And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev. 5:9-10
This is our last full day here in China. We’re wrapping things up: picking up the scroll we ordered for Daniel with his Chinese name on it, we’ve picked up our last load of laundry, Mom and I will be picking up in a little bit the necklaces we’re having made, and our packing is almost done (thanks to Jason). Our last bit of official business will be the oath ceremony at the US Consulate this afternoon.
We took our official “red couch” pictures with the rest of our travelgroup. It’s an adoption tradition to take pictures of the kids together on the White Swan’s red couches (Until we stayed here the first time I thought there was only one red couch - there are MANY couches on the first and second floors). Even families who stay at other hotels, come here to have their kids’ “red couch” pictures taken!
The five other families that we’ve been here with for the last few days have been such a blessing to meet, and it’s been a privilege to hear their stories of how the Lord led them to adopt their precious children. Besides Daniel, there is a 20-mo. old girl, another 2-year old boy, a 3.5 year old girl, an 8-year old boy, and a 9-year old boy. I always find this so interesting, so I’m giving a run down on the family makeups:
5 kids (2nd adoption)
5 kids (2nd adoption)
5 kids (1st adoption)
4 kids (2nd adoption)
3 kids (1st adoption)
3 kids (3rd adoption) (guess which family this is!)
Many bio kids and previously adopted children came on this trip, so there were lots of kids here. It made for fun pictures, as you can see! I was also happy to learn that 2 of the other families also homeschool (yeah, experienced brains to pick – which I did!).
We’ve been taking Daniel potty whenever we take Noah, but last night he started telling us when he needed to go – YEAH! He apparently thought this was so fun, that he started telling us about every 10 minutes that he needed to go!
Daniel was NOT impressed by all the picture-taking, as you can tell. He wanted to be in his stroller that was off to the side – and that was all there was to it. After we were done snapping pictures, we put him back in his stroller and he was fine - thankyouverymuch!
The Lord has been giving me peace and wisdom as Daniel misbehaves (thank you very much for your prayers), and new ideas on how to best deal with it. Although we try not to laugh or smile, it is usually very amusing to watch him pitch a fit (although I greatly prefer it when he does it in our room, instead of at breakfast, or in a shop!). He just decides what he wants to do (for instance he wanted to take a bath the other day, when we were just laying them down for nap) and gets vocally, highly irritated when we don’t comply! He is definitely going to keep me on my toes – and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Our pastor from Colorado put it this way in an e-mail the other day: “Daniel was created with that ‘strong-will’ to stand for God in places that will require it.” AMEN!
We’re meeting our guide, Elvin, at 5:30 a.m. to head for the airport. And after 30+ hours of traveling (connecting back through Hong Kong and Chicago) will arrive home at 10:04 p.m. We’ll see two sunrises, travel for over 30 hours and arrive home the same day we leave China!
Jason’s mom, Nai Nai, and my dad, Papa, will be flying in and meeting us at the airport! The kids (and us) are so excited! Nai Nai will get to stay with us for 5 days before she has to fly back home to Colorado. While all the grandparents are in town, we’re having Daniel dedicated at church on Sunday morning. We can’t wait to introduce Daniel in person to our biological and church family!
Please pray for our safe travel home…and that Daniel doesn’t decide he dislikes flying!
In Him,
Joli
Wrestling with Daddy
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Their shirts say "little brother", "big sister", and "big brother"
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Family picture - Daniel wasn't in the picture mood
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The best picture I got of the 6 newly adopted kids
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Adding in the siblings that are here in China
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Family "Red Couch" picture
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The moms and their newest children - yes, Daniel is screaming bloody murder
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Now with the dads added in. You can't see his face, but trust me, Daniel was still screaming bloody murder
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Everybody! (Daniel's mouth is closed, but he was still not happy)
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