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! 

Arrived!

We have arrived safely in China! 

We met our guide, checked into our hotel, and went to a local noodle restaurant for dinner- YUM! 

Thank you for all your kind messages and encouraging words. They mean the world to me! 

Follow me to China...

After months of planning, fundraising and prayer, I'm heading back to China on Thursday morning! This time, to serve in an orphanage with a team of 8 women joined together with a passion for orphan care...and I can't wait! The team I will be serving with will have the opportunity to love, care for, and help meet the needs of an orphanage full of babies and children in a variety of ways. Doesn't that sound amazing? I will so miss my family, and I know it will be hard, emotional..and don't even get me started about having to say goodbye to those precious kiddos and their care givers. I also know that this is part of my heart. These children are so loved - so precious. I am eternally thankful for the moments I will have to show them just how important they truly are. 

Thank you so much to my family and friends for your generous support, prayers and encouraging words. You are such a part of my journey, and I will be taking you all with me in my thoughts.

As long as I have internet access, I plan to share stories and pictures along the way. 

Will you follow my journey back to China? 

I love fall!

Our fall is flying by!