Today we arrived in Chengdu (Chin-Do), Sichuan Province. This is a bustling city of 12 million people. Most of those people seem to be out walking around on the street or riding on mopeds. The sidewalks are jammed, and crossing the road means taking your life into your own hands. The view from the front of our hotel looks like London or New York. The view from our room (the back) looks like the Bronx, such a union of wealth and poverty.
We were greeted by our tour guide, "Peggy". We have been so well cared for already, as she picked us up at the airport, helped us exchange money, got us checked in, explained the adoption procedure and answered our endless questions.
She called the Children's Welfare Institute of Chengdu City for us, and was informed that, "The girl is healthy and OK." She will pick us up tomorrow at 7:30 AM, and will take us to the orphanage, which is one hour away. We are the only adoptive family. She told us to pack a "toy, a biscuit and a baby bottle filled with water". When she explained that there are over 600 babies in Claire's orphanage, I had to pick my heart up off the floor. She said that most have medical needs that parents can't afford to take care of.
Emotions are running high and range from extreme excitement, to fear and nervousness. A flock of butterflies has landed in our stomachs, and we don't anticipate much sleep. There is a crib in our room that will be empty for only one night.
We have felt the weight of Claire in our hearts for four years. Tomorrow we will feel the weight of her in our arms.
25 comments:
I pray that everything goes well today and that her heart will be open to the new & exciting change in her life. God has really blessed you guys!!
I know that feeling of being so close and the wait is so close to being over. Enjoy the limited sleep tonight. Oh I am crying for you. I remember our precious trip and how the next week is going to be such an interesting and wonderful one. After 4 years of praying and dreaming of clear, she will be in your arms..God bless you guys..Praying for all of you!
Cannot wait to see Claire in your arms - finally! Loving your blogging and following your journey thus far! I so remember the emotions of being in the city where you know your child is nearby. Blessings as you wait these few final hours!
We will be thinking of you and praying for everything to be just perfect as you hold Claire for the first time! Love you!
We are a fellow BAAS family following your journey to Claire. My heart hit the floor too when I read "there are over 600 babies in Claire's orphanage". Praying you have a wonderful first day with your daughter!
It is so exciting, that in a few hours you will be holding your baby girl!!! I can't wait to see the 1st pics of you and Mark holding Claire.
Love you guys
Jenn
600 babies in one orphanage... Heart breaking.
So thankful that God led you to Claire. Know that we will be covering you in prayer. Praying you will feel God's peace and presence. Absolutely, can't wait to see her in your arms!
I about fell out of my chair when I read the words "600 babies...". My heart sunk...so many babies in desperate need of families...So many couples desperate to have the joy of a baby in their arms.
I pray that more Christians will hear the call of adoption in their lives.
I love you all and anxiously await tomorrow morning when we will see the next step of your family -- WITH Claire.
Love,
Laura
Soooo excited for you guys.
.it is sooo sad that there are sooo many babies..
so wish they were able to come home...
I can't wait to see Claire in your arms.
try to sleep..
Hugz..
This brought tears to my eyes. Looking forward to your next post. My prayers are with you.
Jessica Miller
Rebecca,
I am all too familiar with that mix of excitement AND fear... don't worry, the moment you see her, your fear will be gone and a flood of other emotions will take it's place! Praying for you!
Ashley
600 babies...oh how my heart aches for them. Baby Claire is no ORPHAN NO MORE :)
Can't wait...can't wait...get that baby girl in your arms forever!
We cant wait to see Claire in your arms! Love you guys!
Wow...600 babies....
It is Amazing how God orchestrated this very day that You will get to hold your Claire. I am so excited for you and totally understand all the emotions that go along with this day.... It seems like we dream about what this day will be like for many years and we end up finding out it's NOTHING like we thought in our heads, yet SO perfect. I am praying that all your expectations of how things should go will go out the window and that what you are left with will be plain JOY. I pray that You'll be able to see God in the miracle of this day no matter how it goes. I pray especially for little Claire, that she will feel His peace as you take her into your arms forever as your daughter. Can't wait to hear about how things go!!!
We pray for s smooth transition and everything goes well. We are excited for you! Good luck and try to get some sleep.
wow. so exciting! try to soak it all in and enjoy every single moment. can't wait for your update with Claire!
It's 7:21pm in Atlanta and you are about to leave the hotel to meet sweet Claire. Just called Angela to share the moment. I am praying so hard for you both right now. Hoping Claire will does well this morning.
I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight:)
xoxo
Trish
Hoping you are on your way to Claire as I am reading your blog Sunday night. Praying that the transition is smooth and that Claire adjusts well to her forever family. Hang in there. I have loved looking at your pictures and reminiscing about when I was in China. You have such a great eye for pictures. What wonderful memories you'll be able to share with Claire some day through them.
I am so excited for you. It is 8:30pm in Atlanta and right now you could be arriving at the orphane, moments away from holding Claire in your arms. What a grand moment.
Can't wait for your next post:)
Almost 9pm here in Atlanta and I'm hoping that as I type this, you are either well on your way to Clair or, better yet, already have your sweet girl in your arms!
Hugs and prayers being sent your way!
Karyn, Norm & Ilya
As I sit looking at the clock here, 8:12pm I realize that you may already have Claire or are SO close to having her! So excited to see her in your arms. What a blessed little girl to have her forever family!!
As I sit looking at the clock here, 8:12pm I realize that you may already have Claire or are SO close to having her! So excited to see her in your arms. What a blessed little girl to have her forever family!!
So many prayers are flooding Heaven right now. Praying for the peace that only God can give. We love you!
It is close to midnight here in NC and I am thinking that you are probably already holding your sweet Claire! I can't wait to see some images of your daughter with her mom and dad who have been waiting so long for her. Blessings to you all.
You have such a beautiful way with words! I have loved following you along on this journey! Praying for you!!!
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