Good morning, precious friends and family,
It is Thursday morning here in China. Thank you all for your amazing support and encouragement, it has been such a huge blessing. We are almost 48 hours into having Haven. What a incredible journey it has been.
Yesterday Haven officially became Haven Maylin Salem! Praise the Lord. We went and did all the necessary paperwork and she walked out of the door a Salem 
For a little girl abandoned in an orphanage twice, I looked at her and my heart wanted to explode with love. She now has HOPE and an FUTURE! She is no longer considered a child in an institution with a “mental disorder”….she is a child with a bright future ahead of her, however it looks. She is a priceless treasure, NOT a child pushed away from everyone in case they “catch” what she has. She is loved and adored, just the way she is. We feel sooooooo blessed. Hope will allow Haven to become ALL that she can be in this life. Some day she will know the unfathomable love that her Father in heaven has for her. He does make all things beautiful in His time. I am seeing it before my eyes.
We are slowly but surely learning about our new daughter. I have to say that she is just the sweetest, most adorable little thing. Yesterday we took her to Walmart(Connor and Kellan…we tell DeeDee it is the New New Walmart!!!!). I was concerned about how she would do in a crowded environment. She amazed me. She just hung onto my hand and went where we did. She did the same as we walked to a restaurant last night. It seems that she is trusting us, something I really prayed for. She really attaches herself to certain things, sometimes a toy or anything that she can hold in her hands. She will carry it around for hours. She communicates with us by shaking her head for NO and nodding for YES. She gets very frustrated if she has lost something or if one of the kids takes something away from her.
On Tuesday I said that she was like a three year old, but after some time has passed, I think she is probably more like a two year old. It is just like having a toddler in the house. She is so very, very delayed. Dawn, she reminds me so much of Autumn when I first met her in Guangzhou. She has very low muscle tone. She kind of walks like a floppy rag doll. I don’t even think she is able to run. I know that, with time, she will gain strength.
Because of her extreme delays, it is so hard to know what is going on with her mentally-it’s difficult to separate the delays from autism, or even retardation. There is just no way of knowing. Once she is home, settled, and some time has passed, we will start looking into it more. It is just so hard to tell right now. In the meantime, we are just learning how to meet her needs exactly where she is.
Haven has made some major breakthroughs in just two days. She was absolutely terrified of the toilet (they use a hole in the floor here ). So we bought a baby potty for her to use. Yesterday I found her sitting on the big toilet, without me even prompting her. She is also finally allowing me to change her clothes. Ooohhh, and she has discovered the bath….she loves water, and bubbles are the most fascinating thing to her… As small as she is, the girl loves to eat
Each day is a learning adventure, for us and for Haven. We are taking things very slowly with her. Thank you so much for your love and your prayers. Thank you for your continued prayers as Haven learns to trust us completely.
Goodness, these photos are precious beyond words! What sweet memories these will be one day. And if she has had 5 extra years in the institution than what Autumn had, she would have surely slipped further and further behind. We will talk more about the delays when you get home and settled. I’m praying for you, for the kids (all of them) for Ant’s shingles. Goodness, you are covered in prayers (and blessings!). We love you. - Dawn
Hi there,
You don’t know us very well, but my name is Heather. My daughter, Gracie, goes to cottage school with your children—she is in kindergarten. Your story is touching our hearts and I am just so happy for you and for Haven. Gracie and I were just looking at your pictures—she tells me that she really misses Hanna-Claire and she can’t wait to see her and to meet Haven. All of you are in our hearts and prayers. Love, Gracie and Heather Kriegshauser
To see little Haven finally in your arms is so amazing, Adeye! And the tub pictures are cute too. How is Haven doing with her Daddy?
Love, Cris
The pictures are gorgeous! I cried too much with the previous post I couldn’t reply
I just keeping thinking how wonderful it is that C & H-C is also there, both boy and girl. Kids relate so quickly and easily with other kids - I’m sure it must be helping her a great deal to follow their lead in seeing how to respond back to you. This will aid her “growth” in so many ways. I’m so excited for her, she really does have a bright future filled with more love than she could ever have imagined before her!
Bless you guys. Hope A’s doing okay.
Hello again precious friends. Ad to see Haven in your arms was the most beautiful thing. I felt your love for her and could tell how precious that moment must have been just by looking at your expression. Her playing with your hair…OH MY! How precious! It is beautiful to see her smiling and to see that she doesn’t look scared. I know the road ahead seem uncertain and there are many questions. Pray Ps139 over her when she sleeps… We know she is showered in your love and prayers. We are standing with you in prayer for the journey that is ahead. For the trip back home, and that she would gain more and more confidence as you spend time together. We love you guys so much and Haven is such a part of our lives as well, praying for her all this time and seeing God fulfilling His promises. His grace amazes me all the time. Hope we can chat some time soon when you’re back home and everything has started settling down again. Keep going precious friends and know even though we are not physically with you, we are with you in spirit and are praying for you all the time xxx
Oh man, what beautiful photos and what a beautiful smile Haven has. She looks so peaceful in your arms, just like that is where she is meant to be! Wow, isn’t God great! You can just feel the love radiating from your blog. When all else has passed away, Love will remain and love conquer all. And I can see that the amazing love you all have for Haven is going to conquer all. I pray that your trip home will go smoothly and that for Anthony it will be a smooth one…. Enjoy this precious time with Have. Much love Janelle
Hello again precious friends. Ad to see Haven in your arms was the most beautiful thing. I felt your love for her and could tell how precious that moment must have been just by looking at your expression. Her playing with your hair…OH MY! How precious! It is beautiful to see her smiling and to see that she doesn’t look scared. I know the road ahead seem uncertain and there are many questions. Pray Ps139 over her when she sleeps… We know she is showered in your love and prayers. We are standing with you in prayer for the journey that is ahead. For the trip back home, and that she would gain more and more confidence as you spend time together. We love you guys so much and Haven is such a part of our lives as well, praying for her all this time and seeing God fulfilling His promises. His grace amazes me all the time. Hope we can chat some time soon when you’re back home and everything has started settling down again. Keep going precious friends and know even though we are not physically with you, we are with you in spirit and are praying for you all the time xxx
What a beautiful treasure Haven is and she is now finally a Salem - in heart and name!! Cogratulations guys!! Just love the pics of your little treasures in the bath. How are Cade and Hannah adjusting to their new sis? Love Jan