We’re outa here

around 4 p.m. – bittersweet again – we are so ready to walk on American soil, but at the same time, it’s hard to leave – our two precious gifts were born in this country, and God held them close for us (and He’s still holding them close) until we could arrive and claim them forever!!  We are bound to this country; we have relatives here, and we pray for them to know the One True Living God and that we will all bow around His Throne in eternity for He and He alone is worthy of our worship and praise!!  God appointed us to walk on China soil X 2 now, and we are forever grateful and thankful!!  This was HIS perfect plan not ours, and we just followed The Plan and our Master, and oh what blessings we have received and continue to receive!!

Thank you our Abba, Father for allowing us to bring Lydia Xiao Ru home!!  We will brag on You to her and Bethany as long as you give us breath!!

“Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” Psalm 150:6 (Amplified)

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created.” Revelation 4:11 (Amplified)

“And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9 (Amplified)

ALL PRAISE TO YOU – THE GREAT I AM!!  WE LOVE YOU SO!!

A Proud Mama

 

Xiao Ru & Fu Shu

Snug as a Bug

  

The Famous Red Couch at the White Swan



For You Jaret

A busy night and morning

We enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Pearl River last night, and it was beautiful.  A magician performed afterward, and the kids loved the show.

Our U.S. Consulate appointment was this morning at 8:30.  We took the adoption oath, and the last form was signed.  I cried when I took the oath with Bethany, and I cried this morning with Lydia.  This ceremony stirs emotions down deep!

Now we are approved to receive Lydia’s visa.  Once we receive her visa, which should be tomorrow afternoon around 4:30, we will head to the Guangzhou Airport for our flight to L.A. and from there to Atlanta.  Please continue to pray for safe flights and endurance for the girls.

Waiting to Board

Together Again

More Noodles

Lydia's First Cruise & Mine Too

Dinner & A Show

"The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 121:8 (Amplified)

Medical Checkup – Done!

We can check that off the list now.  Lydia checked out just fine to come home; she did GREAT!!  The medical clinic is located on Shamian Island in Guangzhou.  We were here in 2005 with Bethany, and it was wonderful to return today and remember the precious time we spent with her on this island.  We showed her the White Swan Hotel, where we stayed when we adopted her.  We talked about some of the things we did with her during our time here.  I remember her check-up and strolling her along the streets, and now it’s Lydia’s turn.  We are so thankful that God has allowed us to walk this path once again!!  He has given us the desires of our hearts, and we give Him praise!!

He's Got His Hands Full

My Turn

Waiting to see Doctor

Checking Ears

Talking to Doctor

Nap Time

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise!  Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” Psalm 100:4 (Amplified)

We made it...

to Guangzhou, and we are thankful!  Lydia's first flight went well, and she is sound asleep now.

Tomorrow we go to the medical clinic for her check-up.  That will be interesting.  Today has been hectic and emotional.  It's always bittersweet when leaving our daughters' province of birth.  We rest in their Redeemer's divine plan and purpose for their lives!!  He has called them to a different place.  PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!

More tomorrow - lights out!!  Love you all!!

Last Breakfast in Guiyang

Ready to Go

One More Look

Bye Ms. Vickie

"And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.  For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring." Acts 17:26-28 (Amplified)

Our last day in Guiyang

This morning Vickie took us to the Jiaxiu Pavilion and Cuiwei Garden.  It is such a beautiful and peaceful place!

Once the home of a wealthy landlord, it is now owned by the government.  It was built in 1598 during the Ming dynasty.  The architecture and grounds are exquisite – only in China.  An elementary school is located in part of the structure, and we were able to meet some of the students who attend this school.  While we were visiting this area, they were out and about in the pavilion and the garden area.  They were very interested and intrigued by “the Americans.” They were friendly and polite and asked if they could take pictures of us. It was a great way to end our time in the city of Guiyang.

Tomorrow we fly back to Guangzhou to be reunited with the families in our group who have adopted from other provinces.  We can’t wait to meet the new members of each family.

Lydia is doing great and seems to be adjusting well.  It’s a whole new world to her – different sights, sounds, smells, and sunshine.  She has a lot of catching up to do, and we will be by her side to help her every step of the way.  We thank God for allowing us to watch her explore, with excitement and apprehension, life the way He intended her to live – to experience Him and to know Him!!  God has been and continues to be so faithful to us, and we praise Him for granting us the privilege to witness her transformation day by day.  We are humbled that He has allowed us to bring her home and to be her mom and dad.  What a blessing she is!!

Pray for all those who remain and wait!!  Pray that the Bride of Christ will answer His call!!  WE ARE THE ANSWER!!  It is the very least we can do for THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!!  HE HAS NOT LEFT US AS ORPHANS!!!

Entrance to Pavilion & Garden

Entrance to Garden

Garden Area

Jiaxiu Temple

Students

More Students

Inside Temple

Our Gifts from God

“I will not leave you as orphans (comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless); I will come (back) to you.” John 14:18 (Amplified)

"Organized Mass Chaos China Style" (read on)

First thing this morning our guide, Vickie, took us to the Guizhou Provincial Museum.  We learned about some of the history in this area of China, as well as the different ethnic groups that make up the population and their customs.

After the tour of the museum, we headed to the "Bird, Fish, Rabbit, Dog, Cat and You Name It, We Got It Market."  I immediately thought of Ms. Kim (former FBC Children's Minister) - "Organized Mass Chaos" - except it was "Unorganized Mass Chaos" to me, but not to the Chinese citizens who shop here.  After I thought about it, I realized that this was very organized to them, if they even think about organization, which I doubt very seriously.  This was the biggest flea market, fair type excursion that I have ever engaged in, and it made me a little nervous when Vickie told us to be on guard for pickpockets.  I could not believe all the stuff for sale - dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, birds, turtles, food, books, clothes, flowers, tools, - even used teeth and old dentures!!  There was even a dachshund walking around in the market.  I never thought I would see a dachshund in China!! Bethany couldn't believe it!!  Lydia liked the fish!!

Needless to say, it was a very interesting and eye and nose opening experience.  One that we will never forget!!

Thanks again for all your comments and prayers!!  It's such a blessing to hear from our friends and family members and to know that you are lifting us up before THE THRONE OF GRACE!!  Blessings overflow!!

Our guide, Vickie

Batik Making at Museum

Embroidery

Picture Perfect

Teeth for less

It's a small world after all

I'd like to sit a spell with him

The trail never ends

"This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (Amplified)

Here a monkey, there a monkey, everywhere a monkey -

Even ones who eat ice cream and drink bottled water only in Qianling Mountain Park as far as I know - living in their natural habitat - free to be and eat whatever they can steal or entice (or scare) someone to hand over - visitors to the park "BEWARE"!  Matt and Keisha, you were right - "those monkeys are everywhere!"

See for yourself.

Check out those eyes

He bit a hole in the bottom to drink

Too funny!

What a sight!



Our little monkey