Wednesday,
December 20, 2006
Well, we are about five days away from Christmas and only two
days
away from being on our way home. That feels wonderful! We have
had
an awesome time in this country, but after a while you do start
to
long for the conveniences of home and friends and family. I am
not
sure how well we would have done if we had not been able to read
all
of your encouraging comments in our guestbook. Some days they
really lifted our spirits! Also, I am not sure how I would have
managed this trip without Graham and Grace and the adult
companionship of Mom and Dad. I want to especially thank Dorothy
and Lisa for encouraging us to bring the kids. It has meant so
much
to us to have them along on this journey and experience the
adoption
and the culture with us. I think they both have enjoyed the trip
and will feel so much closer to Sarah Joy because of it.
It has been extremely interesting getting to know the Chinese
people
and their ways. Of course, we are not able to communicate with a
lot of them, but we enjoy talking to the ones that we can
communicate with. Today I was talking to a man at the pearl
market
who was telling me that the American people are so rich and
Sarah
Joy will have a good life full of opportunities. I cannot
promise
you that she will have all of the material possessions she
desires
or every opportunity that comes around, but I can promise you
that
she will know who Jesus Christ is and she will be loved beyond
measure!
Now on to our day….we started the day off learning that Nana had
been sick during the night. She was feeling OK today, but not
great! We feel like it was something she ate last night at
Lucy's.
And as I type this, I am not feeling that great either, but I
may
just be paranoid now. Anyway, we did our normal breakfast buffet
to
start our day. It is quite a sight at breakfast to see all of
the
adoptive families and their babies. All are unique and yet seem
to
fit as families already. After breakfast, Nana and I did some
shopping around the hotel while Granddaddy and the kids watched
a
movie and Daddy and Sarah Joy played. This afternoon, Nana and I
did more shopping at the pearl market. Well, actually Nana did
the
shopping and I just tagged along with her. She was on a mission!
We came back with our group and decided to go back to the pearl
market on our own with the guys and kids. It was also a good
excuse
to get off of the island and eat somewhere besides Lucy's….like
McDonald's! After our delicious dinner, we walked around and did
a
little more shopping. I think we are almost done!!
Tomorrow is our big consulate appointment! Yeah! The last step
in
the adoption process…other than the flight! We are also going to
the Guangzhou Zoo in the morning. The kids are really looking
forward to that! Also, tomorrow is our last full day here so we
will be packing up too!! Good thing we bought an extra
suitcase!!
Sorry that I don't have that many great photos today…we should
have
more tomorrow.
Until then,
Mike, Leigh Ann, Graham, Grace, Sarah Joy, Nana and Granddaddy |
Our precious angel
Here comes trouble
Nana and her girls
Naptime!!
Splish Splash |
