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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Day 3: The Car Seat
Rex had his biggest cry, and it's not about what I would have expected. Saying goodbye to his foster family, his first night with us strangers, a 13-hour plane ride, these are reasonable candidates, but like John McCain, not the winner. No, ladies and gentlemen, the winner is...riding in a car seat. When we strapped Rex into his car seat after our long plane ride, he went without a fight. I guess he was just too tired.
But when we placed him in his new flashy car seat to go to my parents' house, he threw a massive fit. Poor Colette had to squat in between his seat and Asia's seat, hugging him closely, Rex screaming in her ear the whole time. And Asia sat so quietly, probably remembering the good old days when she made the only noise in the van. You can hardly blame Rex, though. He's not used to a car seat. Back home he didn't use one, a fact I later checked with his foster family.
And so I had to explain to my parents why Rex arrived to their house tear-soaked and throat-parched. No, it wasn't because he was going to their house (a nightmare for grandparents); it was the car seat. After this initial outburst, there was one other, but now we've had several rides with no incidents, and I'm confident he'll live a car seat-happy life from here on out.
But when we placed him in his new flashy car seat to go to my parents' house, he threw a massive fit. Poor Colette had to squat in between his seat and Asia's seat, hugging him closely, Rex screaming in her ear the whole time. And Asia sat so quietly, probably remembering the good old days when she made the only noise in the van. You can hardly blame Rex, though. He's not used to a car seat. Back home he didn't use one, a fact I later checked with his foster family.
And so I had to explain to my parents why Rex arrived to their house tear-soaked and throat-parched. No, it wasn't because he was going to their house (a nightmare for grandparents); it was the car seat. After this initial outburst, there was one other, but now we've had several rides with no incidents, and I'm confident he'll live a car seat-happy life from here on out.
Devastating Typhoon in the Philippines
Last Friday--the day we flew out of the Philippines--there was a devastating typhoon (called Ondoy) that caused massive flooding in the Philippines. An average month of rainfall fell on the Philippines in less than a day, causing catastrophic flooding in many areas. The destruction is estimated to be more than that caused by Hurricane Katrina in the United States. More than 100 men, women and children have been reported dead, more than half a million have been reported displaced, and both figures will continue to rise over time.
The areas that we visited during our trip were hit hard. Marikina City is the location for the CRIBS Foundation, which is where we picked up Rex. Here's a picture of it now:
It's hard to believe that a little over a week ago, we were in Marikina City. Now it's submerged. I don't know how CRIBS is doing. Rex' foster family live about ten minutes away. I've been in touch with them and they are fine.
I've also been in touch with Pastor Roy from Manila. He and his family are fine, but their church and one-room home were flooded. Here is a report from Pastor Roy:
"Thanks be to God making our people safe! Despite of floods around Metro Manila and almost entire Luzon, worship service went on. I and my wife did not get a good sleeping time since Saturday. Only my kids occupied the deck in our room. Everywhere is flood. There is now way to get out Manila at the moment, so much worried of our members in other areas especially the pastors and family. I served rice and fish to few family last night for those who stayed overnight in the church. Today, we will serving rice soup to the squatter area as emergency relief to them. Thank you for allowing to touch little amounts from our funds. There was a black out in other area and some still brown outs now. Two kids were brought to hospital because of stepping to broken glasses which they didn't noticed due to floods, but they're fine now."
I've also heard from Pat Capwell from the Institute for Foundational Learning, where we stayed during our trip:
"We are all ok...took 2 days to clean up the mess from the flood but no damage just A lot of work. Tabing Ilog (the riverside area) was amazingly not too affected. I was really concerned that they would be hit hard but the Lord kept them safe. We sent a team of 80+ people out today to help do clean up in the severely affected areas. The team was divided and went to five different areas to help clean out houses and get people back in their homes again. The mud and mess were so bad but at least they were able to clean 15 homes for the people today. We are now gathering food, clothing, blankets, medicines, bottled water, etc for distribution to affected areas where no one is going to yet."
Ondoy was devastating but here's the thing...storm experts are notifying the nation to brace for two more typhoons that are scheduled to hit by Thursday.
On Friday, we're planning to wire money to Pat Capwell for relief aid. She has a large team of people who are being deployed to help victims. If you'd like to contribute, we would really appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible through our organization, Current3 Ministries. Donate online by clicking here. Please send checks to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. Checks need to be in the mail on Tuesday to arrive on Friday. If you're local, you can drop them off in the envelope at our front door. Also, you can deliver checks to Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801 in the envelope at the front desk (8 am - 5 pm) by Friday at noon. Checks should be written to "Current3 Ministries." Please let me know if you plan to donate so I can expect it.
Thank you!
Personally we are thanking God that he spared us from experiencing this devastation. Had we tried to fly out a day later, we would have been there for the storm. Please pray for the people whose lives have been changed by this storm, pray for relief, pray for safety as experts warn of impending storms.
Blessings,
Chris
The areas that we visited during our trip were hit hard. Marikina City is the location for the CRIBS Foundation, which is where we picked up Rex. Here's a picture of it now:
It's hard to believe that a little over a week ago, we were in Marikina City. Now it's submerged. I don't know how CRIBS is doing. Rex' foster family live about ten minutes away. I've been in touch with them and they are fine.
I've also been in touch with Pastor Roy from Manila. He and his family are fine, but their church and one-room home were flooded. Here is a report from Pastor Roy:
"Thanks be to God making our people safe! Despite of floods around Metro Manila and almost entire Luzon, worship service went on. I and my wife did not get a good sleeping time since Saturday. Only my kids occupied the deck in our room. Everywhere is flood. There is now way to get out Manila at the moment, so much worried of our members in other areas especially the pastors and family. I served rice and fish to few family last night for those who stayed overnight in the church. Today, we will serving rice soup to the squatter area as emergency relief to them. Thank you for allowing to touch little amounts from our funds. There was a black out in other area and some still brown outs now. Two kids were brought to hospital because of stepping to broken glasses which they didn't noticed due to floods, but they're fine now."
I've also heard from Pat Capwell from the Institute for Foundational Learning, where we stayed during our trip:
"We are all ok...took 2 days to clean up the mess from the flood but no damage just A lot of work. Tabing Ilog (the riverside area) was amazingly not too affected. I was really concerned that they would be hit hard but the Lord kept them safe. We sent a team of 80+ people out today to help do clean up in the severely affected areas. The team was divided and went to five different areas to help clean out houses and get people back in their homes again. The mud and mess were so bad but at least they were able to clean 15 homes for the people today. We are now gathering food, clothing, blankets, medicines, bottled water, etc for distribution to affected areas where no one is going to yet."
Ondoy was devastating but here's the thing...storm experts are notifying the nation to brace for two more typhoons that are scheduled to hit by Thursday.
On Friday, we're planning to wire money to Pat Capwell for relief aid. She has a large team of people who are being deployed to help victims. If you'd like to contribute, we would really appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible through our organization, Current3 Ministries. Donate online by clicking here. Please send checks to: Current3 Ministries, 1433 E Park Hills Ave, State College, PA 16803. Checks need to be in the mail on Tuesday to arrive on Friday. If you're local, you can drop them off in the envelope at our front door. Also, you can deliver checks to Good Steward Software, 110 Radnor Road, Suite 101, State College, PA 16801 in the envelope at the front desk (8 am - 5 pm) by Friday at noon. Checks should be written to "Current3 Ministries." Please let me know if you plan to donate so I can expect it.
Thank you!
Personally we are thanking God that he spared us from experiencing this devastation. Had we tried to fly out a day later, we would have been there for the storm. Please pray for the people whose lives have been changed by this storm, pray for relief, pray for safety as experts warn of impending storms.
Blessings,
Chris
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Day 2: Sleep
When the good LORD was about to give the first man a wife and family, He caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. That's because the LORD knew Adam would need it, and it's been the same ever since--where there is a wife and family, the man needs to sleep. That would be good and all if the man could sleep. But it poses a problem when that man travels half way around the world, where the time zone is twelve hours later, meaning what was once midnight is now noon, and so forth. It's okay when said man adjusts to the new time zone, but when he returns to his home, flipping midnight and noon again, and does so not only with his wife and 6 year-old daughter, but also with his new 2 year-old son who has lived the other time zone his entire life, this isn't an easy thing.
It's quite a lot to do this "new family, new country, new home, new life thing" on regular sleep, but try doing it on little sleep, when your body is whacked out because it doesn't know if it's time to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom. Last night just as I was heading to bed at midnight, Rex woke up and wanted me. So I laid down in his room with him. Since this was noon Philippines time and he already had four hours of sleep, he decided it wasn't time to sleep anymore. We laid down for two hours--until 2 am--and then I got bored and we went downstairs. We played for the next two hours--until 4 am--until Colette came down, took Rex, and put him to bed. I went to bed myself.
I don't know what kind of training the military does to prepare troops for sleep deprivation, but I think it should be part of the adoption process. I mean, is introducing your new child to their new life really the time to see how well you function when you're sleep deprived? Isn't there too much at stake for the weary and bleary-eyed? And what about the little guy? Here he is in a strange new world and suddenly these new people are poking and prodding to wake him up at precisely the time he should be sleeping. And for some reason when he should be playing, everyone is going to bed. What is going on? No matter, at least Adam got some rest.
It's quite a lot to do this "new family, new country, new home, new life thing" on regular sleep, but try doing it on little sleep, when your body is whacked out because it doesn't know if it's time to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom. Last night just as I was heading to bed at midnight, Rex woke up and wanted me. So I laid down in his room with him. Since this was noon Philippines time and he already had four hours of sleep, he decided it wasn't time to sleep anymore. We laid down for two hours--until 2 am--and then I got bored and we went downstairs. We played for the next two hours--until 4 am--until Colette came down, took Rex, and put him to bed. I went to bed myself.
I don't know what kind of training the military does to prepare troops for sleep deprivation, but I think it should be part of the adoption process. I mean, is introducing your new child to their new life really the time to see how well you function when you're sleep deprived? Isn't there too much at stake for the weary and bleary-eyed? And what about the little guy? Here he is in a strange new world and suddenly these new people are poking and prodding to wake him up at precisely the time he should be sleeping. And for some reason when he should be playing, everyone is going to bed. What is going on? No matter, at least Adam got some rest.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Day 1: Real Life Starts Now
Note: Please see previous message to understand what "Adoption Year" is. You'll receive two more messages from Adoption Year and will not receive anymore; join the group or visit
Here is day 1 of our adoption year and the start of the daily blogging. This is the day after we got back from our trip to the Philippines to get Rex. I'm starting the Adoption Year today because real life starts today, not during the trip. Although the trip was wonderful, and we met so many great people, and did many super things, and so many prayers were answered, it was not real life. Transition for our family--for an adoptive family--really starts back at home, doing everyday things. This is when the journey begins.
Sure, a lot's happened already and in some ways this has already felt like an epic quest, like "Lord of the Rings" or "The Neverending Story." I half expected to see Frodo or Atreyu on our trip. In the last two years since we started the adoption process, we heard the call to adopt, rose to the challenge, passed the test (the home study, medical exams, and other paperwork), were guided by wise mentors, traveled to a foreign land, flew on a big bird (named Delta), communicated in a strange tongue (Tagalog), participated in local rituals (eating tosino and riding on motorized tricycles), encountered delays and setbacks (no, come next week instead), and brought back the king (Rex means king). But in the end, this proved to be only the start of our adventure.
And it's at this beginning--at the start of our Adoption Year--that I make record in this blog. For real life starts now, in the everyday things. This is the adventure. Welcome to Adoption Year.
http://adoptionyear.blogspot.comto follow along.
Here is day 1 of our adoption year and the start of the daily blogging. This is the day after we got back from our trip to the Philippines to get Rex. I'm starting the Adoption Year today because real life starts today, not during the trip. Although the trip was wonderful, and we met so many great people, and did many super things, and so many prayers were answered, it was not real life. Transition for our family--for an adoptive family--really starts back at home, doing everyday things. This is when the journey begins.
Sure, a lot's happened already and in some ways this has already felt like an epic quest, like "Lord of the Rings" or "The Neverending Story." I half expected to see Frodo or Atreyu on our trip. In the last two years since we started the adoption process, we heard the call to adopt, rose to the challenge, passed the test (the home study, medical exams, and other paperwork), were guided by wise mentors, traveled to a foreign land, flew on a big bird (named Delta), communicated in a strange tongue (Tagalog), participated in local rituals (eating tosino and riding on motorized tricycles), encountered delays and setbacks (no, come next week instead), and brought back the king (Rex means king). But in the end, this proved to be only the start of our adventure.
And it's at this beginning--at the start of our Adoption Year--that I make record in this blog. For real life starts now, in the everyday things. This is the adventure. Welcome to Adoption Year.
We're Home
Well, we're home! We got home yesterday to some family and friends at the airport. That was very nice. Neighbors posted a large sign on our front door to welcome Rex to the neighborhood. It has been a whirlwind since we've been home--whirlwind for Rex in seeing his new home, whirlwind of suitcases and dirty clothes around our home, whirlwind of emotions in getting settled into our new life.
We wanted to thank you so much for your love and support with this adoption. We've definitely felt your prayers. The placement and trip went so well. However, that was the easy part. The hard part starts now...transition into real life. We could use your prayers now more than ever.
Pray for Rex' heart as he misses his old life and embraces his new one; for Asia as she deals with not being the only kid anymore; us as parents as we learn to parent Rex; for his foster family and caregivers in the Philippines as they deal with loss.
This will be the last regular update, not because we're done writing about this adoption, but because we're starting something new. "Adoption Year" is a new group and blog dedicated to our first year of adoption, starting with today, day 1 and ending on day 365 of this year. Inspired by Julie Powell and the movie "Julie and Julia," who worked her way through Julia Child's cookbook in one year and blogged about it every day, I'll blog every day (short and focused) on our family's first year of adoption. So we're starting a new Facebook group called "Adoption Year" and also a new blog at http://adoptionyear.blogspot.com.
I'll send the next three messages to the current Facebook group and then it's up to you join "Adoption Year" facebook group or start visiting this blog site if you're interested.
Thank you again for supporting us!
We wanted to thank you so much for your love and support with this adoption. We've definitely felt your prayers. The placement and trip went so well. However, that was the easy part. The hard part starts now...transition into real life. We could use your prayers now more than ever.
Pray for Rex' heart as he misses his old life and embraces his new one; for Asia as she deals with not being the only kid anymore; us as parents as we learn to parent Rex; for his foster family and caregivers in the Philippines as they deal with loss.
This will be the last regular update, not because we're done writing about this adoption, but because we're starting something new. "Adoption Year" is a new group and blog dedicated to our first year of adoption, starting with today, day 1 and ending on day 365 of this year. Inspired by Julie Powell and the movie "Julie and Julia," who worked her way through Julia Child's cookbook in one year and blogged about it every day, I'll blog every day (short and focused) on our family's first year of adoption. So we're starting a new Facebook group called "Adoption Year" and also a new blog at http://adoptionyear.blogspot.com.
I'll send the next three messages to the current Facebook group and then it's up to you join "Adoption Year" facebook group or start visiting this blog site if you're interested.
Thank you again for supporting us!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday
Yesterday was a good day as we mostly hung around IFL. We did take Rex to a doctor in the evening as he's been scratching and tugging on his ear. Turns out he had a big clump of ear wax that was bothering him. We were glad to get it out before the plane ride. Entertaining him for an hour and a half in the waiting area was interesting...we played a game where we started at the end of the hall and tapped on the door three times, then we walked to the other end and tapped three times, and so forth. We did this many times. Then jumped and danced, and had chocolate milk, and played with his planes. Feel free to use any of these ideas next time you have to wait.
Heidi taught a class in the afternoon to the high school students who run the school newspaper. She shared tips on photography along with examples from pictures she has taken. She did a great job--very clear and she communicated her passion for photography. By the way, Heidi has a blog and his posting updates and new pictures. Her latest blog post is about the feeding program and has so many awesome pictures from the day: http://www.heidilynnephotography.com/blog/
Asia is doing a wonderful job at being patient and understanding with Rex. When he gets tired, he gets a little rough. He doesn't seem liike he's used to playing with younger children, as his foster family had teenagers in it. So that is a prayer request...that Rex will learn how to share and play with Asia and Asia will continue to be patient in the process.
Today is our last full day at IFL and then tomorrow we'll spend it in Manila.
Bless you!
Chris
Heidi taught a class in the afternoon to the high school students who run the school newspaper. She shared tips on photography along with examples from pictures she has taken. She did a great job--very clear and she communicated her passion for photography. By the way, Heidi has a blog and his posting updates and new pictures. Her latest blog post is about the feeding program and has so many awesome pictures from the day: http://www.heidilynnephotography.com/blog/
Asia is doing a wonderful job at being patient and understanding with Rex. When he gets tired, he gets a little rough. He doesn't seem liike he's used to playing with younger children, as his foster family had teenagers in it. So that is a prayer request...that Rex will learn how to share and play with Asia and Asia will continue to be patient in the process.
Today is our last full day at IFL and then tomorrow we'll spend it in Manila.
Bless you!
Chris
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