Life has been surreal and crazy since we arrived home, so we're sorry for delaying an update. We've had a very hard time with Lily adjusting to her new life here. We've commented to several people that this has to be one of the most difficult ages to adopt a child (as a toddler), since she's old enough to understand that she's been ripped away from the only world she knows, but too young to have any idea why. Sleep has been especially difficult for all of us, as Lily wakes up repeatedly throughout the night screaming and wanting attention. Shortly after she falls asleep again, she wakes up and repeats the pattern. As I (Erich) write this, she has awoken me and been sleeping again 7 times in less than 2 hours. This is leading to severe sleep deprivation for all of us (except for Izaiah, who sleeps his angelic sleep no matter how much noise there is). Lily is spending the majority of her days in a state of extreme sadness, unlike anything we've ever seen in a child this young. She whimpers and cries most of the day, often will not receive any consolation, and just wears a constant face of deep grief. We understand that all of this is a natural process, considering her circumstances, and we know that it will pass as she adjusts. But at the moment, all of this is being compounded with jet lag, the physical and emotional stress of the last 4 weeks, and other serious issues elsewhere in our family. We are pleading for prayer for this very difficult situation. We do have family and friends who are helping as much as they can, and we're grateful beyond words for everyone coming along side us. But until Lily can work through the stages of grief and achieve some semblance of normal sleep, this whole experience will continue to diminish our very weakened state.
There have certainly been moments of happiness. Izaiah seems to be improving at an almost alarming rate. When we got him 3 weeks ago, he was literally like a 'bobble head' doll, unable to hold his head up in any direction, was very weak and hated sitting up for more than a few seconds. His neck has already become much stronger and he's now able to not only hold up his head, but to turn it and look around; and he's doing it all for extended lengths of time. He also was not using his hands to grab or pickup anything, and is now doing both of these more and more every day. His spirit is just so bright, and he really is a very happy little boy, despite his continued sensitivity to external stimuli, especially changes in temperature on his skin. He continues to eat more and more all the time, and for the second time in 2 nights, he's requiring a middle of the night feeding, a very good sign that he's needing even more nutrition. We were shocked yesterday when mommy put him in his exercise activity 'jumper' and he thoroughly enjoyed it for quite some time! And Lily has had her moments too; yesterday she kissed mommy for the first time, which of course led to tears of joy! And she had her first T.V. experience with daddy as she sat spelled-bound and watched a little Star Wars, learning of the timeless struggle of the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire!
So in summery, please pray for quick adjustments and adaptation for us all, but especially for our Lily Grace. Her heart has just been shattered over what she's experienced, and it seems to be even worse now that we're home (we feel that she senses that this is the end of the road, and so now she's free to grieve). We know and have not lost faith for a moment that this is the Lord's will for our lives. But like many things in life, there's a certain level of naiveté going into a something so different and difficult, and we're just a little overwhelmed by the emotional wreckage this all entails. But we also are convinced in the deepest part of our souls that nothing good in life comes easy... it has to be fought for. These babies are worth is. Adoption is worth it. And most importantly, our perfect, obedient, scourged, crucified and risen King is worthy and deserving of whatever He calls us to. Many of us who call Jesus the Lord of our lives are so often brought kicking and screaming into the Kingdom of God, as he frees us from our bondage to sin, and delivers us from our chains of slavery. And like ancient Israel, as He leads us from the filth and mire of servitude in our proverbial 'Egypt', and He brings us crying and screaming into our 'Promised Land', where he adopts us, shows us a far better existence, cloths us in His righteousness and gives us His Name.
Please continue in prayer for us, and that the Kingdom of God will soon become a reality for the millions of the worlds orphans.
In Christ alone,
-Erich
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Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Home
We're home! Too tired to post much at this time, but please know that your prayers for our travel were powerfully heard as the airline gave us an extra seat for the flight (which would have been a nightmare otherwise), and both kids did remarkably well considering the long duration. We're all emotionally and physically depleted and in need of deep rest and renewal. Please pray that we can re-calibrate quickly. It's 10:40pm and our bodies are telling us it's noon tomorrow.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Homeward Bound
We leave our hotel at 3:00 tomorrow, stop at the U.S. consulate to pickup the kids' passports (complete with brand-new U.S. Visa stamps!), then take a private van 3-4 hours south into Hong Kong. We'll stay at the airport hotel tomorrow night and depart for Chicago at 11:00am on Wednesday. Thanks to those praying with us about our flight. We've heard from so many people that it can be grueling. And of course, it's double our pleasure with two kids! LOL!!! We think our plane is going to be loaded with many adopting families, so that should be of some comfort. We'll be fine and just all the more happy to see American soil! We had our big, final appointment at the U.S. consulate early this morning and took our "oath" with several other U.S. families, many of whom will actually be on our flight to Chicago. So as of this morning, after 6 years, mountains of work, 3 weeks of traversing China and a paper trail long enough to print a set of Britannica's, our adoption 'labor' is finished, we have our babies and they are officially Olsen's! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
This will probably be our last blog post until we arrive home. The outpouring of love we've received through emails, blog-posts and the felt-prayers of the saints has been overwhelming. It's been a tremendous joy to share this experience with so many people. We believe that as followers of Christ, we are all working together to hasten the day when the Kingdom of our Lord explodes into it's fullness, and encouragement and prayer are key 'building blocks' that the Spirit uses as He works in and through us, His Church, to the praise of His glorious grace.
With much love from China,
Erich, Jacquie, Lily and Izaiah Olsen
"Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying:
'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever!'
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones
fell on their faces and worshiped God..." -Revelation 11:15&16
"Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is
In Heaven." -Luke 11:2
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Scrolls
Hand-painted for both kids on Shamian Island in Guangzhou by artist "Michael". They have the kids' Chinese and English names. Izaiah's has a tiger and Lily's has pandas.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Brief Update
Nihau from Starbucks in Guangzhou (thank the good Lord for free Wi-Fi)! We had a great morning, visiting a historic house/museum with a lot of gardens and beautiful architecture, and bought a few gifts. The weather here is fantastic and we are really enjoying this town, but we're more anxious to get home with each passing day. It literally feels like we've been here for at least two months. Very strange indeed. 71 more hours! We're hoping to have free Internet at our hotel in Hong Kong on Tuesday so that we can make at least one more blog post.
"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!". -Psalm 113:7-9
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." -John 14:2&3
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, November 11, 2011
Update from Guangzhou
Greetings from Guangzhou! This post has to be quick because we're paying by the hour... go figure, free internet everywhere in China, until we get to the American-owned hotel! 
Though we have to say it really is a fabulous place and just may be among the nicest hotels in China; they've truly saved the best for last! It's been amazing today seeing all the U.S. families from all over China converge here in Guangzhou to finish out their adoptions. We were actually commenting that at the medical facility this morning, the Americans may have actually been the majority! We think there are probably well over 30 families staying in our hotel.
Though we have to say it really is a fabulous place and just may be among the nicest hotels in China; they've truly saved the best for last! It's been amazing today seeing all the U.S. families from all over China converge here in Guangzhou to finish out their adoptions. We were actually commenting that at the medical facility this morning, the Americans may have actually been the majority! We think there are probably well over 30 families staying in our hotel. Our flight here yesterday went well for Lily and daddy and not so well for mommy and Izaiah. They separated us when they assigned our seats for reasons too complicated to mention here, but Izaiah screamed the whole flight and we're not sure why. It could've been pressure on his ears, though he was fine the first flight. We'll need lots of prayers for both babies, as well as us, for the excruciatingly long flight home. We had their medical exams this morning at a beautiful "island" location just a few miles from our hotel. All the buildings on the island were built as consulates for various European countries back in the 20's, so the whole area has a New Orleans/Parisian feel to it. Really nice, and at last, clean air! We've seen blue skies this morning literally for the first time since we left Chicago. We have our big appointment at the U.S. consulate on Monday, which will wrap up our paperwork and secure the American Visa's that the babies will need to enter the U.S., even though they'll be citizens as soon as we land on U.S. soil... a little convoluted, but I guess that's just how it works. Both kids continue to do better and better every day. It's been an amazingly long, trying and yet unforgettable and beautiful trip. We will never be the same. There is much to share with everyone once we're finally home. We'll check back just as soon as we can.
In Christ Alone, Erich and Jac
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Thursday, November 10, 2011
Update
We had a great day today. We visited a huge "park", which was really very beautiful, with a lake, several gardens, open square areas and stunning architecture everywhere. It was a clear, gorgeous sunny autumn day and was probably the nicest we've had in China. Our guide, Tina has been fabulous and very helpful in assisting us in adjusting to moving around with two babies. We made other stops and some religious and historic landmarks, and visited a shop specializing in porcelain, one of Jiangxi's primary cultural exports. The kids did very well today, but were worn down by all the days events and very tired by dinner time. We're praying for deep and restful sleep tonight. We depart Nanchang at 5:50pm for Guangzhou, where we will spend the last 4 days of our trip doing the American Visa end of our adoptions, before departing for Hong Kong for a night at the airport hotel. Then the long flight home.
Izaiah continues to eat well, and we believe he is gaining weight. He rolled over onto his belly by himself this afternoon for the first time, and we celebrated as if it was his first steps! He is a very happy little boy. Lily is improving every day as well. She was in much better spirits today and is extremely inquisitive. She shows great interest especially in things that open and close, snap together, etc. We stopped at a Nanchang Wal-Mart on Tuesday (YES, they have Wal-Mart's here!) and picked up some toddler Lego-type blocks, and she's just fascinated with them. She is very smart and is a bundle of joyous energy, and we can't wait to show her off to our family and friends!
Love to all.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Update from Nanchang
It has been difficult to find time these past few days to post an update but it is also hard to even know what to say. We have had some very private moments as we all adjust. Bonding is much more difficult than we could have imagined. Even though we educated ourselves about the challenges, it is a very different picture when you experience it firsthand. It's just heartbreaking to see these babies grieve as well as some of their characteristics that are a result of them being orphans. Izaiah rocks himself back and forth, sometimes violently even, just to comfort himself. We of course try not to let him do that as we show him we will rock him, but it is just his habit. He does seem to be doing this much less though. He is so very precious.
Lily has very different challenges. When she plays with her toys, if she is feeling insecure, she will try to hold every single toy around her with the tightest little fist, just so that no one takes them from her. We will work with her on being gentle and playing nicely with others. We think she probably had to fend for herself at the orphanage so she has that survival spirit. She seems to be very smart though and already likes to imitate us so if she sees us sharing and being gentle, she tries to do the same. So very sweet!
Both of our children already recognize their American name when we call them; they will learn English very quickly. It is an amazing but also tiring experience, for sure. We pray every day that God provides our needs, sanity, patience, etc. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
Since we have been in Nanchang, we have spent most of our time in our hotel due to unfavorable weather conditions and/or not much to do around the surrounding area but it just gives us more intentional time to bond. We did visit a museum and a historical castle and will go out tomorrow to browse some shops and visit a park. It will be our last full day here as we fly to Guangzhou on Friday at 6 pm. To us, it is just one more day closer before we get to go home. Oh, and did I mention they have a Starbucks?! (smile)
We need special prayers for Lily to be able to adjust to everything new and different around her. She is still having such a hard time and has several tantrums each day, sometimes lasting nearly two hours, without exaggeration. When this happens, we are unable to console her, so we just grieve with her and allow her to work through it. So please pray that God heals her precious heart quickly... and that mommy and daddy have God's grace and wisdom to know how to care for her needs and love her through this.
Much love to all. Our hearts are longing for home.
The Great "Pavilion" of Prince Teng, Nanchang China
Built originally for Prince Teng, the son of the Emperor of China in 653 AD, it's been rebuilt roughly 29 times. 3 levels on the outside and 9 inside, it is certainly one of the most impressive buildings we've been privileged to tour.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Thank You For Your Support!
We just wanted everyone to know that although we are not able to respond to everyone's posts to our blog, we read them each day and so appreciate the love and encouragement. We look forward to receiving comments and/or e-mails from everyone at home, so thank you very much. We have nine full days left here in China and are looking very forward to being home soon. Love to all.
Update: Lily Grace
Yesterday was so hard for Lily that we are praying she has a good day today. She did sleep hard throughout the night and is still sleeping at 7 am. She needed that. She cried so darn hard and really put up a fight when she was left with us. Poor baby; she was just so scared but then she finally did start warming up to both of us. She definitely has the fighting spirit of surviving in an orphanage.
We went to dinner last night and Lily ate very well. She really opened up to us then and started to smile the most beautiful smile! We have found that food is a great bonding tool. She had a playful spirit and we heard her laugh. We then went back to our room and tried giving Lily her first bath, which she did not like. She did not want to sit in the water but would only squat down and looked afraid of the water. We will be meeting with the orphanage director today and have many questions to ask including how they bathed her.
She did not want to go to sleep last night even though she was so tired. Erich stood and rocked her and prayed over her until she fell asleep in his arms, which at that point only took a matter of minutes.
Izaiah has been oblivious to our new family member and has been wonderfully happy throughout everything. Lily doesn't seem to notice him much and is too overwhelmed getting used to us and her new surroundings.
We have a busy day ahead needing to complete lots of paperwork. Please pray that our bonding with Lily progresses and that she will learn quickly to trust us and that we will have the wisdom needed to lovingly care for her precious heart. Thank you so much for your prayers. They are truly needed. We are really starting to miss home and are now counting the days until we leave; we have 9 more full days here.
Lily Grace
We have our sweet angel! It's been a very long day and we're all exhausted. We'll post an update with more pics soon.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Beautiful Boy
Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your daddy's here.
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your daddy's here.
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
Before you go to sleep,
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way,
It's getting better and better.
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way,
It's getting better and better.
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
Out on the ocean sailing away,
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age.
But I guess we'll both,
Just have to be patient,
Yes it's a long way to go,
But in the meantime...
I can hardly wait,
To see you to come of age.
But I guess we'll both,
Just have to be patient,
Yes it's a long way to go,
But in the meantime...
Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you,
While your busy making other plans.
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you,
While your busy making other plans.
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.
-J. Lennon
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Friday, November 4, 2011
Update... from Nanchang
Today is Saturday, the day before we finally meet Lily. We arrived in Nanchang in the Jiangxi province yesterday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. Izaiah did so well during the two plane rides it took to get here. As there was not a direct flight, we had a short layover in Xian where we had to get off the plane and re-board the same plane 30 minutes later. As we were being transported to the terminal, we had the most amazing experience that we will forever cherish!
A Chinese man named Mason introduced himself. He currently lives in Philadelphia but works for a company in China and travels often back and forth. He spoke very good English and he kept thanking us for adopting these children; he was so sincere and sweet. He told us that he was so happy these babies would have life, that he wanted to cry. A while later when we started to re-board the plane, he came up to us, remembering and calling us by our names, and gave us a gift he bought at the airport for our two children (even though we don't have Lily yet, we told him about her). He bought them each a stuffed panda bear. It was such a beautiful moment! We are still overwhelmed thinking about it. His comment about giving these babies 'life' was a clear reminder to us of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who gives us true life! When God awakens our heart to believe, we really are adopted as His sons and daughters.
The people here have been extremely kind to us. They do stare; boy do they stare! But they mainly stare at the white Americans, especially the one with blond hair and blue eyes. It is actually very funny. We have gotten used to it and just give everyone big smiles back, which is not hard to do at all as we are carrying around our son whom we are so very proud of. Everyone tries to get a good peek at Izaiah too, but it is usually done with big smiles.
We are staying in a nice hotel and feel blessed that they gave us a little crib, a baby bathtub, and a stroller in our room. We will get a second crib tomorrow for Lily. We often don't even have to ask for things and they just are giving here and helpful, not like America. We were in the hotel restaurant this morning and they just brought us a high chair, for example, though we could not use it as Izaiah is not sitting up yet but it was the thought that counted.
We are spending the day resting; the three of us just took a nice nap. We both have colds and stuffy heads so please pray that Izaiah stays healthy and does not get it. We will meet Ms. Lily Grace Zhi Olsen tomorrow afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m., which will be 14 hours ahead of you with the time change, so for you at home that will be 2 to 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Then on Monday the four of us will go to the Civil Affairs office to do the paperwork to make Lily officially ours. Our "Gotcha Day" for Lily, Sunday, November 6th, is actually National Adoption Day! The month of November is National Adoption Month.
Answered Prayer
Praise God! Izaiah drank 12 oz of formula this afternoon! He also had two 8-oz bottles earlier plus a half jar of carrots. He is doing so good. Thank you for your prayers! We have heard that when children have been institutionalized and then become part of their forever family that once they start eating, they're often voracious eaters, which is natural and good. We may now be on that road. Today is the first day that Izaiah cried, or should I say screamed, to tell us he was hungry and wanted more. This is great news!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Update
We are very pleased with our bonding time with Izaiah as things are starting to feel very natural. We are praising God for this as well as for so many other blessings we have experienced, including the fact that Izaiah is finally drinking his bottle without us forcing the issue. We had a rough start the first few days as he would not eat anything, but now he is taking his bottle very nicely. A huge praise! We are already starting to see his little neck muscles improve as he is trying to hold his head up better, but we are still very cautious with it. This little guy needs muscle tone, but Daddy is already developing an exercise regiment with him and I know we will see improvement quickly.
One of my favorite things about Izaiah has been his eye contact with both of us. He loves to watch us and look into our eyes. We can stare into his sweet eyes and talk to him for hours. Also, last night it was wonderful to put him to bed in his crib and to hear him cry when we put him down. He preferred for us to hold him - that was awesome!
We have spent the majority of our time in our hotel, which actually is good as we have had lots of quality time together without distractions. (One of our group members pointed out that if we were home, we would be spending time doing dishes, cooking, laundry, etc., which I appreciated hearing as it is true.) But we have also gotten out and done some sightseeing including a visit to the zoo, a museum, a stop along the Yellow River and a little shopping.
We leave very early tomorrow morning to fly to Nanchang in the Jiangxi province and will meet our Lily on Sunday. Please pray that the bonding with her goes as well as it has with Izaiah. Although it is not cold here, (the temp has been much like home), we look forward to feeling the 70's and 80's over the next 2 weeks. Thank you all for your prayers and support and for continuing to share this amazing experience with us.
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
New Heavens and a New Earth
Isaiah 65:17-20 --- "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days."
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