Exploring some of Hong Kong

In the afternoon, a friend of ours who lives in Hong Kong came and met us at our hotel and we went for a light quick lunch at McDonald's. It was interesting to experience how familair things like Starbucks and McDonald's can vary so much. The menu options were fun and certainly options varied from what we can get in the US. We went with tried and true chicken nuggets (we were thinking of you, Eloise!).

After lunch, our friend helped us navigate the MTR (mass transit railway) and we explored Kowloon for a bit. We saw exquiste shopping centers, large business buildings, and even went to the ICC (one of the largest buildings in Hong Kong).

     

  

We were also tickled by the fact that a lot of the greenery near these big skyscrappers is none other than bamboo...

We got to explore some of the markets in Hong Kong as well. One, called 360, was oddly familair and almost a replica of a Whole Foods in the US. There were some differences though...

 The views of the city were breath taking. It was overcast and rainy, but still absolutely gorgeous. On our way to Kowloon, we saw lots of gorgeous rolling green hills. The city landscape was vast. Definitely larger than the big city landscape we are used to when we visit Seattle.

We are feeling much more settled in after getting to explore the city a bit with friends who have lived here for years. We plan to explore much more of it today.

We stayed in last night and enjoyed spicy ramen noodles (goodness, those were yummy!) and oolong tea. We are feeling a little bit better after a long sleep last night. Thank you for the continued prayers, well wishes and encouragement.

-- Sarah & Jesse

We have arrived in Hong Kong!!

After our 14 hour flight from San Francisco, we have landed safely in Hong Kong! It was later in the evening when we checked in. After a nights rest (but we both were unexplicably wide awake at 4 am on the dot-- jet lag), we eventually showered and ventured outside our hotel room to explore the Hong Kong Airport and our hotel further.

I think that the first after travel shower feels about as glorious as the first shower after a trip camping!

We found a buffet at our hotel and were amazed at all of our options. There were typical American things like espresso (yep, coffee is definitely not the same here as in the states), eggs, sausage, yoplait yogurt and cereal. But there were also some new things: rice, curry, naan bread, pho noodles with dumplings, japanese chicken, etc. There were lots of other things offered, that we didnt recognize.

We also found the airport here is huge. We couldn't believe how many airlines go through here. We also have never seen so many Taxi's before!

Taxi's at the Hong Kong International Airport

We walked around a bit, to get our bearings of where we are and what is around us. We found some comforting places (hello, Starbucks and McDonalds!) but the menus are a little bit different than what we are used to in the States:

The airport has some nice views. We didn't realize just how HUGE of a city Hong Kong truly is.

Jesse and I also seem to have caught the colds our boys had, so we are feeling a bit under the weather today. We plan to mostly lay low and get lots of rest today. Prayers that we would recover quickly are definitely needed and are appreciated.

So, here are a few things we have learned from our travels:

1) Bring a pen. We (for the first time ever) didn't have a pen on us. It must be blue or black ink (writing in red is a no-no). You will need this to fill out your customs slip on the plane to make getting through   immigration easier. We got a lot of odd looks not just at the airport, but restaurants for asking to borrow a pen. We have a pen with us whenever we leave now. 

2) Peanut butter, if you bring it-- must go in stowed baggage and not in your carry on. Even though it's  not what most think as a liquid, it's a TSA no-no. We lost our Jiffy PB in Boise this way. Oddly enough though, powdered peanut butter is just fine (I asked).

3) Personal space: Yea.. That space bubble we all love in the US.. Not a thing here. In fact, I lost Jesse more times than I can count and had people cut us in line if we left anything close to a foot in space between the person in front of us. There is also a lot of general pushing.. (Not shoving) but general jostling and herding in big groups to get any place.

4)  Be sure to exchange some (a small amount, like $100 or so) of money once you arrive. We were told that most of Hong Kong readily accepts US money. Which, many do.. But they have to convert it, then pay you back in Hong Kong dollars, and it's just.. Awkward. 

-- Also, HK money is different from whats used in Mainland China, which uses the Yuan. At this time, we are exchanging small amounts as we need them, as to avoid exchanging more $$ to the yuan, once we are in mainland China.

(Hey boys, we are saving some of these coins for you!)

We are experiencing a bit of culture shock as well. We did our research before travel, but reading about traveling somewhere and actually experiencing it are two things all together!  As our friend pointed out, this is giving us a glimpse of what Kameron will experience when he comes home to the US. The sounds, the smells, how people act/interact with one another, the language barrier, exchanging money, socially-- (knowing you have just done something not quite right, based on the faces of the other people and feeling frustrated because you have no idea what you just did), culturally, Etc.We have felt this heavily in the past 24 hours.

I keep whispering, "help them to forgive us, Lord. For we know not what we do...."

We will be trying to update this blog as much as we can and have access/the ability to. Thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers. Thank you to our friends who live in and/or have been to Hong Kong and have helped advise us. And thank you to Lifeline (our agency) for helping us every step of the way. Im not sure we would be on thus big adventure without all of you!

Love, 

Jesse & Sarah

Packing for China-- 3 more sleeps!!

Jesse and I have been in motion this week-- non-stop. We are tending to last minute shopping details, packing, prepping, loving on our boys, etc. Things are nicely being checked off our checklists. And we were finally feeling ahead.

Then, yesterday happened.  As Jesse was trimming some of our bushes, his wedding ring came off. He knew the exact location, but after 4+ hours of looking-- it still isn't found. We will be spending the daylight hours today trying to find it. A speed bump, we weren't planning on.

Also, our littlest has a slight cold. Thankfully, he has no fever and isn't down or out about it at all. He still is his happy and rambunctious self. The boys are thrilled for our trip to China and bringing Kameron home. But they need our time, love, and attention, right now-- more than ever.

Yesterday was just a hard day. We did a lot of housework and got a lot accomplished. Then the mail came. A letter from a last grant we were waiting on, notified us that, unfortunately-- we did not receive one of their grants.

Then a call from the vet's office-- "your Dog is due for a vaccination" BEFORE you leave in 3 days for China. And then the emissions testing for our state notifies us that we have to get our car tested-- and with our travel dates-- that also means BEFORE we leave for China.

Meanwhile, Sarah (me) is working up until we leave. So a lot of our readiness is dependent upon what we can accomplish this weekend.

There is still money to wire to China and all kinds of last minute errands and tasks we still need to accomplish. Are you feeling the gravity of our to do list? Because we most certainly are!

There have been moments of tears and frustration. Especially, yesterday. But there has been a lot of laughter and joy. Our situation feels ridiculous right now-- how can ALL of this be done in 72 hours? How to do we account for the last couple thousand for the adoption? It's simple math! But we also have faith that God will provide.

I was feeling overwhelmed with the financial reality of the adoption-- but we found out our matching grant paid out more than they had promised to meet. When we asked our adoption agency what they had received for us-- it was $1,000.00 more than we were anticipating. Praise the Lord!

So while things aren't perfect, nor what we had anticipated or expected, we are praising the Lord for all he has done and continues to do.

Your prayers, well wishes and encouragement are so appreciated. Thank you for coming alongside us throughout this journey.

And as we we countdown with our little one's at home--- CHINA!!! In 3 more sleeps!!!

Consulate Appointment, Gotcha Day-- and We Have Tickets to CHINA!!

Today was another BIG DAY! We got Consulate Appointment (CA) Approval. And we BOUGHT OUR TICKETS TO CHINA!! And... to make this all even more INSANE--- we leave in two weeks!!

Our "Gotcha Day" is on November 16th. This is an important date in our household, as it's our youngest son's birthday. Mommy is a little sad to be missing little man's birthday. But we will do a little celebration BEFORE we leave, and my family has assured me they will make his actual birthday and Kameron's Gotcha Day, special in our absence.

So now, we are packing like mad. Getting things in order. Loving on our boys. Purchasing things we will need on this trip. Ensuring we have all the paperwork we need. Wiring money. Making lists. Checking them thrice.

It's a little overwhelming thinking of the to do's and the amount of time we have to do it all in.

We also found out that the very last funds needed for our Matching Grant came through! We now are awaiting the last few thousand dollars and should hear about one final grant soon to be fully funded.

Things are coming together. We are so excited-- that it is palpable in the Maddux household. Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and support.

It is our understanding that a couple weeks before Gotcha Day, any orphaned child in the foster care system in China is returned to the orphanage for the adoption. Our thoughts, prayers, and hearts are with Kameron as he, likely soon, will be leaving his foster family who has cared for him the past 5 years.


--The Maddux Family

Travel Approval (TA)-- China HERE WE COME!!

We got exciting news today! Our travel approval (which typically takes 2 weeks) took a few days and is HERE! Our agency has already submitted our first choice for an appointment with the American Consult in Guangzhou, China. Once this date is confirmed, we buy our tickets and START PACKING!! 

And it looks like our trip is coming up crazy soon (like in a couple weeks). We are thrilled, but the realization that we aren't as prepared as we had hoped to be at this point, has set in deep! We have housework to complete, Kameron's room to finish, some clothing necessities to buy, and a crazy amount of errands to run. Let the nesting instincts commence!

Today was a BIG day for the Maddux Family. We all were so excited. It was a moment, that we decided, that deserved celebration and CAKE!!

Toby munching on our TA (Travel Approval) cake!

We are still awaiting on final totals for our Matching Grant-- but are near meeting our matching goal total. We still have $3,000 dollars left to be fully funded for our adoption and are waiting to hear back on one final grant that we, honestly, are really depending on/needing to come through.

We are thrilled to be sharing this good news. We appreciate your words of encouragement, support and prayers. As you can imagine, I need to run-- as there is LOTS to plan and to do!!!


-- The Maddux Family

This Week's Events

This week we were notified of Article 5 pick up. Now, we are waiting on Travel Approval. Once we have Travel Approval (aka: TA) we proceed to Consult Appointment (aka: CA) and then all the trip planning starts happens. Then we will know exactly WHEN we go. And things are getting crazy/exciting/wonderful/terrifying all at the very same time!!

We are on step #15 and soon #16!!

Adoptions involve a lot of paperwork. Right now, however, we are in a time of finishing up our fundraisers, preparing our boys, our home, and our suitcases for travel to China!! We have had a couple weeks of very little paperwork, for once, and it's been a much needed break!

I've worked on a Lifebook for Kameron. It's filled with pictures of our family, our home, photos of him and his story. I'm so excited to give it to him. On the very last page is a list of all the names of people (and families) that have helped in some way to get him home. It was an emotional project for me, as I was in absolute awe of how many names were written in teeny-tiny print. At the end, there were well over 150+ names.

We have not felt alone, really ever, on this journey towards adoption. And that is such an awesome blessing! We have had so many come and walk alongside us and assist us in various ways. We are so incredibly thankful for our supportive family, friends, church and community. It means so much to each of us. I'm not sure we realized how many people truly care for us until we took on this journey. And it's been awesome to say the least!

I can't seem to say it enough. We get to go to China! And soon! We will spend a week in Kameron's orphanage province and then spend a week in Guangzhou (pronounced Goo-Wong-Jo) were the American Consult is. We are particularly excited, because this is our first trip abroad. And of course, anxious-- because we have never traveled abroad!

In terms of our fundraisers we are down to the very last amount needed for a matching grant (maybe $100 dollars or less) and down to the last few thousand and our adoption will officially be FULLY funded!

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We hope that you will continue to pray for our family and especially for Kameron as he prepares to take on a brand new family and culture. We don't suspect it will be easy for him. And we are hoping for a good transition for the boys as they soon meet and learn to love their new brother.

-- The Maddux Family

Our Final Update on Kameron

There have been some recent holidays in the United States and in China which have delayed our Article 5 process by about a week. It's now looking more like we will be heading to China around Thanksgiving or just after that. I was feeling a bit discouraged about it at first, but this will allow us to be home for our youngest child's 2nd birthday, which I have been really hoping not to miss. I have been able to find my silver lining in the wait. And I'm grateful for that. Because the wait isn't always easy....

After Article 5 is processed, this coming week we are anticipating "Article 5 pick-up" then we move on to Travel Approval and start planning dates and our trip in more detail.

Our apple butter (Jesse made over 100 half-pints) sold out within less than 2 weeks. I still can't believe how successful this fundraiser was!! And the making of said apple butter not only made our home smell like Fall, but it sure makes me miss our time in Nashville, Tennessee! Thank you to those who participated and really encouraged us to pursue this kind of fundraiser!

I'm working on a photobook to give Kameron on our "Gotcha Day." It will be a book about our story finding him, pictures of our house and of his new family, and what we and so many others have contributed to help bring him home. I worked on the last page of the book today. I spent quite a long time listing all the names of those who have helped us along the way. As I worked on this portion, I had a tear in my eyes. I was in awe as I counted the names. So far, there are over 120+ names that in some way have helped us on our journey to get Kameron home! When God call's you to something BIG, he certainly provides BIG!

We also got our final (that's right, our VERY last) update on Kameron that we will get until we travel to get him. We ALL get so excited for these updates. Even the boys will suddenly be motivated to help finish folding and putting away laundry, just to get to hear new things about him. And, it came yesterday with a new set of pictures.

Jesse and I are trying our best to prepare for our upcoming travel (we have our suitcases and are probably now some of the MOST immunized people around) and to also prepare and invest in our 3 boys at home. I have loved their enthusiasm for their new brother. The way the two older boys embrace Kameron's culture with their thirst for all things China, has been absolutely wonderful. The love they have for Kameron is already well evident.

In terms of our fundraising, we are excited to tell you that we have raised all BUT $400 dollars of our $2500 Lifesong for Orphans matching grant. Click here if you wish to donate (Click on Gift Preference: Adoption specific. Family Specific. Maddux. Account 5497). Additionally, we learned just TONIGHT that we have received a $1,000 adoption grant as well! That puts us within a couple thousand dollars of being FULLY FUNDED! Praise the Lord!

Today, I have been reflecting on the last 10 months, when we first started talking about possibly considering the adoption. How frightened we were in the beginning. Especially, when the sinking feeling hit about the cost of the adoption. How on EARTH were we EVER going to raise that much? People don't have that kind of money just lying around. And looking back as we near travel to China...  we can see the finish line. I look back at those scared but obedient people, and see how we are NEARLY there-- about to cross the finish line of the adoption marathon. Our trust and faith is ALL in. I can see how God has used this process of the adoption to make us a stronger more connected family. How it's helped me become an even better mother. It's helped Jesse become and even better father. It's helped open our eyes, in ways we never could have imagined.

Knowing the process required for an adoption and the in's and out's of all it took: Would we still do it, knowing then what we know now? In a heart beat! This journey has been an awfully big adventure.