Preparations for Miao

Preparing for our daugther's arrival!

To prepare for Miao coming home, we have been busy putting plans into place, possible considerations and researching all the information possible to help make as smooth a transition, as possible.

We learned last week, the largest Mandarin library outside of China is found right here in our hometown of Houston!! This alone is a great resource because our daughter has said in one of her letters, that she enjoys reading. Not only will it allow her to browse for reading material in her native language but she will have the opportunity to speak Mandarin to those working at the library. Praise God for this beautiful finding!!

We have a local Chinese Church in our area that we plan to attend with Miao. This will not only allow Miao to learn of Jesus Christ in Mandarin and a style that she will best understand but also allow her to communicate with others that speak her language. When researching this church, we also learned of an additional local Chinese Church that offers English lessons! Another blessing!!!

We've been communicating with Miao via letters through a care package service (Gifts To China With Love) and repeatedly she has mentioned the concern over the communication barrier. So....we want to expose her to as many people that speak Mandarin, allowing her the chance to communicate with others that speak her same language.

We have an electronic translater that Miao will use to help communicate with us, other family members, friends and at teachers at school.

We will continue to brainstorm ideas that will be helpful to Miao, as she transitions to a new environment, new culture, new language, new foods, new smells, the idea of a family, etc.