Life besides China, kind of!

I DO realize that I have 5 children here, my whole world does not revolve around China.  Though it IS all wrapped up together in so many ways.. Here is such a mix of there.....

My own Chinese Angels giving me a Rock Concert.

Most of the time you will find this child begging to get on the computer and look at pictures of babies. From China. She especially enjoys looking at the orphans who wait. She can tell you more about the Waiting Children than most agencies. Tonight she was asking how many days till she is able to go to China to work.  And what type of work she can do to save her money.

Today we welcomed Uncle Shane home, from??? CHINA!! ;-) See what I mean, this life here is so closely woven together with there. Shane left for China in August and is now home till early September. I was able to see him while there, but the kids were thrilled! If you look closely you will see we recycled our signs from our homecoming. He enjoyed that.  ;-)  It is good to have him here, because that means hearing more stories of THERE!!

Meet June

So many times when people are looking for a child, they are looking for a baby. And who can blame us them? Cute, easy, cute, cuddly, cute, quiet (in the can't talk back yet type of quiet) did I mention cute?

I will be the first to admit, I am drawn to babies. Partly because of the reasons above. Partly I dont' feel done with babies, I have all the other ages thank you very much.  But a baby, I could do a baby. 

I mean honestly, WHO thinks when they think of taking on a child... Hmm, how about a TEENAGER?  Much less, who thinks a THIRTEEN year old? 

In reality, when I think of 13 year olds, I think of mouthy, moody, monsters!

Ok, so maybe that is a bit dramatic, unless of course you are living with a 13 year old. Then you get me.


While in China I met a 13 year old girl.  I will call her June. 

Because she had a birthday while we were there. Unfortunately we did not know that.  A June girl.

I actually wonder if she even knew it was her birthday. Something tells me they do not tell the kids, hey today is YOUR day!

Because she turned 13, it means she only has ONE YEAR left to find a family.  Or she loses her chance, forever.  At 14 they are to old.


So what becomes of her?  We really do not know.

Here is what I know about June.

She is beautiful and her smile lights up her face.

She watches out for the little ones. One day she was upstairs with us and we were trying to get the kids downstairs. One of the little ones needs a walker, and we did not know where it was. We did not have to say a word, June was on it and ran off to help her little friend.

She attends school so we were not with her as much as some of the other kids.  We know she can count in English and writes well.

She has palsey of the left limbs. But it did not seem to affect her.

Her favorite color is yellow. 

And she wants a family. She told us this.

Because she only has ONE YEAR left,  she needs her family to step up NOW. 

It COULD be done. 

So she might not be what you or I would typically think of when we think of adoption. 

She is 13. she has lived in an orphanage her entire life. There will be issues to work through.

Though we did NOT see this side of her, she MIGHT be like any teenage girl.

MOUTHY & MOODY!

Or she might not, because she might just look at life a bit differently.

Regardless of any of that, she wants a family.  She DESERVES a family, doesn't she?

She needs a daddy to tell her she is beautiful before she starts looking at boys.

She needs a mommy to take her shopping, fix her hair, talk to her about life.

She needs to hear about Jesus... 

Please help me spread the word about June. WE can be her voice.  WE can lift her up in prayer till she is home.  WE could change her world. 

Coming Home

Since I have been home almost a week, I figure it is time to come back to my "home blog".  

I had a post written up today to share here about a beautiful girl we met that was looking for a family.  

Then I found out she HAS a family! 

But she is not the only one waiting, so I will be sharing.  

I hope that you had a chance to follow our journey to China. 

It was life changing. 

And I can't wait to go back!

Prayers for travel

China team heading home soon. Check out the heading home post. :-) teamchenzhou.blogspot.com. Pray for the team as they travel!

Nearing the end of the Trip

There are some more posts about the last moments in Chenzou and the beginning thoughts about Beijing.  Some pictures from Shepherd's Field are added to Flickr.

Updates from China

There are a few updates on the Team Chenzou Blog.  Pictures from the trip are being posted on Flickr.  Click on the Flickr Badge on the side bar to get to the pictures.

A Brief post up about an adventerous day

Just time for a brief post about meeting "Angel" and visiting the police station.

http://teamchenzhou.blogspot.com/2011/06/day-i-will-never-forget.html

Check Out Two New China Posts and flickr Photos

You can see two new posts

Here
and

Here

And check out photos on Flickr

Here

To China we go!

Bags are packed.

And even zipped shut!

House is cleaned.

Schedules are made. 

And in just a few more hours, Makenna &  I will begin a journey of a lifetime. 

I will get to see China through her eyes.

I pray we are never the same. 

Join us at my travel blog by clicking HERE. 

testing

testing to see if I can email my blog posts!

Flying a million miles

I have been pretty calm about the whole going to China thing overall. 

I know Mark is amazing and will do great with the kids.

Well, besides the fashion part. Hair and clothes are not his thing. And he admits that.

So the kids might be naked and their hair a mess.  BUT they will be having fun. 

Plus the kids have a whole bunch of invitations to come play. 

A bible study class even asked if they could make meals for Mark. 

 I know they will all be just fine. 

I have an amazing team, have LOVED getting to know them so far and can't wait to spend 2 weeks with them. 

God has shown up in such AMAZING ways as we have prepared for this trip.

But I had a little panic moment today. 

There is the whole thing of Mark is always in charge of electronics, I can blog and I can email, but I can't get things set up!

And the money.  Mark is my walking calculator. or bank, whatever I need.

But what REALLY hit me is this. 

I do NOT enjoy flying.  AT. ALL.

And it is one thing to get on a flight knowing I am flying a REALLY long time, to get a BABY. 

But to think of all those hours on a plane, and I come home.  With empty arms. 

No baby.  WHAT AM I DOING!!!

But, the Lord, who is always so good to remind me of why This. is. not. about. me... spoke to me.

I will NOT be coming home with my baby. 

In the flesh anyways.  ;-)

BUT, I will be coming home with SO many pictures. 

And memories.

Maybe I can't bring my ONE child home.  But maybe I can bring home LOTS of babies.

For people who are waiting. 

One of our team prayers is that we are able to take photos of kids that are waiting. 

Then come home and share about those children.  To put a story with a picture.

So while flying a million miles is NOT my favorite thing to do.

Helping families grow IS. 

Pray for us, Friday is THE day! I will be switching over to my travel blog, but will post a link here.