Instant Karma

When we were at the temple of the 6 banyans our guide, Connie, said something to us that was so sweet it made Tina and me both cry…

She was telling us about the pagoda tower in the center of the temple grounds. The pagoda is 17 stories high inside, but is designed to appear 9 stories high on the outside. This is because the number 9 has special meaning to the Chinese. It is considered the biggest, and therefore, the most auspicious number.

Connie told us that building a 9-story pagoda to honor Buddha is considered an act of great virtue, and will insure much happiness in the next life. The only act considered more virtuous is that of saving a life. Then she told us that she believed people who adopt orphans with special needs into their families, have in fact saved a life, and so in affect have built a 9-story pagoda in their hearts.

We did not begin this journey in hopes of attaining any rewards in our next life or even this one. We set our feet to this path with the wish of bringing another child into our lives. It’s funny though how life works out. We didn’t even have to wait for our next lives. This has truly been the most miraculous event we could ever have imagined. Who would think that you could travel halfway round the world and find the very child meant for you waiting there?

Tina, Cam, Ben and I are all so in love with him. It will be another miracle if he doesn’t end up spoiled rotten! We are trying very hard to convince Cam and Ben that when he misbehaves (ie: throwing cups of milk!) it’s NOT funny! Teenage boys may not be the best influence on toddlers.

Ben is determined to teach him all the necessary skills though, beginning with skateboarding!


Hui-Hui seems less affected by jet-lag than the rest of us, but he was still up at 4:00 AM. Once he got going in his ‘Squeaky Shoes” The rest of us all got up with him too!


I brought Daisy the dog back from the kennel today, but we have kept her in the garage or in the back yard. Hui-Hui knows she’s here, and has seen her, but he is very afraid of her. We are taking it slow and hoping he desensitizes quickly.

Other than that, it’s been a quiet day, and he just keeps warming up more and more to us.