GZ China Zoo........

March 12, 2013

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!