Day 9 in China

Planes, trains, and automobiles... We will all be on our way home from China tomorrow.

2 days ago I couldn't imagine being ready to say goodbye. Now, I am ready to be home. 

Goodnight one last time from China! ❤️

Day 8 in China - goodbyes

Today was our last day in the orphanage. The past 5 days here have been incredibly memorable, emotional, joyful, and full of hope. It was very hard to say goodbye. 

We have been so welcomed and well taken care of (and well fed!) by the staff at the orphanage. We exchanged gifts today, and the children presented us with the art project we did together, framed with their picture in the handprint flower. 

I was allowed to take many pictures of the children who wait for their forever families and have so many stories to tell. They are ALL precious- all so very loved, wonderfully special and beautifully made. I truly believe that there is a family out there meant for each one of them...

Goodnight from China.❤️

Day 7 in China: Cookies!

The last several days have absolutely flown by. I cannot believe that tomorrow is our last day at the orphanage. I have no idea how I'm going to say goodbye to all these precious kiddos. 

We started off the day by baking cookies with the bigger kids. We made the dough (we chose a snicker doodle recipe) and the kids and nannies helped roll out the dough and used cookie cutters to make different shapes. We ended up using the cinnamon/sugar to just sprinkle on, and even modified it and had the nannies sprinkle on a green tea powder. They were both delicious! It was very fun to see the kids participate and enjoy the treat! We got to enjoy more playtime with the little ones in the afternoon, and I got to hold the baby girl with the cleft again. She is just too precious for words.

Tonight, amidst thinking about goodbyes, I'm also reflecting on what a fun group of women that were brought together on this team. We have 3 under 18 yrs old which I think is absolutely amazing, inspiring and wonderful. I have truly enjoyed getting to know each one of them. 

I am missing home and missing Paul and the kids, but so incredibly thankful to be in China on this incredible journey. Thank you to all who are following. You mean the world to me! 

Day 6 in China - Field Trip

Today was a really fun day. We had the opportunity to take some of the older children (plus one adorable little guy) on a field trip to a park! This is a rare experience, and you could tell just how fun it was for them - even the bus ride there! We were all paired with one child to look after for the morning. A few nannies were also there with us as well. We got to take a nice walk outside, and even took a ride on a carousel together! The boy I was paired with was so sweet, and never left my side. We were told later in the day that the kids were still talking about their time at the park! What a reminder to savor the little things at home - like a simple trip to the park. 

Our team continues to have a great time together - I am so thankful to have met all of them. We have shared a lot of laughs, stories, and special moments together. It's hard to believe that our time at the orphanage is over half done...

I have so many stories to share about these amazing children. I am still trying to put the words  together, but will share more soon to help tell their story.

Here are a few fun pics from today, and also more from yesterday. 

Goodnight from China. ❤️

Day 5 in China - pictures!

@Today was one of the days I have really been excited for; to capture photos of the children with hope and prayers that these images will help their precious personalities shine. Tonight's post is simply in pictures about them... and there are more to come! 

Goodnight from China. ❤️

Day 4 in China - first day at the orphanage!

What a incredibly memorable day. I got to start off the day in a great way with a fun Skype conversation with my kiddos and Paul at home. Gotta love technology!

Today was our first day in the orphanage. From the minute we walked in we have been greeted by the staff and children with such excitement. We started off the day doing games and joining in on choreographed exercises to music with the children outside, which was led by some of the nannies. It was wonderful to see many of the children participating, and even singing along to the songs:)! We then were given a tour of part of the orphanage then divided into groups of 2 or 3 to be assigned to a room. I got to spend time in one of the therapy rooms, then helping to feed lunch in another room. One of the highlights for me during this time was having the opportunity to hold a newer baby girl with cleft lip and palate. I asked about her on our tour, and shared a bit about Noah. I'm not sure if it was for that reason or coincidental, but they brought her to one of the rooms I was in, and let me hold her for awhile. Oh, my heart... I don't know if I will have the opportunity to get pictures of her, but let me tell you- she is absolutely adorable. Another highlight was simply seeing the joy in the smiles we got to see today - there's nothing better. 

We had another wonderful lunch with one of the Directors, then some rest time back at the hotel before heading back to the orphanage in the afternoon to see a performance put on by the children and the care givers. I was so impressed at how all the children did and how much time the nannies must have put in to planning it. ALL the older kids had makeup on and costumes. it was fantastic. Our team also did an impromtu rendition of "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" and " Wheels on the bus" complete with actions and audience participation ;). Then we again helped at feeding time and to play. In the room I as in, I gave a sticker to one of the older girls (who I think is 3). I was so touched that she then motioned me to give a sticker to her two younger friends playing along side us. She even tried to dig in my bag to give our more- LOL. She is very precious with quite the personality! We ended our day at the orphanage with a delicious beef and noodle dinner, again with one of the Directors, and had quite a long and surprising exchange of questions and answers back regarding adoption. It was a good discussion and some of us in the group were able to share some insight from our own personal stories. I'm so looking forward to going back tomorrow morning.

So. Are you ready for some pictures of these beautiful kiddos? 

Goodnight from China! 

Day 3 in China

Even though I've only been in China for a few days, it feels like much longer- in a good way! We've been having so much fun as a team, and making great memories with lots of laughs. 

I'm surprised how much seems familiar in a way from when we traveled to bring Noah home; some of the sights, sounds, smells... I didn't realize all the things I had actually "stored away" that I've recalled since being back. That part I didn't expect or anticipate, and it has been really nice. 

Today we traveled with our guide to the province where the orphanage is located that we will be serving at this week! After checking into our hotel, we had the opportunity to go to a wonderful dinner with the leadership of the orphanage. They were so kind and made us feel very welcome. I will never remember all the dishes we were served, but a few highlights were hot corn juice (beverage- not bad!!), roasted duck, two different kinds of dumplings (my favorite), fish soup (spicy- yum!), shrimp on a stick which they cooked at our table in tinfoil over a flame, complete with eyes (which I peeled to eat), oil rolls with beef and fresh jalapeños (also spicy and very good!), noodles, chicken, more bread with a creamy corn sauce, watermelon, a mushroom dish, and tea. Seriously, I know I am missing a few things. Wow. We've really had amazing food this entire trip. 

Tomorrow will be our first day in the orphanage. The first day we will lay eyes on these precious, wonderful children who WE are privileged to play with and get to know this week. 

May we keep our eyes and hearts open, and truly enjoy our time cheerfully serving, joyfully laughing, tireless playing, and intentionally loving. 

I so look forward to capturing pictures and telling the stories of these amazing children. 

Goodnight from China!

Tour day

We had a great day today visiting The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and eating some delicious food! The weather was cool but really nice and quite clear today. The spot of the wall our team visited was the same we went to in 2012, but the visibility was better and the pop of color from the changing leaves was amazing! 

It's been really fun to get to know the team and put faces to names! We are all looking forward to traveling tomorrow to the orphanage we will be serving and meeting some precious kiddos. 

Goodnight from China!