Exceedingly Blessed

Monday, December 6, 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

We are finding out pretty quick that we have a lot to learn. We both thought that there would not be much difference with adoption parenting and parenting a child from birth. We were wrong! I could never say thanks enough nor could words describe the gratitude I feel toward the His Hands entire staff. Holly, Trena, their families, the nannies and the Hatcher sisters are true laborers for God. They all devoted so much time to the care of Mia and paid special attention to her. Things still seem to be somewhat off though. I cannot imagine all that a child grows through in the months of their lives without parents. In fact, I don't even really want to know. I'm not sure I could handle that knowledge. Mia without a doubt was not in an orphanage. Mia was cared for and tended to when she had needs. She was loved beyond measure. This was a fact made very evident with how hard it was for several to say goodbye.

What we have learned is it is already entirely different than with Madison and Mason. Mia has lived 5 months without us being with her. In that 5 months she has developed likes and dislikes she has developed traits and many idiosyncrasies that Kate and I know nothing about. For instance, she scares really easy. I have accidentally scared her twice, sending her into a several minute crying and sobbing frenzy. I know that I've done nothing particularly wrong but very hard to deal with as I watch my new daughter in a terrified crying spree because of something I have done inadvertently. I had her on my knees turned away from me (shortly after the 1st poop) and I sneezed. Many of you that have heard me sneeze know that I am a really loud sneezer. Mia was literally scared half to death. Today I was holding her with her facing away from me. Evidently she was focused on something or a little spaced out but i gave her a quick kiss on the back of the head and again she is scared half to death.

Today she has been fussy. She has cried way more that any other day that we have had her. We don't really have an explanation as to why. We don't know her cries. We haven't heard many. Sometimes she seems scared, sometimes mad, sometimes confused, and other times like maybe she is hurting. That leaves Kate and I scared confused and hurting. This is our daughter and we really don't even know where to start. We can apply the knowledge from the books we read and the classes we took but none of them know what Mia is feeling. We've been praying and will continue. It is not going to be easy but I guess if it was, everyone would be doing it. I am so thankful that God is on our side. What would we do without him? Live without hope?

Jason--Day 6

-Slept later(felt good)
-Went to 8th floor for our free breakfast(good thing it was free)
-Received egg that Kyle would have eaten with a straw, a half a slice of bacon that wasn't cooked, a triangle slice of bologna/ham/turkey/dog or something. Also as extra options on a short buffet line were tuna, Brussels sprouts, salad, pickle relish and some other lunch/supper items. We ate toast and I had some yellowish watermelon. Watermelon was a little mushier than red but great taste and really small seeds.
-Met Lance and Leslie in lobby where we received our packages from AIT.(Mia's visa(not credit card) we can take her home...YAY!)
-Walked a lot today (feet are aching)
-Rode on MRT (Subway system)(Massive organized confusion at several of the stations)
-Went to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial (Memorial for a great leader of Republic of China. Mixed feelings regarding him, in Taiwan)
-Huge place(Kate will put some pictures on Facebook)
-Watched changing of Guards. (Drawn out way to long but very cool)
-Bought extension cord at Taiwan Best Buy thingy. (Thought of Warren)
-After long hard day of walking we stopped at 7/11 and got Slurpees.(Ate PB&J sandwiches in hotel room)

*Notes to self: A/C in North Missouri = very nice to have commodity
A/C in Taiwan = a necessity to stay alive
King Kong Sweety in Taiwan = Goodness (Peanut-butter and Chocolate on a hoagie bun sold at 7/11)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Jason--Can't get enough!!

That's true of Mia but I am writing regarding Taiwan.

All along Kate and I talked about coming over here for one thing and one thing only. That was to get Mia. We didn't care if we liked or disliked the His Hands family or anything else here. We did not care to see any attractions or to stay much longer than absolutely necessary. I am not sure about Kate, but that is exactly the attitude that I came with.

As God does to me very frequently, he brought me to my knees. Right from the start I had an affection for Trena, Renee (Trena's daughter), and Ashleigh Hatcher. I felt like I knew Ashleigh for a long time as I have seen her pictured with Mia multiple times and Skyped with her twice. As they walked Mia to us at the HSR station and Kate walked to hold Mia for the first time I thought of (thanks to Morgan) "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." (Prov 25:25) These 3 women were bringing some mighty cold water to 2 mighty thirsty souls.

As we road to the beach during a 2.5 hour trip we talked to Reagan which is Holly's husband. He was very easy to get to know and fun to be with. He enjoyed my humor so that helps. As I listened to him talk about the Taiwanese people and their culture my heart was pricked. As he explained the mindset that most of them have my interest was piqued. Here we have a massive number of people that don't believe in the One True God or Jesus as our Messiah. However, they exhibit so many of the characteristics of Christ. Their humility is praise worthy and their servant hearts are indescribable. I could write a small book detailing all of the things I have seen this people do for not only each other but for us foreigners. Their attention to excellence in all they do is incomprehensible, from the little old ladies with witch brooms sweeping the roads to the men buffing a garage floor.

Now I realize that I have only a small sample in a short period of time and I keep thinking that I am just on emotional high. I do believe there are some piqued emotions but I don't believe that it is all just because of Mia. As far as the small sample...well...I have several stories for every day and also every city that we have been in from far north to far south of the island.

I'm not sure what all this is about. God may just be revving me back up. Only God knows but I want to find a way to help these people. I don't know how or when. I just know they need help. They are definitely not the poorest of countries but I believe when God shows us people in need we are then called upon to act on that need. This is plainly exhibited in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

I love y'all and am looking forward to you meeting Mia for the first time. If you cry when you do its okay. I know some people that did.

Jason--More on Day 5, Day 6

Mia's birth parents canceled the visitation. (I guess my worrying was in vain)(I'm not sure why I fail to trust God on so many occasions)
We went to aboriginal bead shop. (They make and sell glass beads...kinda cool to watch them)
Lost more rain! (LOTS MORE)
Both vans had extremely hard time today after bead shop.(One would not start. One would not drive. Lance and I laid hands on...we got back finally)
We went to mall for Caysen's birthday party at night and said final goodbyes to Holly and Trena's families and the Hatcher sisters. (Awesome people)

*Note to self: Apricot juice is TERRIBLE

Got up at 5:00 am packed and left with Trena and Holly to go to AIT. (I think we were supposed to be nervous but we didn't know to be)
Everything went great and she is ours forever.(Praise the Lord God!)(He is without a doubt the Almighty Maker and Giver of all good things)
We went to noodle shop for lunch. (Had more Taiwanese pickles...nothing like them...really good! Had some spicy green bean looking things...also very good)
Checked into 4th hotel in Taiwan, 2nd in Taipei(Pretty nice...again no real shower)
After a somewhat stressful day Lance and I took Kate and Leslie and Madison to get their hair washed.(Although very boring it was neat to see the girls enjoy themselves for very little money.)(Lance and I were a hit with our new babies)
Lance and I had a conversation with a crazy lady. (She had no idea what we were saying and we had no idea what she was saying but yet it lasted for 5-7 minutes...priceless)
We had Burger King for supper (Scoff all you want, White family, but we needed some good ole' fashion non-healthy food. Plus ice and salt are 2 commodities that are hard to come by here) (Madison and Mason thought they were in heaven!)
Played with Mia(I've done this everyday but just thought to put it in today)
Took nap with Mia (Same as above)

*Note to self: Naps alone = good. Naps with new baby = unforgettable!