08.08.08

Today, August 8, 2008, marks the beginning of the 2008 Summer Olympics that are being held in Beijing, China AND our 21 months of waiting for Ruthie. We are very excited about the Olympics at our house for several reasons. First of all, we love to watch them no matter where they are...can't wait for the gymnastics! Secondly, we now have a heart for China and we think it is going to be wonderful to see the pictures, hear the sounds, and learn more about this country that will soon be so much a part of our family. Thirdly, many people believe that the slow down in China's international adoption program is in large part due to the Olympics. No one really knows this for sure but it does make sense that a country that is so determined to be prepared for the world to descend upon her would put a halt to lots of other things that don't concern the Olympics. Our hope and prayer is that in the months after the Olympics we see a steady increase in the number of referrals out of China. I remember saying about two years ago that I didn't know how long it was going to take to bring Ruthie home but it would surely be before the Olympics! HA! Well...it will be before the Olympics....we just aren't sure which ones??!

The fact that the Olympics are starting on 08.08.08 at 8:08pm is not a coincidence as I'm sure many of you have already heard. The number 8 is considered to be the luckiest number in China. I found the information below on onlinechineseastrology.com about the number and why it is lucky.

For Chinese the number 8 is considered lucky just like the number 7 is considered lucky in the West. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Olympic games in China start on August 8, 2008 or 08/08/08. In China you have to pay extra to have the number 8 in your phone number or license plate. In addition, home and business owners like to have the number 8 in their address.

So, why is the number 8 considered lucky in the minds of Chinese people. The main reason has to do with the pronunciation of the word for the number 8 in China. It is pronounced "ba" and sounds like the word for prosperity which is pronounced "fa". Another reason why the number 8 could be considered lucky is because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. In Chinese Astrology, perfect balance is considered the ideal.

On the date 08/08/08 there is predicted to be a record number of weddings, even surpassing the number of weddings on 07/07/07. According to Chinese Astrology, the date 08/08/08 is in the year of the Rat, the month of the Monkey and the day of the Dragon. It just so happens that the Rat, Monkey and Dragon are in the same affinity group or trine. That means the three Chinese Zodiac animal signs are perfectly compatible with each other. Therefore, the date 08/08/08 will be especially lucky for Rats, Monkeys and Dragons.

We feel very "lucky" that our LID is 11.08.06. Hopefully we will find out how blessed we are to be Ruthie's parents very soon.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!