Thoughts on China

Before I tell you how our first week is going (great, by the way), I thought I would share my thoughts on China. Other blogs I've read have focused on the inconveniences, the negatives, the difference in culture. Honestly, even if I looked, I couldn't find any.

* When I had to use bottled water to brush my teeth for 2 weeks, I was incredibly grateful for the water I have at home. It also made me realize how much water I waste when I brush my teeth. I was totally empowered and felt like I was going green.

* The Long Flight over and back. I couldn't believe how quickly time went by. Sure, it was a whole day but anticipation shortened the wait on both ends. Excited to meet our new boy and the thrill of introducing him to the rest of our family. Hey, if I can make it through the births of 3 children and the adoptions of 6, I can sit on a plane for a few hours like it's nothing. It is only one day in your whole life, perspective is everything.

* Food - I LOVED the Chinese food. It furthered my healthy disrespect for the high sugar, high fat American diet. It was a relief to not be bombarded with sweets and high fat choices at every turn. Especially good for me was the break from my chocolate habit. Not that I couldn't have gotten it there but it wasn't front and center. I also wanted to eat as much Chinese food as I could while we were there to experience what Joshua had lived like for eight years.

* I have the travel bug, for sure, and enjoy new people, places, and things. I was ECSTATIC to be in the minority. It gave me an incredible perspective not only for what it is like for Joshua but my other African American and biracials kids living in a state where diversity is minor at best. I didn't mind being stared at, questioned, or ignored. Bring it on!

* Hopelessness is heart wrenching. I quickly realized that we were in the land of the lost. We were able to learn of government repression, illegality of sharing one's faith, forced abortions, and living in fear. I can only hope and pray that we touched those with whom we came in contact with. The whole experience was surreal and made me yearn for more, a closer relationship with the One Who Gave It All, and a deepened desire to share my faith with wandering souls.

* People, people everywhere. Being in cities with six and thirteen million people respectively was amazing. Where were they all going, doing? Bob would sit at the window and watch, literally for hours, the people walking, riding, driving by. The crazy traffic patterns were sheer entertainment making 3 lanes into 5 and back again. The horn is the new blinker and riding in traffic is like being part of an intricate dance. Instead of resenting the city life at every turn, we enjoyed being surrounded by masses of humanity. I liked that although we were in seemingly metropolitan cities, you did not have to look or walk very far to find where and how most people lived their ordinary every day lives.

* One thing we learned was to "hurry up and wait." When you conduct business in such a large city, you have to be ready to WAIT. This experience was especially good for me as I travel through my daily life at warp speed. AND I expect everyone else to come along with me. My time away not only helped to quell my desire to "go right now" (to the point of anxiety) but it trained my mind to begin to enjoy the process. Some of my kids DO NOT like to be hurried and it has been a constant state of stress that I can do something about. Huge breakthrough that a dear friend was trying to help me understand about myself.

* I also used my time away to think my routines at home and what I might like to change for the better. We need to step out of our regular life sometimes in order to SEE what might need some tweaking. I have "had - figuratively" three babies in three years. I had to make choices. One of those was to loosen my grip on household routines. I lost much of my follow through which in turn heightened my own stress level. How many times can you ask a kid to clean their room if you don't go and inspect? I came home and apologized to my children for my lack and have tried harder to follow through on my requests. I also need to get back to a better schedule with regular routines which many of my kids thrive on. Three babies in three years took a toll but, oh the endless joy, I wouldn't trade those good times with little sleep, three in diapers, mentoring their mother into sobriety, and sharing my faith for anything.

There you have it. My thoughts on China. My journey continues, my faith was strengthened and renewed. We saw at every turn how God had orchestrated the entire adoption process from the first photo on Jean's blog to meeting our son and everything in between. Although new challenges have only just begun, Bob and I agree that our trust is in the Lord and his Perfect Path. There is simply no other explanation for this crazy wonderful life!