Again this is very normal for a child to pick one person to meet all their needs and shut everyone else out, but it's SO HARD to see it happen. The boys are being so sweet and trying so hard with her, but she will not even let them come near her. Charlie has handled it pretty well, but I can see it is breaking his heart. We both know it is a temporary phase, but the boys do not understand it very well. We just keep encouraging them to not give up.
The orphanage director told us when we got her that she had a VERY hard time after being brought back to the orphanage from her foster home, and that she is very much an introvert. She tried preparing us for her to have a hard time; we just couldn't believe her that first day. Oh, we believe now!!! I am glad we at least got a glimpse of what's to come, because it gives us hope.
Oh, did I mention Charlie is sick???? :( Praying I'm not next.
In spite of all the ugly in our day, we did enjoy getting to see a better side of Hangzhou...It was AMAZINGLY beautiful!!!! West Lake (not Ross' Westlake) and the tea gardens took our breath away. Our tour group went to an incredible "tea" village and received a lecture about all the medicinal properties of green tea. Did you know the Chinese Universities offer a 4-year degree on "tea"? I guess coffee would be a masters program. We also learned from our lecturer, Dr. Tea, how much the Chinese dislike the Japanese. Understandable I guess when you hear them talk about WWII. Overall it was very interesting and the village was very beautiful.
We ended the day on a good note. Charlie was able to bribe Hannah with a banana (FYI, Charlie says people are not allowed to call her Hannah Banana) and she seemed to warm up to him a bit. She also possibly started to turn a corner with the boys - she started watching them play and even slowly followed them around a little this afternoon. We're praying that she will be giggling and chasing them by the end of the trip. We're also praying Charlie can stop bribing soon so she won't become the first overweight Chinese person we've seen here. But really, if you tried to feed Americans half the things they eat here, we'd all be skinny too! Some of it is really scary!
Tomorrow morning we go to the orphanage. We don't really know what to expect and we're a little nervous of how it could impact Hannah and the other little girls. I mean she's two years old and will most likely have some understanding of what that place means. Please pray for Hannah and the others that God will somehow use this trip tomorrow to cement the bond between them and the parents.
Enough for now, gotta go to bed. Feeling like I may be getting a sore throat too. :(
Psalm 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord (and my adoptive parents) will receive me.
13 comments:
Thanks for the update! We are continuing to pray for you guys everyday! Glad to know some specifics of how to pray for you all!
Hannah is a beautiful little girl!! :)
I can only imagine how difficult it must be to experience the unhappiness and rejection. But that first day is like a rainbow-God's promise for the future! Be encouraged day by day as you see little changes in Hannah!
As I write this, it is night time there, so I pray for a good rest and for God to restore health to all of you as you rest.
Hannah IS beautiful, and while you may be choosing the "better" pictures to share with us, she looks so happy in all of them.
A quick hello to Kevin and Amanda!
Love you guys!!
Roger Dearing
Praying you all get good sleep. Will continue to pray for everyone to stay well or for those who are sick to get well and no one else to follow. Denise hope you had something to take to hopefully stop sore throat. Praying for the boys and Charlie as Hannah makes her way to understanding all that is going on. I know that soon she will be running to all of them as she will find comfort from them as well. It really is hard to imagaine what her little mind must be thinking. Glad she is holding on to Mommy right now and knows she can trust you all. We are continuing to pray that God just gives her that perfect peace with you all. Tell the boys to just keep being theirselves and showing their love for Jesus in everything they do and that will continue to draw Hannah to them. Praying Amanda is feeling better and that Kevin is hanging in too and staying well. Do you have some vitamin C for everyone? Hope you all get great night sleep tonight and everyone awakens refreshed and ready for the day. We will pray that the orphange goes well and pray that Hannah handles that too. It does seem overwhelming to me as I write. But, we know that GOD IS ABLE!!!
Goodnight! In our thoughts and prayers always.
Praying for all of you! Reading your post brought to mind James 1:1 "Count it ALL joy, my brothers, WHEN you meet trials of VARIOUS times, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing." Praying for sweet steadfastness through this trial for all five of you.
We are praying for the trip back to the orphanage. Trusting that the words in Philippians 4:6 are true and for great purpose. That the Lord would protect and prepare Hannah's mind and heart, as well as yours and Charlie's.
Mark and Charles are heavy on our hearts too. Sweet, sweet brothers loving on their new sister:) Praying that Hannah learns to accept and enjoy them quickly. Praying for loving patience and endurance for the boys. They are so very lovable and fun,that she will learn to trust this very soon is our prayer!
Lifting Charlie up to the King as well. That the feelings he may be experiencing now only grow his love for his precious daughter.That the Spirit would whisper ways for Charlie to reach deep into Hannah's soul and plant seeds of security,trust, everlasting love, commitment, joy and so much more that will continue to grow and blossom all the days of her life. Praying that Jesus would turn Hannah's mourning into dancing so very soon!
We love you all and hope that you are sleeping peacefully tonight. Praying for complete healing of all illnesses and protection from sickness for those who have yet to get sick.
Much love,
~Keri
Psalm 5:11
"But let all (the Campbell family) who take refuge in You rejoice; let them (Charlie, Denise, Mark, Charles and Hannah) ever sing with joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as a shield."
Oh my goodness. This is all so much and amazing to "watch" you through it all turn to HIM.
We are praying fervently for little Hannah to know how much you all love her and that God will give her peace and happiness in her beautiful heart.
And praying for healthy bodies all around, restful sleep, and endurance that comes through Christ alone.
Be encouraged that your Christian family is in prayer & that your witness to all is so very powerful!!!
Freels Fam
Firstly, Congratulations on your beautiful Hannah! She's a precious gift! I'm thrilled to see you all together!
Secondly, Hang in there! It's a process...and sometimes a very trying time for you all I'm sure. God brought you to it and He'll take you through it!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Cheryl
Man, oh man, I sure hate that you all are sick!!!
Hey, Denise, you need to go back to that tea village and revisit the "Dr. Tea" guy again...have him mix you up something green for all of you...sounds like y'all could use a good dose of those medicinal properties!!! : )
In spite of it all...these pics you keep posting are amazing!!!
Even though I love the pic of Hannah by the window (I love the lighting in that pic), I really love the pic of her & Charles!!! It's good to see her warming up to the boys!!! I know they love her & just want her to know that, and she will!!! Just think, before to long they will all be running through the house & you will be begging them to settle down!!! Lol!!!
Hope everyone feels better quickly!!!
You all have not left our prayers....still praying for all of you!!!
Donna
I hope you are ALL feeling better. What can I say but you have a beautiful daughter and I have another BEAUTIFUL grandaughter!!! I love all the pictures ;-) We have a hard time sleeping because we are so anxious to see the next pictures and hear how your day went. She will be just fine she just needs a lot of love and there is not a shortage of that in our family!! We are praying for all of you to get good rest and have good health to be able to handle anything that comes your way.
We love you all and are so excited for your return in 9 more days. ( that seems like forever :-(
Love,
Mom
Mark, Charles & Hannah,
How are you all doing? We hope y'all are having a great time. We can't wait to see you and hear all about your fabulous trip. We love all the pictures mommy & daddy put on their blog. We can't wait to let Mark & Charles introduce us to our new little granddaughter! God has blessed our family with a beautiful little girl and I know you two are going to be GREAT, BIG brothers!! Enjoy the rest of your trip and try to remember everything you can so you can share it with us when you get back.
We love you BUNCHES and can't wait to see all three of you.
Lots of. hugs and kisses!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
Granny & Papa.
Hi, Charlie and Co!
Hannah looks beautiful! We are so happy for you all and the gift God has given. May He continue to pour out his blessings on you. All of us at Thursday morning bible study prayed for your health and for Hannah's health and transition into your loving family.
Our love to you all,
Andrew Wischmeyer on behalf of the Hillside Thursday morning study group.
It's a cool morning here and we're all enjoying the updates, and pictures, and excitedly awaiting your return home, and praying for health among the whole group.
Charlie and Denise ~ God has so abundantly blessed your family and will continue to do so. The relationship you'll develop with Hannah from your patience and persistence will be one her life will express to others in such beautiful ways.
Charles and Mark ~ The delight on your faces when you're with Hannah is priceless. She will grow to adore and love to be with each of you. It will take a little time but "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Enjoy your trip to China, all the sights, food, and experiences and especially your new little sister!
Hannah ~ I know your confused and scared right now. The new family in your life are some of the best people I know and have been praying for you, opening their hearts, and preparing a place for you in their home and lives. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Your mother chose the perfect verse and placed it at the bottom of her last update: Psalm 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord (and my adoptive family) will receive me. May you come to accept this very quickly, knowing you are loved and one day all these feelings you're experiencing will be just a memory.
God bless this family with health and beautiful memories to be shared for years to come...
We love all FIVE of you and look forward to your homecoming!!!
Letha
What happened to day 9????? I have worn my iPad out looking for it :-(
1 Week from tonight we get to see the Campbell family of 5 !!!!! We are soooooo excited :-)
I guess we will still pray for ya even though you didn't post today.......lol We still love ya ;-)
hugs and kisses xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
mom
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