Free Day of Fun

What a difference a day makes! Molly told us yesterday that she wants to be called Molly and she has actually begun to answer to Molly sometimes and to point to herself when asked who Molly is. Aunt Cheryl gave her a composition book yesterday and Daddy showed her how to write her name, which she copied several times. She appears to know her alphabet somewhat, and her numbers to 10. Today I asked her to practice writing her name and she wrote the "M" in Molly without prompting and looked back on her practice from yesterday to finish her name. She knows the beginning letter of each part of her name already, which is amazing to me. She is starting to try some English, and has "thank you" down. She is trying you're welcome, puppy, head, nose, shoes just to name a few. I also asked her to write down GunGun's name, so she wrote "Wu Ying Jin" in Chinese characters. She had just learned that, so we have to continue to have her practice so she won't lose it.

This morning after breakfast we walked to a park near the hotel. We didn't get too far in the park, mostly walked along the lake there until we reached the amusement park. We stopped for pictures by some marble love/luck balls near the entrance to the park. Once we reached the amusement park, we had a great time riding the ferris wheel and carousel with her, and Molly rode the spinning cars and small bumpy rollercoaster-like ride by herself. She loved every minute of it! I have finally found someone who likes to spin on rides! She was a little bored with the merry-go-round (or a little sick to her stomach), but we toughed it out!

Riding the small kids roller coaster!

Looking out from the top of the Ferris Wheel.

Loving the fun spinning ride with Mommy.

At the park there was a booth where you could dress in traditional costume and get your picture taken. Molly was drawn to a pink dress, so we couldn't resist! She looks so pretty and loved getting her picture taken in different poses. We took pictures of the shots we got so we could post them. Faith was not as pleased to get her picture taken, but wanted to do what Molly was doing so went along for the ride.







Mike and Molly had some fun mugging it up for the camera during the afternoon while Faith took her nap. When we got Molly we got paperwork saying that she takes a nap each afternoon, but she has been turning her nose up at it every day. At 6 years old I think she can give up a nap and apparently she agrees! It is nice time alone with Mommy and Daddy. Mike was imitating everything that Molly did.


Thanks to all that made comments before we even organized our pictures and put some info here! We truly appreciate the fact that you are watching and praying along with us. I have to say, Faith has been quite adament that we "amen" before meals and pray for Nathan first. She misses him I think. We are off to Guangzhou tomorrow evening at 6:10 pm. Molly's first airplane ride. Our guide, Belinda, talked with her today and explained that we would be taking an airplane ride, but just to Guangzhou, that we were not traveling "home" yet. Molly says she understands. I tell you, she is one smart cookie. She hasn't grieved much, just has some quiet moments. And she is a real goofball, mugging it up for the camera and singing us silly songs in Cantonese. I hope she soon realizes that we are here for the long haul, not just to be entertained, but to take the good and the bad with her.
Take care,
Tina

Getting to know you . . .

Well, the rest of the gang is sleeping, so I thought I would blog before I hit the hay. It was a very nice day with the girls. Much less jealousy today, although Daddy is a big hit and both want his attention at the same time. The girls are getting along together so wonderfully (as you will see by the pictures). We couldn't be more pleased and have thanked God for answered prayer. Molly was much less loud and boisterous today. Probably thinking about her situation and getting to know and trust us a little more. She does get quiet when she is looking through her photo albums of pictures taken at the orphanage with her friends. Although we may think of it as a sad place, it is very apparent that she has been close to the nannies and directors there and really miss them. We did have our guide ask her today what she would like to be called, Molly, Yingjin or Gungun. She replied that she wants to be called Molly, but unfortunately she is not used to hearing it and doesn't even look up when we call sometimes. Faith calls her Molly all the time, and Molly usually calls Faith mei mei or Moimoi.

Molly's new shoes - it took her forever to decide on a couple of pairs-but she sure loves pink!

We toured the Minority Museum today. Lots of old bronze drums (sorry you missed them Nathan!) and lots of clothes and other musical instruments for all of the minority groups in China. Many of them are from this area. We purchased some luck balls, which Guangxi is known for. It was so very hot today. Even though we were inside for part of the museum, they only had fans so not much relief from the heat. So needless to say we spent some time in the pool today (Cheryl, Faith and Molly). Molly loves the water! Faith is still a bit unsure of it. They had a blast!


Well we tried dinner again at the "long" restaurant next to the hotel. It is very interesting to order, but the food has been good!. We did get Pizza Hut last night and ate in our room. It was wonderful not to have to run after 2 girls and also wonderful to have some American cooking. Molly has been eating well and so has Faith for the most part. We are enjoying our trip so far, just wished it would be much less hot!


I'm going for now to attach some pictures. Keep those prayers coming, we appreciate each and every one!

Can you tell they love to play with each other?!?

Love you,
the Crists

Adoption is Official!

Ni Hao! Molly Yingjin's adoption is official. We spent the morning at the civil affairs office and the notary office getting all of the interviews completed. We promised over and over that we really wanted to be Molly Yingjin's parents and that we would never abandon or abuse her. I can't imagine not wanting to be her parents. She has been funny and sad, but an obviously well cared for and well-loved little girl. The director of the children's area saw us again this morning, and spent alot of time talking to Ying Jin. She mentioned Mama and Baba several times. She had also asked us about how things went. She was amused when Molly told her that she slept in one bed while Mei Mei and Mama slept in another. Molly is very observant and spends time each day picking things up around the room. She is obviously used to having everything in its place. The director explained to her that she would be traveling on a plane to her new home, that much we could understand of the conversation. Molly was a little teary eyed when the director finally said goodbye, and I am sure that we might have some grieving another time about this. This director was the person that actually named Ying Jin, so I know it was hard for her to say goodbye. We got some pictures developed from the cameras that we sent the orphanage and had doubles made and gave them to Molly. She looked a little sad, but did share them with us.

Molly making her agreement to the adoption - her handprint in red.

Faith had a particularly hard day today. Didn't want to share Daddy with Molly and had several tearful meltdowns. I think reality is soaking in. Fortunately, our prayers have been answered and Molly is very accepting of Faith. It is so wonderful to hear them laughing and playing. I don't know if I mentioned this before but Molly was not called Ying Jin at the orphanage but went by GunGun (JinJin in Cantonese). It is very difficult to pronounce, but so far the only name that we can get her to respond too. Faith is calling her Molly and trying GunGun. We'll have to see how this will all work out.

Faith checking to see if Molly is smiling

Well, I'm going to go to bed. Another long day tomorrow. Thanks so much for all the comments and prayers. We have read every one's comments and emails. Thank you, they mean so much!

GOTCHA DAY!

Wow! It was a long wait until we got to this point, and a very tough time waiting until we got to meet Molly Yingjin today. We went to the Civil Affairs office in a hotel for the meeting. Ying Jin was not yet there so we waited in a room with a couple of other families that were getting their children. When Molly walked in, she walked straight up to me and put her hand in mine, giving me a kiss and calling me "Mommy". She did the same with Mike, calling him "Daddy". She got out the photo album we sent her and went through all the pictures, naming us all. She seems extremely bright and is already trying out some new English words. She calls Faith "MeiMei" meaning little sister. She was quite bright and cheerful while the director of the children's wing was there. Once the director and our guide left, the only people that could speak with her in Cantonese, she really cried and cried. It was just the effects of the long day, as she went to sleep in my arms. I held her until she woke up and she came around slowly to trusting us again. She is very animated and lively. We are happy to report that Faith made it through the day without crying. The two of them just follow each other around, if one does something, then the other does it too.

Well, it's late and I'm so very tired (but also very happy!). Here are a few pictures! Oh, and a funny story. We were seated next to a large group of business men at dinner (and they may have had a little too much to drink). But they kept congratulating Mike on his two daughters and wanting to give him cigarettes. Quite funny.

OK, talk to you soon, Tina

All of us together at the Civil Affairs office.

The girls starting to play together.
Molly requested that Daddy help her with her fingernails!

And then proceeded to paint Faith's. They are doing so well together!

Beijing

Ni Hao! Hi everyone! Sorry it has taken us so long to post. We have been so tired. Faith is really having a difficult time with the time change. She is waking at 3:30 in the morning here and is ready to be up for the day. She has been so good overall. Lots of energy in the morning and literally ran circles around us as we toured Tian'an Men Square and the Forbidden City. We had the quick tours of everything - it was very hot and humid. Peking Duck dinner was wonderful - even better than last time. Maybe we have developed a taste for it!




The Energizer Bunny has nothing on Faith!







But she finally ran out of energy!


We have the pleasure of having Mike's sister Cheryl with us on our trip. Here she is on the Great Wall.





Mike found the going a little steep - no not a staged picture!


On Sunday we were once again up bright and early at 4 am. We had a wonderful breakfast at the buffet (really love these breakfast buffets!) then off to church service at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship church. Wonderful as always! We went to the English only service this time. After service was finished, we were able to meet up with a few people from our church at home, New Life, that were on a mission trip teaching English here in China. They are at the end of their trip and were happy to be in Beijing and comfortable quarters. It was so wonderful to see them! We then were off to the Pearl Market where Faith dazzled the clerks. They all wanted hugs and for her to talk to them, but you know Faith, she just isn't into that. She did smile and play a little with them. We bought some gifts for Molly Yingjin as she gets older, just as we did for Faith. We ended our sight seeing time in Beijing with the Summer Palace. It was more beautiful in the summer and we got to take a boat across the lake (remember, last time, we could have walked across it on the ice!). Very green and lush. We bought some great gifts at the Olympic store there, since the Olympics will be in Beijing next year. One of the animated mascots of the Olympics (there are five) is named Ying Ying, so we wanted to make sure that we got some Ying Ying things for Ying Jin. We were then off to the airport to await our flight out to Nanning. We left Beijing at 8:20 pm and arrived in Nanning around 11:45 pm. Boy, are these late nights to us! Faith slept the whole way, awakened once we landed and had a tough time getting back to sleep. But we were able to catch up with Nathan at home and talk to him and Mike's parents.

Here she is, ready for church!


On the bridge on the Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace.

Cheryl in front of the dragon boat on Kunming Lake.




The plan is to meet Molly Yingjin at 3:30 pm Monday. We will try to update before we go to bed with pictures, etc. We are nervous, excited, nervous, tired, happy, joyful and so ready to meet her! We got some updated information and questions answered which was nice, but no height, weight or size. All the Chinese people have commented on how small Faith is for 2 1/2. I think Molly won't be much bigger, but we will see soon! Thanks for the prayers everyone! We have certainly needed them on this trip and appreciate all of you thinking about us.


Take care,


Tina

China Here We Come!

Well, we were off to China this morning at 6:45 am. Got to the airport and all checked in by 7:30 and waited for our flight to Chicago at 9:34 am. Have you heard of the movie "The Terminal"? Once we reached Chicago we found that there was mechanical trouble and we ended up waiting for our flight to board until 6 pm (it was supposed to leave at 12:40). Not much to do but walk and eat, and unfortunately, the area at our gate was incredibly hot. Not fun at all but we enjoyed each other's company and I have to say that Faith did wonderfully. Well we boarded the plane, delaying to be the last ones on so that Faith would not have to sit too long. We were very fortunate that the people sitting next to us were happy to trade seats, so we all got seats together! That was very nice since the #3 engine had trouble with a circuit breaker going off and we were unable to take off and ended up taxiing back to the gate for repairs. We waited another 3 hours (and some odd minutes) until we could take off. So much for boarding the plan last so that Faith wouldn't have to sit too long! Well, the flight itself went well and Faith slept most of the flight. We tried to wake her during 2 meals but no go. It was night in Ohio and time to sleep! So, as you can see, it is 1 am on August 4th here in Beijing and we are not in bed yet. I am hoping for a few hours of sleep and a good breakfast before off to go sight seeing. We leave Sunday evening (Wow! That's tomorrow!) to go to Molly's province and we meet here on Monday! Deep breath, deep breath!



Nathan - we are missing you so much! Enjoy AKD! Squeezing your hand 3 times!



Pictures and more tomorrow. Thanks for the messages and well wishes, please keep praying!

Love,

Tina for the Crists in China

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.