Going Public

The original intent of this blog was to keep close family and friends (which I have been blessed with a lot of) updated on the happenings of our adoption and to have a record of sorts to give to our daughter of the days leading up to her joining our family.  I have since decided to go public with the blog and even go so far as to post it on Facebook.  My motivation for this is not to get the "oh you're such a good person for doing this" or "she's so lucky to have you" comments.  Although people mean well when they say these things I don't actually believe them to be true.  I am just the average mom and Joni is NOT lucky...she has been abandoned, was born with a visible special need, has spent her first year in an orphanage, will be removed from her comfort zone and culture and will most likely never know anything about her biological family.  Yes, I do believe we will provide her with a loving home, education, future, etc. that millions of other orphans will not get but let's be honest...any healthy American born into a loving family is much more "lucky" then Joni.  God is redeeming a sad situation and because of that our family and Joni will be blessed through adoption.

So my point of this entry is to say that the intent of making my blog public is to advocate.  First for the orphan.  So many are unaware of the global orphan crisis.  To grow up without a family greatly increases your chances of drug use, criminal behavior, mental issues, prostitution, gang membership, vulnerability to child trafficking, and a host of other horrible outcomes.  But mostly it is just a very sad, lonely, isolating life.  Second I am advocating for adoption.  Although international adoption is NOT the answer to the global orphan crisis (this topic deserves an entry in itself, maybe later) it is the best option for some orphans.  Orphans like Joni who because of her special need, the country/culture she lives in, and the amount of available healthy orphans in China, international adoption is her best chance of living a good life.  Perhaps if I am honest and authentic here, during my journey, someone...somewhere will read this and think, "hey, I have the space in my heart and home for an orphan."  Maybe, just maybe, my words will move them from consideration to active pursuit.  Not all families are meant to adopt, but I think more should consider it.  Finally I'm advocating for EVERYONE to find their passion, their burden for others, and go do something about it.  I don't know why but I really feel part of my purpose here on earth is to care about the orphan, through my job, through my church, through our adoption.  Perhaps some of you still don't know what your passion is, I didn't know mine until after college, but take some time to find out what it is and go, get moving!  Feed the homeless, teach those music lessons, work towards racial reconciliation, clean up the ocean, change this world and give up your life to God and for your fellow man.  Because it's there your life will be found.         

She has a name...

and it's Joni Yayan Prinzing.  For those of you who are confused by the title of our blog, "mei mei" means "little sister" in Chinese, we never actually intended on naming her that.  "Joni" (pronounced Johnny) after her uncle John, great-uncle John, and great-grandfather John...all who share her birthday, December 27th.  Additionally, Scott's grandfather and uncle (who passed away at birth) were named John.  So she will be carrying on a significant family name.  The spelling choice is in honor of Joni Eareckson Tada, one of my personal heroes and someone who my daughter can really look up to.  "Yayan" is her Chinese name given to her most likely by the orphanage director.  I want to keep this piece of her history, not to remind her that she was once an orphan but to remind her that the gift of nationality she was blessed with at birth was Chinese.  Perhaps one day (at least this is my desire) she will be able to move from seeing herself as a Caucasian on the inside, Asian on the outside, to a beautiful mix of both.  A unique individual who can glean from both heritages and feel confident/comfortable being with either and all races.  I understand that will be a process, a difficult and painful one that will take twists and turns for us both, but I already look forward to knowing that woman whose spirit will reflect the wondrous diversity and glory that is the human race.  Then of course the name I am most excited to give her is "Prinzing" because it is her FAMILY name.  She will belong, parents will be responsible for her, she will fill a role of daughter and sister, she will have a home, her life until her final breath and beyond will be celebrated, and she will know acceptance and love.

In the Chinese culture choosing a name is a very sacred and complex process.  They believe that the name will influence their destiny.  I do not know how the name "Joni Yayan Prinzing" will effect my daughter, though I'm pretty sure she's going to hate us for giving her a "boy's" name until she gets older and that becomes kinda cool.  I hope she understands that the name was given with love, honor, and thoughtfulness.           

Flights are BOOKED...we're getting closer!

Thursday 10 February 2011

Continental Airlines Inc - Flight CO 0089 Status:Confirmed

Depart:Newark Int'l Airport, Newark, NJ, USSeat:41B 41C

11:50 AM Class:H-Economy/Coach

Arrive:Beijing Capital Airport, Travel Time:13:45, Beijing, CN Stopovers:0

Friday, February 11, 2011,  2:35 PM

Aircraft:Boeing 777-200/300,  Terminal 3Meal:Lunch

Friday 25 February 2011

Continental Airlines Inc - Flight CO 0098Status:Confirmed

Depart:Hong Kong Int'l Airport, Hong Kong, CNSeat:41E 41F

11:25 AM Class:H-Economy/Coach

Arrive:Newark Int'l AirportTravel Time:15:20,  Newark, NJ, USStopovers:0

1:45 PM

Aircraft:Boeing 777-200/300, Terminal B Meal:Lunch

Final Travel Dates...February 10th - 25th

Our agency called yesterday to report the arrival of our TA (travel approval) and today we received confirmation of our US Consulate appointment.  Flights get booked tomorrow and it looks like we will be flying in and out of Newark and that Grandma and Grandpa will be watching the kiddos.  Of course our Lake Champion family is going to lend a hand to make sure there's no mutinous activity and to give the grandparents some well-deserved breaks.

It's exciting to know that in about a month I will be holding my baby girl.  I wish we could go tomorrow and at the same time I have a bizillion things to do.  Wow this process has been such a roller coaster.  Although I'm grateful for the personal growth (believe me it is needed...just ask Scott) I am ready for the adoption to be over.  I'm ready to meet her, sign those papers, escort her through customs as she converts to a US citizen, introduce her to our friends and family, and tuck her safely into her crib.  Don't get me wrong, I have realistic expectations.  I know that the real challenges begin after "gotcha day" and that the refining process is only going to get hotter.  But I'm ready to move onto that challenge because I believe in the power of faith and hope and repentance and forgiveness.  I trust that these four concepts applied and clung to will get us through the hard times and in the end form a family.  An imperfect one, but a strong and permanent one.  So though I am scared and the journey is really just beginning, I am ready.  Come on February 10th.


Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Isaiah 43:4-6

Merry Christmas

Introducing Yayan!

Our RA/LOA (Referral Acceptance/Letter Of Aceptance) just arrived today!  This means two things...we can apply for our TA (Travel Apointment) in time to travel in February at the latest (and I DO NOT have to renew our home study for the fourth time) and I can finally post pictures of our daughter.  If this is the first time you are checking out this blog, scroll down to my "Referral!" post to find out more details.  I am in awe of how wonderful God has been to us and approaching this Christmas season with a whole new level of gratitude and understanding what it means to be loved by Jesus and others. 

By the way, the first photo has been edited by my awesome brother John.  I'm sure you will spot it.

Map of the World