Christmas in China

With Christmas season upon us, I thought I'd share a little tidbit about the celebration of Christmas within China. Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, which they call "Trees of Light," with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Chinese Children hang muslin stockings and await a visit from Santa Claus, whom they call Dun Che Lao Ren (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) which means "Christmas Old Man." Since the vast majority of the Chinese people practice Buddhism, not Christianity, the main winter festival in China is the Chinese New Year which takes place toward the end of January. Now officially called the "Spring Festival," it is a time when children receive new clothing, eat luxurious meals, receive new toys, and enjoy firecracker displays. An important aspect of the New Year celebration is the recognition of ancestors. Portraits and paintings of ancestors are brought out and hung in the main room of the home. The celebration of Christmas, although still thought to be a very "Christian" and "western" holiday, is a slowly growing trend within China's borders.

Love Without Boundaries

There is an organization in China called Love Without Boundaries. It is an organization made up strictly of volunteers who have committed themselves to donating their time and resources in order to better the lives of orphans living within China's orphanages. Volunteers give of themselves in a number of selfless capacities. It is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming organization worth taking a look at.

Check out their official website at http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/index.php.

You can also check out their blog (which is incredible) at http://lwbchinablog.blogspot.com/.

Inspiring!

CCAA Update 12-2007

The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) has updated their website with referrals through December 14, 2005. I would like to congratulate those families now receiving their referrals, having waited about a year longer than they originally believed. But I must admit, I am extremely disappointed in the referral of only 6 days this month. Well, it's official. We have now passed the two year waiting point from LID to referral - (i.e. when referrals are released in January 2008, those with December 15-31, 2005 will have waited 25 months.) This is a sad milestone that noone wanted to reach, and only serves to make the wait all that much more excruciating for the rest of us. The discouragement with this process continues to permeate our lives - Oh God, please help us to lean on You for the strength that we know we do not have. Give us clear direction for our future and let us receive the Peace that certainly passes our own understanding - (because we simply do not understand this).

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

You should know by now that the 2008 Summer Olympic Games are being held in Beijing, China. This actually is pretty exciting. The people of China, their culture being one of the oldest civilizations on earth, will be on a global stage for the world to experience. I have always loved the Olympic Games, but with Beijing, our household will be embracing the games with a fervor we have not had before. Let the games begin! Mark it down - August 8-24, 2008.

The official site of Beijing2008 - http://en.beijing2008.cn/