40 Years of Marriage

Sitting here comtemplating the past 40 years. Come June 6th, that's how long we will have been married.

When I say it outloud, it's seems foreign to me. Forty years??? That's a long time.

Our journey started on September 5, 1969, at a southern gospel concert. Maybe that's why I still enjoy southern gospel. We doubled with the guy who would eventually be your best man. As we left the concert, I slipped my hand into the bend of your elbow. When we crossed the street you took my hand. It just felt right and natural. A perfect fit!! I knew that night you were the man I wanted! We were almost 21 years old.

Now, more than 40 years later, I still enjoy holding hands with you. You are, and have been, a wonderful husband. A godly, kind, considerate, thoughtful, loving man. I could not have asked for a better husband. You were God's perfect gift to me.

We wear other titles. The ones that have meant the most to us are Dad and Mom. Grampy and Grammi. The family that we created together - a very special gift.

Today, I thank God for the gift of YOU and the amazing life we have had together. We always wanted to grow old together and sit side by side in our recliners, like my grandparents, married over 70 years. When Grandpa would say to Grandma "do you love me, momma"? Without opening her eyes, she would answer "mmm-uh!"

Do I love you babe? "mmm-uh!" We had "FOREVER" engraved on the inside of our wedding rings. That's how long I will love you!!

My love forever!
Linda

Tears

I stepped into my little girl’s hotel room in Zhengzhou, China on the day of our arrival in the city of Mia’s legal adoption. There it was. A baby bed. I held my little girl and said, “We’re really here.” We both cried.

In the few days in Zhengzhou Mia learned to blow kisses, say everyone’s name and say I love you. She repeats everything you say. She is especially cute with her little hand waving and saying “bye-bye.”

As we taxied down the runway leaving Zhengzhou headed for Guangzhou where the final process would take place to take Mia home – I watched as Kristi said to Mia, “Say bye-bye.” Mia, with her cute little wave, repeated the words. As she did, my little girl looked toward the window side of the plane and wiped away the tears. My little girl didn’t see it but her daddy cried too!

Two days ago Grammi picked out a special gift for our little girl. A jade pendant that is written in Chinese – “Mother – Daughter.” Grammi and Grampy are proud, happy, ecstatic for our new grandbaby!
With leaving day less than 12 hours away – let the tears flow!

Tears of sadness that little Mia will never know her birthplace and her birthparents as a child should.

Tears of joy that Mia will not have to grow up in a spiritually darkened world that, at best, offers the statue of a fat-bellied man as their hope!

Tears of joy that Mia’s forever family is finally winging their way to a small town in Kansas, USA where she is free to run and play and grow up in a godly home with so many people surrounding her that her greatest danger at this point is being smothered (by so much love)!

The swearing of the oath ceremony at the American Consulate was today. The lady said, “It’s official!” More tears!

There will be more tears yet. Let them come.

As I watch my little girl continue to grow and mature as a woman, a wife, a mommy – I am one happy, thankful, blessed, if somewhat emotional daddy and grampy!

Let’s go home!

UNKNOWN

It is Tuesday March 10, 2009. I have a window seat at the Crowne Plaza Hotel restaurant in Zhengzhou, China. Drinking coffee. Move over Starbucks! Very strong coffee!

It is overcast and windy. I scan the horizon for the familiar. With the exception of an occasional grouping of numbers on a license plate or billboard and a ‘no parking’ sign - the fact remains – I am a stranger here!

The entry signs at Chinese Customs in the Beijing airport made it very clear. One sign marked “Chinese Nationals”. The other read “Foreigners”. We were the foreigners. This is not our home. We are strangers here. We are unknown.

Chinese cannot understand our English. We cannot comprehend Chinese. Chinese say - English is too hard to learn. And, this comes from a land with about 3,000 characters in their alphabet!

Our “foreign” wonder quickly gives way to our smiles which announce to all those around us – strangers perhaps – BUT – we belong! We belong because our journey brings us half way around the world to connect with our 9th grandchild – a beautiful, rosy-cheeked, dark haired – almost 2 year old Chinese girl.

We cannot speak her language – but her precious little face is forever etched in our minds.

We cannot understand the culture in which little girls seem to have little or no value – but she joins 3 other beautiful granddaughters who have the mysterious ability to add immeasurable joy to Grammi and Grampy!

We will never know her past. But we will do all within our power with God’s help to influence her future.

Sweet little Mia! Mia ShyAn Xin Singer! How her life is getting ready to change! How our lives have changed already!

For all we do not and may never know or understand about Mia’s background and/or culture – we will forever remember and be grateful for the awesome blessings we received allowing us to travel with our children to China.

And, we will forever remember and be grateful for the experience of becoming “unknown” so that Mia can have a home!

Mia's "Gotcha" Day.

Today was the day we had waited for. It has been a long wait. I wish I could explain the emotions of seeing her walk around the corner holding the hand of the orphanage director. She was not a willing walker.

She cried. She was held and loved by her parents, brothers and grandparents.

She was bundled in layers of heavy clothing making her look like a little eskimo.

Now - back at the hotel she is in fresh clothes. She has had a nap, something to eat and plenty of love. She is playing with toys and a little keyboard, dancing to the music, clapping her hands and laughing. What a difference a little time makes.

One of the ladies explained to me that she is now "normal" and is no longer considered special needs. Did you hear that? That, my friends, is an answer to prayer. We have all been praying that by the time we got here she would be perfectly healthy. God is so good and we are so grateful.

She is loving playing with her brothers and her brothers are loving having her around to love on.

It has been our joy and privilege to be present for the birth of our first 8 grandchildren. God granted our desire to be present when Mia, #9 grandchild, was "born" into our family.

I always wondered if you could love a child who was not biologically your own, as your own. I know the answer. It's YES!! She is an amazing little girl. She is all ours - and she is loved.

China

What an experience this has been. First of all we were thrilled to be upgraded on the long flight to China. Thirteen hours on the plane was made much easier. We arrived in Beijing on Thursday afternoon and hit the road running. We visited Tianeamen Square, The Forbidden City, a silk factory, a jade factory, climbed on the Great Wall, saw the Chinese Acrobats and a variety of other attractions. We enjoyed a rickshaw ride as well. There were 38 people in our group. So we were on a chartered bus for sight-seeing. Thirty four are now here in Zhengzhou. Four others flew to a different province to get their child.

But the main attraction is coming tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. when Mia will be placed in her parents arms. This is the last night Mia will sleep without a family.

Please pray for Mia that she will adjust quickly.

I will post tomorrow with pictures. Be sure to follow Kristi and Tim's webpage miamakessix.com.

Going To China!!!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

After months of "desiring" to make the adoption trip to China and finally deciding that was not going to happen, God stepped in!!

I was reminded of the lines in the song, He Giveth More Grace: "when we've reached the end of our hoarded resources, the Father's full giving is only begun, and "out of His infinite riches in glory, He giveth and giveth and giveth again!"

Last Thursday and Friday - during an 18 hour period, God provided all the funds needed to make the trip. Some, we are able to say "thank you" personally to. Others - we hope you will read this and know how deep is our gratitude to you. Most of all - we are profoundly grateful to the God who gives us the desires of our hearts, and then keeps on giving!

Next week - we will step onto a plane in Wichita and step off in the country of Mia's birth - China!

God has allowed us to be present for the birth of all 8 of our grandchildren. Now, God is allowing us to be present when #9, Mia, is born into our family. GOD IS SO GOOD!!

Our intention is to update this site with pictures and commentary while we are on the trip. So check back.

Remember to check into Tim and Kristi's website, miamakessix.com to see the first pictures of our little princess.

We are asking you to pray that all the last minute details will process smoothly and that God will time our trip for safety and keep us all on our feet and healthy.

Our love to you all,
Ken and Linda

Anticipation

Nearly 2 1/2 years. That's how long we have waited for this new little addition to our family. Now - it appears in about a month or so a little girl of Chinese descent will be here with us. Mia ShyAn Xin is our 9th grandchild. Our fourth granddaughter.

Her picture is prominitely displayed along with the others. We loved her before we ever saw her picture or knew her name (An Xin). We had no idea how old she was or what her medical condition would be. She is what is called a "waiting child" - maybe better described as a child with special needs. We have prayed that her needs would be slight, that she would come to us with perfect health.

Her medical records indicate that she was born premature, and weighed 4lbs when she was taken to the orphanage and therefore was behind in her physical and mental development. She lived the first year of her life in that orphanage then was sent to live in a loving foster home. There she has learned to do all the things the other children can do. She has a beautiful smile. She is perfect. Mia will celebrate her 2nd birthday on April 17th of this year and we are so happy that she will celebrate it with us.

Anything she needs to learn, brothers Mason, Evan and Jordan are eager to teach her. She will be loved and entertained by cousins - Tara, Emma, Adam, Breanna and Brant - hopefully making the transition to America easier for her.

I think about that. We have loved her for 2 1/2 years and looked at her picture every day since November 10. She has never seen our faces. She does not know us. We pray that God will prepare her little heart for the huge changes coming her way in just a few weeks as she leaves the family who has loved and cared for her and becomes part of a family that does not look like her or speak her language. But, they will be a family that loves her deeply.

Life takes interesting turns. We are so thankful for this one.