A Day of Firsts

Today was a day of firsts for Maren: her first ice cream and her first boat ride (she LOVED the ice cream and most of the boat ride).  Our guide took us the South Park/Lake this morning. It was a very large park with beautiful flowers, walkways, bridges, and a lake.  You could rent a little boat (it went very slow, was quiet, and peaceful) and drive around the lake, so Danial drove us around.  Maren loved the first 3/4 of the ride, and then became quite distraught over a snack package. She has been inconsolable multiple times today; however, we know she is trying to cope with this big change. She also woke up in the night with, we assume, a night terror. She was inconsolable and was not really awake as she was crying and screaming.  It is heartbreaking to see her so distraught and unable to accept our affection at times.  She is being incredibly resilient when we think of how this week looks so different than anything she has known. This afternoon and evening we have been keeping it low key here in the hotel room (quiet music, lights down low, we ate in our room - peanut butter/crackers for dad and mom and Maren loved the mac and cheese - stuff we packed in our suitcase for nights when she was not up to going out, bubbles - which she loves).

Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Guangzhou; a 4 hour flight.  Please pray for this trip: her being able to sense peace and calmness from us and her willingness for consoling. We should arrive into Guangzhou around 9PM, so a late night getting to our hotel. The following morning (Sat here), Maren will have a medical exam. 

God is working through this journey in great and mighty ways. Honestly, we have had so many times of being in awe of His wonder, majesty, and sovereignty. We have all stayed healthy. We have been treated so well by the people of China. We have a great guide. Maren is doing amazingly well with us. Mora, Bryce, and Bennett are doing well (we have been Skyping with them 1-2 times a day; praise that Skype is working here), and we have wonderful family who are lovingly watching them. We have had safety everywhere we have been. The whole journey is beyond our comprehension, and we feel so privileged to be here on this journey.

A Better Day

Today we had a "free day" to spend having fun with our new daughter.  After a nice breakfast at the hotel our guide took us to Children's Park.  It was a beautiful park with several flowers, trees, and plants.  The park also had several play areas.  Maren really enjoyed playing in a ball pit and water area.  She especially liked scooping objects in the water with a net.  Everyone we encountered at the park were really nice to us.  One gentleman spoke to us at length through our interpreter.  He was at the park with his 18 month old grandson.  Even though we are several thousand miles away from family we have been surrounded by kind and helpful people.  Our guide took us to a really good restaurant that had "western" food.  It was such a delight to be able to read a menu.  It is humbling to think about all the little things we take for granted.  Maren went for her first swim tonight at the hotel pool.  She loves the water and making splashes, but she is not real fond of getting her face wet.  She is going to have so much fun with her brothers and sister when we get back home.

Maren continues to amaze us.  She is showing us more laughs and smiles throughout the day and engages in play with us.  She would make noises to be silly and imitate our sounds.  We were delighted to hear her giggle so much today.  She likes to tease us in her play.  We continue to learn more about what she likes to eat, her sleeping patterns, and her personality.  What a joy it is to hear her say "mamma" and "dadda".  Maren is really mobile and gets around really well in the hotel room.  I am beginning to think I did not childproof enough stuff in our house based on how well she moves around.  Overall this was a better day.  We are so thankful for all your prayers. 

Second Day with Maren

Today has been a harder day for Maren.  This afternoon we had to go to the police station to begin processing her passport application.  There were hundreds of people, and it seemed chaotic.  Her orphanage director was also there to assist with portions of the application.  We think this may have totally confused her.  She has cried a considerable amount of the afternoon and evening.  We cannot imagine how overwhelmed and confused she must be.  Please continue to pray for her to be comforted by our heavenly Father and her earthly parents.

After the police station, our guide took us to a large, grassy park with pigeons.  She loved the birds and kept saying "mama" over and over as she pointed to the closest one (wanting me to chase it as I carried her).  After we got back to the hotel, she was not real happy.  We actually ordered room service (not sure we have ever done that, but we knew she was not up to going to a crowded restaurant). 

This morning she was quite happy and jabbering lots of words (which we could not translate).  She also is quite a climber and is very speedy at her modified walking (she walks on her knees - tall kneeling).  She gave us kisses tonight for the first time.  We continue to shower her with unconditional love and pray she can feel and accept our love and her Father's love.

A few logistical answers to questions: we play in the hotel room a lot (Danial moved the furniture around today to give her more room to play);  we take her on walks outside - though she tends to get a dazed look on her face (imagine masses of people everywhere you go); there is a hotel pool - pools in China require swim caps, so our guide is going to try to help us find some so we can take her swimming soon; she LOVES watermelon and baked potato and is not fond of yogurt, chicken, or pizza; our guide goes with us to all our adoption meetings and helps us with the translation; so far we have seen 2 other Americans in Changchun - unlike Beijing where there was a lot of diversity of people groups.

Thank you for your continued prayer support! 

Forever Family Day

We have our girlie!  We got to the Civil Affairs Office around 8:50AM, and she was there waiting with her nannies and orphanage director.  She cried when she was passed off to us, but has allowed us to comfort her.  It was quite a busy and hurried process this morning: we signed a bunch of paperwork, then headed to a shop (in an alley) to get photos for her passport and official documents, and then were rushed to the Notary' s office for the documents.  We arrived back to our hotel by 11:30AM, and she has fallen asleep in her crib.  She loves her thumb and the sippy cup with tropical punch pedialyte!  She also loves music and potato chips (we used these items to "bribe" her at the Civil Affairs Office).  We just introduced her to the kids (while she was sleeping) via Skype a few minutes ago!  She is waking up, so gotta go!  God has been so good and faithful!

Maren's Hometown

We flew from Beijing to Maren's hometown of Changchun today.  We had a guide meet us at the airport and take us to our hotel.  The drive from the airport to our hotel was similar to Missouri: corn fields!  Once we got closer to downtown, it instantly became a big city (our guide said Changchun has a population of 7 million). She then showed us a few places we might want to eat and took us to Walmart.  The Walmart was nothing like the ones in the U.S., and it was 2-stories tall. We will never again think the Walmarts in our town are crowded (you have not seen a crowded Walmart until you have been in one in China!).  We had to buy bottled water because the water is unsafe to drink in China.  The Walmart, KFC, and Pizza Hut are all across the street from our hotel.  We ate at Pizza Hut tonight.  It was quite a humbling experience to be the only English-speaking people in the restaurant; we pointed to pictures and ended up getting a cheese pizza as we requested. 

We are quite excited to meet our Maren tomorrow morning.  Our guide is picking us up at 8:30AM to take us to the Civil Affairs office, where we will get her and complete a lot of paperwork.  We appreciate all of your prayers...please continue to pray for Maren as she goes through a difficult week.

We made it to Beijing!

We arrived to our hotel around 1AM Beijing time on Saturday morning.  Praises: no canceled flights and a safe trip!  Our escort met us at the airport, and then took us to our hotel.  This morning we had our orientation meeting; we met another Holt family during this time. We were given updated information on Maren, including recent photos. Following the orientation, the staff took us on a guided tour of Tienneman Square and the Forbidden City. This outing gave us some ideas of how the culture is different.

Tomorrow morning we meet out guide after breakfast and leave for the airport.  We fly out of Beijing to Changchun City at 11:25 am Beijing time to head to Maren's city and province (requirement of Chinese adoption law).  Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

ITINERARY and PRAYER REQUESTS

We have our bags close to being ready to go!  The past few days it has become abundantly clear how priviledged our family is to be chosen by God to raise Maren.  Danial was telling Mora, Bryce, and Bennett at bedtime tonight how they each have unique gifts and qualities, which God has given them, that God chose not just the parents, but even the siblings for Maren. 

We head to St. Louis in the morning, where Wynnette (Michelle's twin sis) will take us to the airport.
We would really appreciate your continued prayer support these next two weeks as we travel to get Maren.  Below you will see a general itinerary and some known prayer requests.  We will try to update the blog while in China (we will actually be emailing it to Nicole, Michelle's sister, who will make the postings). Thank you for your encouragement, support, and love displayed to us on this journey.

Thursday, July 28th:
We depart from St.Louis at 3:45PM, fly to Detroit, and onto Beijing.  PRAYER REQUESTS: no lost luggage, no canceled flights, and make all connections; Wynnette and Iain: strength as they watch our children; Mora, Bryce, and Bennett: God's peace and presence to be felt (Bryce and Bennett have more concerns with separation since their Aunt Tammie died unexpectedly last month).

Friday, July 29th:
We arrive in Beijing at 11PM China time.  PRAYER REQUESTS: safe arrival to Beijing, an opportunity to rest in anticipation of the upcoming events

Saturday, July 30th:
We have orientation with our adoption agency in the morning and a tour of Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City in the afternoon.  We are told this day is to get somewhat acclimated to the culture and context of Maren's first residence. PRAYER REQUESTS: calmness for Maren's soul before the big change she is about to experience

Sunday, July 31st:
We depart Beijing (via air travel) at 11:25AM and arrive in Changchun City around 1:10.  Changchun City is where Maren's orphanage is located.  PRAYER REQUESTS: quiet our souls as Danial and Michelle have an afternoon/evening to spend praying and preparing to receive Maren the next day; pray for safe travels as Wynnette and Renee meet to transfer kids

Monday, August 1:
We are scheduled to receive Maren at 9AM at the Civil Affairs Office with lots of paperwork to follow. PRAYER REQUESTS: sweet Maren will be placed with people she does not know (us)...please pray for God to touch her soul so that she can be comforted and loved..this will be a very hard day (weeks, possibly months) for her

Tuesday, August 2:
We go to apply for Maren's passport. PRAYER REQUESTS: God will comfort Maren as she continues to grieve all that is familiar to her as she gets to know her mom and dad...pray for physical and emotional strength for Danial and Michelle so they can adequately display God's great love to her

Wednesday, August 3:
Free day (we are required to stay in Maren's city until her passport is processed on Friday) PRAYER REQUESTS: Continued safety for Mora, Bryce, and Bennett and strength for Renee as she cares for them

Thursday, August 4:
Free day - PRAYER REQUESTS: safe travels for Renee, Grandma Iris, and Mora, Bryce, and Bennett as the children switch caregivers; that Maren will allow us to provide her care and demonstrate unconditional love as she grieves 

Friday, August 5:
We depart Changchun City (via air travel) at 4:45PM and arrive in Guangzhou around 8:55PM.  (We have to go to Guangzhou for Maren's visa requirements). PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren to be able to emotionally tolerate this trip (she has not left the orphanage, let alone be confined to a person's lap on an airplane) and allow us to comfort her; Danial and Michelle's emotional strength - we are told leaving this city of her birth is quite difficult - knowing this is where God first placed her and the significance of her leaving the only thing familiar to her, yet knowing God has prepared a better earthly home for her (*highly recommend reading "Adopted for Life" by Russell Moore; he describes this beautifully)

Saturday, August 6:
Maren has to have a medical check-up this day. PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren would trust us as she is poked and prodded by strangers; that Maren receives medical clearance for her visa

Sunday, August 7:
Free day (we are required to stay in Guangzhou until Maren's visa is processed on Wednesday) PRAYER REQUESTS: Danial and Michelle's being homesick for our children at home (we hear that most adoptive families are quite homesick by this point in the trip); pray for strength for Iris, Nancy, and Calesse as they keep our children

Monday, August 8:
Free day - PRAYER REQUESTS: Maren's continued bonding and attachment to her mom and dad, rest for us as we experience loss of sleep, time change effects, and emotional strains of being away from home; and Mora, Bryce, and Bennett

Tuesday, August 9:
We have a visa appointment and an oath-taking ceremony.  We have heard this can be intimidating, as they interview the parents.  PRAYER REQUESTS: Calmness and confidence as we go through this ceremony and that our love for Maren clearly shines through to those around

Wednesday, August 10:
Our visa is schedule to be picked up Wednesday afternoon.  We are taken to a train station and arrive in Hong Kong around 8:08PM.  We check into our hotel which is attached to the Hong Kong airport. PRAYER REQUESTS: that our visa is not delayed in picking up, safe train trip

Thursday, August 11:
BIG DAY!  We leave Hong Kong at 8:05AM and arrive in Tokyo around 2:00PM; then onto Detroit (where we will need to clear customs and Maren will become a U.S. citizen once she clears immigration there); then onto St.Louis around 6:15PM. We literally skip 13 hours with the time change, thus the extreme jet lag we hear reported. We will then travel to home Thursday evening. PRAYER REQUESTS: Safe travels, no flight delays (we will be cutting it close in Tokyo with a one hour layover), safe travels for those meeting us at the airport...for Mora, Bryce, and Bennett as they meet their little sister for the first time