Tuesday ~ Day # 6

Good Afternoon!

I am presently enjoying some quiet time, and I must say it is very refreshing!

We were so blessed with our best night of sleep yet since coming to China! We have no paper work that needs done today so we have a free day to do as we want. We decided against going out and doing some sight seeing as it became very apparent today that our newest treasure is feeling a lot of grief and sadness today. This is very much to be expected, and is a needful/ healthy thing for him to go through as we walk with him on his journey to healing. He has just been torn away from everything he has ever known. The  people that have ever cared for him, all his playmates, familiar routines, food, smells sounds etc. Even though he cant logically process this, He is feeling a deep sadness

He has been very sad and angry today. Lots of tantrums, spitting and acting out. When someone hurts, they tend to want to hurt others. We feel only compassion for what he is doing & how he is acting, because we understand WHY he is doing it.

There was a specific episode today where he was screaming, retreating into a corner and clearly showing he did not want me. I gave him some space and sat about 2 ft from him and talked softly and smiled. As tears rolled in a little stream down his face I saw so vividly at that moment a very hurting boy. And just as vividly I felt the amazing responsibility/ blessing of being the hands of Jesus. Tears came to my eyes too, as I felt his hurt, and imagined how confusing life must be right now...

God never said it would be easy. Our flesh tends to shy away from things that are messy. Things that take us out of our comfort zone. But He does promise that He will flow through us if we are willing vessels. And at that moment I felt the supernatural love of Jesus flow through me for my scared little boy. I kept holding out my hands to him so he would know he was welcome in my embrace whenever he felt ready. And after awhile he came... sweaty. tear stained and exhausted. But ready to receive.

Beautiful. The love of Jesus always works. We are honored to be part of Javonns healing! He is such an amazing creation!

So between Steve & I, we have been spending a lot of the day giving one on one time to Javonn. Aunt Ruth has been able to occupy the other children in the other bedroom. (Bless her!)
He fell asleep in daddy's arms and had a long restful nap. Naps always help! I'm so blessed to be a team mate with Steve. he is always so calm and steadfast! Love him!!

Daddy loves his new son! Sometimes he just wants to Squeeze him! Because he's so squeezable!

Just as Shao Bo Is learning about us, we are also learning about him, and some triggers too avoid. Like a little trip to the super market for a few items = a meltdown, because it is so overly stimulating to see all those bright colors and hundreds of options to grab and cling to that he finds out he isn't allowed to. So we wont even take him there knowing he isn't ready for it.
Food...he loves snacks! And we learned that snacks were given freely at his orphanage and used as a solution for anything.  We have plenty of snacks for him, and offer them often. But we learned today to only give him a snack for each hand, a sin 2 pieces, and only hand him piece by piece as he is ready for it. Giving him the whole bag causes melt downs because he stuffs his mouth then flings and throws them all over the room etc. He has a lot of habits to unlearn that he's been accustomed to using.

We are almost half way through our journey here! Tomorrow is touring the Terracota warriors. Steve has been looking forward to that. Derek is excited about his 7th birthday in four days. I brought candles along and am hoping to buy a cake from a local bakery.

We are all having fun learning about the culture and trying new foods. We all eat at the breakfast buffet then only buy one other meal per day.

Some foods we LOVE, others not so much. Like the chicken feet at the buffet arnt too hard to pass over!

We sure enjoyed our day at the Great Wall! I still intend to post pictures of some of the places we toured when/ if I get time :)

Our sweet guide that was with us in Beijing. The children really fell in love with her! She said we were the biggest family she ever saw!

Ok, dear people. Enough for tonight. Time to go join the family.

Till next time.....