I woke up early this morning for several reasons...we are still adjusting to the 13 hour time change and my mind was so full of the events of the day before. I lay in bed for an hour or so, just reflecting and praying...praise for so many answered prayers. We had the joy of unwrapping a bunch of blessings yesterday. There had been so much emotion as we traveled to the Civil Affairs office and waited patiently to see her precious little face and hold her in our arms. As we walked in the building we watched as a group of children were being brought in from their van. I have to say I was not prepared for the emotion that arose....their little faces... There were many other families there...the room was a flurry of parents all eagerly awaiting this moment. We were the only family from our group with American World. Our guide, Lee, was with us. She told us to sit tight and try to relax as Zhong Feng Cai, soon to be Kylie Grace, and her caregivers were not there yet. We watched as the other families began to be united with their children. Wow, it was overwhelming to see that.
"For I know the plans I have for you" , declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
This verse was on my heart as I woke up this morning, as it applies to my entire family. Yesterday was a significant and life-changing day for us all. It was part of a "birthing process" if you will. Kylie Grace has spent the first 3 years of her life in a place were she was nurtured and loved...but never intended to stay. As she was led in the room yesterday, we saw her walking toward us... I do believe that my heart skipped a beat or two and I had to remind myself to breath. I recognized her right away. She walked over, holding the hand of her nanny/caregiver. I can't even imagine what she must have been thinking. Hank and I knelt down and "introduced" ourselves....it was a surreal moment. She was very quiet and let me hold her...the moment was a tender one. Our hearts were full. Some of the time seems like a dream as I think back. She just stared at us and was taking in the entire situation. There came a moment when she suddenly realized that her caregiver was no longer there...that was when the painful part of this "birthing process" began. It is a necessary part, but a painful and difficult one for her to go through and for us to experience. She did not seem frightened by us...just that she wanted her nanny. To us this was an answered prayer for it showed that she has the ability to attach and that she was loved. It was hard to endure, but we had been praying for that in particular. She was inconsolable for what seemed like quite a while although it was probably only 20-30 minutes. But, just as suddenly as she became upset, she seemed to transition out of it. Hank and I finished some paperwork while Kelsey held her and she sucked on a lollipop. Thus we begin the adventure of getting to know one another.
We returned back to our hotel and had fun pulling out some toys that we brought. She was very quiet and watched with great interest as bubbles were blown, stacking cups were stacked and a few other items were played with. But, she really brightened up when we pulled out a steamed roll that we had saved from breakfast that morning. She gobbled it down! We decided that she was doing well enough to venture out to a hotel restaurant for dinner. She did great! We definitely have a good eater on our hands. She sat in my lap and Hank fed her dumplings, fried rice and another steamed bun. She even loved my jasmine tea! After dinner she walked over to the fish tanks in the restaurant with Kelsey and Kennan. These fish tanks were housing dinner for other customers...but, Kylie sure did like watching the fish swim around. After dinner we walked down the street to the 7-Eleven...yes, they are even in China. We picked up a few things and returned to our room for tubby time. She loved her bath! We had brought two tiny rubber duckies...these were a big hit and she would not let go of them for the rest of the evening. It was only appropriate that Daddy brushed her teeth for the first time...it was a success. Gratefully, she had a wonderful night's sleep and is still resting as I type.
Please continue to pray for this process of transition for us all. She has left all she has ever known. We have been blessed beyond measure....all praise and glory to our Father.
Today we go back to the Civil Affairs office at 9:00 am for our appointment to finalize our adoption in the eyes of the Chinese government. We will write again later with pictures and update from our day.
A Mommy with a grateful heart,
Cheryl
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Day We Met
Need we say more?
With very grateful hearts,
Hank, Cheryl, Kelsey, Kennan & Kylie Grace
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Zhongshan Day 2
It was a beautiful day today with clear blue skies and pleasant temps in the 70's. We traveled out from Zhongshan City today to visit a few other museums and parks. Our first stop was the museum of the home of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. He was raised in a small village called Cuiheng which is about 30 minutes outside of Zhongshan. Much of the original village has been preserved and restored to show what life was like during his youth in the late 1800's. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and the buildings were very interesting. The homes in the village housed individual families but they were all interconnected with a maze of courtyards and alleyways. Apparently, this one small village was the birthplace for four men who played very significant roles in the Chinese revolution which overthrew the last Chinese emperor. The museum itself housed a very extensive display of old photographs and other items that spelled out his life in painstaking detail. We now know quite a bit about the most famous resident of Zhongshan City. It will be good to have for Kylie as she becomes more curious through the years about her birthplace.
Next we drove to Guishan Mountain Park, a place we had read about which was touted to be a beautiful nature park. The drive to get there took us through some very rural places, which we loved seeing. We had the feeling that few, if any, foreigners have ever visited this part of rural Zhongshan. It is a strange sense of adventure when people literally drop whatever they are doing just to watch you walk by. We felt like celebrities -- in fact, we decided that Kennan was Brad Pitt and Hank was George Clooney for the day. I don't think we fooled anyone but we had a few laughs to ourselves. We spent a few hours exploring the area -- it was a lush park with many winding trails that led to a Buddhist temple at the top of the hill -- and then we left to find a lunch spot.
Just like yesterday, we found a very authentic and local spot to eat lunch. This roadside restaurant was completely "open air" with a bamboo supported roof and tropical surroundings. Walking into the seating area was an experience all it's own as we passed by tanks with live jumbo prawn, a variety of live fish, caged live frogs, snakes, eels, ducks, herons... do you get the picture? Our meal was again family-style with boiled whole shrimp, fish, some very interesting steamed vegetables and roots, and fried noodles. We felt certain that the shrimp and fish were about as fresh as it gets based on what we passed as we walked in. I wonder what fresh cobra with a side of grey heron would have tasted like?
Our guide had one last place to take us after lunch -- another place that we had read a little about online. As it turns out, it wasn't quite what we thought, so we decided to stop at another park on the way back to the hotel. This park was called ZaMaLing and was highlighted by the most beautiful rose garden we have ever seen. Red, pink, yellow and shades in between covered a sloping hill that led up to a pagoda at the top. Some of these roses were larger than both of my fists put together! Again, we were the subjects of many stares and covert photos by the other visitors to the park. More than once we were asked to have our pictures taken with a group of locals.
Afterwards we headed back to the hotel, exhausted from the day and exhilirated by what lies ahead for tomorrow. We are excited beyond words for what we will experience tomorrow afternoon as we finally get to meet our little girl. Let there be... one less Chinese orphan girl and one more Miller daughter.
Steven Curtis Chapman's lyrics touched our hearts over 18 months ago and a dream was born...
"I saw the face of Jesus in a little orphan girl.
She was standing in the corner on the other side of the world.
And I heard the voice of Jesus gently whisper to my heart,
Didn't you say you wanted to find me? Well here I am, here you are.
So, What now? What will you do now that you found Me?"
Miss Zhong Feng Cai, soon to be Kylie Grace Miller, we are coming to bring you home! We know it will be scary at first, but we know that the Jesus that made you is the same Jesus that put the dream in our hearts and picked us to be your Mommy & Daddy, brother & sister! We love you so much already. We have prepared our home and God has prepared our hearts. We are ready.
Remember, we are 13 hours ahead -- so while you sleep through the night Sunday, our family will grow. Please pray for Kylie, that even though she may not understand what's happening, that she will have a peace in her heart. And, also pray that God will give us the grace to simply love her as she grieves over losing everything she has ever known.
Blessings to you all,
Hank & family
Next we drove to Guishan Mountain Park, a place we had read about which was touted to be a beautiful nature park. The drive to get there took us through some very rural places, which we loved seeing. We had the feeling that few, if any, foreigners have ever visited this part of rural Zhongshan. It is a strange sense of adventure when people literally drop whatever they are doing just to watch you walk by. We felt like celebrities -- in fact, we decided that Kennan was Brad Pitt and Hank was George Clooney for the day. I don't think we fooled anyone but we had a few laughs to ourselves. We spent a few hours exploring the area -- it was a lush park with many winding trails that led to a Buddhist temple at the top of the hill -- and then we left to find a lunch spot.
Just like yesterday, we found a very authentic and local spot to eat lunch. This roadside restaurant was completely "open air" with a bamboo supported roof and tropical surroundings. Walking into the seating area was an experience all it's own as we passed by tanks with live jumbo prawn, a variety of live fish, caged live frogs, snakes, eels, ducks, herons... do you get the picture? Our meal was again family-style with boiled whole shrimp, fish, some very interesting steamed vegetables and roots, and fried noodles. We felt certain that the shrimp and fish were about as fresh as it gets based on what we passed as we walked in. I wonder what fresh cobra with a side of grey heron would have tasted like?
Our guide had one last place to take us after lunch -- another place that we had read a little about online. As it turns out, it wasn't quite what we thought, so we decided to stop at another park on the way back to the hotel. This park was called ZaMaLing and was highlighted by the most beautiful rose garden we have ever seen. Red, pink, yellow and shades in between covered a sloping hill that led up to a pagoda at the top. Some of these roses were larger than both of my fists put together! Again, we were the subjects of many stares and covert photos by the other visitors to the park. More than once we were asked to have our pictures taken with a group of locals.
Afterwards we headed back to the hotel, exhausted from the day and exhilirated by what lies ahead for tomorrow. We are excited beyond words for what we will experience tomorrow afternoon as we finally get to meet our little girl. Let there be... one less Chinese orphan girl and one more Miller daughter.
Steven Curtis Chapman's lyrics touched our hearts over 18 months ago and a dream was born...
"I saw the face of Jesus in a little orphan girl.
She was standing in the corner on the other side of the world.
And I heard the voice of Jesus gently whisper to my heart,
Didn't you say you wanted to find me? Well here I am, here you are.
So, What now? What will you do now that you found Me?"
Miss Zhong Feng Cai, soon to be Kylie Grace Miller, we are coming to bring you home! We know it will be scary at first, but we know that the Jesus that made you is the same Jesus that put the dream in our hearts and picked us to be your Mommy & Daddy, brother & sister! We love you so much already. We have prepared our home and God has prepared our hearts. We are ready.
Remember, we are 13 hours ahead -- so while you sleep through the night Sunday, our family will grow. Please pray for Kylie, that even though she may not understand what's happening, that she will have a peace in her heart. And, also pray that God will give us the grace to simply love her as she grieves over losing everything she has ever known.
Blessings to you all,
Hank & family
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Nihao from Zhongshan City
Nihao (hello) from China -30 hours after we left our home in Orlando....over 10,000 miles and over 18 hours in the air we arrived in Guangzhou at 11:30 pm on the 19th. We arrived safely and with all of our luggage...yeah!!! Our AWAA guide, Lee, meet us at the airport and will be with us for the next couple of days. We checked into the China Hotel Marriott to catch a few hours of sleep before we drove to Zhongshan City this morning. Zhongshan is the city of Kylie Grace's birth. We did not see her today, but were so grateful for the opportunity to visit her city. It is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time to take in all the sites, tastes, and sounds. Here are a few of the things that we saw today.
Below is the field inbetween Minle Village and the Dongfeng Middle School. We believe that this is Kylie Grace's finding place. It was very powerful to be standing there. Please pray for her birth parents as that had to be an immensly difficult thing to do...just over three years ago this month. As we stood there, several of the school children road their bikes down this path, a gentleman drove his scooter by and a person was working in their field close by. It was a path that was well used...a place where she would have been discovered quickly.
We had a very authentic Chinese lunch. Lee selected all of our dishes and everything was wonderful...fried sliced pork, beef with vegetables, broccoli, pork/tofu dumplings, pork with noodles, cucumber/taro root soup, and some wonderful oolong tea. We were treated like royalty...our cups were refilled after every couple of sips. We were truly the only foreigners that we saw in Zhongshan City all day.
We started out our day with a visit to the area where we believe Kylie Grace is actually from in Zhongshan City....Minle Village in Dongfeng town. This is the Dongfeng Middle School, newly remodeled in the last three years. We were able to walk around the outside of the campus. There were lots of children leaving on their bikes. They had some classes on a Saturday morning, but it was an early dismissal day.
Below is the field inbetween Minle Village and the Dongfeng Middle School. We believe that this is Kylie Grace's finding place. It was very powerful to be standing there. Please pray for her birth parents as that had to be an immensly difficult thing to do...just over three years ago this month. As we stood there, several of the school children road their bikes down this path, a gentleman drove his scooter by and a person was working in their field close by. It was a path that was well used...a place where she would have been discovered quickly.
We had a very authentic Chinese lunch. Lee selected all of our dishes and everything was wonderful...fried sliced pork, beef with vegetables, broccoli, pork/tofu dumplings, pork with noodles, cucumber/taro root soup, and some wonderful oolong tea. We were treated like royalty...our cups were refilled after every couple of sips. We were truly the only foreigners that we saw in Zhongshan City all day.
Driving around town, we took in many sites. There were tall very modern buildings as well as someone's soon to be dinner driving by.... Yes, those are crates with chickens on the back of his scooter.
Anyone for some sheep or duck?
Here is a view of Zhongshan City from one of the highest spots.
Zhongshan City is renowned as the birth place of Dr. Sun Yet Sen, the father of new China. The people here are very proud of this fact. There are many things named after him and memorials to him. Below is a bust that is located in the Sun Yet Sen memorial museum.
We had a very full day of sightseeing and are pretty wiped out. We have managed to stay up to do this entry, but will be hitting the sack soon. Tomorrow we will have another day of sightseeing around Zhongshan City.
Thank you for the notes that you have left...it is fun to hear from you and a blessing to stay connected to you all. We are grateful for you continued prayers. Until next time...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Travel Itinerary
Wow…the day is really here! We leave for China today! Tuesday we received our finalized travel itinerary. I am posting it so that you can follow along. We leave out of Orlando International at 7:00am. Then onto JFK, Beijing and Guangzhou. We arrive in Guangzhou on Friday the 19th at 11:30pm China time. We will do our best to stay in contact with you all through this blog. We would be grateful for your prayers for safe travels and that all our luggage will arrive. We know that the Lord has us in his hands and will guide us every step of the way… It is with grateful hearts that we head out this morning!
Blessings to you all…Hank, Cheryl, Kelsey and Kennan
Adoption Itinerary
December 18th –January 1st
Thursday, Dec. 18th Depart for China
Friday, Dec. 19th Arrive in Guangzhou
Dec. 20th -21st To Zhongshan - Sightseeing
Monday, Dec. 22nd Return to Guangzhou
Meet Zhong Feng Cai-Gotcha Day!
Tuesday, Dec. 23rd Civil Affairs Appointment
Wednesday, Dec. 24th Sightseeing & Shopping
Thursday, Dec. 25th Christmas Day
December 26th -27th Sightseeing & Shopping
Sunday, Dec. 28th Medical Exam
Monday, Dec. 29th Consulate Paperwork
Tuesday, Dec. 30th Consulate Appointment
Wednesday, Dec. 31st Pick up Child’s Visa
Thursday, Jan. 1st Depart from Guangzhou
Blessings to you all…Hank, Cheryl, Kelsey and Kennan
Adoption Itinerary
December 18th –January 1st
Thursday, Dec. 18th Depart for China
Friday, Dec. 19th Arrive in Guangzhou
Dec. 20th -21st To Zhongshan - Sightseeing
Monday, Dec. 22nd Return to Guangzhou
Meet Zhong Feng Cai-Gotcha Day!
Tuesday, Dec. 23rd Civil Affairs Appointment
Wednesday, Dec. 24th Sightseeing & Shopping
Thursday, Dec. 25th Christmas Day
December 26th -27th Sightseeing & Shopping
Sunday, Dec. 28th Medical Exam
Monday, Dec. 29th Consulate Paperwork
Tuesday, Dec. 30th Consulate Appointment
Wednesday, Dec. 31st Pick up Child’s Visa
Thursday, Jan. 1st Depart from Guangzhou
Saturday, December 6, 2008
WE ARE GOING TO CHINA!
Welcome to our travel blog! This is a new experience for us...but what a way to "kick off" our blog with the news that we are going to China!
I can’t help but think of the song “If You Say Go” by Vineyard Music...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRQruZ_oX-8&feature=related
"If You say go, we will go
If You say wait, we will wait
If You say step out on the water
And they say it can’t be done
We’ll fix our eyes on You and we will come."
"Your ways are higher than our ways
And plans that You have laid
Are good and true
If You call us to the fire
You will not withdraw Your hand
We’ll gaze into the flames and look for You."
We have experienced “go”, “wait” and many challenges during our adoption journey. Our Father has shown himself to be so faithful as we fixed our eyes on him. The blessings have been abundant….sometimes very subtle and sometimes quite bold.
We are truly grateful and excited beyond words to share that He said “GO”. We have received our Travel Approval and Consulate Appointment. And, we have confirmed plane tickets for 4 to China and 5 returning!!! We will be leaving for China in 12 days! We depart on December 18th and return with our new addition on January 1st. So many answered prayers, not the least of which is that Kelsey and Kennan will be going! The timing of this trip is so incredible!
We would treasure your prayers for God’s continued provision as we make our final preparations this side of China. Please continue to pray for us as He prepares our hearts and hers for the day we will become a family. Kylie Grace….here we come! It won’t be long now sweetie!
I can’t help but think of the song “If You Say Go” by Vineyard Music...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRQruZ_oX-8&feature=related
"If You say go, we will go
If You say wait, we will wait
If You say step out on the water
And they say it can’t be done
We’ll fix our eyes on You and we will come."
"Your ways are higher than our ways
And plans that You have laid
Are good and true
If You call us to the fire
You will not withdraw Your hand
We’ll gaze into the flames and look for You."
We have experienced “go”, “wait” and many challenges during our adoption journey. Our Father has shown himself to be so faithful as we fixed our eyes on him. The blessings have been abundant….sometimes very subtle and sometimes quite bold.
We are truly grateful and excited beyond words to share that He said “GO”. We have received our Travel Approval and Consulate Appointment. And, we have confirmed plane tickets for 4 to China and 5 returning!!! We will be leaving for China in 12 days! We depart on December 18th and return with our new addition on January 1st. So many answered prayers, not the least of which is that Kelsey and Kennan will be going! The timing of this trip is so incredible!
We would treasure your prayers for God’s continued provision as we make our final preparations this side of China. Please continue to pray for us as He prepares our hearts and hers for the day we will become a family. Kylie Grace….here we come! It won’t be long now sweetie!
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