Andy's top 11!

Well, I figured I should write an entry from China. Julia asks me every night and I always respond, "You do such a great job. Why should I write anything?" But, thought it would be good for Caleb to one day read something from his daddy or "baba" which he prefers to say. We have had a great trip overall. So many things to take in and see. Some of the things that will forever be stamped in my memory are as follows (my top ten list--well actually top 11!!):

1. The Chinese culture is different than I anticipated in a good way, really. Everyone is so friendly, helpful and seem quite happy--at least from an outsider's perspective. They are also very active--physically especially. Whether it be riding bikes, playing "hacky sack", playing board games together, doing Tai Chi or dancing, many Chinese are often busy outside doing one of these activities. They are so appreciative for us to adopt Caleb and "give him a better life in America". No doubt we will try to give him a "better life" like they are thinking as far as education and money goes, but most importantly we will provide a loving home where he knows that his mom and dad would do anything for him, he has brothers and sisters that like him most of the time, and most importantly we will raise him to know Jesus

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2. The incredible number of people in China blows me away, not only when we are walking on the streets, but also the number of vehicles--both cars and bicycles. It is amazing to me with the number of people and vehicles that there aren't more accidents. Julia and I figure it is because there is always a traffic jam so they aren't going fast enough!

3. Caleb's orphanage...I was expecting for this to be a very heart wrenching experience for me truthfully. I thought I would see kids that looked malnourished, extremely sad and not taken care of both emotionally and physically. What we saw was just the opposite. Caleb's orphanage was better than some schools I have seen in the states. All of his nannies were very pleasant and knew Caleb very well--great sign that he was well cared for. They gave us a scrapbook of all the things he has created in his "school time" over the last couple of years as well as pictures of him during different stages of his life. The orphanage director as well as some of his caretakers sat down with us for over an hour talking to us about Caleb. As we took a tour of the orphange all the kids seemed so happy and were having so much fun coloring, painting, singing songs, etc. Caleb is such a cheery little guy--always singing, dancing, and smiling. Julia and I both feel like God's hand has been on Caleb from the very beginning to protect him and give him as loving as environment as he has had.

4. The squatty potties--now really, how does anyone go to the bathroom like this. I can't get over it. I have 2 more days here and think I should try it. I have been holding out and just going on the "western style" potties.

5. The food--I have frequented McDonald's more than I have in the last 2-3 years. I just can't do Chinese food. In Chengdu, most of the food was too spicy for me. For one meal, the food was so spicy that I drank a coke and a glass of water and my mouth was still on fire for the next 2 hours.

6. All the shops are incredible to me. Of course, Julia loves it, but every person that works at a shop tells us,"I will give you deal that is best price" I'm not kidding, every store! Not good for someone as cheap as me and has married someone who can't pass up a good deal!

7. The homes that people live in was a surprise to me. Definitely we live like kings and queens in the states. The place where we are staying right now in Ghongzhou for instance, there is one housing building on top of another. Hard to believe that people live this way, but maybe they are saying the same thing about us...

8. The Great Wall was something everyone should see some day. I can't imagine that people actually built this. I had enough trouble just hiking up a portion of it.

9. Going to a Christian Chinese church service was definitely not something I thought I would do when we left for this trip. I didn't even realize there were Christian churches in China that weren't secretive. I feel like we could learn a lot from Chinese Christians on how to really worship and not be ashamed of our relationship with Jesus.

10. Meeting so many other great adoptive families. We have especially loved getting to know the couple who has traveled with us throughout our trip. We have loved getting to know their child as well. We will surely have a bond with them for years to come. Even better, they live for 5 months out of the year at Glacier National Park. Should be a great place for us to visit one day. Anyway, their little boy is from Caleb's orphanage and was friends with him while he was there. When these 2 get together, they speak VERY LOUDLY in a bunch of Chinese language that I can't even begin to understand. It is very cute.

11. Finally, I have been overwhelmed with all of you who have sent us messages and have been praying for us while we have been gone. For all of you who have helped us over the past year in so many different ways throughout this journey to get Caleb, we will forever be grateful. God has definitely given us not only a great gift in Caleb, but also a very loving and supportive family, friends and church family. Can't wait for all of you to meet little Caleb, He sure is a cutie!!! Kara, Anna, and Nathan I miss you guys and can't wait to see you again and share all my stories :)

Andy

P.S. I didn't really throw up all the way on the plane. I just was getting a little nervous about the Chinese official taking my temperature and had to let out my anxiety in some way :)