Following the Father

Hello everyone!

Josh and I arrived in Kansas late evening on the 20th!  We had a smooth trip, all of our flights arrived to their destinations early even!  We had a more direct route than I had going.  We left Taiwan the morning of the20th (all those hours of travel and it was still the same day when we arrived... weird) and had a short stop in Japan where we went through security and reboarded the same plane for the long flight to Detroit.  We had a 6 hour layover in Detroit then we had a flight to Wichita in the evening.  Josh and I slept, ate, and browsed through the airport to pass the time.

My family (minus Daddy who had to work) plus a surprise addition of Christine and Amanda, some good friends of mine, came to pick us up at the airport.  They only were able to arrive by God's grace through the Shaw family though.  Our van broke down when they were about 15 minutes outside of town!  So Mr. and Mrs. Shaw and Matthew came all with separate cars, two for the group that was heading to the airport to keep on going and one for the rescuers to take back as they followed the tow truck that towed our van to the mechanics.

They made it, and in good time also, and the reunion was still just as joyful.  I was surprised, though, to see two Shaw cars waiting for us instead of the 12 passenger van!

God certainly blessed my time at The Home.  I wouldn't reverse what I experienced for anything, I have learned much.

Thank you all for being a part of this, supporting me in so many different ways.  God bless all of you!

In HIM,
~Elizabeth
  The whole gang after we left the airport.  Left row on down is: Amanda, my mom, Helen May/ Nana, (a relative that has been staying with my family since February) and Grandma.  The right row on down is: Christine, Grace, Me, Mercy, Samuel, and Josh.  (Ben is taking the picture.)

Mei Ai, our baby girl in the hospital who had heart surgery, is doing so well!  It is such a miracle!  She's been in our local hospital for about a week.  She's still in recovery but is probably a few weeks away from coming back to the Home.  Yesterday (the 10th) I got to go see her with Uncle Ted and Aunt Bev.   Josh baby sat with baby Eva (who came along to go to the ear doctor while we were out) in the waiting room while we were in the hospital nursery.  I got to hold her, kiss her, stroke her hair, and just talk to her for awhile.  She was amazing.  She acted so very happy to see us, she made eye contact with us the whole time and was smiling!  I had never seen her eyes and face so alert and bright even before the surgery.  She soaked in every bit of the love and let us know how ready she was to be a healthy happy baby by her smiles and bright eyes.  After praying for her, and after papa Ted and mama Bev sang to her we put her back down because we needed to leave.  I'm so glad to have gotten so see her before I left, and am praising God for her miraculous recovery.  I'm sure God was listening to all who were praying for her.  Keep doing so, we want her to keep healthy and free from infection and build her immune system up to its max before she comes back here and is exposed to all our germs.

Blessings in HIM,
~Elizabeth

It's already May?  Where did these last 4 months go?  Hopefully to glorify God's name!

Thank you everyone who has prayed for our baby girl that had heart surgery.  She was moved out of ICU a few days ago and is doing very well.  She's being fed through a nasal tube right now, and handling the milk well so far.  She was awake when Uncle Ted visited her today and looking much better.  Thank you God!

In a week my brother Josh will be flying to Taiwan to stay with me for awhile.  It's exciting to think of seeing someone from my family again!  He'll be arriving in Taiwan on the 7th, and he'll stay untill we both leave Taiwan together on the 20th of May.  So he'll get to experience Taiwan for a couple of weeks also.  We plan to go see some pretty sights and do some fun things around Taiwan as well as be around the Home where Josh will get to see where I've been these past 4 (by the end of my stay 5) months.

I'm still doing night shift with the babies.  Just now one of the adoptive parents to one of the babies came down asking if it was too early to give their baby his bottle.  Officially, since it was not quite 1:00 am and he's supposed to be fed at 5:00 am, yes it's too early.  But having spent awhile caring for this baby I knew that he wouldn't settle back down to sleep for them untill he ate again.  So no... it was not too early!

We just lost another two of "our" babies!  Josiah and Mason left with their adoptive parents the day before yesterday to head to the States.  They couples were on the same flight back.  We (Aunt Bev and I) were so happy for these couples, though it does still choke you up a bit to kiss these babies good bye after being a kind of mother to them for awhile.  Mama Bev has been mama to MANY babies!  It's interesting because our last baby who left before these two seemed to know, even though he was only 6 months old, seemed to know that something was changing.  He had his usual early bottle in the morning, but his routine was changed.  He was still fed changed, and burped, but he wasn't put back to bed.  Instead he was held by me and Mama Bev as we had our last moments with him while his parents got ready to leave.  But as we held him he kept his eyes to the side and would not actually look at us.  And when we played with him he didn't giggle like he often would after his tummy was full in the morning.  He kind of stared at things blankly like his brain was trying to catch up with why his routine was being changed.  We all got pictures taken with him and kissed and waved goodbye to him as they walked out the door, all the while he looked at things blankly with a creased brow.

That night (his parents hadn't left the country yet, they were staying with some of the mom's family for a bit before they went to the States.  She is Taiwaneze as well)  His adoptive mom called saying that he just wouldn't stop crying and they wondered if the should take him to the hospital.  Mama Bev reasured them that his health wasn't they problem (he had had a cold) and to just rock him and sing to him.  After that night things got better for them, but it just goes to show you that little ones can pick up on alot more than we think they do sometimes.

Two more adoptive couples are here now!  One is picking up a two year old little girl and the other is baby Blake's parents.  They both came on the same flight also.  It is always such a blessing to see the parents' first moments with their child.  I got to peak in on Blake's family with him right after he was handed to them.  They both were so touched and just had those sweet happy tears running down their face.  Blake acted like a complete charm and cooed and smiled for them.  I haven't been present for many first moments with parents because sometimes they arrive from the airport in the morning and I'm asleep after being up all night.  So it's special to me when I get to be there.

Keep praying for our judge who's making the process of going from the court date to getting the first papers much more difficult and prolonged.  The papers that we have recieved from her (thank you God that we HAVE gotten some!) took two months time from the court date.  The previous judge took two weeks.  She could use your prayers, though I'm sure she doesn't think so!  Nothing has moved with Nya's case still.  Every time the motorcyle postman comes and beeps his horn we all jump a bit and anxiously await the news (from whoever goes out to meet the postman) if Nya's first paper has come.  The postman came again today (he only comes when something comes into the post office for the Home, they're paid to do this for us) but again we were dissapointed.

As my stay here draws close to its end I'm looking back on how this all came about.  I'm reminded how God prepaired my heart for each step.  A couple of months before I came in contact with the Skiles I had felt this desire to get out of the U.S. to go out into another part of the world again and be free to do things God would have me to.  I knew that my family was an important part of my life and I had been very content with the midwest and my family and friends untill then.  But then something started swirling within my as I starred into the starry sky one night. (As a liked to do when I went out to bring my cat in each night, who likes to get into trouble during those hours)  I just started having this desire and feeling that I'd love to leave the U.S. for awhile and get out of my box.  Then after I was here I never had the feeling like I was desperate to get home, even when I was sick.  I felt content in my work, I just knew it was where I was supposed to be even when I was grumpy or tired.  And now as the end of my stay draws nearer I don't feel remorse at leaving, or desperate to get back to the U.S.  I'm peaceful about where I am and glad to get to see my family again soon.

Thank you God!!!  You are good, you're incredible.  Keep Your people strong but humble and further Your kindom to the ends of the earth through every single true Christ follower.

~Elizabeth    

P.S. I'm sorry for my grammer and spelling mistakes, spell check doesn't work on this, and I haven't the time to reread everything, and I need to post this before I go back to work and/or the internet goes down.  I'll get my mom's help on it later.    God keeps me humble this way, right??

There were twenty-one babies on the foor and the little one said... DON'T roll over!

Yes, we beat the record.  Not that we were trying to, the intention was NOT to beat the record of babies for the Home!  The previous largest amount at one time was nineteen.  We're down three right now though.  So we're back to 18.   That's good news and bad news.  David, one of our older babies is now with his adoptive parents!  That's the good news!  The bad news is two of our babies are in the hospital.  One ended up with Pneumonia, the other has something seriously wrong with her heart that will requite surgery.  Please pray for these two baby girls.  We hope to have the younger (but bigger, she's the really chubby one in the previous update's pictures) home in a few days.  She's recovering well last I heard.  Mei Ai has just been transfered to a bigger hospital in Taipei today, which is the hospital that will do her surgery.  Please especially pray for this little one's stength and perseverance during the surgery, and expertly guided hands for the doctor.  They were waiting for her thin little body to put some weight on before they did the surgery but they think it's too dangerous to wait any longer. (She's been hospitalized for two weeks)

Been to Hong Kong and back!  At the 2nd this month I left in the morning from the Taipei airport for Hong Kong.  I came back on the 4th, so I wasn't gone but a couple of days.  I had to leave the country for visa purposes and Hong Kong was one of the closest places I could take a short trip to and the Skiles had some missionary friends there willing to host me.  It was a neat experience to see yet another another place in Asia.  It's amazing how simalar yet very different it was from Taiwan.  Instead of all the motor bikes zipping in and out of trafic it was huge double decker busses lumbering around.  Instead of two story squashed together town houses it was 50 story (or more) squashed together residential high rise buildings.  (Taipei has high rise buildings, but not nearly in the quantity Hong Kong has.)  And instead of hearing Mandarin Chinese I was hearing Cantonese! 

The family I stayed with was very gracious and included me in their plans for the days I was there.  The day after I arrived I went with "Mista Smif" (actually Mrs. Smyth, it's just how it comes out when the kids say it) to the Chinese kindergarten where she teaches English.  I enjoyed sitting in on the classes and watching all their cute little faces as they listened (at least most of them  ;) to "Mista Smif."  It seems no matter where I go I end up with kids!  Not that I mind that in any way.  Some of the Kindergarteners are actually quite young because in Hong Kong (and in Taiwan) the kids have 3 years of kindergarten.  So some of these little people we're as young as 2 (almost 3) years old!

The next day (My flight back to Taiwan was that night) I went with the family on an outing with their church to a small scenic island.  It was a prearraged church outing, I just was able to junp in.  We traveled via two buses and a ferry to get there.  Once there we hiked around the beautiful island ending at the sea food restaurant that we all ate at for lunch.  I got to chat with different members of this church along the way.  The members of this church encluded Chinese, American, Philipino and a couple of other nationalities.  I enjoyed the diversity.  I felt very welcomed by and enjoyed espeically the Philipino ladies. 

The Smyths son and his family live in the same house with them so I also enjoyed playing with their three granddaughters, ages 5, 2, and 11 months.  Their son's wife is Chinese so all the girls speak (with the youngest as an exception as she's just beginning to talk) both Contonese and English.  With both spoken in the home they soak both up quickly.

I'm back in the swing of things here.  Still doing the night shift, which is why I'm writing this with only crickets and the clicking of the keyboard meeting my ears.  This is often not the case, but I'm sure enjoying it.

Some praises from the Home are:

*Two of our babies got their first papers from our more... hesistant judge.  Praise God!

* We have four new helpers for awhile.  Rebecca (arrived the 8th)  Josiah's mom Jennifer, Janice, and Kristen. (the last three arrived only last night)  Josiah is one of the babies that got his first paper, his Mommy came early to help out like Nya's mom did.

*Allie and Sierra got back to the States safely. (they left the 8th)

Some prayer requests besides our two hospitalized babies are:

* That this judge would be motived to do something about Nya's papers!  We have received nothing from her for Nya.  Her mom decided to go back to the States since their wasn't a date in sight for her and Nya's departure.  So we're still waiting on the Lord for this, and so is Nya's parents who are patiently waiting for her in the States.  It's long over due for her first AND second papers to come.

*That all our caretakers and babies would get well and stay well!  We're tired of passing around all these colds and things.  It seems once we get everyone well the process starts all over again.

Thank you all for your support, God bless!

In HIM,

~Elizabeth

Here's a video my sweet brother, Ben made about me.  I sure miss my family!

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If is doesn't work, or is poor quality, try clicking here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_AyUfwwlcs

Xin nein kuai le (Happy New Year)
It is neat to think that you all are actually up at the time I am writing this.  Earlier tonight I talked with my family on the phone as their day was just starting.  It's nice to "peek" back into home for a bit in that way.  I enjoy hearing the kids eat breakfast and get started with school work, and people milling around as they start their day while I talk to my mom or whoever else is available.

Well today, or tonight I should say, I'm feeling well but that was not the case Friday night.  Some sort of virus just swept in and took hold of some of the babies, me, and Sam. (A young Chinese/Japanese lady who helped out with the babies and kids here on her college break for Chinese New Year)  I vomited much of the night Friday (I awoke Aunt Bev so she could take care of the babies) and felt like my insides were being ripped in two by some unseen monster.  Thankfully it didn't hold on too long.  By Sunday I was feeling decent and by Monday I was almost back to normal.  Sam is better now too, and she's back at school.  The babies seem to be doing some better too, but sickness bogs them down longer than it does adults so please pray for them.

Chinese New Year fell on February 7th this year.  Since it is a lunar calendar event it doesn't fall on the same day every year like our new year.  This new year is the year of the rat!   
Yes, we heard lots of fireworks!  The older kids shot off some here at the Home too.  Thankfully the noisy nights didn't bother the babies a whole lot.  It's China and Taiwan's version of 4th of July... multiplied several times.  They prepare for it like Americans now do for Christmas, months in advance.  Several superstitions surround the new year celebration.  Lots of people bring in donations (in the traditional red envelope) for the Home, which we appreciate.  For some of them though it is a way to get their "good deeds" in for the year, so to speak.  It is to make some spirits happy, and also just tradition.  Also all debs are supposed to be paid and "unfinished business" taken care of.  The house is cleaned and everyone gets new clothes.  Here's a sample that someone sent of Chinese new year taboos.

• No one should wear clothing representing negativity (black) or death (white).
• Crying is strictly taboo.
• Negative words, topics or stories should not be brought up.
• Ghost stories and the word "four" or any other words in the Chinese language sounding similar to the word "death" should be avoided like a sickness.
• Mentioning the past year should likewise be avoided, instead turning attention and discussion toward the new year ahead.
• Trash is treated like a treasure, and horded; it should not be taken out of the house and must be swept into the center of the room before placing it in the corners without trampling on it until the fifth day of rest, when it is turned back into waste, and thrown out. 

Here's when we had 13 babies.  Two of them are now at home settling in with their families in the U.S. 

This picture is also during that time with babies, now we have 16 babies, and I don't have a group shot of that yet!

Here's when we a dozen babies.  We now have 15! 

And one of the 15 is Whey Roo! (the 6 month old baby girl)  Praise the Lord!  Her mother and grandmother brought her back 2 days ago.  We hope and pray that she will stay here until she is placed with and adopted by a Christian couple.  She's not eating well yet, and we are very familiar with her cry, but we are thankful and know that it will take a little while for her to adjust again.  Thank you to those that have prayed for her!

In HIM,
~Elizabeth