We have had a day of continuing to adjust to the new time zone and trying to get our minds around the concept that Jaden will be with us soon.
The day started with a mini-picnic in the room at 4 AM local time (2 PM body time) consisting of crackers and left-over chicken, and has continued through the day as we stop trying to think about what time it is at home and we try to get our bodies onto the new schedule in preparation for Monday.
We are scheduled to meet Jaden at 9:30 AM Monday, which means that we are now less than 40 hours away!
We have been selecting a few toys and snacks to bring with us to Gotcha Day and have been sorting his clothes that we brought with us. Fortunately we brought several coat options, because we will have to keep him well bundled in public. This is necessary to prevent concerned Chinese people from descending on us to educate us about the dangers of children not being dressed warmly enough.
We had heard plenty abou the Chinese tendency to bundle up their kids in many many many many layers in the belief that this will prevent illness. We got to see that in action today on the streets of Nanjing as we walked along the river and through the markets. Some of the kids had so many layers that they literally could not bend their arms. And yet some of them have split pants, with selected body parts (which I would think would be especially susceptible to the cold) just hanging out ... rather odd.
I have to say, though, that it has been fun interacting with the Chinese people. They have all been very friendly and gracious. There are definitely cultural differences, though. My first experience with this was in the Nanjing airport where I realized that the "personal space bubble" of most Chinese people appears to be essentially non-existant! There was lots of jostling at the baggage claim, none of which was in any way directed at me since everyone was pressing against everyone else.
Ordering food today at the counter was the same way. It felt a lot like more like I was trying to maintain my position at a general admission rock concert than trying to pick up two chicken sandwiches.
We got a suprise today when we got an email with a few new pictures of Jaden. The pictures are blurry and don't show the normal happy grin that we are used to seeing. I know it has Tracy worried that Jaden is anxious about the coming changes. Not to mention he apparently has had a recent (bad) haircut. From the other pictures it looks like all of them had the same "barber" and so at least we know it wasn't because he was leaving. ;)
Tonight we are going to go out and wander around the outdoor markets again, enjoying the freedom to look around ... because very soon our eyes will have to stay focused on a particular child!
Gotcha Time is set for Monday at 9:30 AM in Nanjing, which is 7:30 PM on Sunday in Oklahoma ... prayers prayers prayers please!
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By coincidence? We are having a prayer meeting in our home Sunday night from 6:30 to 7:30. The people getting together will all know your family. We will make sure we are lifting you and Jaden up to the Father!
ReplyDeleteBy coincidence? We are having a prayer meeting in our home Sunday night from 6:30 to 7:30. The people getting together will all know your family. We will make sure we are lifting you and Jaden up to the Father!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Gael! The gotcha is very early morning but the director is bringing Jaden himself and it is about a 3-4 hour drive. The downside of the early time is that they will be getting him out of bed very early. I sincerely hope the guide is wrong but she said that often when they do that they just skip breakfast all together, so she told us to be sure to bring him snacks. Ok seriously, you're going to wake my poor bably on his last day with his sibs there and bring him to strangers tired, hungry and scared. Ugh. We have lots of snacks and plan to go back to the hotel quicky for nap if needed. Hopefully the excitement will carry him through. Prayers for peace and patience for all of us. I so want to see a smile sometime soon back on that precious little face.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for your family! It is so close in getting your precious Jaden. He might be tired, hurgry and sleepy, but he will be with his family.
ReplyDeletePrayers are with you for a very smooth Gotcha Day! I know you'll be so glad to have "Gotcha" him.
Anita
Thinking of you both, can't imagine what thoughts will be going through the little guys mind, but know the Lord will comfort Him along with you two and that he will have peace that only the Holy Spirit can give. Sandy W.
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