Great day in Guangzhou

We had a another great day of sightseeing and shopping.  We love to shop on Shamian Island.  This is where every family that adopts from China ends their trip.  And it is a famous place to shop for adoptees.  We also went to a friendship store today as well.  I do not know how many floors it had, but it had everything you could want or need there.  That was a lot of fun.  Heike, I bought you some more Tiger Balm.  Lucy had a fun time in the grocery with Betty Jean and Grandma.  They had to buy a new suitcase for it all tonight.

Speaking of  Betty Jean and Grandma, I have not mentioned them in the blog thus far.  I thought of this as I lay in bed last night saying my prayers.  They have been my angels along the way.  I could not imagine doing this without them.  The two of them combined have been just what Lucy has needed.  It has been amazing to watch.  And Lucy thinks the world of them.  I am afraid they are spoiling her a bit, but our guides say that is what we are supposed to do while we are here.  She will be sad to see them go home.  I wish they could come home with us for  a while too.  We will never forget them being a part of this story.
                                                                                                                                                            
Lucy enjoyed buying groceries today for her and her Chinese friends in America.  Grandma also bought her a Chinese doll tonight that she was very excited about.  More than anything, I think she was excited about having her own suitcase for the first time I imagine.  She came back to the hotel and helped BJ and Grandma pack all her food items and gifts in there.  Lauren had a great time shopping for her friends tonight as well.

We have had another great day, and you could never imagine how blessed we feel about that.  It is HUGE!!! I forgot to mention that we bought pretty neat necklaces today.  There was a man painting names on a grain of rice and putting them inside of necklaces.  We picked a few out that we liked, and Lucy picked out one that had Jesus on the cross.  We were so excited about that.  We do know that she has been introduced to Christ.  I met a really sweet girl this week that I will share with you more about later.  She told me that she showed the Jesus Film to Lucy's orphanage one time.  I am so thankful that this girl (missionary) lives in America now and will be able to sow into Lucy's life.  She cares so much for her and all of the children at her orphanage.  She actually lived there as a child and now attends college in Florida.

I guess these are the highlights of the day.  I am glad there are so many.  Please keep up the prayers.  We had a shaky day yesterday, but as for the rest of the trip, I am in awe.  Thank you Lord!!!  And thanks to you for all of your prayers.  We sure do feel them.
                                                                                                                                                                     

To Lucy's big sister

Lauren,

I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and how proud I am of you.  From everything that Mom tells me, you have been a HUGE part of why Lucy's transition into our family has been so smooth.  I have to be honest with you - there have been times the past couple of years that Mom and I have had a few concerns about how you might respond to being "replaced" as the oldest child.  And while I'm sure you probably thought about that, too, you've been Lucy's biggest cheerleader the whole time.  I was especially impressed with all your hard work learning Chinese before you left for China so that you could help Lucy with the transition.  The grace and poise and maturity you've shown, prior to the trip but especially while in China with Lucy, has blown me away.  I'm so proud of you that I could pop!  I know you're aware that there are still going to be bumps in the road ahead.  Lucy will have some rough days, you'll have some rough ones, and each member of our family will, too.  But I'm confident that God will use you, as He already has, to show His grace and love to Lucy.  She could not have a better "big sister."  ;)

I love you very much,
Dad

A little rollercoaster ride today

We started out at the bottom today.  A lot quieter and a little grumpy. :(  But ended the day on the tippy top with a first swim EVER in the pool.  We left Lucy's home province today with a toothache.  I guess that most people would be a little grumpy with the combination of those two.   Then her first plane ride and on to our new hotel.   She enjoyed the plane ride until the end where her ears were really hurting as we landed.  If you ask her if she liked the plane, she will quickly tell you "No!"  If you ask if she liked swimming, you get a whole different response.  We could not believe how comfortable she was in there.  She went right under, holding her nose only one time.  Enjoyed splashing and floating around.

We are staying in a very nice hotel that America World booked for us.  I sure hope Lucy does not get to used to this.  It is unbelievable.  You can google Marriott Guangzhou China and check out where we are.  The pool was a very nice one to take your first swim.

I will have to type more tomorrow.  My time is running out.  We have to pay for the internet here.  Lauren says they have to charge for everything here to keep this nice place running. :)

Lauren is still doing amazingly well.   Handled the day much better than I would at her age.  Thanks so much for your prayers.  Please do not stop.  We covet your prayers as we are not home yet.  :)  Thanks!!!  Love you all!  And miss my girls and Tom really bad as of today!  Goodnight!

Important clarification on reception for Lucy

The date, time, and place of the welcome reception for Lucy hasn't changed (see post below for those details).  What has changed is that the reception is also going to be for welcoming home another local family and their new daughter.  Teresa Leggett lives in Hampstead and is also currently in China with her daughter, Ashton, and their new adopted daughter, Natalie.  They are in a different province than Christy and Co., but like all adopting families will end up in Guangzhou before they fly home to the US.  In fact, Teresa and her family and Christy and her family will be staying in the same hotel in Guangzhou.

SO . . . family and friends of the Jaski's and the Leggetts are invited to welcome home the families and meet the new additions on Sept. 19.  Spread the word!

Last full day in Lucy's home province

Today was our last full day here in Liaoning province.  Tomorrow Lucy will take her first airplane ride, and she seems excited about it.  But then again, she seems excited about most anything right now.  It is truly amazing!  And we are sooo thankful!!!  All praise to God!!!

We started out the day by going to pick up Lucy's passport and visiting the Imperial Palace.  Then off for a little more shopping and late lunch at Pizza Hut.  Oh, how good it was!!! Pizza and a coke with ice!  Lucy turned her nose up so we took her to Walmart and let her pick something out to bring into the restaurant   (Well, three things).  This girl can eat!  I think she is trying to pack it all in knowing that she be leaving in a week.  I know exactly how she feels.  Lauren and I savored every last bite at Macaroni Grill the night before we left.  So we all enjoyed dinner in the end.  Oh yeah, we were sitting in Pizza Hut, listening to Dolly Parton on the sound system.  Are we really in China?  Kind of a weird moment. :)

Lucy is still doing great!  Smiling, skipping through the room, singing.  She is actually giving us a concert right now.  She LOVES to sing and knows she is good. :)  I cannot wait to introduce her to contemporary Christain music!  I am sure she will love it!

I will close with this.  She asked me to braid her hair today and to blow dry it tonight!  She has never had a mom to do this and it THRILLS my soul when she asks me to do this.  Oh, and what teenager will hold your hand all around town. :)  And her sisters?  We like that too.  :)

Dinner Anyone?