Little Ruby, tiny treasure, my baby, my dear, little one I'll be with you very soon, very soon. Tender heart take your comfort in the arms of those near 'til the day I will hold you my baby.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Nine Days, Nanny Prayers, And a Hole in My Heart

Nine days! Exactly two weeks from today she will be in our arms! Does not compute. Does not compute. What an adventure! Everything is just about ready. I have bibs and bottles and formula and pacifiers and diapers and soft blankies and little sleepers and onesies and toys and books and all kinds of stuff and junk for our little jewel!

I am so relieved to have the knowledge that she has been in an institution with much care and attention. Whenever I see pictures of the children, they are dressed well, their hair is combed or done up with colorful ponytails (they use an assortment of hair accessories) and generally they look pretty healthy. I have seen pictures of the beds and they appear to sleep on wood with folded blankets as a cushion. This breaks my heart. I am excited to be able to introduce her to fine linens, fluffy pillows and jammies washed in Downy... Knowing that the nannies have potentially bonded with Ruby is an answer to prayer. It is also cause for continued prayer. This will be a very difficult transition. Not only for Ruby, but also for the nannies. They have given the greatest gift possible to Ruby of unconditional love in full knowledge of the painful day of goodbyes that is quickly approaching. Please pray a blessing over these dear ladies. And as they try to explain to Ruby about us, may they find the right words to help her understand what is happening.

We are praying that even now the Lord is working on repairing that hole in her heart. Wouldn't it be awesome if it was completely closed upon examination here in the states? Our God is able. Won't you stand in faith with us as we invite God to shine in this circumstance?

God is so good to create spaces for those we love before we even meet. I felt this way each time I was expecting my three girls... That expectation causes you to stretch out your arms, as if for a precious gift and a longing is born as you wait. A desire to see what unfathomable joys God has planned for you because of His great love for you forms a space deep within. In a place of mystery, He lovingly prepares us to receive a child. There is a hole in my heart soon to be remedied when at last I can look down and see her resting peacefully in my arms.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

About Jiangyong Social Welfare Institution

I have been in touch with a lady who has adopted from the same orphanage Ruby is in! She was able to have lunch with the orphanage director and she shared some of her findings about the orphanage with me...

The orphanage isn't very big and only one wing of the upstairs is for the children. All of the downstairs and possibly the other two wings upstairs are for geriatric residents of the SWI. She said she thought the director said there were only 4 girls left in the orphanage on the day they visited, two who were severe special who would never be adopted, Ruby and her girlie. They don't have air conditioning. In some of the photos she received, you can tell that they shared the clothes among the babies - no one outfit belonged to any one girl. She believes they receive lots of attention. Her daughter likes men better than women which later made her wonder if some of the geriatric residents didn't visit the children. Her daughter was very clean, wearing new clothes and shoes, and while she was thin, she was and is quite healthy.

We plan on keeping in touch and visiting her as she lives conveniently on the way to family...

I am sad to say that she believes the picture I was so excited about is not of Ruby. This really surprised me because it really looks a lot like her. I can't help but wonder if this little girl could be her twin sister? It satisfies my heart to know that soon I can take as many pictures as I'd like!! Just ten more days and we'll be off....

Ten Days and Counting...

Need I say more? My list is still very lengthy, but every day I do make progress... Yesterday, I put latches on the cupboards and started on the gates. I shopped for smaller baby clothes because she will probably be in size 9-12 months. I bought some toys to bring to the director of the orphanage and a couple of new toys for Ruby. I planted mums and pansies in the front beds by the mailbox and added some pansies to my impatiens on the deck. I put up Ruby's swing and pretended to push her in it! I prepared the room downstairs and it's looking great! I found a wonderful large rug, soft and snuggly to lay in front of the sofa. I found this amazing bookcase for 15.00 at a yard sale a couple of weeks ago... just what I needed for the room! Today I will go through her clothes once more to make sure I have plenty for her if she is indeed a peanut. I will also finish the upstairs bathroom and put the gates up. Everything is coming along and, truly, I could leave this afternoon if I needed to. I am packed, read up and in an adventurous mood! Ten days... that's not too long, huh?

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Tickets, Please...

We received the tickets for the flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. This is really going to happen!!!! Her Chinese name Yong Jiangyuan is on the ticket because she does not officially become a US citizen until we touchdown in Chicago.

The remainder of the funds for the matching grant through LIFE International have been provided by our church, New Song Christian Fellowship. We are so thankful for everyone's generosity!!! Where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. As we have all invested in bringing Ruby home, our heartstrings have been more tightly wound to hers and to the cause of so many orphans waiting for a mommy and daddy. Something mysterious happens when we give. In our response to the need, He deposits in us a love unconditional, a desire to see that investment flourish and even multiply. We become emotionally involved. And in the end we are overwhelmed by His pleasure! We realize that we can never outgive God.

Ten days from now, my mother in law, Ann, will be on her way to join us. On Monday, we will drop the kids at their tutorials, take the doggies to the kennel and the cats to Aunt Debbie's. We will cook a couple of meals to freeze for the week of our return. The next morning, we will wake before the sun and set our course for China!!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Baby, Sweet Baby

OH! I am melting. I have seen an updated picture of Ruby!!!!! It is not confirmed that it is Ruby, but after many hours of deliberation and investigation as to who the other children are in the photo, I feel certain in my heart and mind that it is her!!!I do not have permission to post it, but hopefully I will soon. She is breathtaking! "My baby" in Chinese is "Woh eenger". Oh, my baby, I can't wait to hold you! I will give you more details soon... I picked up our prescriptions for the trip today and did some more shopping. The kennel arrangements have been made and the kitties are going to Debbie's. We are working on painting the upstairs bathroom. Downstairs is shaping up, but I still need to paint the stairwell going down... Then I'm off to Phoebe and Ruby's room for final organization and finishing touches... I've washed everything in soft baby detergent and Downy... mmmm. Phoebe has enjoyed helping me pack (especially the snack bags for the plane). There are a couple of ladies that have adopted from the same orphanage who are sending me some things for the remaining children that I will bring to give to the orphanage director. In just two weeks from now, we will be a few hours from landing in Bejing. Can you believe it? Time is flying. And my list, though I cross many things off of it each day never seems to shorten. What's up with that????

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Friday, September 21, 2007

Whew!

What a week! In the midst of the dozens of phone calls, unending emails, and overwhelming details there is a quiet place that is so reserved, set apart for Ruby. I can't explain it, but it keeps me going forward. I regularly dream of holding her, playing with and feeding her. We are so right for each other, like God has truly matched us. These are dreams I will cherish.

In booking our flights we were able to save 3,500.00!!! How about that? I am so relieved that the big money decisions are behind us now. We got our confirmation for in China arrangements today too! So everything is set. We are ready to go! The only big bummer so far that I see is we'll have a seven hour layover in Hong Kong before we get on our flight back to the states. What will we do for seven hours!? I'm sure Ruby will have a few ideas...

We bought a cozy car seat for Ruby. We decided to get a great one, a really, really soft one because she's probably never been confined in one of those things before. We want her to be as comfy as possible when we pop her in it after flying for 20 hours! We'll get home past midnight and I fear she will protest about being buckled up. We also have a trip to Texas to plan as soon as we feel she is able to handle it emotionally.

I bought a little step stool for Ruby to stand on in the kitchen to help me prepare the meals... I bought Phoebe and Ruby matching chef's hats to use in the kitchen, too. I can't wait to see her toddling around here, finding her way through each room as we find our way into her heart.

I am so glad it is Friday night! Just two more Fridays and we're off!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Nesting and Thankful

I love the color red! It makes me feel happy in my heart. My kitchen has red curtains. My living room is painted red and beige. My bathroom is painted red. And now our basement is that most beautiful color... RUBY red! I just finished today and I am most pleased. Nesting... preparing one's home for an expected child to feel nurtured, comforted, happy and cherished. Ahh... I feel young again, like I'm getting ready to play house. What an unspeakable blessing Ruby has been to me already! What anticipated joys I feel rising in my heart. I am so excited about so many things I wouldn't know where to start. I am so looking forward to the impact this will have on the girls. What an incredible life and heart change awaits them as they take a peek on the other side of the world and realize the showers of blessings daily bestowed upon them. They live in a free country, have access to clean water, both parents, food and shelter, much clothing. They know what it's like to sleep in the coziest sheets and covers, to study at home, to worship God. They've enjoyed hundreds of sweets and excesses, indulgences and frivolities. They have been encouraged to think for themselves and to lead out with high standards. We are well beyond blessed.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

TA! TA! TA!!!!!

TA means travel approval. We have been approved by the government in China to come and bring Ruby home. Yesterday was a whirlwind. We have our flights booked, and we'll be leaving on the 9th of October. There are no words to describe what I'm feeling. Mainly relief, if I had to put it into words. Relief that the wait is coming to a close. Relief that this child will now have a family. Relief that soon I will hold her in my arms. The best part of yesterday was receiving updated information on Ruby...

"Yong Jiangyuan—
Height: 75 cm; weight: 8.3 k.g. head circumference: 45 cm; chest circumference: 45 cm. Teeth: 16; foot: 11 cm.

She can walk alone. She is cooperative when putting on clothes. She can hold bottle or cup. She can put food into her mouth. When you ask for something that she holds in hand she will give it to you.

She can play by herself for a long time as long as someone is nearby. She will grab other children’s toys and knows her name. She understands No.

She is quiet and alert. She has a ready smile and is shy with strangers."

Sixteen teeth?! I guess soon she'll be ready for steak. 75 cm in height translates to 29 inches. 8.3 kg in weight converts to 18 lbs. She'll be almost 19 mos. old when we see her for the first time in person. We will receive her on the 14th in Changsha. I wish we could fast forward time. The in China travel coordinators are working on our flights, transportation and hotel accommodations and we will have our final itinerary a few days before we leave Nashville. What an adventure we are in for! The girls are all squeals with delight and anticipations of the months ahead, getting to know their little Chinese sister.

We have been reading and studying and learning a little bit of the language. We are so much looking forward to being surrounded by all of these people, places and history that we have been studying about. We'll keep you posted. Keep us in your prayers as we finish our final preparations for welcoming Ruby into our hearts and home.