This a.m. we went to the orphanage. Drew did well. The pics above and below, starting with below are of Drew's room and Drew's Bed. Above is the place Drew was found, the gate with black walls on the side, us in front of the orphanage, and us with a lady who works at the orphanage. The greatest blessings are found in the most unexpected places, even as hardhearted and cynical as I am I could not help but be a little moved this a.m. when we left the place Drew was found. Two years ago tomorrow a lady in China gave birth to a little boy with not fingers on his left hand. For whatever reason, and I am sure it was not easy on her, she felt she could not care for this child so she left him about a hundred yards from the entrance to an orphanage at this place where it was obvious he would be found quickly. I wonder what I was doing on March 27, 2007. I am sure I had no idea how God was working in my life and the life of my family to bring us together with our child. At that time we had not even begun the adoption process and to tell you the truth I do not know that either one of us was thinking about when we would adopt again at that time. Addie had only been with us 7 months at that time and we were still adjusting to that change. Just goes to show you God's plans are greater than ours and he is working in our lives in ways we can not imagine to bring us great blessing if we will let him.
OK, that is more than enough deep thought for the next couple of years. While we were at the orphanage many of the workers wanted GangGang, pronounced GongGong, to come to them. He would only go to one lady. Many of the ladies would hold there hands out and call his name and when he would turn his head from them they would laugh and talk about PaPa. Some of them would put their hands on him and act as if they would take him from me and when he would pull away they would all laugh and laugh. When he went to the one lady she was obvious very proud. They have a program at the orphanage similar to foster grandparents and apparently this lady was in the program and spent a lot of time with him. The pic of me and Drew with one of the workers was this lady, he called her neinei, not sure of the spelling of that but it is pronounced knee-knee, meaning grandma.
It was a nice building, clean and well maintained. The orphanage has about 560 kids, including about 150 in foster care. All are special needs at this orphanage. Some have more serious needs than others.
Well, I will post more later,
Kevin
Oh Kevin, you made me cry!!
ReplyDeleteWe can't begin to understand how "all things work together" - but they do. Ellyse, Addie, and Drew are SO fortunate to have you and LeAnn as their earthly parents. LOTS of prayers being prayed for all of you, especially the Strickland men.
trusting HIM,
L Y N N
What a wonderful blessing! Stephanie and I are very proud for you and LeAnn. We will pray for your safe trip home!
ReplyDeleteKevin, Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this journey. Drew will realize when he is older that it was worth the wait to end up with you and LeAnn as parents. I'm glad he's bonding to you so quickly. The first thing the office group does every morning is see what you've posted. There are lots more prayers and thoughts with you than the comments will show. This is my third time to write you, so we'll see if I actually get it accomplished this time. You missed some courthouse drama yesterday. There was a scuffle in the hallway outside your office. I'm sure you are not surprised that Greg was involved. Ha! Take care and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Can't wait to meet Drew.
ReplyDeleteHey Kevin.
ReplyDeleteI tried to post a comment earlier today, but it got lost in cyberspace somewhere.
Anyway, we are excited that things are going well there. I cried today, also, when I read today's blog. It was so wonderful. HOWEVER, we kidded Sylvester and told him that your getting away from him for a few days made you get soft. Sylvester (although he admitted it was sweet) said he had his hands full when you got back to work getting you "back into shape." LOL.
I know Anita mentioned the scuffle yesterday. It was wild. We had a TPR in our court with lots of people here and Circuit Court had YO hearings with lots of people in their court. (Ours hadn't started yet.) Pinkard and one of the men in our case got into it. Pinkard was going to arrest him on a grand jury indictment. The guy wasn't going to get up. Well, it went down from there. There was so much screaming and people running to where it was happening (right outside of your office), Circuit Court even cleared and came out to see what was going on. Since you weren't here, I was forced to take control and handle the crowd. (LOL.) Joey said he liked a woman who had such an authoritative voice. The funniest thing of all was the mother or grandmother of the man being arrested had an umbrella and she kept hitting Pinkard in the head while he was holding the man down on the ground. It was too funny. She started to go after Joey with it. (We've watched the courthouse video.)
Juvenile court went well today. I guess it would be a shocker for you to learn that Sylvester was dressed in all black.
I dreamed last night that you brought Drew up here to see us after soon after you got back home. We were very excited. We are looking forward to seeing him. I hope everything keeps going well there. Looking forward to reading more accounts of what's going on over there.
Paula
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait each day to get home to see what you have to say about your's and Drew's journey. I know this will not surprise LeAnn but, when I read this entry I just didn't have "a moment" I cried - balled like a baby. I can't even imagine what other beautiful children are there that need a safe home and parents that can love them and take care of them like you and LeAnn will be and are doing. If only I wasn't so old and broke I'd love to be able to do what you are doing now. Both of you are still in my thoughts and prayers. Take Care!