It's all official now

KENNETH WRITES:

It's all official now as Samuel (aka An Ning) has been formally adopted and we are his parents! We spent the morning at Civil Affairs and the Notary to complete the paperwork. Now we await his passport so we can leave Fuzhou and travel on to Ghuanzhou to get his visa so we can return home.

The poor boy was so exhausted after the paperwork journey that when we got back to the hotel room he literally collapsed into a little heap and slept for 3-4 hours. We expected he might have gotten upset at seeing his nanny at the Civil Affairs office, and he did immediately run to her, but he did not exhibit any signs of discontent upon our exit and the final goodbye to his latest caretaker from the orphanage.

Upon his awakening in the afternoon we ordered a stroller and took a lovely walk around West Lake, which is just outside the hotel. It is a combination park and amusement park with rides that seem dated, albeit still functioning. I'm guessing the place is hopping in the summer, but this day it was sedate with the occasional operator ferreting passengers on and off the rides.

We received quite a bit of attention on the walk. An old man came up to Jill and spoke to her in broken English inquiring about us and commenting on the beautiful boy. He introduced us to his grandson of about 7 who proceeded to speak quite excellent English to us! We moved on and got more than a few stares. Imagine the beautiful blonde woman and the brown hair blue eyed man amongst all the black hair, black eyed people of Fuzhou! Then picture them strolling about with the little China boy and you can see it. Some waved to us and said "Hello!". Many were just interested in the boy because he's just too cute to ignore. One woman started talking to us in Chinese, smiling. When we couldn't communicate with her she moved on continually looking back at us with what seemed not so friendly a stare. Yes, it was quite a fishbowl indeed, but the place was quite beautiful, which is evidenced by the pictures posted here.

Finally, upon our return to the hotel we determined to have dinner and went to the second floor restaurant with recommendations from our most excellent tour guide, Katherine. Thank God for that because the menu offerings were something out of ordinary: Fish lips, tripe, pig intestines, fish heads, goose head, goose wings, goose feet, pig tongue, etc. Now I can respect all of this as being a delicacy in the province where we are, but I ain't putting any of that in my mouth, let alone on a plate in front of me! Still, it was fascinating reading the menu. I was both amazed and repulsed at the same time. We settled for fried rice, noodles and egg & tomato soup. It was just fine.

Samuel was quiet most of the day, again due in large part to the many confusing activities of the day. But after dinner, he had suddenly awoken to laughing and joyous exclamations! His personality began to emerge and it was quite the sight to see. He has a beautiful and contemplative nature, but is fun and happy too! It will be such a joy to raise him in the ways of the Lord. May God bless this little boy and bring him myriad years of happiness!

"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 75:1

Finally, I would like to thank my Father in heaven, who has entrusted me with this young life. I am surely blessed by it and pray that He will lead me on in righteousness and in faith so that I may glorify Him as now a father of two lovely daughters, Elizabeth (23) and Erica (19), and young Samuel (4). What a joy to have this opportunity at this stage of my life! He surely works in ways I cannot imagine and only hope that I honor Him all the days of my life.