Filed under: Daily Life Blurbs | Tags: Church, Contemporaray Worship, Hong Kong Church, Hong Kong Churches, island ecc, North Point, Quarry Bay MTR, worship Island ECC
So, here in HK, we attend Island ECC (Evangelical Community Church) http://www.islandecc.hk/. The venue/building where the church meets is in North Point, and is easily accessible via Quarry Bay MTR station–exit C (address: 633 Kings Road)….in case you are on the search for a place to worship here in HK.
On Friday night, Island hosted an evening of Worship; they entitled the night “Renew”. I was able to be a part of this night and my mom (who is currently visiting us) came and was able to snap a view shots to give you an idea of the goings-on of the night. It was a time to come together and worship the one, true, living God—Jesus Christ. It was quite a worshipful and exceptional night. The house was near packed, or so it seemed (unsure on exact numbers) and so many voices and hearts praising God together…it was a blessing.
–Melanie, for the Case Family
Javi’s birthday is really on August 20th, but since he’s only been with us since September 8th we felt like it would be a good time to throw him a belated 1st birthday party. Enjoy the pics!
Filed under: Exhilarating EZRI Excerpts
Well, this is Ezri. I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been quite a busy bee these days, what with my new brother around and all!!! Javi is pretty great. When I awaken, I like to say, “Hi morning, Javi!”–that’s sort of my morning greeting. He likes it, I’m sure. And, other than sometimes being tempted to push him or remove his hands from the window ledge he uses to stand with….we’re pretty good pals.
So, the big news I’m talking about today is my new ‘big girl’ bed!!! It is amazing! Just 3 nights ago, as mommy was reading me some bedtime stories (Stinky Face to be exact), I decided I’d lay down on my toddler bed and cover up. That is always the spot where we read books and such before bedtime. Anyway, mommy asked, “Would you like to sleep in your ‘big girl’ bed tonight?” I replied, “Mmm hmm.” (read: yes) Then mommy proceeded to put on some new sheets that my granny Case made me; she made me Veggie Tales sheets, Elmo sheets and Hello Kitty sheets. In case you’re unaware, these are three of my favorites! (Thanks Granny!!) So, the last three nights, and for a nap each day, I’ve been sleeping in my new bed! It is quite freeing—why just last night–at around 4:00am– mommy found me out in the sea of my floor, ‘floating’ on a large pillow (that she’d placed beside my bed in case I fell out)!!! She gently placed me back with my head at the headboard and I never really awoke…until 6:00am. This is my new ‘waking time’. I’ve decided that since I’m now a big girl…and no longer confined to my crib…that perhaps I can have the freedom to get up in the wee hours of the morning….why not?! — More time in the day spent awake equals more fun, right?!!!
Well, I won’t keep you folks. Just wanted to update you on the exciting and exhilarating life of Ezri!!….stay posted for some fun footage and photos of my brother, Javi’s 1st birthday celebration!
See ya later, alligator (a favorite adage!), Ezri
Now that our son is finally with us, I think this would be a good time to look back and reflect on the whole process. First of all, it was one of the most emotionally taxing experiences of our lives. I don’t think it’s really possible to undertstand the experience unless you’ve been through it. There is no way to describe what it’s like to be dependent on so many different people (adoption agency, orphanage, social workers) and governmental entities (Immigraton, Social Services and the Guatemalan govt). At this point I really can not recommend pursuing adoption unless you feel a very strong and clear God to do so. Second of all, it takes forever, our process took over a year and a half and could have easily taken up to two years if we had not gotten a couple of breaks along the way. The first 8 months are an administrative nightmare getting personal references, financial statements, background checks and a home study. Then we got referred when he was two weeks old, but did not end up actually getting him until a year later. Finally, the process is costly, requiring enourmous commitment and undertaking a bunch of risk. We have heard of people who paid large amounts of money and did not end up getting a child due to various reasons. So here are some suggestions we have after gaining insight from our first adoption:
1. Finish the adoption at the same address where you start the adoption. If you do move, make sure you update your home study immediately. This might sound like common sense to those people who have already been through the process, but we moved after we were approved and we did not get an updated home study and this cost us a lot of unecessary pain and heartache.
2. Do research on your adoption agency. You can find many good resources online. I would not suggest following word of mouth, particularly from people who have not adopted from the agency. It just so happens that had I did some research online of our agency, I would have caught a few red flags early. Just realize that the agencies will promise you the moon as long as they get your business.
3. If you’re not sold on international adoption and just want to adopt, look locally first. We were informed that people willing to adopt interracially are in demand with very little cost compared to adopting internationally and sometimes with special incentives offered. https://apps.chfs.ky.gov/snap/
4. Be prepared for the cost to be more than even your highest budgeted amount. Unforeseen circumstances will arise and they’re going to cost you.
5. Make sure the process is stable in the country you are adopting from.
Melanie said that being able to raise two children with distinct differences was a highlight for her. A highlight for me has been able to see how God is using this to grow us. It’s really been difficult this far trying to get Javi sleeping through the night and trying to teach Ezri how to share her toys and mommies attention and it’s been difficult on Melanie trying to be everything to everyone, but I think things are getting a bit better everyday and that sunny skies are right around the corner.
Filed under: JAVI's Highlights | Tags: Adopting Abroad, Adoptive Family, expatriate adoption, Hong Kong
These pics were taken from the time that Melanie left with Javi at Eagle’s Nest to the time that he arrived home. Check further down the page for new slideshows of Javi’s Orphanage and Javi at Eagle’s Nest.
Filed under: JAVI's Highlights | Tags: Bus Hang Hau to Airport, Hong Kong, Taxi Cost HKUST to Airport
Melanie and Javi arrive around 10:30pm tonight. I’m taking the bus out there to meet them (about an hour and a half ride on E22A from Hang Hau), then we’re taking a taxi back. The taxi costs about $40USD compared to $4USD on the bus, but the bus stops running at 10pm and the taxi is much more convenient and quicker, which is nice to have after a 17 hour plane flight with a 20lb child in your lap. Words can’t explain how excited we are! Melanie was able to stay a night in Chicago so that some of Javi’s grandparents could meet him. Enjoy the pics!
Filed under: Daily Life Blurbs | Tags: eagle's nest solola, guatemala adoption, hkust, MGTO PhD
Thanks for checking in, I wanted to do a quick update until we find time in the near future to do an in depth update. So I’m back in school starting the 2nd year of my PhD program. I have one more year of classes, then qualifying exams, then dissertation if I pass my exams. So we got back to Hong Kong on August 22nd from 6 weeks of trying to get USCIS in Louisville to authorize the Embassy in Guatemala to issue Javi’s visa. After being told that we would have to return to Hong Kong and update our home study we achingly decided to come back without him. We immediately proceeded with the homestudy update. We were told during our homestudy interview to expect 10 more weeks until Bangkok could process our update. Disappointed, we pressed on, then on the morning of August 28th we received a big surprise in our email. It was an email from the US Embassy in Guatemala stating that Javi’s Visa Appointment had been scheduled for September 3rd. Confused and excited we talked to our agency and social worker and both told us to make travel arrangements so Melanie headed back west to Guatemala that night. Melanie has been in Guatemala the past week with Javi, she had a final “interview” which went well and she was able to pick up Javi’s Visa on the 4th. They head back through Chicago where she will be staying Saturday night, the 6th (so the grandparents can meet Javi), and then she will head back here on the 7th. Getting in here Monday night, the 8th. Thankfully, Melanie’s mom made the trip over here when she heard the news and she’s been helping me with Ezri. Melanie’s internet connection has been down in Guatemala, but she’s promised to post pics as soon as possible. Please check back for pictures of the Cases + 1, Cristian Javier Case.
Filed under: JAVI's Highlights | Tags: bonding, eagle's nest, guatemala adoption
A long-awaited trip to Guatemala!! It was so fabulous to go and visit Javi’s orphanage. I flew into Guatemala City around noon on a Saturday, and was able to go out to Eagle’s Nest (Javi’s orphanage…located in Solola) that evening. Arriving around 5:30pm or so, after 2-3 hour trip in a bumpy shuttle bus, I found myself suddenly more awake as we neared the children’s home. I began thinking, “Oh my goodness…I am really finally about to meet our son…for the first time ever!” It seemed so surreal….Javi was referred to us at the age of 2 weeks….and ever since, he had been (virtually) part of our family…but obviously not physically here with us. He was in our conversation, our prayers, our dreams…but not in our arms—————but in those bumpy moments before meeting him, all this reality passed through my heart and mind, and the weightiness of this event began to set in. I had just traveled for two complete days….from Hong Kong….to Korea…to Chicago…spent the night getting some final documents notarized and a few hours in a Chicago hotel….gotten on a plane to Houston….to Guatemala….and now I was finally going to come face to face with the little man we’d loved in our hearts for one complete year….yet never touched with our own hands!!!! Amazing!
I got emotional at this point (which any of you who know me could have guessed, right!) We were there before we knew it, and I helped get some things out of the car to take into the children’s home (as I’d ridden there with the people who manage the home). The front door opened up into the office, which in turn opened right into the large area where the kiddos play, eat, watch videos, etc. When I walked in and put my things down, Ana said, “Pase adelante…a ver al nene.” (Come/go in…to see your baby.)…And there he was…his main care giver, Flory, was holding him and had brought him up to see me. She handed him to me….I mean, of course I was just overwhelmed with joy…those of you who have children know that those first precious moments…hours…days and maybe even weeks you often cannot look upon your child without overflowing with joy (which for me involves concurrent tears!)…it is just an amazing thing to be given the opportunity and privilege to parent. God is good. He is really good.
After holding him a few minutes, I went over to a carpeted area where the kids were all sitting or playing (some in bouncy seats, others in ‘bumbo chairs’, still others in walkers or just on the carpet) and watching a video. I let Javi down to play with the other kids, and, after a few minutes of play, he bopped his head quite hard (on accident, of course) on the floor–ouch!! He was screaming! I picked him up to comfort him, and went over to a rocking chair to rock him. Within a few minutes, he fell fast asleep on my chest. How amazing!!!! (In hignsight, this head-bop was a disguised blessing that allowed us to bond right off….if that doesn’t sound too wierd!)
That is an explanation–in brief–of our first meeting.
