Wednesday, September 23, 2009

emotional day

Our day today was full, to say the least.
From us standing in a Buddahist temple
(and me telling our guide about Jesus right then and there),
to eating in the dirtest restaurant on the planet...
 
to our special time at the orphange.
 
Let's focus on the orphanage.
I don't think I've cried so hard....ever.
It was very hard on Shu Li to say
good-bye.
I cry as I'm recalling it.
But she did get to spend some sweet time
with her friends before we had to leave.
We were there for about 2 hours
and met all her precious friends.
PRECIOUS.
These Luoyang kids are AMAZING.
AMAZING.
I fell in love with each and every one.
 
A lot is on my heart about our visit
because it has changed my heart forever.
I had never been in an orphanage before today
and my eyes were opened even more having
been there.
So many children without families of their own.
 
I will post more later (I took 90 pics)
but for now I'll show you a few of the sweet
faces
The pic with the worker (not wearing a white jacket)
standing with the tall girl,
came today on her day off...and she lives very far away,
just to see Shu Li one last time.
So very sweet.
The tall girl was on WACAP's WC list the last time
I checked.
She is a darling girl.
 
 
I've got a doozy of a blog post going in
my head about our responsibility to these children
and millions others around the world.
Put your excuses away
and prepare your heart.
 
Shu Li was in a state of grief on our
long ride back to the hotel.
But after about 1 1/2 hours,
she was back to herself.
She is very excited to hear that many
of her friends have...or will have
families soon.
 
One sweet girl, Shelley (black and orange jacket),
said to Kelly and me......
"I have to go back to school now...please take good
care of my friend, Shu Li."
She hugged me hard and ran off to school.
Kelly and I both broke down into tears.
It was the sweetest thing ever.
She is a WONDERFUL girl who is full of
spunk!!  I love her!!!
Thankfully, there is a family working on adopting her!!
 
We are leaving for Guangzhou tomorrow morning...
please pray that all goes well as Shu Li leaves her home province.
 
And thank you all for your SWEET comments
and emails.
I dearly love you all!!

25 comments:

Vickie said...

I so know what you mean, at Chloe's orphanage we did not get to see the older children only to age 10 and it was heartbreaking.

I walked away NUMB, I still can't recall it without tears. I wanted to pack them all up and bring 'em home:)

So wonderful you could get pics for families in waiting, it means so much, and of others that NEED families to step up- it's so worth it- we KNOW:)
Vickie
Mom of the Min sibs
http://wwwourchinagirl.blogspot.com

Lynsay said...

Ahh guys. Every post I'm crying. Amazing! I can't wait to meet her. I wish you could get blogger. How I could bounce some of the things that have happened here in the last few days. I too have changed, and I'm going to be the first one to say AMEN to whatever you are going to write. There is no excuses, so put them away! Love you all! Can't wait to see you again! Hugs!

Denise said...

I think that we only think of orphanages filled with babies and toddlers...this post made my heart just break. Thank you for sharing your journey, your daughter sounds like an amazing girl...hugs~

Chris and Sarah said...

I can't imagine how hard that had to be for her and for you guys.

Cari said...

Oh, Lori! *tears*

My heart aches for each one of you and all these changes, so hard emotionally. I'm so happy to read of some of these girls will be united with their forever families. I CAN NOT WAIT to read what you plan to post about them!!! I'm already talking with my husband about starting the next adoption for a healthy older girl when we return with our Sami. My heart and prayers go out to all of them.

Janet and Kevin said...

Oh Lori,

Such a touching post. I wept all the way through it just wanting to get on a plane and come over to bring home one of those amazing children!

Praying for you all continuously -
Love in Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli

Debby said...

It looks like Shu Li has been well loved in her pre-forever- familiy days. What more can you ask for?

All of these girls would make any parent proud. I hope they all find deserving homes. Lori, I think your posts from this journey have really opened some hearts to consider an older child...or at least I hope they have.

Hugs to you all......

Stacy said...

Thanks Lori...I have had my big cry today! My thoughts are with you...we know that this is in God's master plan for Katie. She will be ok.

Tracey and Chuck said...

Lori,
This must have been such an emotional day for you all. I have tears running down my face as I type this to you. Safe travels and we will be thinking of you and your family. I am sure that Katie knows what a wonderful family she now has even though it is hard leaving the only life she knows.

Lisa said...

What an emotional day and a post. I sit here crying as I type this. It breaks my heart to see and here abouth all of those children who just need a family to love them. Something we so take for granted.

Have a wonderful day today with Katie.

Lisa
Newark, Ohio

Janet said...

Tears here too. The orphanage visit is life changing, we did not get to go til our 2nd trip either. I can imagine it is so much more intense with older kids who can espress themselves, and have true friendships. I CAN'T WAIT for the post that is rumbling around in your brain!!!

Tina said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to read your next post. I am definitely on board for adopting as many as China will allow...I will start working on my husband now for after we get home w/ Jax....

Prayers are with you,
Tina

Sally-Girl! said...

My heart breaks for these kids like no other!! I can't imagine what it was like for you to be there with your daughter and then leaving her friends behind!

I know that the work we did in Lauren's orphanage three and half years ago physically. mentally, spiritually and emotionally changed who we are.

I can't wait to hear your post when you get home and a chance to put it all together.

Right now go enjoy the time you have in GZ with your sweetie as we all know reality is waiting back home!!! :)

love ya!

Sherry said...

Okay, I've been silently stalking your trip, but I have to comment this time.

Shu-Li is adorable! Love seeing how good she's adjusting. Only good things for good people!

Today's post is very moving! Thank you so much for sharing such private moments. It is my prayer that it opens eyes and hearts to adoption.

Good luck on the rest of the trip.

Leah said...

Oh Lori! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Our girl looks so happy and healthy. I will forever love you for posting pics of her. We finally received info of her English name. It is Abbey!! That is the name that I liked but we hadn't fully decided. We new we wanted another "A" name, and had several favored ones picked out, including Abbey! What a confirmation from God!!!!! Shu Li looks to be doing so well. It is good that she was able to return to say goodbye. That closure is very important, as well as her grieving afterwards. Enjoy her! I am so proud of you!

PS For those who don't know, our Abbey is the in the third picture (second from left with the gray jacket) and in front on the last picture!!

Patty said...

Oh this brings me tears too. I tell people I will never be the same after being in Luoyang and most people don't "get" it. You "get" it. Remember when I said I cried my way through Luoyang? See?!!! That day we left the orphanage will never ever leave my mind. And we didn't get to go inside!! Dumb swine flu!!
YES--there are still some of these kids on WACAP's list. The tall girl appears to have been matched but they need families for BOYS!!! And these boys are great too!!! I think there is at least 3 or 4 boys still on their list, and a sibling boy/girl group.
Can't wait to see more pics!!! Hugs!

Holly said...

Oh my....How can we stand this?? So much to think about. For now we can PRAY for these precious kids!

I am also curious about how it went telling your guide about Jesus!

Sherri said...

Your post is so incredibly sweet that it brings tears to my eyes as well. I just love your pictures. What a wonderful thing to do by visiting her orphanage and seeing all of her precious friends. I will keep them all in my prayers in hoping they all find their forever families.

hugs from Florida,
Sherri

quilt'n-mama said...

Lori,
Thanks for sharing as I sit here in tears. when we went to China in Jan to bring home Nate, we visited several foster homes run by friends, the impact left on my heart is so big! But also on the hearts of my children. Almost every day, Abigayl talks about the little ones without mommys and daddys and when we are going to bring more home! Lately, I have been reflecting on God's call to care for widows and orphans and what that is meant to look like... where we fit and what He is asking... I can't wait to read more as you share your heart! Hugs to you all! Hope we can catch up with you this fall when we are back that direction!
Blessings,
Gayly

Elissa said...

I read this before I even got out of bed this morning (I told you I'm a stalker!) and my pillow was soaking wet!! Thank you for being so bold, Lori-- we need more people like you to speak out on behalf of the fatherless.

We are putting our dossier in the mail to Nepal for Little Brother today (yay!) but I'm praying that China would bend their cancer rule so Big Big Sister can be a child who's about to age out of China. And I hear Little Big Sister's footsteps upstairs and she's supposed to be napping so I better go! :)

LOVE your posts-- you definitely have a completely captivated audience back in the States praying you on at the edge of our seats!! So keep em coming!

Elissa

Gretchen said...

Lori,

Thank you so much on this insight into an older child adoption. These children are all so wonderful. I am praying that it is God's will that some how they can all be in a forever family some day soon!

God bless you and your family.
Gretchen

Nicole A. said...

Wow! What a great post! Such beautiful girls -- it just blows my mind to see the faces of these amazing children, who have grown up thus far with NO family. I cannot wait to read the post you are working on.

Hope your trip to GZ is great. Can't wait to keep reading more ...

All the best,
Nicole A. in OH

Anonymous said...

How wonderful Shu Li's friends were able to leave school and say their good bye's. I can only imagine the emotion in that room. Those girls have to have a strong bond and I am sure it is hard for them to see Shu Li go. Praying for Shu Li's heart as she leaves her friends (and for her momma too:-) Have a great time in Guangzhou!! Don't forget to try out the new Italian restaurant. The pizza is yummy. The icecream is fabulous!!!

Karen (who is not able to post as herself for some reason)

Adeye said...

Oh dear friend--my heart cannot take it all in. More tears!!! The pics break my heart in two. You are sooooo right--NO MORE EXCUSES!!!! Can't wait to hear what the Father is doing in your heart...please share soon.
Sending you a HUGE hug.

Love and blessings.

Sarah Elizabeth said...

aw, that was so sad, it must have been so hard.
I want to adopt them all and they're around my age! hahaha

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