of pictures. Her nanny had raised her since she was 8y/o & we found out the nanny was the reason she is adopted now! So many things had to fall in place on both sides that it is amazing to see how God worked to get her home! She had not been on the list for very long because the orphanage had never put a deaf child (this is what they said but I wonder if they meant an older deaf child) on the list to be adopted because they did not feel anyone would adopt a deaf child. Her nanny pushed the orphanage director to put her on the list because she said YaYa had so much potential and would really thrive in a forever home. The director finally gave in but they knew her time was limited to even find a home at the age she was placed on the list. God just took over and made it all work when it really did not seem possible. It's is nothing short of amazing to see God's work through YaYa!

  When we were at the orphanage the director told me of an older child (I believe age 13years old). The girl had gone to school so I could not meet her. The director told me this girl had so much potential & was fine in every aspect mentally, physically but she had been burned on the face. She told me that she would not put her on the list because she knew no one would adopt her with the scares on her face. I begged her to send me pictures & more information because I told her that she deserved a home & that I would do everything I could to find her a home before she aged out. Please pray with me that someone will give this girl a home she deserves! My heart just breaks!  I will post more information as I get it.

  Also, we got to met YaYa's friends & see her school. We were only allowed a few steps into the school gate but all of YaYa's friends came running to her. Her best friend was so sad & crying. I continued to find myself hugging & kissing on her because my heart just broke! YaYa was all smiles as she told her friends good bye. Her reaction was so much better than I expected!  She truly seems happy with this crazy family!

  I was also very happy that her teacher told her that she needed to make new friends & focus on a better future. She told her they would always be there but that she must move on & make a new home. It was very encouraging the things she said to Guan Ya & the support I felt from her!

  My heart was so full & I was so blessed to see God work! Yes, it was hard for all, but it was beautiful too!  Thank you for all the prayers!!!  Love to you all!

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

Pictures.....

 Birthday girl just saw her cake.  We went out to eat for her birthday & had it delivered while we were gone.

 Today at the longest & oldest shopping street in GZ.

This is Guan Ya with Grace our guide.

Yes, I'm as tired as I look but I'm a happy Mama!!!

I realized after this pic that I don't have any pics of Phil & YaYa because he always has the camera.

I'll try to get some tomorrow

 Bubbles at the mall anyone?

 You see things like this everywhere.  This guy is pushing corn in the middle of the busy streets.

View outside our hotel in China.

Written earlier on my FaceBook for those of you that didn't read it:

We have had some wonderful days! Guan Ya just loves on me & holds my hand! She really seems to crave the love we give her! We see lots of big smiles & giggles & not a scared girl anymore! She even tried to say I love you Babba & Mamma last night. She used the translator to type out what she was trying to verbalize. We have been signing it often but she wanted to say it with her voice! I thought yesterday was her birthday but she really blessed us! I have pictures (above) I will try to put on the blog later. I'm sure we will have rough days but I'm enjoying the good days to the max!

We will be going to the orphanage tomorrow so please pray for her! I know it will be a very hard & emotional day for her! It hurts to even think about it as a mamma, but I know it is what she needs to do! I would never deny her going back to say goodbye! We have been preparing gifts for her friends, teachers, "aunt" (this is what she called her, but maybe her foster mom in the orphanage), etc. I had been mistaken because I thought she had lived with foster parents but she has been calling the people that watch over her end of the hall at the orphange her foster parents. She has been caring for herself & was living with 3 other girls that had aged out. The orphanage director said she was very lucky last Monday when we united because none of the other girls made it to forever homes! 

Also, will you help me think of questions that we might ask to the orphanage staff, teachers, etc when we go back tomorrow. I've been making a list & I thought you might have some suggestions of things I've not thought of yet. I'm thankful that we will also be able to visit her school that she attended. I am grateful to get the chance to see the life she lived. Blessings to each of you! God is great!

Wednesday

Above are pictures from our day Wednesday.  It was our rough morning so there weren't as many pictures of our beauty.  She wasn't up for picutes and that was alright.  Phil said there were more pictures from this day but they did not upload to the computer for some reason.  Maybe there are some with GY on the camera. 

We could tell Wednesday when we got up our girl was distant.  She laid her head down at breakfast, walked on the other side of the room we were in with her back turned to us.  As we were going to the park, she started crying.  As a momma, it hurts because you want to take the pain away.   We tried to comfort her but she refused to do anything.  She refused to look at anything at the park, she pushed away from us physically by walking as far away from us as possible & told us "Do not talk to me!" Yeah, I guess some of that is just typical teen girl stuff too!  However, I knew my YaYa was mourning the loss of what she knew & what was familiar.  I knew she was pushing us away because we were the reason things were changing.  

Guan Ya knows this is a great change.  I really believe she loves us & she signs it to us often.  However, the orphanage life is her past/her norm/her comfort.  This has to be a very hard change for her & we know that!  After we went to the beautiful garden above, she got in a happier mood.  The rest of the night was much better.

Yesterday, GY was in a good mood yesterday and I felt huge steps were made in bonding!  We went to Shamian island yesterday.  There were lots of giggles & great bonding moments.  She loves the typical girl things - jewelry, purses, clothes (Chinese fashion is very different than in the US)  We are going to try and limit the amount of clothes we purchase here for her. It is not because we want her to be more "American" in style, but when she comes to America, I think she may see style is different & want other clothes.    Guan Ya came to us with only the clothes on her body, the items we had sent her and a few pictures.

Ya Ya also LOVES paper, pens, orgami, & anything stationary stye.     She seems very proud of the items we give her!  She is very opinionated and pretty head strong.  I am very glad she will tell us her likes/dislikes because I want her to keep who she is as a person.  I've already experienced the typical eyes rolling ("really mom") from her.  I took it as a sign of bonding & that she feels comfortable enough to be a teen with me. 

 I've worked a ton to get these pics to upload for all of you so I will stop here & write a different post later.  Maybe I can get caught up soon!  Thank you all for the continued prayers & love you have shown!  You are the reason this beautiful girl is no longer an orphan!  All praise be to our Lord!  

  

Long delay.......

I am really sorry for such a long delay in writing!!!  I brought all of you on this journey to share with you & I did not mean to leave you out!  It have been absolutely crazy!  This is how it's gone since Saturday:
Saturday - on plane by 6:30 am
                - changed planes 2xs (once in TX, once in Seoul)
Sunday   - get to HK about midnight (slept just a few hours)
Monday  - left hotel in taxi to train
               -  on train by 10:30a.m.
               - train in Guangzhou  China by 12:30pm where we met our guide                                                                           
                - go to hotel (check in & put down bags)
                - by 3pm we had our daughter
                - eat, buy translator, buy clothes for Guan Ya
Tuesday   - adoption completed by afternoon
Wednesday - paperwork, pictures for GY, walk around shops close to hotel
Thursday - rough morning start but it was nothing not expected.  
                   Guan Ya was mourning all she knew and is leaving.
                   We went to the see beautiful flowers & she was much better.
Friday - go to the Island; walked around close to the hotel

Yesterday was a great day!  I have to admit I loved the most hearing Guan Ya giggle!  2 of my most memorable moments happened yesterday!  First, we were in a shop & GY wanted to get my attention.  I heard the sweetest voice say "Mamma"  When I turned around it was Guan Ya showing me something!  The second was as we were walking home, Guan Ya reached to for my hand for the first time.

We have been surprised at how well the signing has gone for communications.  Many of the Chinese signs are the same or similar to the American sign.  We are all teaching & learning from each other.  We are teaching GY the ASL & she shows us the CSL.  When we sign, we often sign one form of SL followed by the opposite form of SL.  I am very pleased at how well we are translating. 

Since I have this much written, I'm going to post it.  I'm going to start a new blog now.

The much wanted pictures of Ya Ya & her new doll. 

In Silence.......

Psalm 46:10

Be still and Know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

"I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say"

(Lyrics from MercyMe - Word of God Speak)

full lyrics follow post

I got up yesterday hearing a whisper repeated in my ears

"Be Still & Know" 

I felt it was my day to just listen. 

I did not forget anyone yesterday!  

At times it actually drove me crazy.  

I'm not addicted to social media but

 I wanted to share with you that we were cabled yesterday.  

I wanted to share with you that we booked our flights & we leave Sat morning.  

I wanted to share with you my heart that is bursting with love for all you have done for us! 

I wanted to shout thanks from the mountains for the blessings you have brought in our lives!

I'll be honest with you in saying I am absolutely lost for words what to say to you all to show our extreme gratitude for every person following our story, praying for us, sharing our story, giving of time, money, & other items.  

What do you say when Thank you just doesn't seem appropriate?

Honestly, I don't know because that is where I'm at now!  I'm humbled for all you have done to get our daughter to home!

I am so excited that I can barely contain myself!  I feel like I'm pregnant and going to have my baby in  4 days.  I know I keep saying it and I'm a proud mamma but YaYa is just precious!!!  I have to share her email:

No, I have never been shopping.  You do not need to bring me anything.  I do not know the things I like.  I guess  I like chocolate. 

Have you come to China yet?

I will not be afraid.  I am very happy.

I love you!

I mean really..........who could not love this beautiful soul?  There is a good reason why she has touched hearts all over the US & beyond.

Back to my original thought...

I was in silence for several reasons yesterday on social media.

Mark 6:31

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Yesterday, my silence was a way to praise my Lord!  I felt He wanted all my attention so I spent my complete day with Him!

I know God does not tire as I do but do you remember what He did after the first 6 miraculous days in the Bible?  (Genesis 1)  
 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

(Genesis 2:1-3) 

Yes, I realize yesterday was Not Sunday, but I felt God has moved so many mountains to bring our mission this far that I should honor Him and fast and rest and praise and worship in Him alone.  Yesterday I wanted to ask nothing from my Father but give praise to Him for all of the miracles He performed for one orphan aging out child (Orphan NOT FOR LONG!!!!). 

As I was quiet, I was able to absorb some of the greatness that is soon coming full circle with Guan Ya.  I used the time to reflect on how faithful our Father is when we trust!  I stood back & looked at the last 6 months in absolute "WOW" with No words. 

It is too vast & too beautiful to put words on this great journey!

 I was in silence in honor of our Lord!

I was in silence in honor of our precious daughter Guan Ya that God has trusted us with.  I do not mean that to say she does not communicate but she is mute/silent in voice.  Yes, she communicates and yes she can type but this was just my way to honor her & the great honor I have of being her mother & to honor our Maker for picking us for this path!

Yesterday morning as I continued to hear whispers of "Be Still and Know" I also remembered it was BlackOut via K-Love.

"Tomorrow, Feb 27, we're disappearing on social media in honor of the 27 million men, women and children who've disappeared. Trapped in slavery. In brothels. In factories. In quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries, including the U.S. "

http://www.klove.com/blog/amanda/post/2013/02/27/Black-Out.aspx

If you read my post

"What happens IF she ages out?"

You will understand how much of a realization this 

could have been for our beautiful daughter!

We are praising God for all the mountains He has

 moved to get Guan Ya home to our forever family.

We pray for all the ones in child trafficking and all 

"slaves"!  

Now you know why I was silent yesterday!

Today, I found out we got our Article 5 & TA over night!  We had been told we would not have TA until after we had traveled because of the time constraints.  We will get our Consultant appointment when we are in China. YEAH LORD!!!!  If He hasn't moved mountains, then I'm not sure what moving a mountain would look like!  God has done so many miraculous things though this journey that it's hard to wrap my mind around it!  He has used you to ensure His will was done & you trusted and obeyed!  Thank you for listening, following, & loving Him and an orphan child enough to give from your heart!  You have not only forever changed Guan Ya's heart & life but you have also changed my heart & life!

We will be very busy today & tomorrow preparing to leave & get our girl!  Please continue to pray for Guan Ya & us!  I know she is a strong & brave girl but she has to be scared of leaving everything she knows.  I'm sure she will morn which is a normal process.  Please pray for her & that we will know how to handle situations we may be faced with.  Pray for bonding and Pray for safe travels without delays!  Our girl still ages next week (China time) so our goal is not complete.

I leave you with some wonderful news about the mountains God moved Tuesday in the adoption community.  We were able to get our minimal amount needed to be able to travel & 2 other families that will be traveling soon also were funded that day!  How awesome is that???  I'm proud to be a part of a community that understands the true heart of God.

  

I think I posted enough already to make up for my missed day 

yesterday! :0)  I want you all to know we read every message that 

comes through and each is very special to us & encourage us.  I try 

to respond to each message but if you have not gotten a response 

please know we are grateful for them!

Please continue to pray that our works will glorify the Lord!

Please continue to pray for our union with our daughter in a few days!

May He get ALL the Glory!

Lyrics from MercyMe - Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say

[Chorus:]
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That you're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In your holiness 
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

Double Dog Dare TODAY.......

Guan Ya is now in the SINGLE digits of days she has left to be adopted!!!!

Today I have a massive headache that is on the verge of a migraine!   Yes, I'm sure it's stress related, but I have GOT to get it controlled before it gets full blown!  Which likely means lying in a quiet dark place....which I of course have NO time for but I don't have time for a full migraine either!

I have not been able to book flights yet, but it is highly likely we will be leaving in 3 days after looking at the flights last night! Next Tuesday, we will be united with our beautiful Guan Ya!  Next Wednesday, we will complete her adoption and forever be a family!

Everyone has done so very much for us that words just do not cover our hearts of gratefulness!  The love you have shown for our daughter is greater than I could have ever imagined!  We pray God will bless each of you as you have blessed us!  I hate to ask anything else of you, but we were given a "match fund" by a family. I know many of you have given so very much of time, prayer, encouragement, donations, & so much more.  However, if you have considered giving a monetary donation, may I ask that you please give today because Guan Ya's donations given today will be doubled for every dollar!  And if you feel led, PLEASE share the following anywhere you would like (FB, blogs, emails, tweet, word of mouth, etc)  We have had $135 total donated at  (=$270) YEAH!!!! Please keep praying & sharing!!  Our goal is to have $1,115 more donated today so if you can help us meet that goal in prayer, sharing, donating any amount, it would help lift a burden from us.

I have a lot to do before we leave and I need to get this headache gone so I can be 100%+.  Please pray that it will be gone ASAP & that everyone will stay well!  I'm trusting you to help spread the word today as I am now going to rid this headace!  We need your continued prayers to carry us through!  

This is the message I posted last night & you are welcome to Copy & Share this message:


Last night we t had an incredible offer from the Reilly family!!!! They have offered to MATCH every dollar donated up to $1,250 that is sent though Guan Ya's paypal account https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL 

This is what Mrs. Cathy stated:
"Okay..so here is a "double dog dare" for everyone. The Reilly's will match every dollar donated by the end of the day tomorrow (which is now TODAY)  February 26th, up to $1,250. So, with matching we can reach $2,500. please donate though paypal so they get the funds ASAP.

Kevin(Gracie's BaBa) Cathy (Gracie's Mom) ....And...Matt, Chris, Sarah, YaoYao, Jack, and Mei Mei"

PLEASE SHARE!!!!! If you donate $50, then it will be matched with $50 so for your $50, we get $100 thanks to the Reilly family!!!!

If you've heard me speak then you know about Gracie's room that GiGi was in while in the orphanage in China! We give credit to Gracie's room for GiGi bonding with us so quickly & having less problems with catching up among many other things. If you do not know about Gracie's room, please read about it here and consider donating! I plan to help Barbara McKissick Bennett with her new position with their program when we return from China. This is about Gracie's room:http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t
(Do you even recognize that little puff ball playing the xylophone?)

COME on, what are you waiting on???? Go donate so it will be doubled and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! We have not booked flights but we will be leaving on Friday or Saturday!!!! THANK YOU REiLLY FAMILY!!!!!!!

Don't forget our video is featured on Give1Save1Asia
http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html 

Double Dog Dare You!!!!

O.k. we have just had an incredible offer from the Reilly family!!!! They have offered to MATCH every dollar donated up to $1,250 that is sent though Guan Ya's paypal account https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3JP9XTQ2JDMWL 

This is what Mrs. Cathy stated:
"Okay..so here is a "double dog dare" for everyone. The Reilly's will match every dollar donated by the end of the day tomorrow February 26th, up to $1,250. So, with matching we can reach $2,500. please donate though paypal so they get the funds ASAP.

Kevin(Gracie's BaBa) Cathy (Gracie's Mom) ....And...Matt, Chris, Sarah, YaoYao, Jack, and Mei Mei"

PLEASE SHARE!!!!! If you donate $50, then it will be matched with $50 so for your $50, we get $100 thanks to the Reilly family!!!!

If you've heard me speak then you know about Gracie's room that GiGi was in while in the orphanage in China! We give credit to Gracie's room for GiGi bonding with us so quickly & having less problems with catching up among many other things. If you do not know about Gracie's room, please read about it here and consider donating! I plan to help Barbara McKissick Bennett with her new position with their program when we return from China. This is about Gracie's room:http://www.dianjiangkids.org/#!what-is-gracies-room/c1q5t
(Do you even recognize that little puff ball playing the xylophone?)

COME on, what are you waiting on???? Go donate so it will be doubled and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE! We have not booked flights but we will be leaving on Friday or Saturday!!!! THANK YOU REiLLY FAMILY!!!!!!!

Don't forget our video is featured on Give1Save1Asia
http://give1save1asia.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-week-meet-smith-family.html 


If you missed the news, we have not booked our flights yet, but maybe leaving out as early as FRIDAY (yes, like a few days!)  We will meet our YaYa on the 5th & her adoption will be completed on the 6th!  In 1 week from today (China time) we will have our forever family of 6 united!  Oh how I love the sound of that!

This was my message this morning  from our precious daughter:
"I am excited to see this video my photo (referring to the video from this posthttp://long-road-to-china.blogspot.com/2013/02/guan-yayoure-coming-home-video.html)
I'm so happy! I would like to see you right now - I know within 7 days! I also hope that it is that soon
I love you!"