Bonnie's Page

Sunday, July 26, 2009

It's hard to believe that it's been two weeks since we've returned from China. I have struggled in these past two weeks with how to articulate our experience there, and even more than that, how to craft my words so that people will feel what LinJing and Vivian and I feel—which is to say completely in love with the children we met and deeply committed to finding families for them.

In fact, our first "nibble" was such an inspiration for us. While I was in China I emailed so… Continue

Wednesday July 8

If you have been following our blog you know that I skipped writing for the first time yesterday. I had many things to do to get ready to leave China and I didn’t feel I had sufficient words for a final entry—at least a final entry on this side of the ocean.

That is still true this morning, but since I am packed and ready to go I thought I’d write just a little before leaving for the Shanghai airport. Yesterday’s camp went as well as it had the day before. The carnival games a… Continue

Monday July 6

I’ve been sitting here for a while now, trying to figure out how to describe the day. But there is no way I can do that. Maybe some time and perspective will help. For now I will do what I can, but know that my ability to share this experience with words is inadequate and limited at best.

Vivian and I met for breakfast at 7 and arrived in the ballroom promptly at 8. The room was decorated with the CCAA banner that had been installed and the decorations we brought—streamers, ballo… Continue

Sunday, July 6

I am taking a break from making newspaper flowers to write about the day’s events. We will meet the Shanghai Social Welfare Institute staff organizers in the third floor ballroom ready to begin at 8am. The children and their caretakers arrive at 8:20. In addition to all the concrete tasks that need to be finished, the need for mental preparation has been occupying my thoughts. I am hard pressed to adequately describe it. I am sure it is some combination of anticipation, anxiety,… Continue

Saturday, July 4

It is a little strange to be here in China on the 4th of July. There is no flag waving, no parades, no cookouts, and no fireworks for us this year. But we are thinking of friends and family back home, wishing you a very happy holiday.

In the morning LinJing, Guoliang, and I went out. Vivian opted to stay at the hotel to get caught up on a few things. We had heard about Yu Yuan Gardens, although none of the three of us had ever been there. Knowing that we had limited time for s… Continue