It's been over a week now since we have been home and I am finally updating the blog. I always have such a hard time returning from China. I'm still waking up at 4:30 am every morning. It is nice to be home but it is always a tough adjustment to get back to a normal routine.
This was a life changing experience for all of us, but especially Christian. He really enjoyed being in China and now wants to learn Chinese, which is great. This will really help him be able to develop a relationship with his birth family. We have talked about taking a Chinese class as a family, although I do not have high hopes in ever being fluent in Chinese.
We have already received emails from Christian's brother and we plan to continue to correspond with all of them. I think it will have to be by snail mail for his grandmother and uncle since they do not have internet access, but that's okay. I already miss them!
It is going to take some time for Christian to process all that he has experienced over the last few months. Please pray for us as we try to absorb all of this and continue to develop relationships with our new extended family in China!
Also please keep our extended family in your prayers- that they are more at peace now and that his birth mother and grandmother live many more years so that Christian has a chance to develop a relationship with them.
Thanks for your support and encouragement. I do hope to write a book and so does Christian as we both have a story to tell from different perspectives. If anyone knows of a publisher that might be interested please let me know.
Thanks again for your interest in our story! God bless!
For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord. -Jeremiah 30:17
I am glad to hear from you and that you have all returned in good form.
ReplyDeleteMay I make a suggestion? Find a ghost-writer. Christian's story is compelling, and I am certain that a good book lurks in it. However, it's difficult to write one when you're not a professional writer.
I'd make a scrapbook of cuttings and off-prints from web stories about the trip to show to the ghost-writer. If you are friendly or even just in touch with one of the journalists who has written about Christian, the journalist may have suggestions or contacts to exploit.
Christian will have university fees to pay and such a book is bound to be interesting enough to have some sales. I'd buy one.
As for learning Chinese, I tried when I was almost 50 years old. Despite having a Singaporean-Chinese spouse, I found it much too difficult after three years of it (although the teacher said that I was doing well). I would encourage it, though; Christian is young enough to absorb it well and I'm sure you will find it interesting and challenging.
Best wishes from Christian (his namesake; my grandfather and great-grandfather also bore this name) in London
Welcome Home!!! Welcome Home!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so very much for letting us tag along on your amazing journey!!
Try Xulon Press (Christian publisher) if you want to write/publish it yourself. www.xulonpress.com Can't wait!!
Blessings to you all as you recoup,
Toni Benton
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAs far as learning Chinese. Do not be intimidated by it. You can do it. Especially for Christian, he spoke it for the first 9 years. It will come back. It will be easier for your daughter, she is young. This is the website of the largest weekend Chinese school system in your area. I check the map, all locations are kind of far away from you, but I am sure they can give you helpful information for the nearest one. Make sure you stay with a Chinese school operated by people from China, not the ones operated by people from Taiwan. They teach classified Chinese and they do not teach “pin yin”.
I used to have a landlord. His has 6 kids, all speak fluent Chinese simply by attending weekend Chinese school. They are Caucasians. So, go for it!
Also, if you subscribe Dish Network, they have a program package called “Great Wall Platform”, a very good collection of Chinese channels, including Hunan TV. I have it, and it is the only way I stay in touch with news, events and culture in China. (Trust me, I do not work for Dish Network).
All the best!
Well, this is the website;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hopechineseschool.org
I just read your amazing story. How very bittersweet and difficult this must have been for Christian, you, his bio-paretns and other reatives. May the Lord continue to bless you all as you maintain having so many new familiy additions.
ReplyDeletePatricia