A Visit to Maylie's Orphanage and We Are Forever Changed

Today we traveled to Maylie's orphanage with Jenna's family.Upon
arrival we met the director and several staff members.
This beautiful table awaited us with exotic fruit and tea!

This is the same spot were Maylie's update photos were taken.

Zhongshan City Children's Welfare Institute - Home to 500 children

Maylie was quiet at our first arrival but excited to see her nannies. After the tea we went up four levels to visit Maylie and Jenna's classmates. Maylie was literally mobbed by her little friends. They were so excited to see Maylie and Jenna and all the parents (and I think they knew we had treats for them.) Maylie was overwhelmed briefly by the over excited children and shed a few tears which only lasted for a few seconds.

Maylie and Jenna passing out treats to their precious friends.

Two of Maylie's beloved nannies.

Maylie's former playground.

Beauty

The director, staff, nannies, children, & our family.

The children were crowding around for more treats so Maylie
took authority and told them to line up in a queue!

Walking her friends to lunch.

Sweetness

When we left the lunch room there were literally about four nannies hugging Maylie and shedding many tears. These nannies loved. loved. Loved Maylie.

Maylie's former bed.

Several times since Gotcha Day we feel like pinching ourselves to prove this all isn't a dream. How did we get Maylie? How did we get so blessed? We have done nothing good. God has done everything great. All we did was receive this precious gift. What good and gracious gifts our Heavenly Father gives His children!

After lunch and on their way to naptime.

One more kiss goodbye.

I have always heard it is life changing to visit your child's orphanage. I know some parents wisely discern that it would not be in the best interest of their child to visit their orphanage. I am so grateful it worked out for us. It was probably the most emotional experience I have ever had. I couldn't stop crying on the ride home. I just felt like flying home to America and shouting from the rooftops "Please adopt a precious orphan or support someone called to adopt!"
We are forever changed.

I'm stealing the following quote from another adoptive family's blog: www.amorisadenzel.blogspot.com

A Franciscan Benidiction: "May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with an anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you can reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."