Day 2 in Changsha

Well hello everyone, this is Jason! First, I can't tell you what your comments and encouragement have meant to the two of us. Reading your loving thoughts brought the both of us to tears. (Before I forget, hope all you moms out there had a terrific mom's day, and I'm supposed to give a shout out to the Evergreen Christian family from Mrs. H. Actually she wanted me to send you all hugs and kisses and that sort of thing but my salutation sounds way cooler.) Day 2 has been both encouraging and heart wrenching if that makes any sense. Jia was loved beautifully at the orphanage. In fact it's clear that she was a favorite of the director. Her very strong bond to her caregiver and the director makes her unnatural and abrupt separation from them the most painful thing Krysta and I have ever witnessed. She continues to mourn her loss with a crying that is so filled with sorrow and suffering sometimes we think our hearts will literally break into millions of pieces. It's impossible for Krysta and I to hear it without joining her. She's not really mad at us, just full of confusion and deep pain. I wonder how large of a scar it will leave on her.

Ok, now for the encouraging part. Because Jia received such wonderful care, her overall development is far beyond the other children in our group from the same orphanage (we're a little conflicted about that, as you might imagine). Her language skills are more advanced (and I'm not just speaking as a proud father - entirely). She has already begun to sign "please", "thank you", "more", "bye-bye" etc. She's sharp as a tack.
It's also quite apparent that Jia has a strong capacity to love people. Not only has this been demonstrated in the severity of her separation sorrow, but also in the way she has begun to connect with Krysta. She's allowing Krysta to help her through her pain. When she cries out in anguish for her "baba" (that's what she called the director), she wants Krysta to hold her and stay with her until a merciful sleep takes over her exhausted body. Krysta is "mama" to her now and the beginnings of their relationship are full of hope!

In addition, if you will indulge a little vanity on my part (ok, alot), she happens to be about the most beautiful little girl in all of China (actually I'm thinking the world, but that just sounds over the top doesn't it - even if it's true). But you don't have to take my word for it (though I do consider myself completely impartial). Just ask any one of the dozens of people who have told us that on the streets, in the stores, from our guide, and in our group. It's almost embarrassing!!! One lady stopped me while I was pushing Jia through a department store today to give me the "thumbs-up" sign. For those of you not aware, the "thumbs-up" sign is the universal signal for "that is the cutest kid in the entire world."

One last note, we think she has scabies. Krysta rubbed her down with some sort of cream from head to toe and now her hair looks like Pat Riley's. Pretty cool. One very last note, SHE'S POTTY-TRAINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!