The final leg of our journey home with Chloe Joy!
Christmas Eve Day in China: The Van Ride to Hong Kong
This van ride was an experience that hopefully will be a once in a life time experience. It was a ride to remember, or forget, depending on which way you look at it. Poor Chloe threw up right as we were arriving at the hotel. It was sorta like riding in a car with a student driver going 80 miles an hour on a highway with 1000 other student drivers. The driver remembered to never use his turn signal or wait to merge, just went to the lane he wanted when he wanted. Also he chose to ride the brakes and the gas pedal the entire time. The driving in China is so different than America. We took lots of deep breaths; Emily and I tried to focus on something other than the traffic.
During the van ride I cried several times, not because of the driving, because I was holding Chloe, realizing that she was leaving everything familiar, and coming to a place where we pray she finds hope and a future. It was an emotional ride for me.
Christmas Eve Night in China: New and Forever Friends
After recovering and cleaning up at the hotel we had supper with another family from our travel group. We feel so blessed that they were a part of our journey. They are an amazing family with an adorable son. This experience will bond us forever.
Christmas Morning in China: A Day of Travel
After sleeping, or trying to sleep...we were so ready to be home...we boarded our plane for San Francisco. Chloe was so good during this flight, playing, eating, sleeping a wee little bit, and enjoying the snacks and food. She had a seat between Tom and I. Em and Nick were right behind us. This seating arrangement, and all of our flight seating arrangements, were possible because others, many of whom could not speak English, offered or willingly agreed to change seats with us. Everyone was so nice.
Christmas Morning in America: The Miracle is Happening
After a safe landing in San Francisco, we went through customs and immigration; Chloe became an official US Citizen Christmas Day 2013. We left China around noon on Christmas Day and arrived in America late Christmas morning; Chloe had been awake for around 20 hours. She did amazingly well considering, but started to lose her composure in the airport. She did not want to board another plane, nor did we, but we knew what the end result would be, she did not. She did fall asleep on the flight to Chicago and after landing continued to sleep as we taxied around the runway waiting for planes to be deiced. Needless to say the rest of us were literally on the edge of our seats as we waited for a terminal to become available.
Christmas Night: New Memories, A New Start
The Myers' Rav mobile, loaded with 4 large suitcases, 4 adults, 1 carry on suitcase, 3 overstuffed backpacks, a stroller, a car seat, a delightful 2 1/2 year old, and a random assortment of memorabilia headed toward the much desired destination...food. We were so hungry. We ended up stopping at Steak and Shake because it was open...remember it is Christmas night. I have never tasted a more delicious burger or fry, nor had Chloe :) After the food stop we were on our way through the snow to "home". Home! The trip was uneventful. Chloe did very well in her car seat. This was the first time she was ever in a car seat. She could have protested in the most wild of ways, but no not Miss Delightful! When we pulled in our driveway we saw a beautifully handcrafted welcome sign . Our neighbors win the prize. Truly the best. We are blessed.
(We'll see what kind of sign they make us when summer is over and we have come to swim in their pool everyday!)
Showing Chloe her home was (I need to break right here to wipe tears from my eyes) unbelievable. Everyone walked around the house together and told her about our home. She probably had never seen a single dwelling home before. She most likely spent most of her time in one room. I cannot image what she was thinking or feeling. Just as a side note and I realize it is random: I wonder what it will be like to wander around heaven someday. Experiencing the treasures that await us there.
(Please pray that I can meet Chloe's birth mom in heaven and can give her a big hug!)
** The days that follow are a bit of a blur. Jet lag does funny things to the memory. I do know that we had breakfast as a family, willingly, and without protest at 5:00 one morning because everyone was wide awake and having a great time...until around 10:00 a.m. when we all wanted to go back to bed.
2 Months Since Meeting Chloe: Final Thoughts
After listening to a sermon by Pastor Sam, which carried me through the last days of our wait for Chloe, I was taught again about the first miracle that Jesus performed. Right now in my life journey, I feel a bit like the disciples in John 2 who were carrying the jug of water. They were just doing what they were told, fumbling along. Yet, the water in that jug turned into wine. A miracle occurred. All the disciples did was carry the jug like they were told. Nothing special right? I am not doing anything special either, just fumbling along, yet God is doing this incredible transformation right before my eyes. I have no doubt that this was His design. Adoption is something that has been in my heart since I was a young girl, but I had given this desire back to God years ago knowing Tom and I needed to both agree. I knew I wanted to heed the calling to care for orphans and widows, but decided that I would do so through another avenue.
THEN...
It was laid on Tom's heart in early July 2011 that we should adopt. Chloe was born June 24, 2011. That, my friends, is no coincidence. I'm not sure why I, this flawed inadequate almost middle aged momma, have been chosen to carry the jug I am carrying, but I am more sure now than ever, that we all have a jug to carry, and we can all experience a miracle.
This little ladybug just discovered the miracle of cutout cookies with frosting!
Yes miracles come in all shapes and sizes!
Thank you friends for going on this journey with me!
No comments:
Post a Comment