Trip to China
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Tuesday, August 21, 2007 WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!! It is day two with our Ju-lie and she is such a different baby from yesterday. Praise and thanks to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yesterday she was so sullen; that is the only word I can use to describe her mood. It grieved our hearts to know that she was suffering so. We are doing all we can to show her we are worthy of her trust, her love and her affection. Today we were rewarded. Little by little, but oh so worth the wait! She started the morning out with a few tears at wake up time. But I think a full nights sleep (AMEN to that) really helped her. Shortly after she was dressed and ready for breakfast. Giving us the usual “curious/I’m not sure about this” look. As we headed down the elevator she was amused by the mirrors and we could tell she was in good spirits. We chose the breakfast buffet and she showed us that she can eat. WOW, it’s hard to tell what her favorites are but we were delighted to see her relaxed enough to fill her tummy. Our friends Devin and Linda with daughter Christina joined us shortly after. Christina is still figuring out who Daddy is and cried some during breakfast. Ju-lie looked on as though to say, “It going to be fine, they love you so.” Very sweet. After breakfast we got back in the bus to go to the Civil Affairs office to finalize the adoption. Yes that was today! We thought it would be Friday. That is the day she gets her passport to travel to Guangzhou. So today she is officially a Turiel. YEAH!!! At the office we had our photos taken, had an interview and promised to never abandon her. That was easy!! During our time there a woman came over to Ju-lie and put her arms out to hold her. Right away Ju-lie went to her, smiling and responding warmly to her words. We were bewildered but thought it was charming that this official thought so highly of our daughter. Then tonight as we reviewed our pictures from yesterday, we realized it was the orphanage director from Bengbu. Her hair and clothing was different so we didn’t recognize her. Nonetheless, we are SO relieved that she was able to see that in just a short 24 hours how nicely we are adjusting to each other. I am sure she will share this with Ju-lie’s nanny and forever she can know that all is well. Again, God is good and knows how to take care of all things great and small. Once back to our room we decided to have a hibernating kind of day. And it has surely paid off immensely. By noon time she was giving us kisses, by three o’clock giggling and before bedtime shuffling around the hotel room throwing her ball. Amazing! Words cannot describe the joy in our hearts as she is blossoming before our eyes. Tomorrow we visit a temple here in Hefei. Looking forward to our first big outing with all the families and the babies.   PRAYERS: that Elizabeth is better from her fever, that Ju-lies cough and congestion goes away. PRAISES: that our adoptions were all finalized today, that our girls each are one step closer to understanding that Mommy and Daddy are here to love them. That our internet connection is fixed and we were able to IM our sons. What joy to know all is well at home! For the Fisher family who has so lovingly cared for Mitchell in our absence. For Nikki who was brave enough to allow our beginning driver to taxi himself to work under her guidance. FUN FACT OF THE DAY: there is a fireworks factory outside our hotel not too far away. So we had a fireworks show today.

E-mailing Daddy's Co-workers The Day I Became a Turiel Finally, a Family of Five With Orphanage Director Ready to Play

IMing my Ge-Ge, Matthew

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