Monday, June 5, 2017

“For with God nothing will be impossible” ~Luke 1:37

Lucas’s Family Day…

Welcome Back!

Our day started calmly this time…well maybe with a few nerves…grin. We made it to breakfast which was great. The view from the 32nd floor is pretty impressive. Hangzhou is described as one of the wealthiest cities in China and we have seen that in our time here. It definitely shows in the types of buildings, stores and even restaurants. We also see a number of two children families so the parents are able to afford the second child fees. These families tend to be along the lines of an elementary age and a preschool age child suggesting this is a newer thing.

After breakfast we headed out to meet Lucas. We expected it to be about an hour of paperwork and talking with the orphanage workers. It ended up being three hours of paperwork, two civil affairs officers, two ladies from the orphanage, the orphanage director and a room of other people. There were eight children being adopted at the capital today from seven different orphanages and going to at least three different countries. It was quite the experience…a new one for us.

Lucas was already in the room when we arrived. He was definitely shy and reserved when we got there. We gave him his backpack of goodies to break the ice and let him have some time to feel safe with us. Pretty soon, I was filling out paperwork and Jonathan was patiently engaging Lucas. All of the sudden, I heard the matchbox cars start zipping around…the fear was retreating. By the time I was done with the first round of paperwork, Jonathan and Lucas were racing cars in a corner of the room and smiles were emerging. As I took pictures, giggles began to be heard as well. Those matchbox cars are unpredictable in their driving…rather like the drivers in China. Also a hit was the sticker book of funny face pieces that stick on dinosaurs to make silly faces. This followed the cars and helped to fill some of the waiting time.

When we left the Civil Affairs office, Lucas waved good-bye to the director and nannies. I think it helped that he knew he would see them again on Wednesday. He left with a smile and without looking too stressed out. Truly an answer to prayer!

We knew that Lucas was the first to be adopted from his orphanage and that they were new to international adoption. It turns out it is very tiny as well. Lucas was one of fourteen children currently in the orphanage with several other children in foster families and a few in medical care facilities in Hangzhou (the capital where we are). I will be interested to see what else we learn when we visit there on Wednesday.

We tried a call home to see Dad when we got back to the room, but the internet was a little too slow for that and Lucas seemed to need some down time. He curled up on his bed with his phone, I did say that…his phone, and just needed some time by himself. The phone will only work while we are in China and if it brings comfort for now so be it. Meanwhile, I chatted online with Ted and brought him up to date so far before he went to bed.

Next on the day’s plan was lunch. We headed to the mall for food and it was a success. I don’t think Lucas knew what to do with all that food available. He ate super quickly and then held onto his stomach as he chewed another bite. He is super skinny and needs to eat more, but I am sure his stomach is pretty small at the moment. No worries though…he likes to eat so this will resolve itself soon all by itself.

Back to the room we went for more quiet time. It ended up with Jonathan & Lucas watching more of the two bear cartoon that Jonathan watched last night. It plays with subtitles so I’m not sure how Lucas “watched” it…listening, reading, or just seeing the pictures. Regardless, both boys were giggling as they watched so it was a success. This gave me a chance to start our blog post before I got tired…a win/win for us all.

Jonathan requested KFC for dinner so that is what we did. It is just across the road from our hotel beside the mall and is easy to get to. Like our previous experiences, most of the chicken is spicy even if it didn’t say so. Fortunately my chicken nuggets were not spicy since I am a spice wimp. Lucas likes all the meat and he needs the calories…lots of them. He may be the skinniest kid we’ve adopted so far. He will quickly be sharing clothes with Connor and Webster though. The clothes we brought are the ones Connor just grew out of and they are just right. Lucas will need longer sleeves and pant legs soon. I think he might end up taller than his brothers except maybe David, but we will have to wait and see on that one.

Well, I’d better start adding pictures for everyone to enjoy. I just finished talking with Ted since he was awake already and now the boys are in their beds. I will be joining them soon after this is sent off for the blog. Continue to keep Jonathan and I in your prayers for healing as this cold is refusing to let go, but otherwise we have been very blessed today in so very many ways! Our prayers and hopes for Lucas’s transition were so very met and exceeded. He appears to be adjusting very well. The orphanage did a great job of preparing him for the transition.

Counting Blessings,
Brandy, Jonathan & Lucas