Time Management Whilst Climbing a Mountain

Today all the families of our group took our children for their medical exam as required by the US consulate in order to get their visa to the US. We were not the only group doing this today. It was crowded and the facility was tiny. There were four phases to the exam including a TB test. Children crying, yelling and so forth as families waited for the various exams in tight quarters proved to be very draining. Hudson wanted to run, jump and play push the other people while we had to stand there; at times I felt as though I were trying to hold onto a wild monkey. Holly was just worn out and emotional the entire time. Do pray that his TB test is totally negative. Worst case we would have to stay here an additional one to two months (yikes!!).

Our friends the Railsbacks arrived from middle China last night, it was good to see them and they were grateful and relieved to be among friends again. They had a rough go of it where they were. They are taking on an additional two special needs children, one in a wheel chair. They needed grace from the people up there but they did not get any. We and the Smiths are trying to help and encourage them as we are together for our second week.

We hung out in the Railsbacks' room along with the Smiths for a while and I think this was hard on Hudson. He began acting up and would not engage with any other child. He also would not engage with Mama. I finally took him and rode up and down the escalator several times then we went to our room with Mom and Holly and he turned off the lights and put away his toys, took off his shoes and wanted to crawl into bed. However, it was only 6:15 and after we had him put on his jammies he began playing with the TV and then running into the hall and doing other activities that had nothing to do with sleeping. Finally at ten to eight we had him and Holly in their beds, and by eight fifteen they were both asleep.

These days are so draining. It is one thing to adopt a six year old and have him be part of your family. Add to that a huge language barrier and now add on that you are in a very foreign culture. Even the McDonalds across the street here becomes a huge comfort. You look at the calendar to see how many days until you can get home. Adopting an older child is a mountain to climb.

I look at this boy and I know he desperately needs a family who will stand up to love him day after day. A family who will wade through these difficult swamps and never give up on him.

It has not even been a week since we got him and he already knows he belongs to me, Mama and even his sister, but I don't think he likes dogs.

We need and thank you for your prayers!
Kevin.