... We will see our new daughter for the first time. And she will see us, no doubt more than a little terrified of the unknown that awaits her. We have the luxury of knowing she is coming to loving parents who chose her, and to a brother and sister who eagerly await her arrival back home. She has no reason to hold such beliefs. We don't know what is in that little mind and in her heart. Is she excited about what lies ahead? More likely, she is scared to death. We assume by now that her caretakers have told her that a car will drive her away from the orphanage tomorrow, perhaps for the first time. Our most fervent prayer has been -- and continues to be -- that God is preparing her heart for us. We know most assuredly that he has prepared ours.
Will she cling to us, or will her heart be in such a state of protection that she remains silent, preferring not to hold our hand or make eye contact? "Should we get her a roll-away bed?" Gayle just asked. We have no way of knowing such things yet. To a large extent, we will have to let her behavior be our guide.
I write this from the 17th floor of the White Swan Hotel, our home for the next 13 days. It is just as I remembered it. The hotel is on Shamian Island, a small riverfront territory, but not really an island, that the Chinese ceded to the British during the Opium Wars of the 1800s. (It eventually was returned to Chinese control.) There's a reason adopting parents refer to this hotel and this island as an oasis. Amid the pollution and the poverty of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton), Shamian Island is reminiscent of the French Quarter. Our 35-minute trip here from the airport was our third, but the first one we've made during daylight. We saw countless skyscraper apartment buildings, each dingy from smog and the burning of unfiltered coal -- even the ones still under construction.
We plan to be a bit more adventurous in Guangzhou this time around because:
(1) We're here for the duration of our trip.
(2) We don't have an infant or toddler with us this time.
(3) Who knows if we'll ever get to Guangzhou again.
Still, this hotel is a good place to be. It has become almost like a second home.
6 comments:
Ahhh, Tony, we know that feelings for the White Swan Hotel and Guangzhou so well.
We'll be praying for Aimee, Hui Ying, precious child.
& Now I need to do my little time calculation to figure out what time you'll be getting her. I guess it will be the wee hours of the morning on Monday here in MO.
& I can't wait to see pictures!!!!
Jill
I was thinking of you last night at the CNY party, knowing you were in China by now. Praying for you as you meet your new daughter. And especially praying for her too.
Blessings,
Joy Pierce (OKCFCC)
Enjoy! Can't wait to see you together!
You made it! We have been agreeing with you in prayer that God will prepare Aimee's heart for you. We are confident He will answer that prayer!!! Can't wait to see pictures of your Gotcha Day!
As I write this you are hours away from meeting Aimee! I will keep good thoughts for all of you and am anxious to see your first pictures. It will be so exciting to show Maggie pictures of her best friend with her new family.
Karen
We are SO excited for you guys! And we are praying for your meeting and that God has prepared her for her WONDERFUL Mommy & Daddy :o)
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