Tuesday in Liaoning

Today was a busy day of paperwork.  We left the hotel at 8:45 and returned at 6:30.  The whole time we were working on paperwork.  We look forward to our first and only free day here in this province.  Thursday we will have a day of sightseeing and then we will fly to Guongzhou.

Lucy has had another incredible day.  She woke up very happy this morning.  We woke her up at 6:30 to call her friend Betty on Skype.  Betty was adopted by a family in Florida a couple of months ago.  The girls had a great time seeing and talking to each other.  It was fun for them to catch up.  Priceless really.  A great start to her day.  Betty's mom and I have decided it would be a great thing if they could skype each other first thing in the morning for a few days to make sure Lucy is ok.  Betty would be able to tell us if she had any needs.  Thank you so much, Betty!

While we were getting ready for breakfast we skyped with a few others and then headed out for the day.  She loved the buffet breakfast downstairs this morning.  It was the first time she had used a fork.  She had told us through a translator yesterday that she was nervous about using a fork and knife for the first time.  You would think she would not be nervous after seeing us trying to use chopsticks at every other meal.  She usually eats porridge for breakfast every morning so I think she enjoyed all of the selections.  In fact, tonight as we were eating dinner, she typed in to her electronic translator that she thought it would be a great idea for us to eat breakfast downstairs again tomorrow morning.  I thought that was great that she felt comfortable enough to ask us if we could eat there again.

We ate lunch in the city of her orphanage with one of her teachers/nannies and a past orphanage director today.  These are two people that really love Lucy.  I was a little nervous that she would not want to leave after being with them or that she would be really sad.  Well, as we left, I am the one that cried.  I know that  really shocks some of you.  :)  But I know how much this nanny has done for her and cared for her.  I know Lucy really loves her too, but there were no tears.   That really spoke volumes to me of how happy she really is to be going home with us.  She got right into the van and carried on smiling like she has done all along.  We have hardly any communication, so when one of us looks at her, she just smiles really big. 

Tonight we ordered room service and then put together a puzzle.  Afterwards we were all sitting on the bed eating miniature candy bars and Mentos, and she picked up the electronic translator and simply typed "happiness".  Lauren shrugged her shoulders as if she did not know what she was talking about, and she typed the words "I am happy."

Ok, if that does not get you, how about this one.  Anytime she has typed a message to me tonight she makes sure she types "mother" in front of it.  And I have heard her tell a couple of people something, and I hear the word "mother" or "mama"  somewhere in there.  I think she is so thrilled to be able to use that word.

She is very affectionate as she has to always be holding someone's hand, have her arm around someone's neck, of just sitting really close to them.  We do not mind it AT ALL.

Well, my eyes are rolling back as I type this so I think I will close for now.  I will try to do better as the days pass.  I have just been so tired as we come in from long days.  Still a little jet lag also.

Lastly, thank you all so much for your prayers.  We feel prayer like never before.  It just does not make any sense for things to be running this smoothly.  All praise to God!

Oh yeah - one more thing that I can not forget to mention.  Lauren is still doing an amazing job.  I am sooo proud of her.  She makes this whole process so much easier.

Goodnight,
Christy

Chilling with their Nintendos

Lucy!

Prayers have been answered!!!!!  It is truly unbelievable!  This has been the smoothest transition!  Lucy has been nothing but smiles since we met a few hours ago.  I do realize this could change, but we will take it for now. :)

We left our hotel this morning at 5:20 and arrived to Shenyang at 10:00.  We went straight to the Civil Affairs office to meet Lucy.  She was already there and had been for a little while.  I knew this because strangely enough there was a couple from Fayetteville, NC there that told me they had been comforting her for a little while before we arrived there.  Her nannies did not come with her which I found odd.  Hopefully they will come tomorrow.  I think the guy that brought her was new to the orphanage and he barely spoke English.  Hopefully someone will come by this afternoon that can translate a little for us.  She does not seemed to be bothered about anything right now though. 

We left there after more paperwork to check in to the hotel.  We exchanged a few gifts, let the girls play around a little and then out to eat for lunch.  Finally some American food.  McDonald's has never tasted so good!  After lunch we came back to the room as we all seem to be more comfortable there.  The girls colored some and now Lucy has found the remote and is laying back on the bed watching Brady Bunch of all things.  It is in English with Chinese at the bottom.  She seems to be very familiar with it.  Lauren thought this was funny, but great.  Now they are both laying there watching it.

Lauren has been AMAZING!!!  I am so thankful that she is here.  She knows just what to do.  I told her she is going to be so tired tonight as she is putting her all into making Lucy feel comfortable.   I wish you could see them laying there right now.  It is if Lucy has been with us for a week, and it has only been a few hours. 

I will post pictures a little later and try to type more.  For now, I need to unpack our bags and clean up a little.  I may even lay down a few minutes myself. 

Thanks so much for all of your prayers!  We can certainly fill them.  Our guide was amazed that she seemed so comfortable so quickly.

Where they're going

I thought I'd post a map of China so you can follow the journey that Lauren, Christy, her mom, and her aunt will be taking over the next 2 weeks (you can click on the map to enlarge it).  On Saturday night, they flew into Beijing, which is indicated by a star on the map.  In just a few hours, they will be flying to Lucy's province of Liaoning which is a little northeast of Beijing.  They will stay there until Friday when they will fly to Guangzhou in the Guangdong province in south China.  It's here that a lot of the official stuff will happen - medical exam, paperwork, oath-taking ceremony, and picking up Lucy's visa.  Hope this give you a little bit of context for the week.  FYI, Lily was adopted from the Hunan province which is just above Guangdong.

First (and last) full day in Beijing

This is Tom again.  Christy may post some from China herself, but until then, she's gonna email me and I'll post.  I received this one from her this morning (Sunday) at 11:00:

"Hey!  This is gonna be quick.  It is 11:00 and we need to be downstairs by 5:20.  Our flights to the different provinces leave out early.  We will go straight from the airport to pick up Lucy.  Needless to say, I have a few butterflies.


"We have had an awesome day!  Great weather - started the day off at a Christian church service that was awesome.  Nothing like worshiping with foreigners, but you know all about that.  It was the same church we went to 5 years ago (when we adopted Lily), and it has grown so much.  So many Chinese in the service this time.  That room, if you remember it, was almost packed.

"Then to lunch, jade factory, then the Great Wall (weather was nice), then to dinner, then an acrobatic show.  All were good.  All 3 meals were yummy today.  Could not believe it.  I thought I might lose weight on this trip.  I was not supposed to like the food.  I am sure we will get tired of the Chinese in a couple of days, but for today, it was really good.


"Lauren just fell asleep watching Chinese Pooh and Tigger.  I am going to try my best to get some sleep.


"I cannot believe we meet Lucy in the morning!!!  It is sooo much fun hearing all of the other families talking about meeting their daughters.  A couple of the families have waited 5 long years.  And it is their first babies.  I so wish we could see their Gotcha moments.  We will meet back up with them at the end of the week and that will be fun to see.  A lot of first time moms and dads."

Sounds like everything so far has gone without a hitch.  Thank you so much for praying.  Please pray for the girls tomorrow as they fly to Lucy's province (Liaoning) and meet Lucy for the first time.  I can't believe how anxious they all are.  I grew anxious today just thinking about the meeting.  Also pray for Lucy.  Can't imagine what will go through her mind.  Since they are going straight from the airport to meet Lucy, I'm guessing that the meeting will happen around 10:30 or 11:00 on Monday morning, which would be 10:30 or 11:00 tonight (Sunday night).  Please be in prayer for all involved.

In Beijing!

This is Tom.  I just Skyped with the girls.  They were in their hotel and just about to go to bed (2am there).  Christy said the flights went very smoothly.  On the Seattle to Beijing flight, she and Lauren slept 8 hours.  Tomorrow, they will go to an international church service and then visit the Great Wall.  BTW, for those of you following, they are 12 hours ahead of EST.  Keep praying.

Thank you, Earl . . . I mean, God

Thank God that He is so gracious in answering prayer.  Tropical storm Earl skirted right by us last night, creating a pleasant breeze and giving us a light rain.  As a result, we don't anticipate any flight delays today.  Christy and Lauren are scrambling with last minute packing as they look to meet Christy's mom and aunt for their flight at 12:30 this afternoon.  Please pray for them as they travel - no cancellations, delays, missed connections, and for comfort as they fly.  And when you do, also remember Lucy in prayer.  Although she may be excited about finally being adopted, there will no doubt be anxieties as she meets her new family and leaves her country.