China Trip Day 11

The Pearl and Jade Market.

It was good and all, but big.  And overwhelming.

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Levels and levels. . .

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. . . of this.

But there were some really pretty things, and I got great pictures, so let’s look on the bright side!

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I loved this model dragon boat!

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All. blue.  (That was for you, Savannah!)

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A lot of you probably saw this on the family blog already, but this was also the day we saw these guys on display at a restaurant we walked by.

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Appetizing, huh?

China’s quite the adventure, even if you don’t try the authentic foods like this, but there’s nothing wrong with a little adventure now and then, is there?

Happy Monday! 🙂

China Trip Day 10

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Made it to Guangzhou!

Just look at those fountains!  The hotel there was huge–and fancy!  These pictures of the lobby might give you the feel:

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And there was a waterfall outside, with a pond, and goldfish!  That may have been very exciting for one of us, who is really too old to get excited about feeding fish. . . No, I don’t plan to grow up any time soon. 🙂

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And this was also the day of Lucy’s medical appointment, but. . .

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. . . since this was all I did at it, and you all probably don’t want to hear me going on and on about how boring and agonizing it was for all of us, I’ll move on to some happier subjects!

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Like Lucy’s first time swimming!

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This is right after I jumped in for the first time, and you might not be able to tell in the picture, but I’m actually moaning with shock because the water was so cold!  Bear in mind that this was, after all, November, and the pool was not heated.  But we didn’t learn our lesson, because we still swam like three times that week!  #CrazyPeople

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(You can read more about our swimming adventure on the family blog here.)

This last picture is after the medical appointment, waiting for the other families to get done.  And this is actually how little sis and I spent most of our China-trip-time!  Those cameras. 🙂

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Happy Sunday!

China Trip Day 9

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Painting Chinese characters–with water.  They’ll evaporate in a matter of hours, but he still does it.

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This lady was a waitress at our hotel’s breakfast buffet and was incredibly sweet!  She helped us figure out what to feed our girl, told us what Chinese kids often eat, and brought our breakfast up to our room our first morning with Lucy!

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An in-country plane-ride to Guangzhou!  Our sparrow had never flown before, and she was giddy with excitement!  That girl is so brave!

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I actually thought the food on the in-country flight was better than the American food! 🙂

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Distinct.  Something lost in translation, maybe?

P.S. They celebrate Christmas in China–big time.

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China Trip Day 8

“Little Bear,” said Mother Bear.  “Yes, Mother,” said Little Bear.  “You are not asleep,” said Mother Bear.  “No, Mother,” said Little Bear.  “I can’t sleep.”  “Why not?” said Mother Bear.  “I’m wishing,” said Little Bear.  “What are you wishing for?” said Mother Bear.  “I wish that I could sit on a cloud and fly all around,” said Little Bear.  “You can’t have that wish, my Little Bear,” said Mother Bear. (51, 52)

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

This story continues, with Little Bear wishing for all kinds of things, from a tunnel to China, to a Viking boat; with Mother Bear patiently answering, “you can’t have that wish, my Little Bear.”  It goes on, until Little Bear’s last wish is something his Mother can finally give:

“Then I wish,” said Little Bear, “a Mother Bear would come to me and say, ‘Would you like to hear a story?'”  “Well,” said Mother Bear, “maybe you can have that wish.  That is just a little wish.” (57)

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Oh, but you are mistaken, Mother Bear.

That is no small wish.

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Just one year ago today, I stood under the same roof with three-hundred children who have no mother to tell them stories at night.

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Today I’m thankful for a family, a home, and that God has given us this ability to open the doors of our home!

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“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in.”

-Matthew 25:35

China Trip Day 7

Happy Thanksgiving, folks!

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This was my Thanksgiving dinner last year, when we visited the orphanage, which I’ll post about tomorrow (Thanksgiving was the 27th last year!)  Not quite. . . traditional. 🙂  It was very good though!

Last year today Mom, Dad, and Lucy visited the city wall.  I decided to post the pictures, even though I wasn’t there because I wasn’t feeling good that day.

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I love the pictures they got!

If you had told me before we left that I would end up spending the afternoon alone in a Chinese hotel, I think I would have seriously re-considered going.  But once it came down to it, I felt totally fine.  It felt quite safe!  It was actually kind-of nice to be alone for a bit! #Introvert

Have a blessed Thanksgiving today!  I’m thankful for adoption today, and China, and my little sister’s first Thanksgiving at home!

China Trip Day 4

The day I met my little sister!  I posted this that afternoon, before we went to meet her that evening (pictures added):

We’ve been in China for a little over twenty-four hours now, and it’s been great!  The jet-lag was pretty bad on the plane.  I was expecting it, but not that bad, and (for some reason) not until we got home; but I perked up when we got to Xi’an… and could go to bed.  I’m never sleepy when I’m supposed to be–like, never!

Continue reading China Trip Day 4

China Trip Day 2

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We made it to China!

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I love this picture because it pretty much sums up how I felt at that point!  The actual fourteen hours weren’t so bad, but it’s not easy to sleep on a plane, and I was exhausted by the end.  Okay, it’s not easy for me to sleep on planes.  But I can’t sleep in cars or anything either!

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Just one more plane ride to Lucy’s city. . .

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And my first view of China outside an airport!  So foggy–so beautiful–so exciting!

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