Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Making Progress
Sometimes it seems as if we take 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. We do pretty well when it is just the 4 of us. And then when we get together with our guide(s) Pei Fang pulls away from us and towards them. Of course, this is completely understandable because they speak her language. And each one of them has been so good with her.
This afternoon we felt as if we had a breakthrough of sorts. She got into one of her 2 big suitcases. We sat down on the floor with her and she began showing us everything she had. We let her look through it all and talk to us about it, even though we didn't know what she was saying most of the time. Then after we had finished one suitcase, she went through the other one. From that time on her attitude has been very different towards us. She has even begun to try saying some words in English. I can't tell you the relief it has brought to us. We know that it may not be the same when we wake up in the morning, or especially when Jill comes to take us sightseeing tomorrow. But that is ok. It gives us hope for what is to come.
It seems as if, if we give her the freedom to look through her pictures and keepsakes, it helps her to warm up to us.
She asked Jill today if I would let her come back to Taiwan when she was 18. I told her I certainly would. She held up her pinky finger and we locked pinkies and touchesdthumbs. Apparently that meant we had a deal. She talked to Jill about it a lot after that. And she has asked us several more times this afternoon and evening. At first, we didn't know what she was saying. But then she held up her pinky finger and I knew. It gives her a lot of comfort to know that we have that understanding.
We went to the Taipei Zoo today. It is a beautiful zoo and we had the opportunity to see giant pandas and koalas. It was pretty hot and humid so we only stayed a couple of hours. We met another family who was adopting 2 little boys. It seemed to encourage Pei Fang to know that those boys were going to America, too.
She also said today that she didn't mind if we called her Nikki. I think that will be almost as big of an adjustment for us as it will for her. We have been calling her Pei Fang for a year now!
Overall, it has been a good day. We had our AIT appointment and that went very well and we received her VISA this afternoon. So, we are free to leave anytime! If only we could.
I can't begin to express how grateful we are for all the prayers, comments, e-mails and facebook messages. All of those things, especially your prayers, have made all the difference in the world!
Goodnight from Taiwan.
This afternoon we felt as if we had a breakthrough of sorts. She got into one of her 2 big suitcases. We sat down on the floor with her and she began showing us everything she had. We let her look through it all and talk to us about it, even though we didn't know what she was saying most of the time. Then after we had finished one suitcase, she went through the other one. From that time on her attitude has been very different towards us. She has even begun to try saying some words in English. I can't tell you the relief it has brought to us. We know that it may not be the same when we wake up in the morning, or especially when Jill comes to take us sightseeing tomorrow. But that is ok. It gives us hope for what is to come.
It seems as if, if we give her the freedom to look through her pictures and keepsakes, it helps her to warm up to us.
She asked Jill today if I would let her come back to Taiwan when she was 18. I told her I certainly would. She held up her pinky finger and we locked pinkies and touchesdthumbs. Apparently that meant we had a deal. She talked to Jill about it a lot after that. And she has asked us several more times this afternoon and evening. At first, we didn't know what she was saying. But then she held up her pinky finger and I knew. It gives her a lot of comfort to know that we have that understanding.
We went to the Taipei Zoo today. It is a beautiful zoo and we had the opportunity to see giant pandas and koalas. It was pretty hot and humid so we only stayed a couple of hours. We met another family who was adopting 2 little boys. It seemed to encourage Pei Fang to know that those boys were going to America, too.
She also said today that she didn't mind if we called her Nikki. I think that will be almost as big of an adjustment for us as it will for her. We have been calling her Pei Fang for a year now!
Overall, it has been a good day. We had our AIT appointment and that went very well and we received her VISA this afternoon. So, we are free to leave anytime! If only we could.
I can't begin to express how grateful we are for all the prayers, comments, e-mails and facebook messages. All of those things, especially your prayers, have made all the difference in the world!
Goodnight from Taiwan.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Pretty Good Day
After a very rough night, today went pretty well. I was up for a couple of hours in the night in agony over everything that went on yesterday. Galen said he didn't think he slept a total of one hour.
This morning we went to Chung Yi, the orphanage in charge of Pei Fang. I felt I had some questions that I had to have answered. They were able to confirm that if Pei Fang had not been adopted, she would have gone back to the orphanage within a year. They use foster homes for younger children and usually a child doesn't stay with a foster family for more than 2 years. Pei Fang's case of being there almost 6 years was very unusual. It made me feel so much better to have that confirmed. As much as that family loved her, she wouldn't have been with them much longer anyway.
We completed some paperwork and then took some pictures. After that we went back to hotel and walked to McDonald's for lunch. We rested for a couple of hours and both of the girls slept. This afternoon we went to an indoor swimming pool. It was a great place. Unfortunately, you will not see any pictures of Galen and I in our lovely swimming caps!
After swimming, we came back and dried our hair and then walked to Pizza Hut for supper. Then we walked around an underground mall. It is underneath the train station. We bought a few things and then stopped for ice cream.
I have never seen so many people in one place. It is crazy walking around here at night. It is a mass of people everywhere you go. And there are so many places to eat. Even with this many people I can't believe all the eating establishments can stay in business. I know it was like this in China but we didn't walk around in it much at all.
I don't think we ever appreciated the support system that we had in traveling to china with 11 other families. There was always somebody around to talk to who spoke English. We are really missing that comraderie this time. Our guides and the orphanage workers have been awesome. But after 2 two days of spending a great deal of time in rooms with people having conversations among themselves in Chinese, we realized how great it was to travel with a group.
I feel like we made progress today. Pei Fang has begun to attach to Galen like she did in California. Sometimes Makenna and I get a response from her and sometimes we don't. But all of that was expected and we know it will get better with time.
We need a lot of wisdom in dealing with her. It is sometimes hard to know when to be firm with her and when to let her have her way. It seems to us that maybe she is very used to getting her way a lot. But we also aren't sure if she is acting up or if something has triggered her grieving. She likes to wander and explore things. So, we continue to covet your prayers.
Tomorrow is our AIT (American Institute of Taiwan) appointment. We will receive Pei Fang's VISA in the afternoon. We would then be free to go home on Saturday but we didn't know that until after our flights had been booked. So as much as we'd like to go home, we believe the Lord has a reason for leaving us here another 3 days.
Jeremy, Kyle and Logan - We really wish you were here. We love you like crazy and hope to talk to you soon!
This morning we went to Chung Yi, the orphanage in charge of Pei Fang. I felt I had some questions that I had to have answered. They were able to confirm that if Pei Fang had not been adopted, she would have gone back to the orphanage within a year. They use foster homes for younger children and usually a child doesn't stay with a foster family for more than 2 years. Pei Fang's case of being there almost 6 years was very unusual. It made me feel so much better to have that confirmed. As much as that family loved her, she wouldn't have been with them much longer anyway.
We completed some paperwork and then took some pictures. After that we went back to hotel and walked to McDonald's for lunch. We rested for a couple of hours and both of the girls slept. This afternoon we went to an indoor swimming pool. It was a great place. Unfortunately, you will not see any pictures of Galen and I in our lovely swimming caps!
After swimming, we came back and dried our hair and then walked to Pizza Hut for supper. Then we walked around an underground mall. It is underneath the train station. We bought a few things and then stopped for ice cream.
I have never seen so many people in one place. It is crazy walking around here at night. It is a mass of people everywhere you go. And there are so many places to eat. Even with this many people I can't believe all the eating establishments can stay in business. I know it was like this in China but we didn't walk around in it much at all.
I don't think we ever appreciated the support system that we had in traveling to china with 11 other families. There was always somebody around to talk to who spoke English. We are really missing that comraderie this time. Our guides and the orphanage workers have been awesome. But after 2 two days of spending a great deal of time in rooms with people having conversations among themselves in Chinese, we realized how great it was to travel with a group.
I feel like we made progress today. Pei Fang has begun to attach to Galen like she did in California. Sometimes Makenna and I get a response from her and sometimes we don't. But all of that was expected and we know it will get better with time.
We need a lot of wisdom in dealing with her. It is sometimes hard to know when to be firm with her and when to let her have her way. It seems to us that maybe she is very used to getting her way a lot. But we also aren't sure if she is acting up or if something has triggered her grieving. She likes to wander and explore things. So, we continue to covet your prayers.
Tomorrow is our AIT (American Institute of Taiwan) appointment. We will receive Pei Fang's VISA in the afternoon. We would then be free to go home on Saturday but we didn't know that until after our flights had been booked. So as much as we'd like to go home, we believe the Lord has a reason for leaving us here another 3 days.
Jeremy, Kyle and Logan - We really wish you were here. We love you like crazy and hope to talk to you soon!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Today turned out to be Gotcha Day!
It is hard to put today into words. Not much of what we thought was going to happen did happen. The important thing is that we now have Pei Fang!
It was probably one of the most difficult days of my life. We met with her foster family and they were absolutely wonderful. We could tell how very much they love her.
As expected, Pei Fang did not want to have anything to do with us. We had a ceremony where a couple of government officials spoke to us and presented us with gifts. Then Pei Fang's foster family gave us an abundance of wonderful gifts from Taiwan.
We then met with them for about an hour so they could tell us what we needed to know and we could ask questions.
We thought Pei Fang was going home with them tonight and would come to Taipei tomorrow. But the plan was for her to come with us today! Watching her say goodbye to her foster family was gut wrenching. If ever we had doubts if we were doing the right thing, it was then.
Fortunately, after they left Pei Fang settled down pretty quickly. We went across the street and had lunch and her mood was fine. She still didn't want to have much to do with us.
After lunch we took the high speed train back to Taipei and little by little Pei Fang warmed up just a bit.
I neglected to tell you that we had four ladies with us all day. That in itself was quite an experience. Every decision seemed to require a conference. Even which way to go to get to the elevator! They are all wonderful ladies and we really did appreciate all they did for us today.
We did not meet with the birth mother and we did not get interviewed by the reporter. We were very grateful for that because by the time we left we were exhausted.
This evening has gone relatively well. It was pretty awkward at first. The most difficult part, of course, is that we don't speak the same language.
Please continue to pray for Pei Fang. This is so hard for her. And pray for us, too. If ever we needed wisdom, it is now. If we can just see a little improvement each day we will be encouraged.
We are so thankful for your prayers and support.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
It was probably one of the most difficult days of my life. We met with her foster family and they were absolutely wonderful. We could tell how very much they love her.
As expected, Pei Fang did not want to have anything to do with us. We had a ceremony where a couple of government officials spoke to us and presented us with gifts. Then Pei Fang's foster family gave us an abundance of wonderful gifts from Taiwan.
We then met with them for about an hour so they could tell us what we needed to know and we could ask questions.
We thought Pei Fang was going home with them tonight and would come to Taipei tomorrow. But the plan was for her to come with us today! Watching her say goodbye to her foster family was gut wrenching. If ever we had doubts if we were doing the right thing, it was then.
Fortunately, after they left Pei Fang settled down pretty quickly. We went across the street and had lunch and her mood was fine. She still didn't want to have much to do with us.
After lunch we took the high speed train back to Taipei and little by little Pei Fang warmed up just a bit.
I neglected to tell you that we had four ladies with us all day. That in itself was quite an experience. Every decision seemed to require a conference. Even which way to go to get to the elevator! They are all wonderful ladies and we really did appreciate all they did for us today.
We did not meet with the birth mother and we did not get interviewed by the reporter. We were very grateful for that because by the time we left we were exhausted.
This evening has gone relatively well. It was pretty awkward at first. The most difficult part, of course, is that we don't speak the same language.
Please continue to pray for Pei Fang. This is so hard for her. And pray for us, too. If ever we needed wisdom, it is now. If we can just see a little improvement each day we will be encouraged.
We are so thankful for your prayers and support.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!
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