Journey To Ellie Mei: Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! I brought a kitty headband and tail just in case, but we were lucky to get her to wear her Halloween shirt and a sparkly skirt…actually, we’re lucky to get her changed in the mornings. She hates baths, she hates her diaper changed, she hates the warm footed pajamas I brought, and she hates changing clothes. But, she did look darling and she did receive a sucker from one of the other families as a Trick or Treat. I missed my two at home, and I think my two here felt a little cheated that they weren't having Halloween. They don’t celebrate it much here in Zhengzhou (though you saw a few at restaurants dressed up). We were having such a hard time with Ellie, Jake was throwing up and so we forgot to send them door-to-door to the 9 families here all dressed up. Too bad.

Visiting Zhengzhou Orphanage

The highlight of the day was our visit to Zhengzhou orphanage where our other daughter is from. Jake and Ellie stayed back at the hotel because Jake was feeling sick (McDonalds the day before) and Ellie would not leave without him. We had to drive through some crazy washed out-rain flooded roads, but it just made the trip more exciting.

They have made some amazing changes. They are re-doing all of the living quarters for the kids and have added an entire new area of schools (classrooms even have smartboards in them), a soccer field and track (which has taken the place of the tree where Lizzie was found outside the orphanage original entrance) that they let our children run on, an indoor play area, and an amazing pretend play area where they will have little shops and real-life areas for the children to use. It is all geared for the older children who don’t find families. You could see the excitement on the children’s faces. They’ve just opened up the new area for tours and it is nearly finished for use (the classrooms are finished, and the real-life area is almost). There is an enclosed walkway that connects the living area with the school. It was so exciting! I want to go home and raise funds to help improve Ellie’s & Lizzie’s orphanages!

We were also able to visit the baby area that is sponsored by our adoption agency, CCAI, and New Hope where babies who are awaiting surgery or just came out of surgery are cared for until they are placed in foster care. I fell in love with one little girl who has a heart condition. It was so hard for her to breath, but when I first went up to her she looked over and smiled and grabbed my hand so tight. She was precious. I pray her surgery will go well and that she will find a forever family. Each baby that we saw we sat down and talked to and touched them. This orphanage has great nannies who take time to hold and feed each baby (the rooms were filled with babies), so they have that human touch. It was such a great experience for my princess and monkey boy. I think it really opened their eyes. My Monkey Boy had one orphan by who was fascinated with him and my camera, and was such a happy crazy teasing boy. I was able to take a photo of them together. I could picture the two of them being great friends. What a darling boy. The orphanage visits always leave me wanting to do something more for those children who are so precious in God’s sight. I know he has such a special place in His heart for them. Someday, I will go back with my children and we will be His hands in make a difference in their lives!