Excerpts From My China Journal - Nov. 1

In the past, I've published excerpts from other adoption journals and many people have come to me and told me how MUCH they enjoyed it and how it helped them prepare for their own adoption journeys or make the decision if they wanted to adopt, etc.  Many just simply enjoyed reading it.  Therefore, I have decided to do the same with this journal, as this is my first China adoption trip (and LAST).  I hope you enjoy it and I hope it's not too boring!

Nov. 1, 2014

I arrived in Beijing yesterday!  Three hours from Orlando to Newark (saw the Freedom Tower for the first time) then 13 hours Newark to Beijing, but I had the ENTIRE row of seats to myself!  I could stretch out, lie down (as much as a 5'10" person can lie down across 3 narrow airplane seats) and really was quite comfortable!!  I watched quite a few movies.  It really wasn't that bad, thanks to having the row of seats!

  

Ready to leave Orlando!!  Am I REALLY doing this?!?

The dawn of a new day.

The Sha Tan Hotel.  There is  a VERY busy one-lane street in front that I'm standing on the far side of to take this picture.

The front lobby.  It's kind of hard to tell, but those are fancy paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and poinsettia plants in a row on the floor under them.  The hotel was very inexpensive and perfectly acceptable.

Anyway, immigration and customs was a breeze  and I found my guide, Angela, without difficulty.  She and her husband drove me to my hotel, which took about an hour (at least ) due to the ridiculous Beijing traffic.  My hotel is a modest one in downtown, very near the Forbidden City, but clean enough.  The bed is VERY hard.  :o(  Lots of people on the single lane street out there, selling foods.  I found a dingy convenience store (nicest one around) and bought some water.  Also found a bank and exchanged $4,000 into 24,400 RMB.  The stack was so thick I could barely fit it in my hide-a-pouch!  I was nervous walking the 3 blocks back to my hotel with all of that money, but all was well, and I believe I was quite safe.

Beijing has the reputation of having terrible air quality, and I'll admit, the smells here are strange.  Even within the hotel, the air smells funny.  It's not necessarily a BAD smell, and it's lots of DIFFERENT smells.  Just something I notice a lot, and I thought I'd mention.

Also, the food being sold on the street is not something this spoiled American would be tempted to buy: not only is produce sold on the side of the street, with cars literally driving down the one lane road with 1-3 feet of space on either side (I don't know how the vendors keep their stuff from being driven on!) but meats and eggs and stuff are kept out in the open!  Slabs of bacon and chicken are sold in the open air where cars drive past, only a few feet away!  Ukraine was much like this, but not quite as bad, and not right by the road, as I remember.  Bacon, infused with exhaust flavor!  Yuck!

Today is a free day.  I was supposed to go sight-seeing today but because the weather is hazy and cloudy, we decided to go tomorrow.  Then the next day, I go pick up my little HuiYang!!

GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=805668812823990&l=4248282140401717099

Okay, here's our winner of the Best Buy and Target gift cards!! Be sure and message me your mailing address!! CONGRATULATIONS!! (And please forgive this UGLY t-shirt Erik has on - he had a little too much fun in the water fountain and the school found this spare for him - ugh.)

I Am Not an Island

The giveaway drawing will still take place this Friday, but before I let another hour pass, I have to give thanks.


I've mentioned before that there are a few of those around who aren't enthusiastic about me adopting more kids. Mostly they are "worried" about me. Either that, or they simply stay silent. I say God is calling me to adopt all of these kids (after all, the only "calling" isn't to be a pastor or missionary!). Door after door of these girls' adoptions has been opened, some against unbelievable odds (like a single being able to adopt TWO kids - it's practically unheard of in China, amongst other things).


Over the past 4 months or so, I have had a front row seat in God's production, watching Him work in ways I haven't seen since He audibly told me in my left ear (yes, I heard it as clear as day) to adopt Reese. Every closed door I approached stayed closed until my nose got an inch in front of it when God swung it open. I didn't even need to turn the knob! This has happened time and time again with these last adoptions.


I have had some stress about money issues, and yes, the money did come as needed, and on time, just as my nose got close to every door, but a BIG chunk of the money was still due (plane fare, hotel, orphanage donations, legal fees, etc!!) and it was looking like it was going to be a penny-counter!! Until...

Go look and see how God has blessed these girls just today, reducing me to a blubbering mass of thankfulness. I dare you. Praise be to God!!! http://reecesrainbow.org/81148/sponsorvoigts








PLEASE, find a family that God leads you to who needs help and do everything you can to help them!! SO MANY PEOPLE have helped me to finance this adoption that I am truly humbled. I've never fundraised for any of my prior four adoptions, but this time I had to admit I needed help. Like most single working moms, I am independent. Too independent. I rely on myself. I go to work and earn the money and pay the bills, never taking a dime that I haven't earned myself. I do all the chores and the shopping and the cooking (okay, Reese helps with the dishes and with Erik...) and take all of the burden on myself. Well, I've learned a thing or two in the past few months; I've learned that I am not an island. Though asking for help and admitting that I NEED help is NOT in my nature whatsoever, I sometimes do need to humble myself and allow God to use others to help me. Because I am NOT an island. I am NOT the only one in my life. I CAN ask for help and it's GOOD to ask for help and it's GOOD to receive help and it's GOOD to give thanks for that help!! This has not been an easy lesson for me, but it's one that I've made strides in learning.


It has also reopened my eyes. Sometimes I get so focused on what my patients need and my boss needs and my kids need and my dogs need and what my creditors need and even what my car needs, that I forget that there are others out there who need help, too!! I have forgotten the need. The generosity of so many people has reignited the fire within me to help! Everyone's situation is unique and God calls each of us to help in different ways (Can you cook? Bring someone a meal! Can you work on cars? Help someone with their car maintenance! Got a lawn mower? Mow someone's lawn! Got extra money? Donate some of it in a specific way to help someone with a need, or else buy a bag of groceries or give a grocery gift card or donate to Reece's Rainbow - there are so MANY ways to help!), but would you take the time to let God speak to you and see if he is calling you to help a specific family or two to help bring their child(ren) home? After all, what cause beats helping widows or orphans? (okay, dogs too, but that's not in the Bible) Please, won't you help someone help someone, as so many others have helped me help my girls? I promise, you will be blessed for it!!!

New giveaway!!

Okay, let's try this again: I am launching a much simpler giveaway, and there is much less time in which to do it!!  

Someone very generously donated a $100 Best Buy gift card and I am adding my own $25 Target gift card to the mix and making it one big prize!!

So, here's the deal: I am trying to get my FSP to $1500 by next Friday, Oct. 24!  If my FSP account says $1500 I will let Erik draw a name from those who have tickets and that person will be the winner!  Here's how to get tickets:

1 ticket = $5
3 tickets = $10
10 tickets = $20
GOOD LUCK!!!

To make a tax-deductable donation, deposit the money in the girls' FSP account here: http://reecesrainbow.org/81148/sponsorvoigts and be sure and send me a receipt so you can get your name in the pot!

Disclaimer: If I don't get to $1500, all ticket purchases will be NON-REFUNDABLE, and the sad situation will be that no one gets the prize and I want to see someone get a great prize, so please buy tickets!!  ;o)  My FSP at the time of this posting is at $886, so only $614 needs to be raised from this giveaway!!

P.S.  To sweeten the deal, I will show a video of Erik picking the name out of the "hat"!

End of giveaway...

Well, the giveaway was a flop.  I only received 6 entries, which doesn't come anywhere NEAR enough to pay for anything so I'm calling it a bust.  That said, if anyone donated/bought tickets and would like a refund, PLEASE message me asap and I will refund your money!!!  I'm really sorry, but I guess I just didn't have anything listed that anyone would want (I thought sure the Chanel bags or the Beats headphones would be a draw, but I guess not...).  I tried!

MUCH THANKS to those of you who did participate, and as I said, please message me and I will refund your money!!

Major bummer...  Some people make thousands on these giveaways, but I obviously was not one of them.  Oh, well...

ADOPTION FUNDRAISER - GIVEAWAY!!!

I am heading to Asia in a very short time and need to complete my fundraising!!  I am adopting two little girls and one is aging out very soon and there is not much time to save money for adoption expenses, so I am putting together a giveaway.  I hope you'll participate!!

GIVEAWAY ENDS OCTOBER 4, 2014

This is "Alyssa" and "Hilary".  Your donations to my giveaway will help bring them home!!

This is how it works: I am listing many items and will draw a name for each item.  Because many of the items listed are for little girls, and not everyone HAS a little girl, I have decided to do my giveaway a little differently: Each person whose name is drawn, will, in order, get to CHOOSE which prize they receive!!  Because after all, who wants a toddler sized Christmas dress if they are a single man with no kids??  So, if you are the first name drawn, you get first choice!  Second name get second choice, etc.

So how do you get tickets?

For each person who mentions this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, their blog, or other social media outlet, you get one ticket.  For EACH mention.  Each day!  When you do this, PLEASE comment below so I know you've done it!!

Also, if you want more to buy tickets (and I hope you will!!) you can buy them like this:

One ticket: $5
Three tickets: $10
Six tickets: $15
Ten tickets: $20

Please pay via PayPal using the e-mail address mjtaborn@cfl.rr.com .

Every item shown is BRAND NEW, unless otherwise mentioned. Don't forget to check out ALL the items, all the way down to the bottom - there's a surprise at the bottom!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

1. $25 Target Gift Card

2. Beats headphones by Dr. Dre - PURPLE  Still new in package - never played!  

3.  (Set of 2 items)

 "its a small world" singing doll from the Disney Store.  The country is China.  This gorgeous little girl sings "It's a Small World" both in Chinese AND English, with a push of the button on her belly.  She is gorgeously dressed and large, at about 16" high, as measured through the box.  Retail, $29.95.

 8X8" scrapbook album with Mickey Mouse on the cover.  Includes 10 page protectors.  Retails for $9.95.  Authentic Disney.

4. (Set of 2 items)

 Jungle Book playset from the Disney Store.  Retails $12.95.  Brand new, still in the package.

 Air Hogs remote controlled helicopter.  Ages 8+  New in box.

5. Set of 4 CHANEL bags that nest within each other!  These bags are about the size of travel make up bags and are brand new!!  I'm going to be honest and say that these MAY be knock-offs, I don't know.  If they are authentic, they would be worth at least $1,000 for the set!!  Either way, they are gorgeous!!!

6.  Set of 25 brand new blank CD cases.

7.  (Set of 3 items)

Blue swirl plush blanket, very soft!!!  30 X 36".

Kohl's plush gorilla.  Very soft!!

Box of 64 Crayola Crayons in a vintage metal tin box.  Brand new!!  The tin box alone is pretty cool!

8. (Set of 2 items)

 6 X 6" decorative accordion album with ribbon closure.  Retail $7.00.  Disney, of course!

 Size 3T-4T horse Halloween costume.  Worn once for pictures only.  ;o)  No tags.

9. This is a large handcrafted photo album made from palm leaves and other natural materials.  Each page holds 4 4X6" photos on each side, and there are 10 2-sided pages.  $28 retail.  When you open it from the bag it's in, you can smell the trees that the book was harvested from!  A REALLY unique item!!!

10. Gorgeous ball gown, size 2X by Candlelight and Champagne.  Heavily beaded, black, professionally laundered.  This gown is perfect for Formal Night on cruises!!  It is heavy, due to all of the beads.  Worn once.  Black.   (Note: asking for $10 shipping on this item as it is very heavy.  Not required, but requested, if you choose this item should you win.)

11. (Set of 3 items)

 2 piece lingerie set, by Chanteuse Woman, with padded, covered hanger.  Size 3X.  NWT.  

2 bars of natural olive oil soaps.  I bought these in Greece last year on site from a farm where they process olive oil.  They are the real deal!!

12. Another gorgeous black ball gown!  Size 18W.  (It's HARD to find gowns like these in these sizes!!)  It is heavily beaded at the bodice.  Chadwick's.  Also heavy, due to beads.  Worn once.  (Note: requesting $10 to assist with shipping on this item should you choose it if you win.  I'm not requiring it, but I am requesting as it is very heavy.)

13. (Set of 2 items)

 Pink swimming suit with cute little ruffles, size 12 mo.  NWT

Size 12 mo. Christmas long-sleeved T-shirt that says, "Good things come in small packages" NWT

14. (Lot of 12)

 Green 2-pc. summer girl's outift size 2T.  NWT

 Size 2T set of two - one grey knitted sweater, one knit striped knit sweater with hood.  NWT

Big lot of 9 pairs of socks, 7 pairs are size 2T-3T, the other 2 pair are 12-24 months.

15.  (Huge set of 7 items!)

 IZOD brand  summer dress with panties, size 18 mo.  2 pieces.  NWT  (How cute is this?!?)

Size 18 mo. 3-pc pajama set, with "Candy Kisses" on it.  NWT

Size 18 mo.  1-pc. romper - Carter's.  NWT  (The decoration is hard to make out - it's a snail.)

  Size 18 mo. 2 pc. play romper with applique - slightly used.  (In the photo, it looks like there might be some slight stains on it, but in "real life" I don't see any at all.)

 Set of 2: Size 18 mo. knitted sweater with buttons, hooded; size 24 mo black and white striped knit sweater with pocket, also hooded.  NWT

 Size 18 mo. Christmas dress with 2 pieces: a sleeveless dress with a jacket that has ruffle around the neck and on the sleeves.  :o)   NWT

16.  (Lot of 5!)

Another irresistibly cute IZOD 2-piece outfit; size 24 mo. with dress and panties.  The skirt is gathered and just adorable!!!!  NWT

Size 24 mo. Christmas dress with double skirt lining/ruffle.  How gorgeous is this?!  NWT

2 sets of size 24 mo. lightweight footed pj's.  (sooooo cozy!!)  NWT

 Size 24 mo. long sleeve T-shirt that says, "Good things come in small packages".  NWT

17.  (Lot of 4)

Set of 3: One pink long sleeved thermal shirt, one red and white knit blouse, and one knitted grey sweater all size 3T.  NWT

Size 3T Carter's pj set with the word "Sleepy".  3 pieces!  NWT

18. (Lot of 4)

Size 4T Disney brand Minnie Mouse pj's for a girl, 2 pieces.  NWT

 2-piece outfit: size 4 corduroy pink flare pants (could you die?!) with a size 4T thermal long sleeved top!  NWT

Size 4T hooded fleece jacket.  NWT

19. Set of 2 size XS lightweight T's from Old Navy  NWT

20.  And NOW, get ready for this!!!  1 Troy Ounce .999 Silver Peace Dollar

Sooooo... which item(s) would YOU like to win?!?  Remember, in THIS auction, you get to CHOOSE!!!!  First name picked gets first choice, Second name gets second choice and on down the line until TWENTY names are picked!!!  

DON'T FORGET TO TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW IF YOU MENTIONED THIS AUCTION ON YOUR BLOG, FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLET SO YOU CAN GET A FREE TICKET FOR EACH MENTION!!  :o)  

To buy tickets, send payment via PayPal to mjtaborn@cfl.rr.com.  If you'd like to pay by mail, leave a comment and I'll send my address to you.  THANKS!!!