Giving and Receiving

Get ready for a long read:

What an amazing day this has been. God has had His hands all over us. Vu
met us at the hotel this a.m. Our first stop was the VietcomBanc. We
needed to exchange our travelers checks for dong. (The exchange rate is
16,000 dong to one US dollar.) We were just going to do it at the hotel,
but they weren't able to help us due to the bank being closed yesterday
for a national holiday. The bank was quite an experience. (I can't wait
to tell neighbor Steve, our favorite banker about it. I'll be glad to see
my SECU.) Anyway, I went in with Vu because te travelers checks were in
my name. Marty stayed with the taxi and all the gifts we had piled in it.
There were people everywhere in the bank, getting in line meant nothing.
If it weren't for Vu, I'd still be in there.
On our way to the orphanage, we passed by two different schools. The
students all traveled there by bike or motor scooter. They were all over
the road. They were dressed in their school uniforms. We took some video
of them and will try to share with you after we get home. At the second
school, the students were in their gym uniforms.
Now for the Giving and Receiving Ceremony at the orphanage. When we
arrived, one of the first people we saw was Hoang's birth mother. This was
not as awkward as you might think. Her two daughters (about 1 year old
and 18 years old) were there also. As soon as Hoang spotted us, he
screamed with delight. We went on into the orphanage director's office.
Her name is Mrs. Dao. There were lots of papers to sign. Next, we moved
on to one of the children's rooms. There were plates of food - cake,
yogurt, fruit, candies - lined up along the floor in two rows. We were
directed to sit and then the children, the birth family, Vu, Mrs. Dao, and
other workers sat also. One little girl, Thum, I think, is taken with me.
She sat on my lap the entire time. Vu said she has an American family
coming to get her. 'd love to talk to them if they are reading this. We
were on both sides of the food. We were given an opportunity to speak
with the birth family and Vu translated. Marty made a little speech. As
hard as this may be to believe, I was speechless - just taking the
enormity of it all in. Then we gave the children's gifts. However, they
do not open them with you there because they think that looks greedy. I
so wanted to see their faces when they saw the toys, shoes, etc.
Next, we took lots of pictures. Marty is going to try to send some. Mrs.
Dao was determined to have her picture made with just me for some reason.
When Marty walked over to get into the picture,she pushed him away,
literally. We had 4 pics. together. I told Marty I think she is trying
to butter me up. She keeps saying we are coming back in two years to get
a girl. I told Marty that I am not even ready to think about that yet.
From there, we went to the Department of Justice. There were more papers
to sign and a big board in the room with the particulars of our adoption
on it. The table was set with bottled water, tiny apples, and cakes
(buns) There was also an Italian family there. We had our ceremony
together. That was neat. Their little boy is almost two. Our Vu
translated for all of us. The head government official addressed both
families thanking us and wishing us well, but also charging us with the
repsonsibility of raising our children and preserving their heritage.
They took our picture as he presented a certificate of adoption to us.
Hoang was hard ot keep still. All of the "officialness" of it didn't
impress him. He got down from his chair and crawled under the tablecloth
to play peek-a-boo with us. The head official complimented him on how
smart he is. We took Mrs. Dao back to the orphanage. We hugged her 100
times before leaving. She kept saying 2 years.
We then returned to the hotel. Hoang loved it. He wasn't at all shy
about looking around. We went back and forth between the pools and the
front of the hotel where the "autos" were dropping off. Marty and I took
turns finishing up some info. gathering with Vu. We paid him back for
tomorrow's flight to Hanoi. It was 2,687,000 dong. (I want a math class
at Badin or New London to send us a comment telling us how many US dollars
that is. See the bank paragraph above for the exchange rate.)
We then took Hoang swimming. He loved the water. Anna Claire, he is ready
for you to teach him to swim like you. He would jump off the side, but he
wanted to be held the rest of the time.
Room service and a nap came next.
We just received some great news. Vu will be able to go to the airport
with us in the morning. He is so wonderful, and helps set us at ease.
God knows exactly what we need and He has provided this wonderful man.
There are so many more things to tell, but I have been deserted by the
boys. I'm going to catch up with them at the pool again.
You can't imagine how much we miss you all, especially my little blond
girl. We love you Anna Claire.
Keep praying for all of us. We feel your prayers and have been amazed by
the things God has taken care of.

Explanation of pictures:

The family you don't recognize, is a family from Italy who shared our
ceremony at the Ministry of Justice.

The one with us and the other people, this is Isaac's birth mother and two
sisters.

The one that looks official is the head man at the Ministry of Justice
handing us our certificate that makes the adoption official.

The one with me and him in the pool is after all was said and done, we
came back to the hotel and had fun. We think this was Isaac's first time
in a pool. He loved it!!!