Last night was a breakthrough in our bonding time with Hope. The first day that we had her, she was showing some aggressive behaviors like head bonking us and hitting us in the neck. I asked Sarah about this, and she said that Hope does that when she is scared or under stress. We knew she must be going through soo much, to suddenly be uprooted from everything she knows, and placed with a family that doesn’t even speak her language.
We have been praying over her a lot, and just telling her the best we can in Chinese that we love her and are never going to leave her. Last night, as we put her to bed she just started crying. We picked her up and held her and she just cried and cried and cried. We held her close, and told her that we love her again and again, while the river of tears flowed and flowed. It was breaking my heart to hold this little tiny person, who has been through so much in such a short time. Losing her birthmother, then being in an orphanage with visual problems, then moving to Bethel, and now with a family who doesn’t speak her language. I could feel the Lord bonding our hearts together so strongly last night. It felt like a real breakthrough. She held me so tight, and when the crying was over, she fell asleep in my arms. I’m sitting next to her sleeping little body right now, and can’t wait til she wakes up and we can all spend the day showering love on this little one. She is such a special person, and I am in awe of the way God chose her for us out of all the orphans in the world – he knew that we were all meant to be a family. It is surely an honor.
On another note, I thought it would be fun to tell you some little facts about China for any of you who have never been here:
1. The water has a distinct smell to it. You cant drink it or get it in your mouth. It smells kind of like Chinese food… It’s so weird!
2. You know when you are near a public restroom, because you can literally smell it from far away. They have squatty pottys, which are these toilets built into the ground. No toilet paper. I walked into one, and I actually gagged out loud… I’m saving potty trips for our hotel, thats for sure!
3. The Chinese people we have talked to have never heard of orange chicken. I think it is actually something invented in America, because you cant find it anywhere!
4. For my caffeine fix, I have been having a coke with breakfast. But you can’t order it by saying Coke, they wont understand you. You have to say “Coca Cola”. Its so funny to order my daily coca cola. I don’t know why, I just get a kick out of saying that word.
5. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way in China. Our bus has almost hit many a pedestrian or biker. Nobody even flinches though. They just go about their way, and the driver just dodges them, and keeps going. There is A LOT of horn honking in China. We are on the 16th floor, and we can hear it all the way up here non stop!
More to come later!
We love you guys!!!!!
May 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
You are doing great! Just saw your comments on CHAT and thought I would drop you a note on your blog! Hang in there, there are tons of people back here in the US that have you in their thoughts and prayers! I’m so relieved to read that she cried it out in your arms and went to sleep. Enjoy China while you are there and live in the moment. It is your daughters wonderful birth place, so when you’re feeling down and over whelmed, just keep your eye on the prize! Hugs, Kate (mom to Macey waiting in Sichuan)
May 4th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Hey guys! Your posts are reminding me of our trip to China. We started in Beijing, saw all the sights, then went to Chongqing to get our little peanut, stayed there a week, then went to Ghanghou for a week to finalize. It was the trip of a lifetime! The culture there is SOOOOO different! But it was fascinating. We will never forget our time there. It was truly special. I am sharing the bonding process with you remembering when we got Mercy. I will be praying for you guys and for the bonding to be supernatural! Love you all! Jan Jansen
May 4th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
May the Lord fill you to overflowing with His wisdom and discernment in relating to little Hope. I’ll be praying for you!
May 4th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Sweet baby girl! It’s soooo good she is grieving but it’s so hard to watch! It took Cana a few days before she truly began her grieving. I was actually relieved once it began because it’s was necessary for her to be able to form a new attachment and a healthy bond with us. We are praying for wisdom and strength for you. She sounds like she is doing absolutely wonderful!! Hugs, stacy
May 4th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Congratulations on getting Hope after such a long wait. What a true blessing to have her with you now. I will be praying that she will continue bonding so well with you. Have a wonderful trip!
Emily Ross
May 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
HELLO DEAR ONES. READING YOUR BLOG IS LIKE OUR NIGHTLY ADDICTION NOW! WE ARE LIKE RIVITED EVERY TIME YOU POST SOMETHING NEW. YOU GUYS ARE DOING SO AWESOME. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO SHARING THIS WITH YOU, RENEE AND I ALMOST FEEL AS IF WE ARE THERE WITH YOU. THANK YOU LORD THAT IN YOU THE PHILLIPS FAMILY IS “FULLY” EQUIPPED AND HAVE ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS LOVELY LITTLE LAMB. KEEP WALKING IN GRACE, FAITH AND KEEP LEANING INTO HIM FOR THE WELL SPRING OF LIFE IS FLOWING THROUGH YOU. WE LOVE YOU J & R 🙂
May 5th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Oh, it’s such a heartbreaking thing to witness – the tears of grief in such a little child, but it will help her to heal!
I remember….
Love, Barb
May 5th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Oh Kim! I LOVE to hear how God is knitting your hearts together already! I can just imagine how you are showering Hope with love, and I am sure she is soaking it all up 🙂
Love,
Stefanie
May 5th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Kim,
Praying for God to continue healing in Hope’s heart and allow your bonding process to bring much life into her spirit!
Love,
Tracie
On a not so serious note: John says about the lack of orange chicken in China, “That’s ok, we’ve never heard of ox and donkey penis here. Trust me we tired to get it at Panda Express the other night. They don’t have it!”