Yesterday was probably the most uneventful BD day John will ever have. We did go to church and that was really good, since there were many people there who spoke Chinese, in fact they even sang part of the songs in Chinese and we were in the English speaking service.
Before we walked into the service- we were early- I tried to find an Chinese speaking SS teacher or youth pastor and God led us to this very nice young lady who spoke to John, made him laugh just a little and was just very kind to him. We purchased a set of books in Chinese and English that tell the story of the Bible in very simple language. I think he can use this as a translation stepping stone. Learning English through Bible stories was how my grandma taught so many Japanese children about Jesus- maybe this will work on John too.
After church we went for a walk- we were a 20 minute taxi ride from the hotel, which cost $6 each way- and in our walking we came upon a very good Italian restaurant, next to a German bakery- we had good pizza for lunch and bought some breakfast rolls next door. John ate a lot after not eating too much breakfast. He ate plenty for dinner as well. At lunch T told me that she thinks the last year has probably been the best that we've had. After 30 years she said that she thought I was finally getting funny- I think she is just being nice on that one. After the "best year" comment I told her that I should try to arrange for a year like this last one every year, so she likes me more. She quickly told me that she was ready to have a "normal" year- whatever that looks like.
From there we walked to the Lufthansa center- which has a bunch of European shops- it really feels like Nordstrom. When we walked in T said, "This is your kind of shopping". Well, I did like the more western feel, but I didn't like the fact that there were neck ties- always looking- for $400UDS. I have never paid that, or even close to that, before. High prices always take the fun out of shopping for me, just about as much as low quality. We didn't purchase anything.
We caught the cab back and walked around here some more. We have been trying to find John some more clothes, since original equipment/standard issue is one change. He is a bit difficult to fit because he must be 4'8"-ish and he has a 27" waist. He reminds me of the guys on Oceans Eleven that gets in the box. When I can get the pictures on you will see that he makes T look like a giant. All his pants are about 6" too long. He is also hard to read in what he likes to wear, so that was a good exercise in telling us what he likes and dislikes. We might have made some progress, but we've a long way to go there as well. We found him a pair of pants he likes and took the ones T bought back in Washington and had them hemmed- for $1.50. I hope the hem stays at that price, but oh well, they are shorter.
We felt bad not really getting him a real present, but he is in that stage of not liking toys and not really an adult, made much more complex by the language barrier. I told T that even though he doesn't realize it yet, he has been given the best BD present we could ever give to him. Maybe someday he will figure it out.
We ate dinner at a restaurant of his choosing and I got to have some really sushi:) T thought I would get sick, but so far we have not even felt a little sick and we are 1/3 of the way done. It seems like we have been here at least 2 weeks already, so hopefully the balance goes more quickly.
We take the fast train to TJ today to start the passport paperwork, and they have told us that it can't be picked up until Friday. It really doesn't get us home any sooner if we can't have it before end of day tomorrow, so if we are waiting until Friday, were are still waiting until next Sat. to fly home. T is a home body and this is a long time to be away. Tomorrow we are scheduled to see the Great Wall and Wed. we are going to the forbidden city and a Chinese acrobat show- after that all our days are free.
Guangzhou is much warmer, though it does seem to be mid 30's here, so that is nicer than mid teens. It will be interesting to see who God brings to us to meet in this trip.
I would like to leave you with a very earthly prayer request. I went on line yesterday to check flights back to Seattle for John. We are on NW from Seattle to Narita and Narita to SEA. NW is in the middle of a transition to Delta and I am not able to even find our flight, which is booked, to see if it is full and if we can get John a seat at is reasonably priced. I didn't book his flight because I was not 100% sure when we would be returning. I would rather not spend $2-3k on a one way ticket for him. God has it under control, so I am not worried, but I'm not sure how to move forward from here. My internet connection is really slow here compared to previous hotels, so that makes it a little tougher.
Have a great Sunday worshipping. Don't miss out on the opportunity to worship in a place where the Word is taught and you can fellowship with your church family- we miss you all. Thanks for all your prayers, encouragement and comments.
1/24/10
1/23/10
Happy BD to John
We were awakened early this morning by the sounds of many car horns. We are situated across the street from one of the main train stations and it seems that a full train came in and their families came to pick them up. There is no organization to the pick up/delivery system that goes on in front of the station. It literally looked like there were 15 car wrecks on the right hand side of the street, but I think people just drove up, parked their cars, got out to find their friends and returned when they were good and ready. The term "Chinese fire drill" takes on a whole new meaning.
Today John is 14. This was the day that they gave him as his BD, though there is no way to know for sure if it really is even in January- but this is the day we are going to celebrate it as such. We are going to try to find a cake and celebrate as best we can with someone who barely speaks English, since we don't speak any Chinese.
We are going to go to church at 11:30 and then we have no plans after that, so if you guys want to come over and hang out with us that would be fun- in our 350 s/f room:)
Sorry, I can't load any pictures right now because I can't open my PG email. Always something- but oh well.
We met 2 sisters yesterday from England who are here for 2 weeks. It was nice to talk to someone who spoke our language- though with a pretty heavy accent of course. The younger-22- sister is traveling for 7 months all over the world. Her next stop is Australia. She actually has one blue eye and one that is blue and brown combined- like an Australian shepherd. T got pretty choked up telling them why we were here and the older-24- tried to comfort her. I don't know if this would be one of the first stops on a trip around the world, especially arriving here in the winter. It is probably 10-ish degrees warmer here than it was in TJ.
I will post pictures later but the view from our window is crazy. They must have a optimum apartment level building because pretty much the entire landscape is filled with apartments that seem to be almost the same height and color. It is non stop buildings, but I guess if you're going to get 15 million people in one city you have to stack them up.
So many souls deceived by the prince of the power of this age, but he will lose in the future- unfortunately he will take many of these souls with him. The harvest is great- pray that The Lord of the harvest would send workers.
I'll post later today. BTW- the mandarin oranges are really good here.
Hey 128 staff- R U Ready for the SR? I can't believe we are not going to be there. We want a full report on how the meeting went.
Today John is 14. This was the day that they gave him as his BD, though there is no way to know for sure if it really is even in January- but this is the day we are going to celebrate it as such. We are going to try to find a cake and celebrate as best we can with someone who barely speaks English, since we don't speak any Chinese.
We are going to go to church at 11:30 and then we have no plans after that, so if you guys want to come over and hang out with us that would be fun- in our 350 s/f room:)
Sorry, I can't load any pictures right now because I can't open my PG email. Always something- but oh well.
We met 2 sisters yesterday from England who are here for 2 weeks. It was nice to talk to someone who spoke our language- though with a pretty heavy accent of course. The younger-22- sister is traveling for 7 months all over the world. Her next stop is Australia. She actually has one blue eye and one that is blue and brown combined- like an Australian shepherd. T got pretty choked up telling them why we were here and the older-24- tried to comfort her. I don't know if this would be one of the first stops on a trip around the world, especially arriving here in the winter. It is probably 10-ish degrees warmer here than it was in TJ.
I will post pictures later but the view from our window is crazy. They must have a optimum apartment level building because pretty much the entire landscape is filled with apartments that seem to be almost the same height and color. It is non stop buildings, but I guess if you're going to get 15 million people in one city you have to stack them up.
So many souls deceived by the prince of the power of this age, but he will lose in the future- unfortunately he will take many of these souls with him. The harvest is great- pray that The Lord of the harvest would send workers.
I'll post later today. BTW- the mandarin oranges are really good here.
Hey 128 staff- R U Ready for the SR? I can't believe we are not going to be there. We want a full report on how the meeting went.
1/22/10
Travel Update
We are on our way from TJ to BJ. We will stay there for the weekend, and then ride the fast train back on Monday to apply for the passport, back to BJ for the week and then to GZ on Friday night.
We arrived at around 1 back in Beijing and checked into a different hotel. We went out and had lunch- all we do is hang out int he hotel and go to eat somewhere- I am going to explode- it's like Thanksgiving weekend- turkey dinner, turkey soup, mashed potatoes and a little more pumpkin pie and then lets watch some football and have a turkey sandwich- but all in China and with Chinese food. I know- hard life.
When we returned John pulled out a note book full of letters from his friends, 44 of them to be exact. He has a list of phone numbers and has been on the phone to different ones, boys and girls, for at least an hour. He laughs and talks and talks and laughs. It's good to see that there is that in him- he has been pretty stoic. I thin he is a pretty social guy when he gets used to people. We-all of us-will have to hone that skill to be used with everyone.
Tomorrow, D.V., we are going to go to the International Church in Beijing. One of Dawn's friends told us about it and so we want to be there. We already missed last week at GBC and so I am feeling a little less than full. Should be good. Their doctrinal statement is right on. It will also be interesting to see what John thinks about all this. He needs to get used to being in church. Pray for him that God would even be working tomorrow.
I still am working on T and I think she is getting close. We miss you all so much and can't believe we have so long to go. I'll let her talk about that.
We arrived at around 1 back in Beijing and checked into a different hotel. We went out and had lunch- all we do is hang out int he hotel and go to eat somewhere- I am going to explode- it's like Thanksgiving weekend- turkey dinner, turkey soup, mashed potatoes and a little more pumpkin pie and then lets watch some football and have a turkey sandwich- but all in China and with Chinese food. I know- hard life.
When we returned John pulled out a note book full of letters from his friends, 44 of them to be exact. He has a list of phone numbers and has been on the phone to different ones, boys and girls, for at least an hour. He laughs and talks and talks and laughs. It's good to see that there is that in him- he has been pretty stoic. I thin he is a pretty social guy when he gets used to people. We-all of us-will have to hone that skill to be used with everyone.
Tomorrow, D.V., we are going to go to the International Church in Beijing. One of Dawn's friends told us about it and so we want to be there. We already missed last week at GBC and so I am feeling a little less than full. Should be good. Their doctrinal statement is right on. It will also be interesting to see what John thinks about all this. He needs to get used to being in church. Pray for him that God would even be working tomorrow.
I still am working on T and I think she is getting close. We miss you all so much and can't believe we have so long to go. I'll let her talk about that.
Adventues in Tea Parties
We decided that doing nothing is difficult for us- in our ADD state:) No gardens to weed for T and no one to find work to do for me.
We went out for dinner, since we can't really do dinner in, and headed to KFC. It's sort of like our KFC, though I can't remember the last time I went to one in America. We had chicken "burgers" and a chicken wrap thing. The mashed potatoes are kind of like ours and Kimmy will be happy to know that John likes mashed potatoes.
From there we went to the mall wanna be and looked for some clothes for John, but he is not a kid and not an adult so they have been hard to find. He wears a size 5 shoe, they had him in a brand new pair of 6-1/2's- almost his size.
Around the corner from that store was a tea shop- we had fun there. They gave us a little tea party, trying different teas and tea sets. We bought a jasmine-green tea. It smells like a beautiful woman, but you can drink it and it keeps you awake- like a woman:) Just trying to get myself in trouble with my beautiful woman.
I don't think John knows what to think of his parents- we are not reserved or shy and we are trying to get him to try everything. He said he doesn't like tea and I told him "you're Chinese, you have to like tea", the girls at the tea store thought that was very funny. He will have to get a little more adventurous around this family.
Just sharing some of our wild adventures in the mall- NOT.
We went out for dinner, since we can't really do dinner in, and headed to KFC. It's sort of like our KFC, though I can't remember the last time I went to one in America. We had chicken "burgers" and a chicken wrap thing. The mashed potatoes are kind of like ours and Kimmy will be happy to know that John likes mashed potatoes.
From there we went to the mall wanna be and looked for some clothes for John, but he is not a kid and not an adult so they have been hard to find. He wears a size 5 shoe, they had him in a brand new pair of 6-1/2's- almost his size.
Around the corner from that store was a tea shop- we had fun there. They gave us a little tea party, trying different teas and tea sets. We bought a jasmine-green tea. It smells like a beautiful woman, but you can drink it and it keeps you awake- like a woman:) Just trying to get myself in trouble with my beautiful woman.
I don't think John knows what to think of his parents- we are not reserved or shy and we are trying to get him to try everything. He said he doesn't like tea and I told him "you're Chinese, you have to like tea", the girls at the tea store thought that was very funny. He will have to get a little more adventurous around this family.
Just sharing some of our wild adventures in the mall- NOT.
1/21/10
Encouraged in China
I am overwhelmed in so many ways today. God is so good- all the time. I am so undeserving of His amazing blessings and yet He lavishes blessing upon blessing. Praise be to the Creator of all things for His infinite power and love. What does He have in store for us tomorrow?
I read the comments back to us and can't believe all these people are interested in our situation- I hope and pray that we are an encouragement to you in some way to help you live out all that God has planned for you and yours. What will it look like in a year or 10 if we follow our Savior where He leads without reservation? Can we do this- certainly not in our own strength- but in His strength we can be and do all He has called us to.
Are we ready to let go of your kids to wherever He calls them? Are we willing to do the hard things, even when it doesn't seem too practical? Ready to step out, in total faith, to walk where He puts our next foot down? It is so hard to do and yet what He wants and requires of those who call themselves His children. Who said the Christian life was going to be practical?
I look at where we are RIGHT NOW and think, "How did we get here?", "What are we doing here, in China, with a new son?" I could not have planned a path like this for our family, both church and biological. This is so much more than I could dream up, but I do think this is exactly where He wants us, even if it is hard to understand what He is going to do with the whole thing. I am encouraged by so many who have been bumped just a bit into a little more uncomfortable place by where God has moved us.
Let's commit to do the hard things that God has planned for us, without complaining, because it is so freeing to be where He puts us, knowing He will provide for our every need when we are willing to follow Him.
We have a new son, something we weren't looking for 9 months ago, but while we pray for this young man, and the rest of our students, let's wait with great anticipation to see what He is going to do with them. But we must not pray for Him to work and then hold them so tightly that we don't allow Him to do with them as He wants.
Could he be doing all this to place John back into a house church in China, with government persecution? Sure, but what a great use of a life. Could He ask you for your life, or luxury, to minister to others far away- sure. Maybe He has that in mind for your children- don't hold them back. Talk about what it might look like if He calls them to something hard. Prepare them today for what might come in 10 or 20 years. Tell them of the joys that come from following Christ to where He calls them.
As I read about Joseph's roller coaster life in Genesis, I think about what God might do with one of my 4 boys- I have another one coming in June. Will He spend them quickly or slowly? Will He allow them to be influential, or plain vessels used up over a very long period? Those answers I may not know for a long time, but I rejoice knowing He can use even a short, fat, broken down pot to encourage others to be used more effectively for His Kingdom.
Let's start to live a little more radically out of our comfort zones and see what He wants to do. Even praying in public in China seems a little strange, but I told T, "If this gets us in hot water, then I'm up for it". I'm not ready to be persecuted, in my mind, but maybe God has something different planned for us.
Thanks again for your comments. I am doing this through my virtual network at PG, so I seem to be able to write whatever I want and it gets through, so if you want to reply Scripture back to me I think it is ok. I know it's ok with me.
Keep the heat on T- she will be ready to post pretty soon, as long as you don't let her off the hook- Kim Young:) She said, "See, Kim said it was ok if I don't".
Blessed in China
I read the comments back to us and can't believe all these people are interested in our situation- I hope and pray that we are an encouragement to you in some way to help you live out all that God has planned for you and yours. What will it look like in a year or 10 if we follow our Savior where He leads without reservation? Can we do this- certainly not in our own strength- but in His strength we can be and do all He has called us to.
Are we ready to let go of your kids to wherever He calls them? Are we willing to do the hard things, even when it doesn't seem too practical? Ready to step out, in total faith, to walk where He puts our next foot down? It is so hard to do and yet what He wants and requires of those who call themselves His children. Who said the Christian life was going to be practical?
I look at where we are RIGHT NOW and think, "How did we get here?", "What are we doing here, in China, with a new son?" I could not have planned a path like this for our family, both church and biological. This is so much more than I could dream up, but I do think this is exactly where He wants us, even if it is hard to understand what He is going to do with the whole thing. I am encouraged by so many who have been bumped just a bit into a little more uncomfortable place by where God has moved us.
Let's commit to do the hard things that God has planned for us, without complaining, because it is so freeing to be where He puts us, knowing He will provide for our every need when we are willing to follow Him.
We have a new son, something we weren't looking for 9 months ago, but while we pray for this young man, and the rest of our students, let's wait with great anticipation to see what He is going to do with them. But we must not pray for Him to work and then hold them so tightly that we don't allow Him to do with them as He wants.
Could he be doing all this to place John back into a house church in China, with government persecution? Sure, but what a great use of a life. Could He ask you for your life, or luxury, to minister to others far away- sure. Maybe He has that in mind for your children- don't hold them back. Talk about what it might look like if He calls them to something hard. Prepare them today for what might come in 10 or 20 years. Tell them of the joys that come from following Christ to where He calls them.
As I read about Joseph's roller coaster life in Genesis, I think about what God might do with one of my 4 boys- I have another one coming in June. Will He spend them quickly or slowly? Will He allow them to be influential, or plain vessels used up over a very long period? Those answers I may not know for a long time, but I rejoice knowing He can use even a short, fat, broken down pot to encourage others to be used more effectively for His Kingdom.
Let's start to live a little more radically out of our comfort zones and see what He wants to do. Even praying in public in China seems a little strange, but I told T, "If this gets us in hot water, then I'm up for it". I'm not ready to be persecuted, in my mind, but maybe God has something different planned for us.
Thanks again for your comments. I am doing this through my virtual network at PG, so I seem to be able to write whatever I want and it gets through, so if you want to reply Scripture back to me I think it is ok. I know it's ok with me.
Keep the heat on T- she will be ready to post pretty soon, as long as you don't let her off the hook- Kim Young:) She said, "See, Kim said it was ok if I don't".
Blessed in China
John David Weinberg
John David is officially in our family.
John for the disciple whom Jesus loved that seems to have been quiet in nature.
David for a man after God's own heart who also didn't come to his own defense but allowed God to work on his behalf.
Our guide- Mary- told him that the paper work was completed and he was in our family and it hit him pretty hard. During all the office visits they were asking us questions like, "Do you promise no to abandon him?', "Why did you choose to adopt him from China?" and I was wondering how he was taking it all. He broke into tears in the van after Mary told him and cried for 20 minutes or so. The lady from the orphanage called the nanny and she talked for a while.
I'm sure it is hard. Not knowing these 2 old people, where am I going to live, I don't speak the language, my friends will all still be here... Though today was probably the widest opening of opportunity that will ever come to this young man. It is hard to imagine what John David will be, who he will become, when he is older. Will he be back in China as an English teacher? Will he help the orphanage with translation/promotion work? Will he be a business man who speaks awesome Chinese? Will he be a pastor in a Chinese church in America or China? So many possibilities he didn't have even yesterday. Hard to imagine at his age and w/o ever understanding what is available.
Pray for him that he would feel loved. Get ready to make him feel a part of our "much larger than normal" family. He will need some friends who look past is different smile, small dimensions and lack of communication skills right now- but he will be a good friend to someone.
John for the disciple whom Jesus loved that seems to have been quiet in nature.
David for a man after God's own heart who also didn't come to his own defense but allowed God to work on his behalf.
Our guide- Mary- told him that the paper work was completed and he was in our family and it hit him pretty hard. During all the office visits they were asking us questions like, "Do you promise no to abandon him?', "Why did you choose to adopt him from China?" and I was wondering how he was taking it all. He broke into tears in the van after Mary told him and cried for 20 minutes or so. The lady from the orphanage called the nanny and she talked for a while.
I'm sure it is hard. Not knowing these 2 old people, where am I going to live, I don't speak the language, my friends will all still be here... Though today was probably the widest opening of opportunity that will ever come to this young man. It is hard to imagine what John David will be, who he will become, when he is older. Will he be back in China as an English teacher? Will he help the orphanage with translation/promotion work? Will he be a business man who speaks awesome Chinese? Will he be a pastor in a Chinese church in America or China? So many possibilities he didn't have even yesterday. Hard to imagine at his age and w/o ever understanding what is available.
Pray for him that he would feel loved. Get ready to make him feel a part of our "much larger than normal" family. He will need some friends who look past is different smile, small dimensions and lack of communication skills right now- but he will be a good friend to someone.
Friday Morning
OK- here's the deal- I will tell you the name of our hotel BUT you can't send us anything. If you break the rules you will be prosecuted! Those in 128 staff will smile- since I actually said it right this time.
We are at the Golden Ocean Hotel- room 1503. Anyone- PERSON- you want to send to us we will make feel at home and we will go party with them. Our friend Lavonne has given us a huge list of things we might do while we are here waiting and for the younger one in the group a little "same age" conversation might be good.
He ate like a horse last night, so that was good. All the newness and trying to be polite has him more reserved than he may normally be, but we'll get him through that in time.
His lip and palate have been repaired, but as our agency said, "not as well as they would have liked". It is still pretty cleft on the outside and we were told that they did the repair in one visit, early on, but they just don't have the quality here to repair it as well as in the US.
While we were out yesterday I couldn't tell if people were looking more at us than at him. I haven't seen anyone else here with a CL and since I can't understand anything they are saying, they may be talking about him. He seems to be a little more reserved out in public, but he is pretty reserved anyway. I hope we can get his lip repaired really well so the stigma goes away. He has a bright smile, but will have a really bright one when he is all fixed up.
I am pretty sure we are not leaving here until early next week- so we'll have the weekend here. Some of the things just "can't be done" in one day and so this is where He wants us to be, for whatever reason, and we will try to shine for Him while we are here, whatever that looks like. It certainly could be worse.
Thanks for all your comments- it really is encouraging.
We are at the Golden Ocean Hotel- room 1503. Anyone- PERSON- you want to send to us we will make feel at home and we will go party with them. Our friend Lavonne has given us a huge list of things we might do while we are here waiting and for the younger one in the group a little "same age" conversation might be good.
He ate like a horse last night, so that was good. All the newness and trying to be polite has him more reserved than he may normally be, but we'll get him through that in time.
His lip and palate have been repaired, but as our agency said, "not as well as they would have liked". It is still pretty cleft on the outside and we were told that they did the repair in one visit, early on, but they just don't have the quality here to repair it as well as in the US.
While we were out yesterday I couldn't tell if people were looking more at us than at him. I haven't seen anyone else here with a CL and since I can't understand anything they are saying, they may be talking about him. He seems to be a little more reserved out in public, but he is pretty reserved anyway. I hope we can get his lip repaired really well so the stigma goes away. He has a bright smile, but will have a really bright one when he is all fixed up.
I am pretty sure we are not leaving here until early next week- so we'll have the weekend here. Some of the things just "can't be done" in one day and so this is where He wants us to be, for whatever reason, and we will try to shine for Him while we are here, whatever that looks like. It certainly could be worse.
Thanks for all your comments- it really is encouraging.
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