Blog settings

Yes, the boys all fell asleep very early last night... and that means they woke up too early also.  Since I was awake, I think I finally managed to change the "Post comments" settings to allow comments now.  Maybe.


Again, I am a novice to this blogspot thing, so it apparently takes some practice to figure it all out...

Another big day today.  As always, thank you for your thoughts and well-wishes. 

I mean, xiexie!


UPDATE:

 Daniel Decker said...

Comments are indeed working.

For other people who might read this... you can type your comment, then enter the word verification, then click the "Name/URL" button below then click PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT.

May 31, 2010 8:15 PM

"Gotcha Day" -- May 31, 2010

Sometimes, I must admit, I did not think this day would ever arrive.  Many years have passed since we decided to adopt another child into our family... a girl into a family of spunky boys... an older girl from a foreign country.  Even after we realized that God chose Cui Yue ("Betty") to be the one, our roller-coaster of emotion was at times almost too much to bear.   Other times, the excitement and joy of the whole thing was almost surreal.  Then one day an unknown number comes in on Lauren's cell while we are driving to Atlanta -- and we almost didn't answer it.


"Mrs G***** we have some news... are you sitting down?"


Just a few short weeks later, we are all on a flight to China... HALFWAY around the world (which is even unbelievable since I have never been anywhere outside the USA, and I know Canada doesn't really count) to adopt a beautiful thirteen year old girl from the Shenyang province in mainland People's Republic of China.


Amidst two days of enjoying the capital city, the ancient sites, and the ever-present tourist merchants, my head was swimming with questions-- even on a groggy, 630am flight from Beijing to Shenyang today, the din of self-doubt persisted:


"Will she like us?  What if she doesn't?  The boys are so excited to meet her, but how will she react to three little monkeys vying for her attention all the time?  Is she too sad about leaving her friends, her country and culture, her orphanage family, her entire thirteen year identity? Might she change her mind?  Why is that old couple still staring at my son"  (Good thing I  brought my hypertension medicine).


Shame on me.


Please forgive me Lord-- for You alone are my strength; Your ways are higher than my ways, Your wisdom is limitless, Your plans are perfect; What shall I fear?

We finally arrived at the Adoption Affairs office this morning and Betty was already there waiting for us.  After gathering our bags, I walked in last... she was already hugging Lauren and the boys; when I walked inside she sighed "PaPa" and gave me hug and I really don't recall much after that moment.


What I have been told is that we did much more paperwork, and pictures, and paperwork, and signatures, and government forms (let me just say-- student loan documents and mortgages were surprised at how much paperwork there is), and more pictures, and talking and laughing at our own "Chinglish" (as our guide Sherry calls it) conversations.


It was like she had been part of our family all along, and we just picked up where we always were.


Yes, she is a wonderful big sister, and loves her brothers, and of course she just adores Adam's hair.

There is another wonderful large family in Shenyang with us adopting their youngest daughter.  They had only 4 children two weeks ago...they now have 6 after adopting Gabe last week and Gabby today.  Of course, this herd of boys gets along so well, and have really helped make for an enjoyable trip so far.  And of course, they are quick to remind us they outnumber the girls 3-1.

We spent the afternoon walking the streets of Shenyang; dodged some scooters, buses, and cars on sidewalks (!) then did some shopping for clothes and other miscellaneous items; we browsed the outdoor pedestrian/mall area, and finally retreated for some much-needed pool time and pizza dinner.  I can't recall a time when all 3 Gajewski boys crashed more quickly, completely or harder than they did today -- probably 730pm, all lights out.  I think Betty found it all quite enjoyable and relaxing.


Tomorrow, June 1st, is recognized as the International Children's Day.  While the Hawley's graciously (and somewhat crazily??) agreed to monitor all the boys in the morning, we will be going to visit the orphanage directors, the China Affairs office, the notary, and the passport office.   Then it is all official, be still my heart.


Then, appropriately, we plan to spend the rest of the day relaxing with our children.  All four of our wonderful, God-given children.  Continue to lift us up in your prayers, and Skype us when  you see our status is online.


"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."  Isaiah 43:5

Beijing Day Two: Church & that Wall you may have heard about

Let me first say this:  Beijing is one really beautiful city.  Generally all big cities look the same, sure, but this city is so warm and inviting, and just aesthetically pleasing even on the highways-- a unique office complex... then tiny village and farms... then historical buildings... then more tiny (I mean TINY) villages... then the Olympic Park and monuments...then more office buildings, etc.  But Lauren's favorite thing is the bright flowers/landscaping lining all the major roads.. it just really adds something that makes you smile.

We started the day at the Beijing Christian Church service, and were reminded that the best place to "be the church" is not necessarily IN Sunday church but rather, in the marketplace, just as Jesus related in the parable of the talents.  He delineated "the business-world" as the place to lead by Godly example.  We should attend to whatever place/employer/school/situation in which HE has placed us and invest in that place, and minister in that place, and be like Christ in that place wherever He has put us... Of course, here in Beijing, in a Christian church, just 30 hours before meeting our daughter, it definitely felt like we are in the right place at the right time, and that His will was being fulfilled in our lives.

After church we toured the famous jade factory, learned about the ancient traditions and jade types, and of course picked up some souvenirs.   And yes, all the girls working at the shop paid mucho attention to the boys, especially Adam and that bright blonde hair.. they even gave him a new "Chinese hairstyle."

Then, we had lunch at a traditional Chinese buffet.. which I only mention to show off this family picture I really like.

Then it was on to that great big Wall you may have heard about.

It is the rainy season in this part of China, and as we drove up to the entrance, the thunderclouds and lightning flashes were ominously trying to intimidate... but we did not fly some 9000km around the world to look at a wall from inside the bus!  We determined we were going up -- all the way to the top! We had 90 minutes.  OK, sounds reasonable.  So I thought.

Group photo, then family photo at the start, and off we went, up as far and as high as one can go at this part of the wall.   Adam and AJ actually made it about 5 minutes and they were done.  They were the wise ones.  Lauren, Greg and Daniel (and several others in our group) continued on, up, up, STRAIGHT up what felt at times like 90 degrees up.  Lauren and Daniel had no problem with any of this.  I, however, was feeling the effects of a big lunch, and a big body, and gravity too.  The steps are fantastically uneven, some low, some high, some wide, some narrow... made for quite the challenge. The rain threatened, attacked, then retreated to leave us in sunshine, and encouraged us to continue up.  I pressed on... slowly, painfully... toward the top, while Lauren and Daniel somehow ran the Ironman competition up the stairs.  All the while, as I watched the rest of our group grow smaller, higher, and farther from me, I am passing signs with Mao ZeDong proclaiming me a girly-man if I don't make it to the top.  Or, at least, that's how I read it.

Finally, amidst much huffing, puffing, and gnashing of teeth, made it to the top, and then basically sprinted down the stairs-- which may have been even harder-- knowing full well that most everyone else in our tour group is now waiting for the chubby guy to make it back down.   Another family picture (notice one large family member looks considerably more worn out than the rest?)

Yes.  We made it to the top (much higher than what you see in these pictures) and the view was exhilarating.  Such beautiful country, and a great experience.

Tomorrow morning (EARLY!) we fly to our province and finally meet Betty.  We are bursting with emotion, and I wonder what she is thinking about, and what she will think of her new family.

Continue to keep us, especially Betty, in your prayers.  Tomorrow's the BIG DAY.

 "In God whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?" Psalm 56:4

We're here and we are now online too!

Thanks brother Mike for updating last night, appreciate your help.

We made it to China on Friday about 3pm, and I gotta say, the flights were surprisingly not bad... actually, prety enjoyable considering the # of hours sitting in Economy class.  And the boys were absolutely fantastic... had movies, books, music, and plenty of food and snacks to stay occupied... even got some nap time in.

Today (Sat 5/29) was our first "tourist" day-- went to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, then had a Beijing Dinner "family style" with all the roast duck and pork and other delicious meats... and, plenty of rice of course.  (PLENTY of rice at EVERY meal, as a matter of fact).  Our tour group has several other adoptive families from all over the USA-- several have and are adopting older children.

The Chinese history is really fascinating, and the weather was beautiful today.  At the Summer Palace, which has stunning scenery and a real natural beauty, our 3 little boys got their first full-blown exposure to the ladies fawning over them.

Let me explain...

Our boys don't really look like the rest of the boys in China, what with their brown and blond hair, fair skin, etc.  Our tour guide advised us to not be alarmed when the Chinese people all wanted pictures with our boys, and when the older women would want to touch their heads, and just STARE at them... what an understatement!!  Anywhere we walked, you would think these kids were celebrities, it was actually quite amusing to our group.

Many people would slyly pretend they were looking at something or someone else, then take a quick stealth picture, or just come up and stand next to the boys while aother person would have them pose for photos... the older adults in particular would just be tickled to see them, and our kids posed for FAR MORE pictures with total strangers than they did for their own parents... and I gotta hand it to these kids, they were really good sports about it all.

BUT... when we went to the Summer Palace, it went to a whole new level.  As we were posing for pictures on the bridge (and pretty good pictures too I must say) the young girls just went crazy!  First, taking pictures of them, then jumping into pictures with them, then posing with them and all the while giggling and laughing; I don't think the boys are old enough to realize just how COOL that is!

We all ended the day with a relaxing dinner, some tea, and some good rest for Adam and his new best friend... as you can see here. 

Another tourist day tomorrow at the Great Wall, then Monday to Liaoning to finally meet Betty!  Please continue to pray for us and know how much we feel and appreciate all your support. 

*** And thank you SKYPE for being just awesome!

Rejoice always.  Pray continually in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thess. 5:16-18

Arrived in China

The crew have arrived in Beijing, China and are doing fine (just a little jetlagged).  They asked me (brother Mike) to post this for them because they are having trouble bypassing the "Great Firewall of China".  They will try to post ASAP if they can ever get online.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers today

Thank you all for reading this and checking in on us... we appreciate your emails, phone calls, and words of encouragement.  And thank you Firehouse Subs for a quick, easy, and great American meal tonight!

So the plan was to have the kids in bed by 7pm, us SLEEPING no later than 9pm -- at least get some 5-6 hours of sleep before the "Reveille" bugle call at 3 AM, right?

Not so much.


Much to do.  10:30pm, and not only are we still packing and finalizing and printing documents and downloading Kindle books (and many other tasks that COULD have been completed last week... or the week prior) and bagging snacks, charging iPods, and so on.

Please continue to pray for our family-- our travels-- on-time flights -- good health -- uneventful trips through security -- and a joyful experience.  One day at a time.

Here we go...

Then the LORD said to him, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions."  Exodus 16:4

The school year ends... perfect timing!

So tonight here I am again, posting on the blog after midnight -- while uploading various pictures and files; packing and unpacking clothes; sorting receipts; checking my work e-mail (why?!?!?); verifying travel particulars (well, actually, Lauren handled ALL that-- and thank you Lord for her organizational and analytical skills); trying on new shorts; and charging all the batteries in several DVD players (thank you "flferbs"), cameras, MP3 players, and the like... Picture 3 active young boys, 4 adults, and 16 hours on 3 airplanes -- needless to say, we have many carry-on items to occupy our time!

In the midst of packing and getting ready, we got to carve out some time for a elementary school graduation ceremony this evening:  Daniel, my oldest son, graduated 5th grade today, and they had a charming, fun, and BRIEF ceremony for the kids and their excellent teachers... who will be dearly missed next year.  Mr K and Ms P did a wonderful job this year training Daniel (and his classmates) in English, science, math, history, reading, and so on, while incorporating Biblical truth and relevance into each lesson.  Thank you UC faculty for another good year and a fine ceremony.

Tomorrow it's just one more day of school... and then up, up, and away on Thursday morning--- and a new chapter begins.   Verily, we appreciate your prayers, support, encouragement, and generosity over the next several weeks (and beyond).

"Come my children and listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Psalm 34:11

Getting ready... getting closer

It's 12:30am -- still packing, organizing, then loading and reloading the suitcase -- put it on the scale-- lighter than we thought, but room for two more pieces... but oh just at the right weight!

12:45am -- she's straighting up and counting little lightweight Under Armor shirts -- so, why am I typing on this blog at this hour??? Well, we're both WIDE awake... I better go help before I get caught... (and she has to get up for work at 5:30am!!)

The kids are so excited about this trip, I am surprised they can fall asleep relatively easy... and, I sometimes wonder if Betty is having any anxious thoughts, or lying awake some nights with anticipation too... we'll get to ask her in person in about one week.

"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known among the nations what he has done."  1 Chronicles 16:8

Yes, we do have a family travel website now!

First post: What is this all about?...

Well, several family and friends have asked about following the story of our travel to China this summer to meet Betty and finally - after many years-- bring her home. "Do you have a website set up? Is there a blog? Do you have pictures?" I finally realized I should have affirmative answers to these questions... especially since most other adoptive families usually have a blog, or savvy family website, or similar source for others to tap into their daily updates, pictures, and life stories. This is my first amateur attempt at joining the blogosphere, so I don't know what is in store for this site, nor do I know what it will look and sound like when it resolves... but I do think that in the last 4 minutes, I may have stumbled into an addictive new habit.

I will try to post daily notes and updates, family observations, interesting (or not) travel commentary, pictures, and-- if I figure this newfangled technology thingy out-- maybe some videos too.

Seriously, this is an exciting time for our family, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give your the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4