Journey To Jordan

She Love Him, She Love Him Not

2009-10-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Thank You’s

I would like to start this blog entry by saying, “thank you” to a few people who were such a blessing and a help to us while we were gone. First, thank you Becky and Liana who kept you all abreast and informed by uploading our emails, blogs, pictures and videos while we were in China and unable to access those blocked sites. Thank you, Fred and Brandice, for the hours it took to arrange (not to meantion the miles it took to fly) our flights to and from Beijing. I can’t imagine making that flight back with Jordan in coach. We were humbled by your generosity. Thank you Mom and Dad K, Michelle, Brian, Sabrina and Drake for taking care of our beautiful daughter. You all stopped your lives to cater to us, making sure Malia was well loved while we were gone for 15 days. Julia, thank you for organizing meals for us! We were blown away and had never had meals brought to us. Thank you Mom and Dad L, Michelle, Mom and Dad K and all who made sure we were fed. And thank you Holt International Adoption Agency and Lusandra, our social worker. Your hard work, long hours, the burden on the soul for what you do, is of eternal value. Please don’t give up! Keep up the good fight finding families for the hundreds of thousands of orphans in the world who all deserve a loving mother and father. We are eternally grateful for what you have done for us and for our son.

Sunday October 4, 2009

It has been a little over 2 weeks since we’ve been home. 4 Doctor’s visits, 2 urgent care visits, and 2 lab visits later, 3 out of the 4 of us have been on or are on antibiotics! That’s been our couple of weeks. But, we are on our way to health! Jordan ran a high fever for 9 days so after catheters and results, we found out he has a true kidney infection. Although antibiotics are helping, we are anticipating more tests for him regarding his piping, valves and stuff. I’m just glad I don’t have to dig through poop in diapers for samples any more! (gag) I had to pass the other 2 vials to Brian to finish. (gag again!)

Many have asked about Jordan’s adjustment. He’s been doing well. The bonding process is just that; a process and it takes time. We are all sleeping in the same room, which seems to help for both kids. But sometimes, at 2 am when everyone is up, it doesn’t feel like such a good idea. Malia is adapting to a sibling just like all other only children who have a sibling introduced. She loves him. She loves him not! Many including our social worker, have said that it isn’t the new child who has the problem adapting but the first child who has the most trouble. I think that is true for us as well. There’s lots of slapping and hitting from both parties and if Jordan could speak English, he too would probably be yelling, “take HER back to China!” Oh, and he too would get a time out for saying that.

The 4 of us are quite a sight to see. There is much staring but we are getting use to it even though it’s uncomfortable. Malia and Jordan are having more sweet moments than sour. He cutely follows her around copying her and today and maybe tomorrow, “She loves him!”

HOME!!

2009-09-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

We've been home for almost 5 days and are feeling better and better. Our 'journey' home with Jordan was quite the experience. Having the opportunity to fly business class made for a bearable airplane flight with a lil' guy who stayed awake most of the time. We were hoping for some sleep. He was hoping to take advantage of Business Class.

The monumental time was our arrival home when Malia's little squeals behind our closed entry door gave away her excitement to see us all. The big hugs and kisses brought tears to all our eyes. She was very giddy seeing us, as we were very exited to see Malia. And the introduction between the new brother and sister was very memorable.

Now we are just healing from 4 colds, and 3 jet-lags, 2 sibling-rivalries, and one very big sigh of relief. Jordan is home.

US Consulate to US Soil!

2009-09-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

It’s our last night in Guangzhou, China. Tomorrow we will be on our way home with our son. After doing paperwork for immigration and getting Jordan’s medical check-up, our job here was to wait. For the last five days, we’ve busied ourselves with buffet breakfasts, swimming in the pool, going to the jade wholesale market and sampling the food, not to mention getting to know Jordan a little bit more than the day before. Mornings are spent comparing stories with other families. There are many young babies under 12 months as well as older children, the oldest being 14. In China, once a child turns 14, they are no longer adoptable or able to live with their foster family who may have even had them since birth. This brave family from America adopted this no longer little girl right before her 14th birthday.

We have been so blessed by the many wonderful people in China who have helped us get our son. Holt International has been amazing. They truly love the children and do what they do because their hearts have been broken.

Today, we visited the US Consulate to swear on behalf of our son that the information given was true and correct. He will leave his home country tomorrow and arrive in San Francisco at 1:50pm (via Cathay Airlines), walk through immigration and become a US Citizen. What an amazing homecoming gift. Freedom!

Saying, “Good-bye”, to Kunming.

2009-09-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

It was Jordan’s first time in an airplane and it was as if he knew what we were doing as he peered out the window watching his hometown of Kunming get smaller and smaller. Just a few hours earlier, we quickly got pictures of where another “good-bye” happened. When Jordan was 2 months old, his birth mother made the very difficult decision to abandon Runwen at the Kunming train station. Police found him at the bottom of the entrance of the escalators. We speculate that his birth mother kept him for 2 months because she didn’t want to give him up. Runwen was most likely malnourished because of his cleft lip and the family probably didn’t have enough money for the needed surgery. In China, medical procedures are very expensive. The Chinese pay the full price. By abandoning him (which is illegal), he would go to one of the best orphanages in the country and would receive surgery paid for by the government. Our prayers are with her and the father, realizing the heartbreak they must experience every day. Jordan has become our joy and a gift to us.

With Jordan’s passport to travel, we arrived in Guangzhou really late last night after our flight was delayed 2 hours. And yes, we were “that couple” with “that baby!”
Jordan wanted to run the aisle during landing. Hense, the screaming began! These next few days we will be finalizing Jordan’s visa and immigration to the United States. USCIS required an additional 5 immunization shots. Poor little guy!!!

We miss Malia terribly. Please pray for her while she’s with grandma at auntie and uncles house. Her cousins are keeping her busy. We are counting down the days until we get to see her. 5 more days!

(On another good note, USC beat Ohio today(Sunday here)! We have already taught Jordan the "V" for victory sign.)

Building Trust and Bonding Over Bananas

2009-09-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

It was a good day today. We strolled in the nearby park beneath the trees along the waters edge. We are carrying Jordan in the Ergo wherever we go. Being held close while we walk and talk to him seems to really be helping him adjust and bond. He’s a happy boy and still very social, smiling at girls in particular as they pass by. The first day we met, he had a banana that he refused to let us touch to help him eat. Today, he let me peel it for him, trusting I would give it back. Jordan seems to be getting more comfortable with physical touch and eye contact as well. Today, I got my first kiss! He was looking at himself in the video and kissed himself first. I took the opportunity to ask for one. Brian got one too a bit later on after a little demonstration from me.
On our walk, we passed by some street sketch artists who are amazing, by the way! Brian was telling them what a great job they do and showed them his card of what he does. One artist INSISTED Brian sketch him. So, for the next 20 min. Brian sat on a stool 12” off the ground with a sketchpad in his lap, surrounded by 20 onlookers, watching the foreigner draw, critiquing him on the likeness. I could tell they approved. It was an amazing memory, for me anyway.

We get stared at wherever we go, and I do mean ‘stared at’. Some people will follow us until we talk to them (or more like pantomime at them). They ask about Jordan’s lip and we explain he had a cleft lip that was stitched up. We have a little piece of paper that says in Chinese, “Hello! We have come from America and this is our adopted Chinese child. The government has approved this adoption. We will be taking him home to America and he will become part of our family.” The people look genuinely thankful and with an endearing look, give us thumbs up.

Kunming Orphanage

2009-09-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Today, we went to visit the orphanage in Kunming. It was such a big part of Jordan’s life, we thought it important to familiarize ourselves with as much of his history as we could and as much as orphanage officials would allow. They told us very little of the village where his foster family lives but were eager to show us the many rooms and floors of their establishment.

Kunming Orphanage staff prides themselves on being one of the top 10 orphanages in China. I suppose, as far as orphanages go, this one is exceptional. Everything is very, very clean, orderly and professional. Cribs looked new with beautiful pink baby comforters, a few blue blankets. There were what seemed to be kind caregivers. The orphanage is in charge of 600 children, 500 placed in foster homes, the rest there. More than 80% are special needs children and infants who most likely will not be adopted because of developmental disorders.

Walking through and seeing these children, I cannot express the weight the heart feels. Some are older children 5, 6, 7. They are well aware of their situation and of the foreigners walking the halls of their home with a child who now has parents. 50 cribs with babies 1-3 months older filled the room my son ran around. While we babbled to babies, trying to make eye contact with as many as we could, hoping it had some positive effect, my son entertained staff one last time.

2009-09-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Gottcha Day!

2009-09-06T23:51:00.000-07:00

Introducing….. Jordan David Kamalani Keith!

Our little guy seems very active, feisty, social, and independent. He likes to play with toys and likes to throw them, especially if he’s mad. And yes, he seems to have quite the temper. They say that the fact he has a strong will is good. The children in the orphanage are compliant. The above assessment could be totally wrong since we’ve only spent a few hours with him. The morning activities of paper signing, photographs for visas and adoption procedures tired him out. He was so exhausted from running around, he conked out in the car before lunch.

We were able to find out more information about him from the girls who escorted him to the civil affairs office this morning. Police at Kunming train station found him by an elevator. He spent 15 months in the orphanage and the last 5 months with a foster family, a couple who are over 40 and live in the countryside. They have older children. He’s tiny but we are noticing people in Kunming are petite. They say he is smart, doing well developmentally and has been very healthy. They describe him as active and brave.

We’re still getting to know him so for now, I guess we’ll describe Jordan as….ours.

Stretching and Nesting

2009-09-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting here in this amazing 5 star hotel in Kunming City in Yunnan Province. Wow! Sooooo posh. Brian and I just arrived and are ecstatic to have free internet access in our room. The flight over from Beijing was 3 hours long but not without group stretching! The whole plane, without inhibition followed the instruction of the flight attendants. It was awesome. Arms up! Arms down! Arms across! The sound of snorting and spiting into barf bags is pretty memorable too.

Susan, our travel escort, picked us up from the airport. She will be with us while we are in Kunming. I am so thankful that she will help me with the split pant thing. She has a 2 year old boy herself. Tomorrow is the big day. At around 9 am, 6 pm your time, we will meet Jordan! So, what do you do to get ready? You nest like any mom does AND you get a good date night in! The dawn before we become parents of two! Gotta go!

No more shellfish for you!

2009-09-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Today was the big reason why we flew to Beijing instead of flying straight to Jordan’s province. We had our orientation. We had such high expectations for our meeting today with Les from Holt. We sat in the lobby of the hotel listening to the British man talk of the how’s and when’s of the adoption process. And then!....……nothing new on our son. No pictures or medical documentation - just a list of his bedtimes and eating times. Agonizing! Les assured us that this is very standard for the orphanage in Kunming. They see themselves as “above the rules” and like to personally hand the “many photographs” to the parents themselves. Bring it, Kunming!

We had a local girl from our travel agency take us to lunch after orientation. It was great talking to her about Chinese culture and American culture as well. The food was amazing but unfortunately, Brian was unable to enjoy it completely. He’s recovering from the one very naughty shrimp he digested last night. We are praising the Lord that it was only one shrimp – one very ba-a-a-ad shrimp!

Things we could use your prayers about.

2009-09-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Jordan has most likely been transferred to the orphanage from his foster family. I’m sure he’s quite lonely. Pray for the Lord to be his comfort. Pray also for his health while he’s there.

Malia was so sad when we left and SO WERE WE! Please pray the Lord would give us all peace while we are apart. Pray for wisdom for Brian’s family who are caring for her and pray that time would go by fast for her.

Champagne Flights, Car Pushing, and Sugared Duck Skin

2009-09-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Beijing at 11:00 am, after 18 hours of flying. A local travel guide named Sonya greeted us outside baggage claim. What a relief it is to see your name on that white peace of paper! Thanks to the Bruning’s generosity in booking our flight in Business class, we feel so rested, getting a good 8 hours of sleep on the plane.
Being in Beijing is like visiting a memory. We are staying in the same hotel and reliving the things that made it special the first time. One thing is for certain though. From here on out, the experience will be anything but the same. The rain today is a reminder of that.

Yesterday, we took off on foot exploring and headed to the art district, taking advantage of the inexpensive sculpting supplies. On the way back, a man’s car broke down. He asked some locals walking down the street to help him push and they said, “No”!? That is so foreign to an American. Brian quickly hopped behind the car and got his workout for the day.

We read that Beijing was famous for their Roasted Duck…….so we had chicken. No. Of course, we found THEE “famous place”. They showed us how to coat crispy duck skin in sugar crystals. Yummy and greasy at the same time!

We’ve had a difficult time accessing facebook and our blog page. A friend and family member will be uploading our very words but we will unfortunately be unable to see your comments. Still, don’t let that deter you from recording your thoughts or corresponding with us directly by emailing us at Brian@briankeithfineart.com

Countdown until Jordan

2009-09-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

Just for those who want to know the exact time and date of when we will be getting Jordan...

In China it will be on Monday, September 7 around 8am.

Pacific Standard Time will be on Sunday, September 6 at 5:30 pm.

LEAVING TONIGHT!!

2009-09-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our trip to Southern California, for a Lanisa's concert. What a blast! And a true success. Thank you Morgan and JoAnn for letting us crash at your place. You define the word hospitality. It helped more than you know. And seeing all the friends and family at the concert was deeply touching.

When we got home yesterday, we went to the hospital to wait and wait and wait for our niece, Grace to FINALLY arrive into the world. WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BBBAAAAABBBYY. She was born around 10:30 pm!!

Now, final packing and errands....and off to the airport tonight!!!

Jordan here we come!

Getting Ready

2009-08-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

We would love your prayers as we get ready this week for our trip. We will be heading down to Orange County for Lanisa's benefit concert for our friends who are adopting as well. Then we come back on Monday, and leave Tuesday night for China. Malia gets to hang out with Auntie Michelle, Uncle Brian, Grandma, Sabrina and Drake. She is very excited!

If you are in the Huntington Beach area Sunday, then come out and support a great couple. Their blog is http://fisherbloggers.blogspot.com/

All the info to the concert is on their blog or Lanisa's website.

Prayer

2009-08-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

Genesis 21:16-17
¹⁶ Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.
¹⁷ God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

It wasn't too long ago when Lanisa and I were moved to adopt again. This time we wanted to consider a boy with special needs. (Boys in China are usually not given up for adoption. Only when they have something 'wrong' with them are they placed in an orphanage). Lanisa knew early on that this was what we needed to do. I was slightly more hesitant to the things unknown.

We told Holt Adoption Agency that we wanted to start the process again. There is a new program called, "Child of Promise" that is designed to place children who do not have severe disabilities, but things that would be called 'mild disabilities'. And at the time, we had been given the opportunity to meet up with one of the pioneers of cleft lip surgery, so we had a resource to help with a child with a cleft lip/palette.

Very soon after giving Holt our intentions, we received the call that there was a child who needed a home. We ran to our computer to get our email with all of Guan Run Wen's (Jordan's) information on it. We knew that God had placed us together, in HIS special plan. So we knew he was ours, and we were his.

I am deeply moved by Lanisa's faith in this journey. It has been unswerving. Tested: yes. Nonetheless unswerving. I can't imagine the emotions of a mom waiting for her child. I try to, but I know I don't really understand. As a father, I know the weight(and wait) is heavy. But for a mom, that's when I know Lanisa's faith in our Lord is strong. Since getting our first and only pictures of Jordan last October, this has been a growing time.

As we get ready for our trip in a couple of weeks, can you pray for us? Not just to be ready with all our packing/travel needs. But mainly for Jordan, Malia, and the foster family. Jordan will be having a total life change. His language, his environment, his family, his food, etc. Can you pray that the Lord calms his heart and that his transition into his new family is a smooth, anointed one. For Malia, that as she is away from Lanisa and I for 12 days, that her time with auntie/uncle/Drake & Sabrina is a time full of a lot of joy with no separation anxiety. (this is hard not taking Malia with us). And please pray for the foster parents who have been caring for Jordan for the last year, that the Lord will minister to their hearts during this time of loss.

Lanisa and I would also appreciate your prayer as we need traveling protection. It's a long journey in China, and we would covet your prayers. Please also pray for strength, sensitive hearts, and protection.

Thank you for all your support. It's been a huge help!

We will be posting pictures and video of our trip, so please subscribe to this blog if you don't want to worry about missing anything.

BUSINESS CLASS TO CHINA

2009-08-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Generosity = Purchasing round-trip tickets to fly us to China (2 going and 3 coming back!).

Extraordinary Generosity = Flying us to China in BUSINESS CLASS!! This week, our airline travel to and from China was taken care of by our clients and friends, Fred and Brandace. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

What is there to give in return to people who have been so generous to us in helping bring home our baby boy?

It is at times very difficult to receive. And humbling to receive something that we KNOW that we could not do on our own. May God richly bless beyond imagination those who have been part of bringing home our baby boy.

These little typed words don't do enough justice to the amount of gratitude we have for you.

Travel dates

2009-08-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Jordan, here we come! "Gotcha Day" will be September 7th.

TRAVEL APPROVAL!!!!

2009-08-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

We JUST got news of our final travel approval!!!

It looks like August 28ish will be the estimated time to leave for Beijing. Makes us feel like dancin'!

Thank you!!

2009-07-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who participated in the Art Auction. 6 paintings and a bronze were sold! We appreciate all the support and help in our journey to getting Jordan. We will keep you up-to-date as to all that is happening in our preparation for our trip in September.

Thank you!!!

Homeland Approval!!

2009-06-20T21:47:00.001-07:00

Today we received what is called our I800 approval from USCIS (Homeland Security). It is a letter that gives us permission to adopt a child from a Hague Convention Country, the watchdog for intl. adoption of children. We check out. We aren't trying to traffic children! That's the official blah, blah, blah. To us, it simply means, one thing down, one last thing to go!!!! Now we await our travel approval. In about 4-6 weeks, that's when China says, "Ok. Come on over."

We Are Approved!!!

2009-05-28T10:26:00.001-07:00

We just got word that we have been approved by China to adopt Jordan! Now we need to take 2-3 more steps in order to make the trip to bring Jordan home. These are steps are towards getting travel approval, which are formalities but need a blessing of speed added to them. =)

Thank you for following along. It has been encouraging.

More waiting...

2009-05-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

May 8, 2009

Jordan should be home at best in late July, but more likely in August or September.
We just received the news yesterday that our waiting time will be longer than expected for us to travel to China to bring Jordan home. It's news that is not easily received because our hearts really want to be with our boy. Malia prays for him just about every night. But in the midst of this waiting period, we remind ourselves that if we believe that God's timing is perfect, than it is in HIM who we have to trust in.

We have sent pictures to China so that Jordan can see where he is going to be living, pictures of mom and dad, and Malia. We have also sent a list of questions for the foster parents about Jordan, which will help us when we get him. These are the very practical questions that any adopting parent would ask, "Why didn't I ask them this about my child?" Questions like, "what is his favorite thing to eat? What time does he go to bed? Is there a favorite toy he has? And many others.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and just following along on our journey. To those who are praying, would you continue to pray for his protection, his health, the care-takers as they love them to the best of their abilities, and whatever way that you are led to pray for him. We would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for following along. Your support very helpful.

Brian, Lanisa, & Malia

Foster Care

2009-05-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

MARCH 5,2009 POST

Got an email the other day that Jordan (Guan Run Wen) was moved to foster care. That means no orphanage, no lines of cribs and different shifts of workers in and out. He is in a home with a family to love and care for him based on his needs. Although it will be difficult for him and his foster family, he will be able to bond with regular care takers. What a blessing and an answer to prayer!

2009-05-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

Jordan (Guan Run Wen) was born on/around January 5, 2008. "He was found by policeman on Mar.5, 2008. After a lot of investigation the local police station confirmed him to be abandoned baby and sent him to an institute to be raised since that day.

Medical check at the time of intaking: Congenital cleft lip on right side for II degrees. After admission he received active symptomatic treatment, strengthened care and scientific feeding. He gained weight obviously and his physical status is stable. According to the physical state on admission the doctors estimated the child’s DOB.

June 28, 2008 Report:
"Now the child’s development is similar to that of the children of the same age. Development: his head can erect steadily, can raise head well; can sit supporting stuff and has the conscious of standing, his eyes can follow the moving stuff, and is able to stare at the people, colorful toy and action, his head could follow the moving stuff, smile aloud when teased. He can express his feeling with crying, and utter tiny gutturophony. He is able to utter voice and imitate voice to people. He can hold and grasp the toy, likes to shake and stare at the Ocean drum. He knows to pursue toy with hands. He can hold toy both hands and stares at another, He likes to suck his figure and is interested to explore all kinds of food and new things, such as grasping the hang toy, and wants to eat if seeing food"(much like his daddy=)

He has neoplasty of cleft lip at The First hospital of Yunnan Province Between July 28, 2008 and Aug 12, 2008, and recovered well after operation."

His Personality

2009-05-18T16:02:00.001-07:00

"He has outgoing, active personality, has ready smile. He likes listening to music, likes to be cuddled by others, and has happy facial expressions when cuddled by others. He likes to sit on the go-cart, He will cry aloud when was not happy and stop crying when cuddled by others, and was happy to see colorful and soundable toy. He responds actively to strangers and new stimulation, can accept food, he never has."

Journey To Jordan

2009-05-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

On October 14th, we got the call from our social worker. It's the call that you are anticipating if you are in the process of international adoption but for us it caught us completely by surprise! It was about a month early.

This is our journey to our son.