Chinese Name: Fu Mei Chen
Date of Birth: February 23, 2010
Location: Quiandongnan Prefacture, Guizhou Province, China
She was around 9 or 10 months old when these photos were taken. Instantly we were in love! Kevin looked at her pictures before I did. He texted me to say, "She's beautiful. This is our daughter". Maybe the orange jumpsuit had something to do with Tennessee?? (wink, wink) Bless her heart! I thought she looked like the orange Michelin Man here. In winter, the Chinese are known to really bundle up their babies! I have to say that with one look at her name, I knew she was our daughter. That was even before I saw her photos. We had already decided her name would be Maggie Mei. And after a while, we decided it would be Maggie Mei-Ling. When we first started the whole paperwork process, my girls and I sort of "nick- named" our baby-to-be "Mei-Ling". I don't know why, I guess it was really the only Chinese name we knew. So, it stuck. When Kevin and I picked out the name Maggie, it only seemed right to keep her middle name as Mei-Ling. In my own quiet time of praying, I had asked God that when we got a referral that maybe her Chinese name could be part of what we picked out for her. I never really thought much about the Lord actually answering that for me, but he sure did! When I got the email containing her information it read, Referral: Chen Fu Mei. When I saw the name Mei, I knew this is who God picked out for us. Some might say it's a coincidence, but I believe it's a prayer answered in order to increase my faith!
This is a map of China. The red shaded area is the Province of Guizhou. A province is like a state here in the U.S.
Guizhou is located in the southwest of China. It is considered one of China's poorest and most desolate provinces. Its per capita income ranks the lowest in all of China. Its major industries are forestry, energy and mining (mostly coal). It has a very mountainous topography and is known for its beauty. Also, the largest waterfall in China is located here, the Huangguoshu Falls.
In a town called Longquan in this province of Guizhou, is Wangcheng Village. This is where our baby girl was found. Mostly likely it is the place of her birth as well. She was abandoned, they believe, on the day she was born. Once we get to China, we will receive her Certificate of Abandonment. (I have to take a deep breath as I type those words) This should tell us a little more detail about her finding place and there's a possibility we can visit there. I really hope that we can. One day when she has questions about where she came from, I would like to be able to give her as much detail as I can. There is no record of her birth parents. The only life she has known is the first 5 days in an orphanage and then her foster family. There's no way I can describe the gratefulness in my heart for her foster family. (Another answer to prayer!) There's more I will save for another post about her foster and birth mother.
Well, we are still praying for February for our travel. Our visas have been sent off for and when we get "the word" from the CCCWA to travel, our flight and hotel arrangements can be made. Right now, we've been reading through LOTS of papers about travel "do's and don't's", what to take, what not take, etc. This will be interesting to say the least! It's still hard to believe sometimes that we are actually in this place in life. We're humbled, excited, scared and still believe we are exactly where God intends for us to be. There are still things we are nervous about. Deadlines to be met with paperwork, money to be paid, and issues regarding transition for Maggie and for us once we get home. The words of encouragement you all give us are more special than you know. And without the Lord to lead us, we'd be crazy!
For all of you following us, please continue to pray if we cross your mind. We love you all.
Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless. Psalm 82:3
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Psalm 31:8
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. He sets the lonely in families.....
Psalm 68:5-6a
