A Blessing was given to us this week

On Monday I got the mail and there was a letter from China. I assumed it was from Elizabeth's orphanage. In the past, other family members from our travel group had received post cards for New Year Blessings but we never have. I assumed it wouldn't happen because we had moved from the address the Orphanage had. I had sent updates with the new address but I wasn't sure if it was something they could translate. Turns out they could. We were so excited.

I then asked Elizabeth's teacher to translate it and yesterday I got the translation after the school performance:

Wishing ShiPing and her family
Have a prosperous and lucky year of the Ox;
Happy, all wishes come true.
The whole household filled with fortune.

Elizabeth and I talked about it today and it brought up some tough feelings for her. She was hoping it was from her foster family. I explained that it was from the orphanage the foster family worked for and that Elizabeth lived with the foster family and sometimes would go to the orphanage for check ups. I could see the tears in her eyes but they didn't fall. She then said its ok to love your foster mom because she is far away in China and she loves me too. I agreed with that. She also said its ok to love your foster mom more than your mom because your foster mom is very very far away in China. I told Elizabeth that I love her foster mom too because she loves Elizabeth so much and that I am glad she talks to me about it. I really don't think she loves her foster mom more than me but she just doesn't have the words to express her emotions yet.

We are going to frame the postcard and envelope and put the post it note from Ye Laoshi in the frame as well. Elizabeth wants it in her room and that is exactly where its going to go.

May your household be filled with fortune!