Adoption Journey #7 - Underway

Well, long time, no blog.  However, it is in keeping with tradition that we blog about our adoption journeys.  I enjoy going back later to read about those first, chaotic, life-changing days, long after the dust has settled.

Tomorrow, we're off on journey #7.  Abram Joshua Ming will be H kid #12!  The entire concept of that makes me feel a bit light headed.  Not long ago, my mother told me that through genealogical research, she had determined that my great-grandmother had thirteen kids and ran a boarding house.  How I'd love the chance to sit down with her to ask her advice.  Makes me smile to consider that I'm following in her footsteps, though I didn't know it.

We're going by train to Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.  It is the first time we've gone to that Northern Province.  Since we live in China it is preferable to us both financially and comfort-wise, to take the train.  We'll sleep overnight, arrive at 5:30 am, meet the guide at 8:00 am, and are scheduled to meet our boy at 9 am.  (Can't imagine what a fearful sight we'll be!)

In all other cases of our kids, we've been able to connect with the foster parents even before we arrived to bring them home.  Abram is a complete mystery to us.  Only what has been told to us in the file, and the sweet (and very dated) photos we have of him, clue us in to who he'll be.  We have no idea how much he knows about us, either.

This paper pregnancy is by far the longest, we're at 13.5 months from the time we first saw his face.  Everything struggled along in the process.  Paperwork delays, computer "upgrades", and the last of the finances needed.  It has been really difficult to be patient.  Yet, I can see that our last boys, needed more time than the others before them to bond with us.  Everything in His perfect time.  The last funds we needed to travel came to us just yesterday, two days before our departure.  Always on time, never early, seems to be the review lesson for us.

I'll update the blog as I am able.  Magpie and Daddy will round out our travel group.  Daddy will stay for just 24 hours before he'll rush back to teach and take care of the home-bound Hs.  Mud and I will return four days later, after a side trip to Shanghai's airport to see our social worker.    This whole experience is shaping up so very differently than the last ones.  Good thing we love adventure!  :)

A photo of our boy:

While we're thrilled that in a little over 24 hours, we'll finally be united with him, we are simultaneously grieving for him, and his foster family.  Our hearts are heavy with the reality that adoption is born of loss.  Often loss upon loss, before a forever family is created.  We're lifting Abram up asking for grace and peace in his heart.  We're asking for a knowing to descend upon him that everything is going to be alright.  We're also asking for someway to connect with the family who has loved and cared for him for 4.5 years.  I cannot imagine their heartbreak.

Stay tuned, the miracle of adoption is about to unfold before our very eyes.  While we should be well-seasoned for what is ahead...butterflies abound in my core.