Our Second Day with Maya

The children arrived at 10:30 this morning, and although Maya started crying when Jason and I approached her, she had a much better day with us. She cried some, but no sobbing like yesterday and the crying was pretty short lived. All four families and the social workers headed to Central Market, a local department store. We bought Maya a little sweater to wear back on the plane and a children's Thai music CD and a popular Thai cartoon DVD. She seemed to be a little overwhelmed by all the people and stuff. And I can't say I blame her. That's exactly how I feel everytime I go into a mall.
After shopping, we all went to lunch right there in the mall. Maya finally ate for us for the first time. She shared my thai dish of rice, pork and veggies. It was great to get to feed her and show her that we will take care of her and be there to meet all her needs. After the first few bites, she quickly grabbed the spoon and dug right in. She made a huge mess, but she was oh so cute. That girl loves rice!

After lunch, we returned to the hotel and got to spend an hour with Maya in our room, just the three of us. That went great. Guess what, she loves Cheerios. And Jason and I are learning that the way to her heart may be through her stomach. :) Sounds like some other kids I know named Kora and Jackson.

We said goodbye at 2:30pm for the last time today. Tomorrow she is ours forever!

Please be praying for all the foster families tomorrow as they say goodbye to these babes. I can't imagine their grief and the tears that will be shed. It takes such a special person to foster these kids. May God richly bless them for taking in the orphans and caring for them so lovingly.


Maya enjoyed playing music





We just need Kora and Jackson

First time Maya heard some bible stories. She seemed very interested. That's promising :)

Maya's first steps...to Texas

Wow! What a day. There is so much to tell and honestly, my energy level is not at its highest. So I will let the pictures tell the story for now. We'll try to write about the whole experience later. Just know that it was an amazing day and one we will never forget.


Maya first enters the room and is a little unsure about everything


Mommy finally gets to hold her baby


You know I couldn't wait to kiss those cheeks!


Daddy's turn...she's doing great!


And then the crying began...


...and lasted over an hour


Until...


She finally wore herself out


So sweet





A little less traumatized in the room


Then we headed to the foster family's home


Jackson, notice the two french fries in her hands. She loves fries like you!


This is the foster family's home...right off a very busy street


Maya's true personality comes out in her familiar surroundings


She has a beautiful smile!


We're told she "wai's" when given her bottle


This is everyone who lives in and around Maya. All are family and extended family.
Devra, she should love the chaos of our crew :)


Maya's foster mother and father...they really love her. This was so evident as we visited with them.

We can hardly wait!

The streets of Bangkok-packed with vendors. Seriouly, vendors everywhere.


You thought Houston was bad. You should see the traffic in Bangkok!


All the traffic police and tuk tuk drivers wear these masks because the smog is so bad here.


We visited the Grand Palace today


Everything was very shiney!



Tomorrow is the big day! The whole reason we traveled halfway around the world...to meet and bring our daughter home. We will meet in the lobby with the other 3 families adopting through Holt and watch a quick video about the Holt agency here in Thailand. Then at 10:30am, the children arrive! We've charged our camera batteries and gifts are wrapped for the foster family(whom we get to meet tomorrow also). I sure hope I'm able to sleep tonight. So back there in the United States, we will have Maya in our arms around 9:30pm(central time). Thank you in advance for all your prayers for a smooth transition for Maya.

Kora and Jackson...we will give hugs and kisses to Maya from you both. We miss you and love you very much.

By the way, we are having a lot of problems posting pics, so I will try to add more as I'm able. We're hoping to see the hotel I.T. guy tomorrow morning so no one back home misses any of the photos of tomorrow. Wish us luck...

"Compassion" for the poor

Nernkebak Project staff


Sompit's home



They eat on the floor here


The kitchen


Thai toilet


Sompit sleeps on a thin floor mat under this mosquito net


We finally meet after 9 years of sponsoring her


Hotel room in Phitsanulok...450 baht
Lunch for 9 people at local streetside restaurant...500 baht
White guy wearing a pink scarf in the middle of a small Thai village...Priceless!


Wow, where do I begin. Jason and I are back in Bangkok after an overwhelming and exhausting trip to the Nankerbak Compassion Project, a 5 hour train ride from Bangkok to Phitsanulok and an hour car ride from Phitsanulok. We were met by our interpreter, Tong, and the project's director who drove us to the project. Everyone was extremely nice and were more than willing to answer all our questions. After touring the project(we'll post those pics later) we went to Sompit's home. This was the highlight of our visit. Sompit was so excited to meet us. Her mom said she couldn't sleep the night before. We were able to meet Sompit, her mom, a niece, grandmother and about 5 other friends. We were quite the entertainment I think. Sompit was extremely shy but I could tell she, like we were, was just soaking it all in. They were very appreciative of all the gifts we brought them and in return Sompit gave us two crocheted scarves she had made over the past month. She said she found out we were coming to visit 1 month ago and that day bought the yarn to make our gifts. Very thoughtful and meaningful gifts for us. She presented them to us and wrapped them around our necks with such pride. Jason and I couldn't bear to take them off the rest of the day. So sweet.
Sompit and her mom showed us around their home. It was so difficult to not gasp and show our sadness for their living conditions. My heart was breaking. And they had such pride for all they had. This family has had a bigger impact on us then I think we ever will on them.
We saw pictures of Sompit's father, who was out working, and found out Sompit has a 27 year old brother, who happens to be a monk. Very interesting. I wonder how that plays out at home with all of the Christain influence and teachings Sompit is getting from Compassion? We thought that was interesting.

After visiting their home, we went to lunch with Sompit, her mom and 5 Compassion staff members. We went to a local joint and experienced authentic Thai food for the first time while we've been in Thailand. (Everyone remember Jason's allergies) We knew before we came here that this was not going to be a cultural culinary experience for us. Okay, I digress. No trips to the hospital were needed. We ate a very delicious meal of fried egg, rice(of course), waterweed soup, beef spicy! soup, and a vegetable combination for the rice. So no epi pens needed and we enjoyed the company of all our new friends tremendously. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone after such a meaningful day. Jason and I were ready to stay on staff there and be a part of this amazing ministry that these people run. We will most definitely continue supporting Compassion and will passionately encourage others to join in their mission.

We're Here!

Did we pack enough? Yikes!


This is the view from our hotel room.


Ben, Becca and Kailani

Well, after a long 17 hour,bumpy flight over the Pacific Ocean, we made it to Bangkok. It's amazing to be here and I'm still pinching myself...it seems so unreal to me. It still hasn't hit me yet.
The Thai people are breathtaking. These beautiful and gracious people leave me in awe. Thailand is known as the "land of smiles." And Bangkok is very much living up to this name.

We were so excited to find out when we checked-in to our hotel that the couple who's been here this past week getting their daughter Kailani, were still checked-in. We were told they were leaving today, but were still here. I quickly called their room and we arranged to meet for lunch at the poolside restaurant in the hotel. What a treat that was!!! I feel like I've known these people forever when in actuality we've only communicated via email or through the Holt web forum. But we've followed each others journey of adoption and to get to meet them in person with their new beautiful daughter....I was ecstatic. Kailani is absolutely precious and she even took my hand during lunch and wanted me to walk with her. Do you think I hesitated?! :) We walked around the pool area and then she even let me hold her! I was soaking it all in and just thinking that in 4 days I would be holding my Thai daughter. I can't wait!

Ben and Becca, we're so blessed to have met you in person. Amazing that God brought us together on the other side of the world to meet and journey together. It was great getting insider traveler's tips and advice. Blessings to you and your beautiful family as you continue your vacation in Chang Mai.

Jason and I leave in the morning on a train to Phitsanulok. We will spend the night there and meet with Compassion staff in the morning and travel to meet Sompit and her family. I will take lots of pics and video for everyone. I don't expect to have internet capabilities there, so look for our next post some time Thursday night(Thai time).

Thanks for all your prayers for our travels to Thailand. I felt very peaceful as we flew and I know that was because of all of you. Do remember Jason, as his stomach is acting up and he's hoping to not let that keep him down.

We'll keep you all posted....

LAX

Jason and I made it to LAX. We're half way there right?:) We are killing time while we wait for our flight to Bangkok(about 5 hours from now). The kids did well this morning when we left. Jackson asked my mom as soon as we pulled away, "Coco, do you know how to take care of us?" Obviously he's a little worried about our separation. But all reports at how say everyone is doing well and no tears have been shed. But it is only day 1.

So just wanted to check in with everyone. The next time we'll "see" ya'll, we'll be on the other side of the world! That's crazy!!!

Giving Thanks!

We have so much to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving weekend.

God is amazing! Ever since Jason and I married in 1997, God has been preparing our hearts for adoption. The first time I can remember Him really shaking things up for us, was when He brought Sompit to our attention through Compassion International. A sweet 5 year old, with brown eyes you could lose yourself in, she tugged at our hearts to become her sponsor. We learned much about Thailand over the next few years and suddenly began the conversation about possibly adopting a little girl from Thailand one day. We talked about it, but you never think something that huge might actually happen. Right!?! Well, last year in February, the Lord put it on our hearts...it was time. We had a beautiful biological girl and boy, and now we were being called to go get that girl we talked about 9 years ago.

Which brings us to this moment. We are leaving for Thailand tomorrow to adopt our daughter, Maya Sunisa. And we get to meet Sompit while we're there. Isn't God good! It is so cool to see His plans coming together. We feel so fortunate to have been chosen for this journey and can't wait to begin our new life as a family of five. Praise God and may He receive all the glory.
See you in Bangkok!