Wednesday, June 23, 2010

the queens have spoken

today was a mix of emotion for abigail. i shouldn't have been surprised, but i was. i think i was overly confident and not appreciating the enormity of what she is going through. all has been going so smoothly, that i was naively thinking she might have already processed most of the emotion. i know. really stupid. there will be waves and tonite was the first one. as her mama, i hurt for her -- and grieving is absolutely necessary, but it still was hard. we went out to dinner with friends and she got up and headed for the bathroom, so i followed her. she kept a good distance in front of me and when she came out of the squatty potty (girls, you've not experienced china until you've peed in one -- great for flexibility :), she had been crying. i gave her no choice and hugged her and told her it was okay. she stayed somewhat melancholy until we got off the elevator back at our hotel. and then she took the room card, ran to our door, jumped out to scare me, and has been totally fine every since. earlier today was the adoption registration and we got a neat and fancy certificate in a fancy holder with her new name and our family picture. she was giddy when we left that building as you can see in the picture. she took it out several times this afternoon and just studied it and practiced saying her new name. so seeing her sad tonite was hard.

tomorrow morning (thursday) we go to her orphanage so she can say her good-byes. please pray. she has told the guide she wants to go, but i know it will be bittersweet. (this will be wednesday night late to you....)

and on a fun note, i took them this morning to the 'salon' (expensive word for hair cut place :) in the hotel to get a shampoo and their hair trimmed. the scalp massage alone was worth the $20 and i was only watching :)

it poured rain again tonite so no swimming; so instead i had them do assorted activities down the hotel hallway. skipping, hopping one foot, walking backwards, spinning, well you get the idea -- but no talking -- and the giggles of delight did us all good.

homesick tonite but remembering my mom's advice to "never wish your days away." hugs from the 22nd floor of a hotel in guangzhou.




9 comments:

  1. Great to see the new photos. Great to hear everything is going well, with the exception of the minor breakdown. I will say a special prayer tonight as you journey back to the orphanage for the final good-byes. I cannot imagine the emotions Abigail must be experiencing. Sure glad her best friend will be here in Plainfield. What a blessing!

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  2. Praying for Abigail as she returns to what she knew as home. Praying for wisdom, understanding, comfort for you and Greg as you help her through this process. How is Sarah doing with having a big sister? LOVE the pictures!!! Beautiful GIRLS!

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  3. Love keeping up with your blog Jan! Reading your post today brought tears to my eyes. I'm praying for you guys. I am dealing with tons of emotions right now from sending Pure home on Monday. I want to cry every time I look at an Asian (boys especially). Can't wait to meet Abigail! I emailed Greg about Cindy. She really wants to meet him. Hope it works out. Carrie might bring your kiddos over to swim tomorrow (Thursday) Love to you all
    Kathy

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  4. Praying for a smooth transition for Abigail into her new forever family. Your post today brought tears to my eyes as it made me stop all over again and realized just what our precious children go through on the adoption journey to their new families.

    Hugs from Indiana
    Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and Elijah

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  5. What a sweet girl. The grieving is so very difficult but you are right, it's a necessity. :( I'm thankful that she is so full of joy most of the time though.

    Love the pics!! You are such a fun mom!!

    Oh and your comment about the squatty potty had me totally cracking up. Yes, we'd all be in much better shape if we had to pee in a pot like that all the time!

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  6. Pretty hair. Funny about her jumping out to scare you. Maybe I'll try that when you get off the plane.

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  7. loved todays post.
    praying for swi visit and the night that follows.
    i was in the car today and heard this song (oldie but goodie ;o)
    and i thought of you immediately~
    love you
    'casting crowns- voice of truth'
    Oh what I would do to have
    The kind of faith it takes
    To climb out of this boat I'm in
    Onto the crashing waves

    To step out of my comfort zone
    Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
    And He's holding out His hand

    But the waves are calling out my name
    And they laugh at me
    Reminding me of all the times
    I've tried before and failed
    The waves they keep on telling me
    Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
    "You'll never win!"

    Chorus:
    But the voice of truth tells me a different story
    The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
    The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
    Out of all the voices calling out to me
    I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

    Oh what I would do to have
    The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
    With just a sling and a stone
    Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
    Shaking in their armor
    Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

    But the giant's calling out my name
    And he laughs at me
    Reminding me of all the times
    I've tried before and failed
    The giant keeps on telling me
    Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
    "You'll never win!"

    But the stone was just the right size
    To put the giant on the ground
    And the waves they don't seem so high
    From on top of them lookin' down
    I will soar with the wings of eagles
    When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
    Singing over me

    I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

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  8. Love the haircut! Phoebe will be jealous : )

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  9. Awww, you are such a good mom, hugs always help. She's a brave little girl, you do have another sweetheart there. Fun pics of your girls getting "done" - great idea!

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