Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Heather, Ed, Joe, Emily, Hana, Zeke and Samuel!
Today was the big day. Nothing important happened until 1:30 pm when we, and the Patzer family, met Leila in the lobby of the hotel. We loaded into the van and headed for the Guangdong Civil Affairs Building where we would first meet Samuel.
It only took about a half hour to get there from the hotel. We were expecting Samuel to arrive at 2:30, but he was about 15 minutes early. It was amazing. All of the sudden we looked up and there he was. What a nice looking boy and what an incredible smile.
Samuel had a small bag of belongings, a bag of food, and some special things in a bag from his foster parents. We haven’t looked through everything, but it appears that several things he brought were things we had sent him. There were also some medications that we believe might be for a throat infection, some tea that, by the face he makes when he shows us, must be pretty bad, some photos, his vaccination record book, and a gift. We’ll take time to look when things settle down.
Samuel is very affectionate and freely hugs and smiles. He also seems more than willing to share what he has with others and he’s practicing his English. One thing we found was interesting is that we asked him, via Leila, if he’d like us to take him to his home town to visit and say goodbye. He adamantly said, “no.” He did not want to go and clearly has said his goodbyes. We’ll respect that, but we had hoped to see where he’s lived. Guess it won’t be on this trip.
When we got back to the hotel, Joe and Sam played cards. We found he knows both card and coin tricks, he can do flips and cartwheels in the room, and has a LOT of energy. Samuel = energy.
We met up with the Patzers and their new son, also a Samuel, for dinner at Lucy’s Bar and Grill. Samuel ordered a hamburger, fries and a Sprite. He ate every bite in minutes. He was so hungry. He also ate most of Heather’s spaghetti. We’ll make sure he has a good breakfast tomorrow.
In our few short hours with Samuel we’ve learned we have some work to do. First, when one finishes ones dinner, he or she does not attempt to get rid of dishes before they can be cleared from the table, nor does one dump their remaining glass of Sprite in the flowers and hand one of the employees the empty glass to get rid of. Second, one does not repeatedly burp, very loudly, while rubbing ones stomach and stretching, to loudly and visibly show that they enjoyed the meal. And third, one must remain seated until everyone is finished and not take off to run and play. Also, as we wandered down the road after dinner, Sam bought gum with some money he had that was burning a hole in his pocket. We have to teach that when you take the outer wrapper off the pack, you don’t pitch it down on the ground. Further, you don’t spit on the sidewalk. These are the little things that have to be corrected.
When we got back to our room from dinner, Samuel had a shower and put on clean pajamas. Joe followed. They’re now lounging in bed watching some television show that looks too complicated to follow even if we could understand the language.
Samuel is doing great so far and he clearly has been prepared for adoption. We do think that Joe has met his match in terms of keeping up with this boy. What fun they are having and they will have in the future.
Samuel will fit in well in the Allen home and seems excited to find out that he’ll have two dogs when he arrives in New Mexico. Wait until he finds out that sheep, goats and rabbits are also waiting for him to arrive.
Well, tomorrow we have to be back at the Civil Affairs Building at 9:00 am to finish the adoption and give the gifts we’ve brought for the officials and for the orphanage. Please continue to pray for Samuel’s transition and that there are no complications as far as the paperwork goes.
Many thanks for all your prayers, emails and well-wishes. We sure appreciate it.
Blessings.
Steve, Heather, Joe and Sam in China
Ed, Emily, Hana and Zeke at home, along with Grandma and Aunt Sue
