Thinking of Ying Jin

The Waiting Child

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.

Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.

by Debbie Bodie Poem Copyright1997

One week to Go!

Wow! We can't believe it is finally down to just one week to go! We leave on August 2nd and return on August 17th. We cannot wait to meet Molly Yingjin and finally give her a hug! We have the web cam set up so that we will be able to talk to and to see Nathan here at home, and will be able to introduce Ying Jin to her big brother! We hope that she will be excited about that!

Once again we will be celebrating a birthday in China. Faith joined our family 8 days before her first birthday and Molly Yingjin will be joining us 9 days before her 6th birthday. Isn't it amazing how God works? We are thinking about leaving Guangzhou a little early and letting Molly celebrate her birthday at Disneyland in Hong Kong. Wouldn't that be amazing! We have to check with our agency to see if that is a possibility but we are thinking that we will be seeing Mickey in China!

Please feel free to come and welcome Molly Yingjin home on August 17th. Our flight, United 864 from Chicago, arrives at 6:28 pm. Hope to see you there!

Ying Jin here we come!!

It's time to go to China!

We have received our tentative travel date! It sure has felt like it has taken forever, but we are to travel on August 2nd, as long as our consulate appointment can be made. I have to admit, I have been quite tearful, both in relief that we are finally getting to bring Molly Yingjin home, and in sadness that Nathan will not be traveling with us. AWAA listened to all my concerns, but unfortunately wasn't able to schedule us any earlier. We know that they come to their decisions with prayer and thoughtfulness, and although I was in tears with Ashley, the travel coordinator, she prayed with me and I have come to a peace with the date. We don't know the work that God might be doing, and His reason behind what is happening, so I will rest and know that He knows what our family needs and will make it right.


"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27)"


Thanks to all of you for your prayers! They mean so much to us!

Waiting for my sister to play with!

Waiting to travel

We are having quite a difficult time waiting for our TA (Travel Approval) from China. We have been praying to leave by the 12th of July, but that is not going to be possible. If our TA arrives early next week, the first possible date of travel will be the 19th or the 26th. We continue to ask for prayer that we leave as early as possible for multiple reasons:

1. That Nathan be able to be there on Gotcha Day to spend time with his new sister and to bond with her.
2. That Molly Yingjin has some time at home to learn some English prior to the start of school on August 29.
3. That Molly is able to meet her whole family at once - to be able to understand and love having a family of her very own.
4. If we leave on the 19th, that Nathan and his Aunt Cheryl will travel back safely home (they'll have to leave a few days early so Nathan can start band camp)

We continue to trust God that He has planned every moment. We are finding comfort in that.

Blessings,

Tina, Mike, Nathan and Faith

Fun, Fabulous Fourth!

We had a packed couple of days! On July 3rd, Mike was off work and we worked around the house getting ready to travel to China. Nathan marched in the Red, White and Boom parade in Columbus. Gahanna Lincoln HS marching band is the only high school band that marches in the parade each year. They did a wonderful job!

Faith enjoyed a free ice cream treat while we were waiting!

We were up bright and early on the 4th to get ready for the parade in Gahanna. Faith is having some difficulty seeing Nathan this year because he marches in the middle of the line (last year he was on the end), but she did find him. We were thankful that we had great weather for both parades and not too hot! Back home we enjoyed cooking out and watched the fireworks that evening at a friend's house. It was relaxing to be home enjoying our family.

Karen and Rick's Wedding Day!

June 30th was my sister Karen's wedding day. She and Rick make such a great couple. It was a gorgeous day for an outdoor wedding. Nathan was the ring bearer and Faith was the flower girl. She actually did quite well thanks to the help from big brother Nathan. It was so nice to see my cousins and their families from Chicago that came down for the wedding. Here are some pics of the day.