Today we were graced with the opportunity to visit Gracie’s orphanage. She never lived there, she was in foster care, but was found at the gate of the orphanage. We were told when we asked to visit there, that it was strictly forbidden by Chinese law to meet the foster parents. But, our guide said she would ask and we were then told we could see the orphanage and meet the foster parents. It took 4 hours by bus, one way to get there and was worth every minute and then some.
As we finally reached the street close to the orphanage, we had to get out of the bus and walk up a steep hill to get to the gates. We always seem to draw a crowd where ever we go and today was the same. Many people stop and stare and say "Hello" and usually always with a smile. They seem to be very happy that we are here. We asked if Chinese people get upset about Americans adopting their babies and were told, No. Sally, our guide, said that many people here work so hard to succeed and sometimes go to America and they are happy that we come to adopt babies and give them the opportunity to be well and happy and successful. WOW As we were walking to the gates, my emotions seem to get to me. This was not a very clean, rich environment to say the least. The people were wonderful, yet it broke my heart to know that Gracie is so beautiful and was left at the gate. We know that her birth mother must have loved her greatly because she left her someplace where she knew she would be found.
We get to the gates and the staff of the orphanage and some neighbors are waiting for us with open arms. At the gate was also my friend, Sarah's foster mother of one of her twins she’s adopting. When the foster mother saw Sarah’s baby that she had raised for almost 18 months coming back to see her for the final time before leaving China, she started to cry. This was overwhelmingly emotional for all of us.....We All Lost IT. It must have been so hard for the foster mom, yet comforting to know that she will be going to a good loving family.
The orphanage director asked us to come inside the building. We went upstairs and were welcomed with fresh oranges, bananas and hot green tea. Just to be there was amazing. The director told us that he was so happy we were there. He told us that this was Gracie’s home and they were her family and she would be welcome back to visit anytime.....also very emotional.
The Chinese people are the most loving people I have ever encountered in my life. We were then allowed to take a picture of the red note that Gracie’s birth mother pinned to her shirt before abandoning her. They told us that they had tried to contact Gracie’s foster mother but she was out of town and not able to be reached. We were saddened but, knew that God was in control of this situation and he knew best. They gave us a picture of her foster mother and Gracie together which we will cherish forever and give to Gracie when she gets old enough to understand. We walked outside the orphanage to meet a few of the orphans that live there. This orphanage only houses older people, severely special needs children and older children. I had
received a package from a lady who visited this orphanage before I left for China. She told me that she has had trouble mailing this package and wanted to know if I would give it to someone so the package could get to her. I was very happy to do this for her. She sent all kinds of goodies for this girl, a pink puffy pen, a necklace, stickers, a letter and a photo album of when they had visited the orphanage. She told me that she was a very sad little orphan.
We asked the director if he could take this package and get it to the right person to give to this girl. He told me that she was there and that I could hand her the package myself. Again, overcome with emotion. I know that God allowed us to visit the orphanage for many reasons. But, if we would have only been allowed to walk in the orphanage, give the package to this girl and then leave, that would have been gift enough.
I was graced with the opportunity to meet this beautiful 12 year old orphan who tugged at my heart strings so much that I didn't want to leave her here, alone, in an orphanage, without a Mommy or a Daddy. She loved the package more than I loved giving it to her. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! We then met some mentally handicapped orphans, God allowed me to meet them and maybe make their day by feeding them candy. I got to place skittles in their beautiful hands, and again............LIFE CHANGING!!!!!
We left the orphanage and took pictures of the gate, THE GATE that Gracie was found at, the gate that was in my video of Gracie in the arms of her foster mother, the gate I thought I would never see, the GATE that we got to walk past, with Gracie in our arms, to go to America, to give her a better chance at life. Gracie is no longer an orphan, THANK YOU GOD!!!!
This was an awesome day. Emotionally, too much, I cant even imagine why God has given us thid opportunity but we are forever in his debt.
Enogh Said,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Love You All,
Bill, Bambi, Elijah, Gracie and Nikki
Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Bill, Bambi, Jacob, Chevy, Elijah and Gracie!
Please email us.........
Walking up the hill to the orphanage
At the Gate of the orphanage!
12 year old receiving her package
Leaving the orphanage, People waving Goodbye.
AMAZING GRACIE
She once was Lost. But, Now is FOUND!!!!
Orphan , He loved Skittles
November 27 -- MCDONALDS IS UNIVERSAL!!!!!HOORAY!!!
Hello everyone,
Gracie had her first Mcdonald’s experience today and it was great. I never knew how awesome McDonalds was until I came to China and tried the SUPER BEEF BURGER in the hotel. Let’s just say it was a little bit different. Ya, not so yummy. After the super burger, McDonald’s hit the spot!!! They even had chocolate dipped cones!!!! Life is grand.
I must tell you this hilarious story about McDonald’s too. I laughed so hard I almost cried. This beautiful lil Chinese girl was taking a big box out of a shopping bag and the noise caught mine and Nikki’s attention. She then pulled something out of the box that scared the pee water right out of us.
It was the UGLIEST doll I have ever seen. It looked like the bride of CHUCKIE and she was in love with this putrid thing!! Nikki and I were laughing so hard. We smiled a lot like we liked it and motioned with our hands for her to hold it up so we could take her picture. She did. Let’s just say the picture of it below, is worth a thousand words!!! TOO FUNNY!!!
We also went to the Teng Wang Pavilion. Very pretty building. We climbed 5 flights of stairs to see a 10 minutes show. Was it worth it?? Not for this chunky size American. But, Elijah enjoyed the show and so did Gracie. Me and Bill just liked sitting for a change.
We then went shopping.....hip hip hooray!!! Its great here, shopping that is. You basically don't have to pay full price for hardly anything. They tell you the price they want, you tell them the price you want, and you meet somewhere in the middle. Kind a like garage selling. Its GREAT!!!
I can’t believe we have only been in China a week. It seems like longer, almost like forever, but in a great way. Did I mention that China is awesome? Ya, I thought so!
Well, I gotta chase the baby now .
I love you Jacob and Chevy!!
We will be home soon with lots of cool stuff!!!
See ya soon everybody!!
Love, Bill, Bambi, Elijah, Gracie Mei and Nikki
Elijah at The Teng Weng Pavillion
SCARY, UGLY DOLL
Gracies First McDonalds Visit
Sitting on Ronalds Lap
November 28 -- Last Day in Nanchang
Today was our final full day in Nanchang. We leave early in the morning for a one hour flight to Guangzhou, China. We spend 4 days there and leave Saturday morning to come back to the states and be a family of 6 finally!!!YAY!!!! Nanchang has been the best experience so far. The people here have been so kind to our family.
Our guide Sally has been the greatest guide ever for Children’s Hope Int. She has done above and beyond what a normal guide should do. We will never ever forget her and her wonderful, giving spirit.
We went today to get Gracie’s passport. HOORAY, we can take her to America!!! Her passport is so cute too! Not that we’re prejudice or anything. No, No Way!
We went shopping too today on what’s called The Pedestrian Street. It’s great. They treat us like we're celebrities here! When we go back home and I’m just one in a crowd again, it will be a very sad day. The Chinese people try so hard to please us. Their customer service goes above and beyond. We Americans aren't quite sure why. That’s just the way they are here!! We walk into a store and they tell us how beautiful, beautiful we and the baby are and in their broken, adorable English they say HALLO....HALLO.....Its great, They are great, China is great, You should come to China<<<<<ADOPT A BABY!!!!
I have some awesome news that I want to share with you. This news could and will change an orphan and a new families life forever. THIS IS BIG!!!
I wrote the other day about our trip to the orphanage. We met a 12 year old orphan girl. I was given the opportunity to hand her a package that someone had mailed me, to give to her. It was GREAT! Anyways, I could NOT get her off of my mind that day. Why doesn't she have a family? What does she like? What is her favorite color? Who does she go to for comfort when she's scared? All these questions ran through my mind as I held my beautiful baby Gracie. I asked our guide why she hasn't been adopted and she could give me no answer. Nikki and I explained that an American, or someone, somewhere, would adopt her in a heart beat. She is beautiful and smart and someone needs her like she needs them, we just knew it!!! Our guide, Sally, called the director of the orphanage to see why she was still there. He said she is not special needs, there is nothing at all wrong with her. She just somehow got passed up, looked over, never adopted but with no real explanation. We asked what needed to be done for her to be adopted. He told us that because she is older than 10, he must ask her if she wants to go to the United States and be adopted and have a family. Then, if so, he would have to place her picture in the local paper with an abandonment add to see if anyone claims her. This is a normal procedure for Chinese orphans, they always have to put an add no matter the age. Gracie has a finding ad. Then, if no one claims her, which they won’t she would have all of her information reported to the CCAA and in about 6 months she would be ready to be adopted. WOW !!! We were ecstatic at just hearing that news!! The director told us that he would speak to the lil girl and see if she wants to be adopted and call us back.
GUESS WHAT ????????????? GUESS WHAT??????????? GUESSWHAT????????????
SHE SAID YES!!! SHE WANTS A FAMILY!!! She wants to be adopted. She wants someone to hold her and squeeze her and love her and comfort her!!! Now they are in the process of sending all her info to the CCAA and soon, 6 months or so, you may see her picture on a waiting child list to be adopted......waiting only because she is older...so sad.
So, I am petitioning for this beautiful Chinese girl to find her forever family (Email me personally for her name). As soon as the director gets notice from the CCAA that she can be adopted, he is going to call our guide Sally and then she will email me so, we can help her find a family!!!
Does this beautiful girl fit into your life, your family, your hearts? Honestly, if I didn't just pick up Gracie 5 days ago, I would go through the paperwork to take her home and give her what she needs,,,,,,,,love, simple as that. Just LOVE! So, I am placing her photo below and will send every person I can think of an email when I am notified that she is ready to be adopted.
Let me just tell you when they allowed us to visit the orphanage where Gracie was found, I knew there must be a good reason. We think this young girl is plenty of reason. What if we were graced with this opportunity just to help this sad little orphan find her home. Eight hours on a bus really doesn't seem like that long if it changes one child’s life.
For those of you who are coming to China soon or maybe even later, pay the extra money for a bus, visit an orphanage. Even if your child was in foster care and not in the orphanage. Visit an orphanage somewhere cause it will change your life and maybe a child’s life. What if there’s another orphan somewhere, that needs you to see them and be their voice to get a family. PRICELESS I Tell YOU!
A child was throwing starfish back in the ocean as they landed on the shore. He had a big heart and did not want them to die. His father laughed and said , "Son, you can't save them all, why are you trying so hard?" The child replied, "Daddy, if I just save one, it was worth all the effort."
Graced with an opportunity to save one little starfish named Gracie.....she was worth all the effort!
Love , Bill, Bambi, Elijah,Nikki and Gracie Mei Yao
Gracies Passport!! HOORAY!!
Am I cute or what??
Beautiful 12 year old girl -- Are you My Family???
Some of Chinas Beautiful People.
Shopping for porcelain
Her daughter had the same Chinese name as Gracie...Yao...Yao
