Barbie in China?

Andy and I were getting ready to leave our room this morning when there was a knock on the door. When Andy answered, a hotel staff person handed him a gift for Natalie. It is a 'Going Home' Barbie. She's holding an Asian baby in her arms. On the back of the box there is a message: 'This souvenir is presented by Mattel (HK) Ltd. to adoption parents of Chinese orphan children staying at the White Swan Hotel, Guangzhou, China'. A note came with the gift as well mentioning that the childrens play room, the Swan Room, was designed by Mattel Inc. We've only peeked in the room but noticed that many families enjoy the space with their small children. This hotel is filled with adoptive families, all with stories to tell. Some who have adopted before and have returned to adopt again with their older children traveling with them. Many who have adopted special needs children; children who may never have received the medical attention necessary if not for being adopted. I met a woman from Indiana at the elevators this morning who waited 2 years for her referral. Her daughter is 2 years old and will most likely need a prosthetic leg made in the U.S. for her. This woman is just beaming with joy and is such an example of God's love.

I keep thinking back to the babies at the orphanage and wonder what life will be like for them. Aina said one baby there was only 20 days old. Natalie was one day old when she was placed in the orphanage. One of the pieces of paperwork we received was the newspaper clipping of Natalie being found. It's a pictured of her tiny face and a small caption noting where and when she was found. It's China's last attempt at finding the birth parents. I'm sure we'll continue to process all of what has happened here in the next few weeks, months, and years. In our joy I tend to forget the sad reality of how Natalie came to be with us. She is such a blessing to us all. Alicia