The Eyes of an Angel

Our lives have been forever changed...words cannot describe how amazing the past forty-eight hours have been. We are so sorry that we have been unable to post since arriving in Will's province. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to access our blog. Some friends have offered to update for us via e-mail. Please continue to post comments...we may not be able to read them for the next couple of days; however, they will be such an encouragement when our access is restored. We can send/receive e-mail if you would like to do so (jayhellums@juno.com or pkcjwh@juno.com). We miss you all so very much.

On to the real news...we have our precious baby boy! We flew to his province (Guangdong) on Monday morning. Due to a flight delay, we were late arriving. We were taken from the airport to our hotel for fifteen minutes, then we boarded another bus and headed to the Civil Affairs Office. Upon arriving, we were taken to the area where families meet their children. As soon as the elevator opened, we heard many babies and children crying/screaming.

I felt my eyes fill with tears...within five minutes Will was brought into the room and placed into my arms. He came willingly...he did not cry...only fussed a little later...he was so tired from the 5 - 6 hour car ride. If he has ever traveled by car, this was almost certainly the longest distance. Within a few minutes he smiled and laughed out loud.

He is a beautiful little boy. He is weak and small, for he has only been receiving formula (poor quality) with rice cereal. He can sit alone. It seems as though he has no concept of what a toy is. He prefers to look at his hands/feet. We think he weighs about sixteen pounds. One of the pictures you see is taken with a coffee cup so you can somewhat know his size...six to nine month clothing is still a little big in some outfits.

He is a happy baby...loves to laugh. At first, he made very little (if any) eye contact. By the hour we see him improving in this area. Our guide told us that due to the number of children, the bottles are propped and the nipples are cut so that the formula drains easily down the throats of the babies. He has probably had little opportunity for one on one interaction. It is obvious that the orphanage cared for him and met his basic needs - now he has the love of a family.
As we were talking, Jay said, "Paula, he is or was a true orphan." I never really understood the full impact of that term...until Monday. He came to us with the clothes he was wearing, the items we sent him for his Birthday, and a book with a picture of the orphanage and two of him...Overwhelmed? Yes, we are...to realize that we have been entrusted with this precious life. I looked at him this morning and said...why us? Why did God allow us to have such a precious one? Not realizing anyone was listening to me, Abby replied...I guess you can ask Jesus that when you get to heaven...One thing I do know...we are his and he is ours...forever !