Finding Favor

What a special day each day is here. There is always a mix of administrative work, therapy related work and, of course, a whole lotta kiddie pooh lovin' to share!

One of the greatest highlights over the past week has been sensing a level of trust from some of the ayis in House of Blessing. As I have learned, most of the women who work as an ayi (nanny) here, are farmer's wives. They are hard workers and have more than likely lived a hard life, not to mention a full day's work prior to arriving for their duties here. Despite the often serious and intimidating faces I find when I enter the home, I am at such a disadvantage due to my language deficiency - far more serious than a language barrier.

Therefore, I have found it is my opportunity to build a relationship with these women that care for the least of these, and all I have to offer when I enter "their" home and long to care for one of "their" children is a genuine "Nihau" (hello pronounced knee-how) and a wave. After that it's smiles and charades.















This past week, I received a continual outpouring of unexpected gifts from some of the ayis. I have been given little crackers to feed Charlotte during snack time. I have been given her bottle to feed her (rather than her having to lay on her back on the floor and feed herself her bottle like the rest of the children). And just last week, I was brought a piece of watermelon - kind of an odd snack to feed the kids, but I did what I thought they were asking me to do. Well, Charlotte is not a watermelon lover (take note, Nana) - Julia was. However, after a few shared bites with the kids, one of they ayis motioned that the watermelon was not for the kids....it was for me. Even more special, it was given to me by one of the "most serious" looking ayis. This gesture was repeated today when another ayi brought me a piece of watermelon...as the rest gathered around the dining room table at House of Blessing. When I went to throw away my rind, the group of women insisted I, little me who cannot communicate with them, take the last piece of watermelon.

These gracious acts have been showered over me over and over this past week....

(Charlotte & Adam with Ayi)
*Visiting with Charlotte prior to playground time...I was allowed to carry her downstairs and out the door to the playground.
*While at the playground I asked to take her to the swings (the kids pretty much just sit around the edge of the playground so they don't get dirty - a few get to go down the slide). While we were at the swings, her nannies went back inside and never told me...they trusted me to just be out there with her and bring her back in. Very touching.
*Today I went to see my Cinderella, she wasn't out of her room from her nap, so being non-discriminatory toward the 2 feet and under kind, I just started playing with others. However, one of the ayis went and grabbed Charlotte, bringing her to me and placed her in my lap.
*The ayis consistently bring her snack and bottle to me now. Precious.

*One of my all-time favorites....getting to lay some of my favorite two-year-olds - a room of four boys (Carson, Cameron, Chi, and Nick) - down for a nap! They take off their shoes, line them up perfectly, hold their arms up, once they are in my arms they point to their bed....just in case I didn't remember, and I kiss them on their forehead and whisper, "I love you and J**** loves you" in their ears. What memories!

Only in this place could one imagine the gift this kind of favor is. I have been overwhelmed by the increasing responsibility and love these ayis have shown me. Which is very rare. I know, the staff here has told me.

And as this favor has increased and I have acknowledged their grace, the eyes of my heart have allowed me to catch a deeper glimpse into the life of these precious women. One glimpse came today as one of the children, Julia - introduced in a previous posting, was unexpectedly adopted today. As I had the privilege of watching this family form as I spent time with Charlotte, I was also there after Julia left and only had the mood of the room and the facial expressions to go by. An unexpected, but very timely and appropriate lesson and leading from the L***....my heart broke for these women who continually pour out their lives for children that are continually removed from them - wondering what affect it has on them. In my time here, I hope to find ways to not only love on these children, but pour out blessing on these women who serve faithfully and hopefully fill up their cups a little along the way.

I P*** that I will know ways to love them in their "language" to affirm them as fellow women, and as servants to a mandate set forth by the One that Created them, yet few know personally. What a privilege these days are to live.

Cute Chinese Kids - Take 1

So, in all my travels to various world-renowned sights around China, I can't escape the beauty around me in the beautiful faces I see!

Therefore, I will share not only photos of the Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven, and so much more..........I will also share the beauty of China through its people in the images I have captured.

First, I share an image from The Forbidden City. As soon as I saw this little girl walking toward me, my camera was ready!
How precious is she?

Also, something we can rejoice in is that even with the importance of the one-child policy in China and the emphasis of having a male child as the future provider for his parents, I have become grateful when I see a little girl walking with her family, knowing she was truly chosen to have life, even despite cultural odds. Praise G** for this little girl and her family.

Slippers for Cinderella

My little Princess needed new shoes! Period.

The ever-so-patriotic red-white-and blue jelly sandals on Charlotte's little piggies had to go! Not only were they too big and bulky, they were hindering her learning how to walk - with each step all of her toes would come out from under the toe strap and she would be walking on the top of her shoes. At 14 months, we're already aware she should be walking - - we definitely didn't need shoes standing in the way of our accomplishment - which we've been working so hard toward!

Therefore, almost two weeks ago we found the little angel these very cute pink piggie covers! How excited I was!! Granted, they are not the best for learning how to walk, but the ayi (nanny) will allow only sandals for the summer - feet must not get too hot. Yes, she does have on socks - and socks trap in heat - but ayis make sure socks are always on!

So, with our new pink slippers, we were ready to get down on this walking business. Charlotte was already adept at bouncing up and down - her favorite to do while standing on my legs.......during attempts to get her to walk.....actually, anytime her feet touched the ground. However, as seen below, we are working on our balance and strengthening those leg muscles. Yes, this may seem like such a simple step that most of us do not even consider thinking of with children. However, even the most simple actions must be mindfully implemented as playing with toys and childhood development issues are not always considered natural or necessary in China. Simply a cultural difference.

Therefore, we had to get creative and show Charlotte's ayi's how to put toys on the sofa so she could get some leg exercise! So, here we are exercising, er...playing! This was met with a little resistance as she wimpered quite a bit due to not being used to standing and not having the endurance to do so. However, every few days there was improvement

I have been so proud of her and have even seen her gain more confidence and pride in herself. Me and my little punkin head have walked miles together...her hands up in the air scooting along while she holds my fingers and I scoot right behind her.

This little relationship we have going has also been a treasure and not simply about helping this sweet one learn how to walk. It's clear my Charlotte has developmental delays; however, whether her issues will continue or if she simply is catching up at this point is unknown. However, she often has a blank look on her face - which could be as a result of her condition or could be from lack of stimulus/activity or a combo of both. Sometimes as much as I try - a smile just won't budge, much less a giggle.

Well, after not seeing my little one over the weekend, I marched over to my Cinderella's castle, House of Blessings, first thing Monday morning. As I sat down on the mat in the playroom for her to see me, something came over both of us - as our eyes met, an excitement passed over both of us...she couldn't crawl fast enough to me and my heart lept for joy. She always recognizes me and crawls to me....but this time her little face expressed such happiness! How my cup overflowed throughout my time with her as she leaned back in my lap to lay down on my legs - as usual I reached down to tickle her.....my little one started to giggle, then cackle, then full on laughter. This was not a one time occurrence. This has been everyday this week - a consistent joy has filled this little one.

And the joy only continues! Yesterday, the therapy team traveled to another foster home for a site visit and networking opportunity. (This has been one of my assignments - to assist in building relationships and researching/scheduling facilities for the Chinese therapists to visit.) That means I missed seeing Charlotte during the morning. So again, on to the castle!

I am met with uber-smiles and Charlotte ready to pull up to stand. I am noticing something very different in this stand.....quite a bit of stability. So, I let go. People, fellow readers (all 4 of you) not only does she stand.....SHE TAKES HER FIRST STEP!!!! Girlfriend must have eaten her rice cereal wheaties, because she was doing nothing of the sort the day before! How proud I was of her!! How I love seeing the expressions on this wee one's face...I see the delight in her knowing she is accomplishing BIG things.

My heart is truly overjoyed for Cinderella and her magic slippers!

So, as you go about this day where are your magic slippers leading you...what can you do to bring a little joy to someone's life? To encourage someone on this journey? To help them take their first steps to a dream? To make someone feel something they've never known before or haven't felt for a long time? To make their life a life worth living?

It's not always about the extravagance and well-thought out plans...sometimes it's the willingness of a commitment to be someone's advocate. Sometimes it's a simple gift. Or even just a hug. A compliment. Or a prayer.

Remember, we all need a hand to hold at some point - and like my cheers for Charlotte when she walks - we all need a cheering section!

From all the children here at PHF overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams everyday - know you are loved and have a very special place in this world! Take joy in the value of your life today!

A Little Chinglish Lesson for You!

Just so you know, in case you didn't, there are peculiar ways China uses English. Whether rearranging words, ignoring key sentence structures, or simply putting a group of random words together on t-shirts - we are rather enjoying the humor of Chinglish! To give you an idea of Chinese interpretation of English.....

If you are unable to read the sign above the sink, my hands are shown here using a Sensing Faucet

From China...With Love

Finally, internet connection and time to write have collided, providing another opportunity to post on life in China! For those of you who do not know...I'm currently in China! For those of you who do know....I'm still here and doing great! :)


I've been in-country since last month and am having a tremendous experience fulfilling another life's dream! I was accepted earlier this year as an intern at the Philip Hayden Foundation, a children's foster home for special needs orphans, about an hour outside Beijing. As I prepare to begin grad school (in occupational therapy) this fall, I am interning in the therapy program here, working alongside Chinese nationals, as well as other interns from the US and UK, and the therapy director, Carrie, who is also from the US.



(Above: View from my window - main office to the right, clinic straight ahead - the gate is to the left and you pull straight into the drive shown. All houses on campus look like this.)

The full impact of this trip and life journey is going to take quite a while to process. I regret the ability to post daily has not happened - amazing teams from all over the world have been here serving the orphans and staff - which i have spent time getting to know and experience life with here, internet issues have surfaced, and simply exhaustion from doing my best to give my all in this place have prevented my intended updates, along with my wordpress account not being allowed in-country.

But moving on, from here forward, I am here and sharing this life of mine and hopefully sharing a part of this side of the world with you - - the culture, sites, and sweet, sweet people. As I share stories, pictures, lessons, and more, may you catch a glimpse of what I am learning and experiencing through this amazing journey.

(Hutong Tour, Beijing, 2008)