tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50131269674082760282024-03-05T04:19:39.266-05:00A Bittersweet ReunionJuliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-85854731480468342562012-01-05T22:54:00.007-05:002012-02-02T21:56:40.669-05:00In His Own WordsI was a junior in college before I knew what I wanted to do with my life. These days you really can't wait that long to declare a major, especially at today's tuition rates. Christian is in his freshman year of college and still not sure exactly what he wants to do. He doesn't want to start taking out the college loans until he is sure of a major. His solution- One day he came home after having lunch with a friend and announced that he was applying for a mission trip called "The World Race." It is an 11 month mission trip to 11 countries to serve the poor, the sick and the lost. He will travel with a team of 6-8 people and spend one month in each country supporting partnership ministries and full time missionaries, which will involve doing a lot of different things- things he has never done before. He may be visiting orphans, building churches, visiting the sick in hospitals, ministering to victims of sex trafficking or leading Vacation Bible Schools. This experience should not only help him grow in his faith, but help him to learn more about himself and hopefully have a clearer vision for what he wants to do with his life. He is in the fundraising stage now and if all goes well he should leave in July. <br />
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Am I worried about him taking off on his own for almost a year, when the longest he's been away from home is a month? Okay, I wouldn't be a mother if I wasn't a little concerned but how can I not support such a great opportunity? After all, it was my own trip in 1987 around the world (Semester at Sea) that inspired me to want to serve orphans and build my family through adoption. He is very passionate about wanting to serve others and has a very adventurous spirit about him, so I really believe he will do fine and probably touch many lives along the way.<br />
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You can follow along with him on this journey by subscribing to his blog <a href="http://www.christiannorris.theworldrace.org/" target="_blank">http://www.christiannorris.theworldrace.org/</a>. Many of you reading my blog are also adoptive parents, so I thought you might be interested in hearing him share his story in his own words. <a href="http://christiannorris.theworldrace.org/?filename=bio" target="_blank">Everyone Has A Story...This is Mine</a><br />
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Thank you all for your support and encouraging words during these past couple of years.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-37929767157759694732012-01-03T21:47:00.000-05:002015-05-21T08:15:08.686-04:00Careful What You Wish For<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As parents we all just want our children to be happy. Whenever someone asks my mom what makes her happy, she usually responds, "when my kids are all happy." I tease her and say, "then you really shouldn't have had four kids!." I can really relate to this now as a parent and maybe that is why I am content with having two kids. :-) It is so hard to see your kids hurting. When Christian turned 14, I noticed that all the unanswered questions of his past were suddenly interfering with being a normal, happy kid. He was haunted by memories- some good and some not so good. He became depressed and lost interest in things he normally enjoyed. He began isolating himself from others. When your child is hurting and asks for help, you just do it. You don't think about yourself and you can't even think that far into the future because you are worried about their emotional state right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The search for Christian's birth family was the easiest piece of this story. He wanted answers and finding his birth family was the only way to get them, so that's what we did. I did my best to prepare him for many different scenarios, including that his family may have never abandoned him at all and that they might want him back. This was really not a concern for either of us because at 17, he was almost an adult and soon could choose wherever he wanted to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reunion itself was also a positive experience. Although emotionally hard, it wasn't nearly as hard as the year following the reunion. The family accepted Christian with open arms and they also accepted this single mom who had raised him. It was like our family had grown and now spanned two great nations. Although Christian remembered them and never doubted they were his birth family, his feelings for them were not instantaneous. Imagine having spent the past eleven years feeling resentment and anger towards someone, and then suddenly learning everything you thought was true wasn't, and then having to change those feelings. It just doesn't happen that easily. It is a process...so we've learned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe once we returned home from the reunion Christian finally grieved the loss of his birth family. He went through a very angry stage and a very depressed stage-both typical stages of grief. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even went through a depressed stage myself over all that had happened. Even today I still struggle with some feelings of guilt. I wish there was another word besides "guilt" to explain it because it is not as if I felt I did something wrong. Maybe "survivor's guilt" is a better way to describe it. I find myself avoiding those Skype or QQ calls to China because it is just so painful to see how much his family misses him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the pain there is a peace that comes with finally having the answers. It gives you a chance to accept what happened and move on with your life. Christian has reached a point where he not only accepts his past but he wants to use it to help others. That is when the true healing occurs.</span> Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-76578077727789039622011-12-31T13:38:00.000-05:002015-05-21T08:31:32.169-04:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-9931578486093022782011-11-29T23:15:00.000-05:002015-05-21T08:14:38.164-04:00Calmer Waters<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have sailed into calmer waters. The last time I posted an update our lives were just beginning to see some normalcy after a very tumultuous year following the reunion. I’m sorry for not providing more updates along the way but I needed to protect my son’s privacy. Trust me…it was hard not to want to pour my heart out many times, especially with other adoptive parents that might be able to relate. Instead I had to rely on my family during those difficult times but I am so thankful I had them along for that ride. So you might be wondering if protecting my family’s privacy is so important to me, then why am I posting on the blog now. Keep reading and you’ll see…. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my update post a little over a year ago I mentioned that Christian was doing much better. The turning point came when he went to a Young Life Camp in New York for a week in 2010. After that week away he came home and started attending YL Club and Campaigners (bible study) weekly. He still struggled with questions that are hard for even adults to answer- like “if there is a loving God how could He let horrible things happen to innocent children.” Our local Young Life leader, Russ was amazing in that he met with Christian once a week to just talk and try to answer some of these difficult questions. This went on for months and even when Christian said “I think you might be wasting your time with me” Russ didn’t give up. He continued to meet with him weekly. I will forever be grateful for Russ’s commitment and determination in helping Christian understand the redemption we have in Christ. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the Young Life Fall Weekend in December 2010, Christian made the decision to accept Christ as his personal savior. I can’t even put into words how I felt hearing this the first time and then seeing the changes in him over the past year. He had finally found hope and healing through Christ. This all took place during Christian’s senior year of high school. He graduated on time despite having missed much of his junior year. After graduation he left for a month to volunteer as work crew at a Young Life camp in New York. This was the longest he had ever been away from home and from what I hear work crew can be hard work. I was a little worried that he wouldn’t make it a month, especially after hearing he was assigned to kitchen crew. I couldn’t picture him getting himself out of bed to cook for 500 people every day all day. The first phone call I got from him didn’t make me feel any better. He was exhausted and didn’t sound like he was having much fun- granted it had only been 2 days. The next time I heard from him was a voicemail message a few days later and it said “mom, I just wanted you to know that I am LOVING IT here. “ I still have that message saved on my phone today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He seemed so happy for the first time since his world turned upside down surrounding the reunion. As a Work Crew volunteer he was required to share his testimony with some of the campers. This was another turning point for Christian. I think it was really the first time he got to share his story in his own words without the media but more importantly he shared it with a new perspective as a born again Christian. He told me how sharing his story and the reaction he got from others made him finally feel proud of his past. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am now able to share more of the aftermath of the reunion now that Christian is able to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>He is 19 years old and attending a local community college, while also working a part time job and being a volunteer leader with Young Life. I have more news to share about him later in another post. You will also see a post from Christian himself, where he shares his story in his own words. And finally I will post an update on our family in China and how that is going. </span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He makes the storm calm, so that the waves are still. –Psalm 107:28-29</span></strong></em>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-25757347251120591162010-12-10T13:33:00.000-05:002015-05-21T08:14:20.217-04:00Adopted teen finds his roots in China | Washington Times Communities<a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/red-thread-adoptive-family-forum/2010/dec/9/adopted-teen-finds-his-roots-china/">Adopted teen finds his roots in China Washington Times Communities</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-17075098598946174352010-11-08T22:24:00.006-05:002015-05-21T08:14:13.296-04:00The Long Winding Road Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to my sister, Kelly Greenhawk for putting the first part of this video together back in 2001. I also want to thank the volunteers with Baby Come Home <a href="http://www.baobeihuijia.com/">http://www.baobeihuijia.com/</a> for making this all happen. </div>
Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-26319828292100270792010-11-01T13:51:00.006-04:002015-05-21T08:14:03.891-04:00Interview with BBC World Radio Program<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2010/10/101019_julia_norris.shtml">Christian: One of China's Lost Children</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2010/10/101019_julia_norris.shtml"></a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-63455777887805573812010-10-18T23:01:00.000-04:002010-10-18T23:01:41.360-04:00UpdateIt is hard to believe we have been home a year since the reunion with Christian's birth parents. I never intended to continue the blog after we got home, but I have had many people ask how Christian is doing so I thought I would post a quick update. Shortly after returning from the reunion trip, Christian's best friend was killed in a car accident. As he grieved the loss of his friend, the unresolved grief from the loss of his parents finally came to the surface, as well. It was a really tough year for all of us. My best friend of 40 years passed away after a tough battle with breast cancer in April. Pam was also on the mission trip to China in 2000 when I first met Jiacheng (Christian), and was the first to suggest that I adopt him. This was another big loss for Christian, as well. <br />
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Although Christian still has a lot of mixed emotions to sort through, he is doing much better now. He is 18 years old now and in his senior year of high school. If all goes well he will finish all his requirements for graduation a semester early. He got his driver's license in August and is saving his money for a used car. Since January of this year he has been working for a local restaurant. He hopes to take some classes at a local community college next semester and maybe join the military after graduation. <br />
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I have tried to keep his birth family updated through emails, a private blog and Skype calls as often as possible. I have personally struggled with some guilty feelings over this whole situation, even though I realize I didn't do anything wrong. It is just hard to live with the fact that I have had the joy of raising this boy for the past 10 years while his China family continues to suffer and grieve their loss. When I think about how hard this is for me, I can't even imagine how hard it must be for Christian.<br />
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One thing I do know is that Christian is where he belongs right now. One day he may find his way back to China to have a closer relationship with his family in China but he will always, always, always have a home here. Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-62816953775978513902009-11-04T09:11:00.003-05:002012-02-02T21:49:11.200-05:00Grassroots website, "baby back home", tightens on kidnappers<a href="http://www.humanrights.cn/en/Messages/Focus/027/1/t20090605_470936.htm">http://www.humanrights.cn/en/Messages/Focus/027/1/t20090605_470936.htm</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-4853186192187179662009-11-01T14:35:00.002-05:002012-02-02T21:49:46.227-05:00More articles on Child Trafficking and Tearful Reunions<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Waking from a Nightmare</strong> by Zhu Zhe (China Daily) </span><a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/30/content_8870545.htm"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/30/content_8870545.htm</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Nightmare Ends After 16 Years</strong> by Mei Jia (China Daily)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/29/content_8864797.htm"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/29/content_8864797.htm</span></a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-25225578437520461022009-11-01T14:31:00.004-05:002015-05-21T08:31:15.679-04:00Looking for Answers by Mei JiaArticle published in the China Daily on October 29, 2009<br />
<a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/29/content_8864792.htm">http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-10/29/content_8864792.htm</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-35724972553071868622009-11-01T10:37:00.000-05:002009-11-01T10:37:44.304-05:00Alleged child trafficking ring smashed in China- CNN<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/25/china.baby.ring/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/25/china.baby.ring/index.html</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-78529077966423193802009-11-01T10:29:00.001-05:002009-11-01T10:36:27.781-05:00Chinese officials try to find parents of 60 lost children- CNN<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/29/china.baby.ring/index.html?eref=rss_world">http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/29/china.baby.ring/index.html?eref=rss_world</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-55716400908354012912009-10-26T10:38:00.000-04:002009-10-26T10:38:27.650-04:00Kidnappers swoop on China’s girls - Times Online<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6396010.ece">Kidnappers swoop on China’s girls - Times Online</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-10151999306489164592009-10-17T21:34:00.001-04:002009-10-17T21:37:16.575-04:00China's Stolen Children by Jimmy Wang and Andrew JacobsChina's Kidnapped Children<br />
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Thousands of Chinese children have been kidnapped, transported to other provinces and sold for profit in a crime authorities seem unable or unwilling to stop, Andrew Jacobs and Jimmy Wang report. <br />
<a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/bcvideo/1.0/iframe/bcArtIframe.html?z=0&videoId=1194839161724&pageSection=world">Video</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-45114612664056129182009-09-21T23:07:00.004-04:002015-05-21T08:30:24.671-04:00We are home!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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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! <br />
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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!<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Thanks again for your interest in our story! God bless!<br />
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<strong><em>For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord.</em> -Jeremiah 30:17</strong>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-33330264433173033552009-09-21T22:42:00.001-04:002015-05-21T08:31:09.949-04:00Our Last Day in Beijing- Heading HomeI woke up early to pack and get organized. Our flight doesn't leave until 6 pm but we have another busy day planned. I had a 9 am meeting with two of the volunteers with "Baby Come Home." Later someone from Hunan TV is supposed to be bringing our videotape back and copy more photos from our computer for the documentary they are making. <br />
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After a busy morning we had lunch with Barbara Demick, writer for the LA Times and another colleague of hers. They are both US citizens living and working in China. Barbara wrote an excellent article on the story that was in the Baltimore Sun, LA Times, Chicago Tribune. We had a great lunch at a sushi restaurant in a very modern part of the city. I really enjoyed talking to both of them about China and their experiences. It was also interesting to get their perspective on the Reunion story and hear how well it has been received by local Chinese people. <br />
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After lunch we took a taxi back to our hotel, where we met Emily, our local guide and the driver to take us to the airport. As we were halfway to the airport at about 3:30 pm, I started looking through the flight information for Jamie's flight number. Jamie flew separately from the rest of us and we recalled that his flight was three hours from ours. As I scanned the flight information I realized that the 9:30 departure time I had previously seen was not his departure time from Beijing but from his connecting flight in Newark. Jamie's flight was leaving three hours before ours, not three hours after ours! He was supposed to leave Beijing at 3:30! So...Jamie got an extra night in Beijing! Kelly and I joked the whole way home about how we were going to tell our mom, because the last thing she said to Kelly was "don't lose my boy."Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-38272627881848721092009-09-21T22:20:00.001-04:002015-05-21T08:31:25.351-04:00Back In BeijingAfter our quick stop in Chengdu we flew to Beijing for one last night before heading back to the states. The trip has gone by so fast and we are all wishing we had more time in Beijing. We land in Beijing by noon and were met at the airport by Emily, our local guide. She took us back to the hotel, where we had lunch with the former Director of Luoyang Children's Welfare Institute, where Christian was adopted. Director Pei recently retired as Director, which I learned is more like a "forced retirement" due to age. It was great to see him.<br />
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Christian and I with Director Pei</div>
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The whole gang with Director Pei</div>
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After our lunch we did some last minute shopping at the Silk Market, which is now inside a 7 story building. The last time I went to the Silk Market (5 years ago) it was still outdoors near the US embassy. It was quite an experience this time. The shopkeepers were much more agressive than the last time. You really have to be in the right mindset to go shopping here. As soon as you walk in "lady, lady you need Polo shirts, Coach purse, Gucci...how about some Uggs?" I got to bartering with this one lady and walked away when she wouldn't meet my price. She grabbed me by the arm and dug her nails into me saying "Lady, you are being mean....come on...you got to be kidding...these are Chanel (sunglasses)." I told her to get her hands off me and walked away again. She immediately yells "okay, lady...fine...come back." I wasn't going to come back but she came after me. I paid her as she was saying "lady, how can I make any money when you won't pay me what it's worth." I reminded her that they are fake and not worth much. "what? you are kidding...these are not fake, lady. Come on, lady." Needless to say, we only could take about an hour of this and then went back to the hotel.</div>
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We had plans to meet Wen-Chun, the CNN Producer for dinner. The guys decided they would rather shop longer so they passed on dinner (no, that's not a typo...the GUYS decided to shop longer and pass on dinner). Kelly and I met Wen-Chun back at the hotel and he took us to a very nice Taiwanese restuarant. We met up with the CNN reporter, John Vause and his wife at the restaurant. They are all really nice and we had a lot of fun hearing about their experience living in China as ex-pats. </div>
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Wen-Chun took us back to the hotel and we met up with Christian and Jamie to look at the video of our trip to the village.</div>
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Christian, Wen-Chun and me</div>
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Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-13890928297735547642009-09-21T21:25:00.000-04:002015-05-21T08:19:25.353-04:00Chengdu Panda Research CenterAfter touring the Terra Cotta Soldiers, we had lunch at a restaurant where we learned to make Jiaozi (traditional Chinese dumplings) before heading for the airport to fly to Chengdu. Our flight to Chengdu was quite interesting as it was delayed almost two hours and other passengers were getting really angry. Every time one of the flight crew would come off the plane to the check in counter, they would be verbally attacked by a crowd of angry travellers. We finally boarded but the plane sat on the runway for about 30 minutes. One man two rows ahead of us was shouting at the poor flight attendents, who would just nod and smile a lot. If this had been an American airline I think the man would have been thrown off the plane. <br />
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Chengdu is our last stop before going back to Beijing. We are only here for a day to see the Panda Research Center, which was Christian's request. He was the only one that had the chance to hold a Panda while we were there. <br />
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So cute!</div>
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One year old male panda born during Olympics last year</div>
Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-75884076235024732402009-09-08T10:36:00.000-04:002015-05-21T08:19:45.596-04:00Xian- Home of the Terra Cotta SoldiersHere are some photos from our day visiting the Terra Cotta Soldiers:<br />
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Kelly (my sister), me, Christian and Jamie (my brother)</div>
Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-29755408100568734242009-09-08T06:11:00.001-04:002015-05-21T08:19:53.744-04:00Response to request about donationsThanks to everyone for following along on our story. I really enjoyed reading all of your nice comments. I noticed a few people have asked how you can donate towards our trip. I just added a Paypal button to the top of the blog as one way. If you are not comfortable doing so through Paypal, we did set up a local Bank Account just for this cause. The name of the account is Birth Parent Reunion/Julia Norris and the address is: <br />
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<strong>Talbot Bank</strong><br />
<strong>212 Marlboro Rd</strong><br />
<strong>Easton, MD 21601</strong><br />
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I guess I should have thought to do this earlier but it is really not too late since we still have a few days left and I have a big loan to repay when I return. :-) One thing I learned is never travel to a foreign country wtihout a credit card! Anyway, I am so grateful for any help you would like to offer.<br />
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I have more photos and stories to blog later today. I have more information about my son's history that has not been shared yet, but that will be revealed in a book some day if I can find a publisher interested. <br />
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I am so proud of my son and how he has handled this experience. My brother, sister and I have already noticed a huge change in him. He has matured so much and has expressed a new appreciation for the life he has been given despite the heartaches along the way. He really misses his little sister and is even a little homesick. He has said several times on this trip "I am so blessed." He also wants to learn Chinese again when we get home and probably return to China for work or study at some point. I can not wait to see what the Lord has in store for him.<br />
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<strong><em>And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.</em> -Romans 8:28</strong>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-50759865247467701702009-09-05T10:05:00.001-04:002015-05-21T08:20:05.482-04:00Thanks to all of you!I just had a chance to read the comments on the blog and wanted to say thanks for all of your kind words, prayers, encouragement and support. I am not sure I deserve such praise. I am just a mom who loves her children and a woman with Christ's spirit living inside her heart. He should get all the glory for leading me to this incredible boy and allowing this miracle to happen.<br />
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Please pray for Christian's birthparents and especially his uncle, aunt, cousins and sweet grandmother. I am especially concerned for the aunt and uncle that raised Christian those first 7 years. I can still hear in my head his uncle sobbing as we got into the van and pulled away the other day. I think it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt like I was taking their son away again...even though I know in my heart that this is not only what Christian wants but what is best for him. I am so thankful that his Chinese family (now a part of our family) wants the best for Christian. They are wonderful people who love him dearly and my heart breaks for what they are going through. I pray that knowing he is alive and well now will bring them peace. I will be sending them updates and photos regularly so they can be a part of his life again. I believe the Lord has big plans for Christian and his work on earth has just begun.<br />
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<em><strong>In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in</strong> <strong>heaven.</strong></em><strong> -Matthew 5:16<br />
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Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-38929397638742166502009-09-05T00:03:00.007-04:002015-05-21T08:30:39.715-04:00We finally arrive in Xian!The train ride was fun...my third time on a sleeper train in China. It's always an adventure trying to get them to understand our English/broken Chinese. We couldn't get them to understand "coffee" in the morning.<br />
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We are trying to have some down time here in Xian these next two days and then we do some sightseeing. I will post more later.<br />
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Oh, and for the people that commented wondering if Chrsitian would be staying in China, the answer is no, he will be returning with us to the US. There was never any intention of him staying in China. His birth family did not expect him to because they know it would be a tough adjustment for him. They want the best for him and want him to be happy and have a good future. He has a new love for China and the people of China now, so I will not be surprised if one day he chooses to come back to live here. If he does I will fully support him. In the meantime we plan to keep in touch with the family and visit as often as possible.<br />
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<strong><em>Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.</em> -Romans 12:10</strong>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-60154740916198275882009-09-04T23:56:00.052-04:002015-05-21T08:30:18.892-04:00A Change of PlansChristian requested to leave early. I couldn't bear seeing him go through any more emotional turmoil. It was incredibly hard for me so I can't imagine how he is feeling. We both thought that the longer we stayed in the village the harder it would be for his family to say goodbye. <br />
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We now have to reschedule our train tickets and pay for two extra nights in Xian, which was not in the budget. Please pray that we can make these changes and afford to continue our trip as we planned. I want Christian to enjoy the rest of our time here without more stress. <br />
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We decided not to go back to the village to say goodbye. Instead we asked the close family members to come to Longde (the closest town and also the town where his birth parents live) to say good bye. We asked for only his closest relatives to come (I was thinking about 4 people) but it turned out about a dozen people came. I also asked if the family could try to keep their emotions in check to make it easier on all of us. It turned out that I think my sister and I were crying hareder than anyone. It was such a difficult moment. I had our guide show me how to say that "I promise to take good care of him and keep in touch" and tried to tell each family member that in Chinese. I was crying too much so I just kept handing that little piece of paper to each family member. After we hugged everyone and said goodbye the four of us piled into the van with our guides and pulled away. The next hour in the van was quiet with nothing but sniffles.<br />
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<strong><em>Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.</em> -Psalm 31:9</strong><br />
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The 5 hour drive between Longde and Lanzhou had some beautiful landscape shots. We stopped a few times to take in the beautiful scenery.<br />
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It is very dry with a lot of terraced fields, which is part of a reforestation project.</div>
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Once we arrived in Lanzhou we still had 6 hours before we could catch our midnight train to Xian. We killed some time by having foot massages at a local hotel, which was a treat (only $5). Did some exploring of Lanzhou on our own and got a lot of stares. I didn't see one foreigner the whole time there.<br />
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I hope to update the blog more when we arrive in Xian tomorrow. Thanks again for all your prayers and support! <br />
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Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013126967408276028.post-40161038604637019422009-09-03T09:06:00.008-04:002015-05-21T08:29:50.897-04:00The Village Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We flew from Beijing to Lanzhou, which is in the Gansu province. We then drove 6 hours east to Longde, where we stayed the night at Christian's birthparents home. They have a nice three story apartment located behind the hospital, where Gaoke works. Here are a few maps showing where we are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDAAcQH_MyzHaKrC1NqMTGEha8D7Lgw9UwzsSKN58kRWacLycdxpPWvQhwQ2V1y3aZkfomZTDRvM_gT7laoTPDWIdOjw1wzTxtK8tFGPYup-kPR5NmLliSpZbY_-2HBxXmWkRGY8XAUIB/s1600-h/China+provinces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="515" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDAAcQH_MyzHaKrC1NqMTGEha8D7Lgw9UwzsSKN58kRWacLycdxpPWvQhwQ2V1y3aZkfomZTDRvM_gT7laoTPDWIdOjw1wzTxtK8tFGPYup-kPR5NmLliSpZbY_-2HBxXmWkRGY8XAUIB/s640/China+provinces.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are in the Ningxia Province, just south of Inner Mongolia. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaeZH42SKkYmQenZmf2qlj6nD728rJ0_HBkwwIe37qE7O9pHGYX4jjr7TlTPdNxEUHqDumx8X6hMJF4ONSNPtf64WR8WXCNf5EyutzWwRMvo0eUgLZeTPdlcLfiPVvCz7RfOhYzZWE_vq/s1600-h/Longde,+Ningxia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaeZH42SKkYmQenZmf2qlj6nD728rJ0_HBkwwIe37qE7O9pHGYX4jjr7TlTPdNxEUHqDumx8X6hMJF4ONSNPtf64WR8WXCNf5EyutzWwRMvo0eUgLZeTPdlcLfiPVvCz7RfOhYzZWE_vq/s640/Longde,+Ningxia.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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We are in the town of Longde, which is in the southern tip of the Ningxia province just below Guyuan. Longde is a very small town with no major hotels. The village is located just 15 minutes outside of Longde. There are about 120 families (1000 people) living in the village.</div>
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We woke up and had a nice breakfast at the Jin family's home and then each of us packed a small bag in case we decided to stay the night at the village. Two taxis were waiting for us in front of the hospital to take us to the village. As we loaded up the taxis we noticed a crowd of people in white coats beginning to crowd around us. We assumed they were the colleagues of Gaoke and JuLian wanting to get a look at Christian. We were sitting in the taxi waiting for the driver, when the white coats started to multiply. They came up to our car window peering in with big smiles across their faces waving at Christian. That's when I told Christian, he should get out to greet them because it was obvious they wanted to meet him. I wondered how many of them remembered him when he was young and living with his birth parents.<br />
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It was an easy ride down one main highway and the village entrance was right on the highway. We drove down a dirt lane until it came to an end. As we were getting out of our taxis, the villagers began to set off fireworks to celebrate our arrival. There were crowds of people standing around watching and just one small camera crew (Henan TV). It was the same camera crew that we saw taping our arrival at Lanzhou Airport the day before. <br />
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Several people ran to Christian sobbing hysterically. One woman was so upset I thought she was going to collapse. I watched JuLian, Christian's birth mom comfort her and asked the guide who the lady was. It was Christian's aunt, the woman that helped raise him the first 7 years. It was incredibly emotional and took it's toll on all of us, but especially Christian. They were all so happy to see him, yet sad at the same time. He saw his cousins he grew up with, his great grandmother, many uncles and aunts. <br />
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Christian with his two aunts, uncle and the two cousins he grew up with thinking they were his siblings</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob4fqLXNqNofUeMoFoPiWNLJti_YsKOje5MT-uDxQNvuRESmWhFHToze3j6U2JZ4hMUnHMDGJurkWJ2rj3iLfHYuBAXmZNzvZjkWenpvQvZPCLaRAtDkvbA0wPwMBetfIt6VmtVBa3YjT/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob4fqLXNqNofUeMoFoPiWNLJti_YsKOje5MT-uDxQNvuRESmWhFHToze3j6U2JZ4hMUnHMDGJurkWJ2rj3iLfHYuBAXmZNzvZjkWenpvQvZPCLaRAtDkvbA0wPwMBetfIt6VmtVBa3YjT/s640/DSC_0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Christian's aunt cried so hard almost the entire time we were there</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ykrTm534ZYr7gDKyfdDVYgifl41Tx18VplylMottExNHlTxQiLHJfkJcOlWB9tGu6zxweEWwlbSkXbTKyuwDkssKZvkQnml7pl6RsHfYiB70ged9RGiYaLTzE9DOP6W4pds_rTHcdsvc/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ykrTm534ZYr7gDKyfdDVYgifl41Tx18VplylMottExNHlTxQiLHJfkJcOlWB9tGu6zxweEWwlbSkXbTKyuwDkssKZvkQnml7pl6RsHfYiB70ged9RGiYaLTzE9DOP6W4pds_rTHcdsvc/s640/DSC_0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside his Uncle's house many people crammed into this small room to get a chance to meet Christian</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh475FmAOg8QMCB36B2s8NBcVP0kqjgRoPk4nFYjaTZL2UCvDQuxk_yDZxDG-NdGY1ktDT3d4dNErOgFx4LgLX755EqgXghrMDG1pGebfpcrluZgz7dJTwTIRVSi5lxMuPDmrWaLtlCuAuu/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh475FmAOg8QMCB36B2s8NBcVP0kqjgRoPk4nFYjaTZL2UCvDQuxk_yDZxDG-NdGY1ktDT3d4dNErOgFx4LgLX755EqgXghrMDG1pGebfpcrluZgz7dJTwTIRVSi5lxMuPDmrWaLtlCuAuu/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Village kids peaking in trying to get a look at Christian inside his uncle's home</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoEaBGm7MU12DwoeqjRKsvqJ71RgIvUrtiSpB-b8XXGW__i1JCsTNpZYc8OX_9qj56wl53LcUCG3huFVL9KmPhsVQ3dJDNBdqDkfR5hjkRg24QsHiFs9_ENCF4FgGMSovbxXF3zjdynqe/s1600-h/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoEaBGm7MU12DwoeqjRKsvqJ71RgIvUrtiSpB-b8XXGW__i1JCsTNpZYc8OX_9qj56wl53LcUCG3huFVL9KmPhsVQ3dJDNBdqDkfR5hjkRg24QsHiFs9_ENCF4FgGMSovbxXF3zjdynqe/s640/DSC_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Taking a tour of the village hand and hand with his cousins</div>
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We visited the school at the village that Christian attended. This man was Christian's pre-school teacher.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkh-Z9rY0-wWNYoD-L3SMkme0i49kNP1HGc56Fx_SV_4RENNYw1cUVkW7BdQN1njLrDTsoa1sSBekuu3-oTnbIa0eBpnhgpycjk58UKrxCIRmqZge7HVQQX4fUE2MZH7wwuJLXAXxNUTj/s1600-h/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkh-Z9rY0-wWNYoD-L3SMkme0i49kNP1HGc56Fx_SV_4RENNYw1cUVkW7BdQN1njLrDTsoa1sSBekuu3-oTnbIa0eBpnhgpycjk58UKrxCIRmqZge7HVQQX4fUE2MZH7wwuJLXAXxNUTj/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here we are sitting on a Kang (traditional bed which is a cement slab with quilts on top for cushion. The Kang is heated underneath with straw to keep them warm. This is also where they eat. The table is placed on top of the kang. We had a traditional meal of dumplings, which was delicious. Pictured with us is his grandmother, who we call "Nai Nai." What a sweet woman! </div>
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There were many tears and finally after several hours the emotions got to Christian and he asked if we could leave. The mother bear that I am summoned the interpreter and said "Let's go!" Our interpreter looked a bit shocked and said "okay, but the family wants to take a photo of both families before you leave." So we did and then we grabbed our bags and piled into a van. The family and neighbors watched in tears as we pulled away. It was very sudden and I think they were surprised that we were not staying the night. </div>
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<strong><em>My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.</em> -Psalm 119:28</strong></div>
Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15857268599148606961noreply@blogger.com10