Day 10 ! A day of VICTORIES! ... Click for video!

"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." Need I say more? He is the Great I Am! He is Worthy of all honor and praise! So many times I try to find the words to say to Him and am reminded of what the creatures in Revelation 4 did 24/7. Acknowledging who He is and who I am because He says so makes me stand in awe of Him.

Today was a victorious day. I decided after 10 days of eating with her in my lap, today would be the day we conquered the dreaded high chair. She didn't like it one bit for about 10 minutes (which seemed like an hour). I reassured her I was there and she sat on the edge of the seat so she was still touching me, but hey we ate breakfast in separate chairs. So feeling very triumphant, I decided to go for it with the stroller. When we finished breakfast, we went for a walk and workout in the park. Wow, that really made her mad. She cried for about 30 minutes. All the people in the park kept staring at the American mom power walking the circle with a screaming child in the stroller. Dexter and I tag teamed and guess what. She stopped crying. She loves his singing. She even was beginning to mimic him with "Old McDonald had a Farm". She ended up loving the walk through the island for about 1 1/2 hours. In the park, we listened to singing, watched Tai Chi, Ballroom dancing, and playing with this thing that's like a "hacky sack ball". The kids enjoyed just being out of the room and getting some much needed exercise. When we returned to the hotel, we ate lunch and put her down for a nap. At 2:30 we left for the U.S. Consolate. We got some of our papers and were sworn in by an officiate. Tomorrow Emma will pick up her visa and immigration papers. We were told that when we check in at the immigration desk and they stamp her passport, she will then officially be an American citizen!!!! Big day, simple ceremony, but brought tears to mommy's eyes. She's really ours! Tomorrow, we will probably walk the park again and begin packing. It will probably take us a week to get unpacked, but that is okay, we will finally be home. All the family's are weary and ready to leave. As you will see in one of the pictures, Maggie Mae and Rainey are becoming friends. Maggie Mae sat in the high chair for dinner after another 5 minutes of crying, but then she stayed there without touching me for well over an hour. She's definitely made some huge steps today. We thought this would be good preparation for the car seat saga on the way home from Atlanta. Once again, we love hearing from everyone and love hearing what God is doing in your lives through all of this. Can't wait to get home and just sit and share with everyone. Can't wait to be at The Pike on Sunday! 1 more day and we are heading home. Pray for safe travel and good rest on the plane. We have heard it takes a little while to adjust back to the time when going back home, but we are so excited about just being in our own home and having some space. We can't wait to be reunited with Tony. He has been taking such good care of the house and animals. We are blessed to have such a responsible and dependable son. Pray for him also, he has 2 prospective jobs with the state!!!!!!! He will be an asset to whom ever hires him!

Time for bed, mom is tired!

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Day 9 ... Click for VIDEO!

As we approach our day of departure, I find myself already looking back at how far she has come. As you will see in the two pictures attached, we made big progress today with daddy. He decided to put her in the carrier when we went to the Pearl and Jade Market. He also decided to put in his ear plug, HA!. She cried for about 30 minutes as we were walking through Guangzhou, but then she settled down. He was singing to her the whole time, and when she decided not to fight it any longer she began to hum and sing too. Even when we got back to the hotel room and he took her out of the carrier, he could hold her for a little bit. Also, he seems to be the one that can get her to lie down and go to sleep much better than I can. The kids are counting down the time til we leave to go home, just like they were counting it down before we left. Two weeks is a long time for Dexter and I, so I can only imagine how long it seems for them. Parker said he didn't care if we got home at 2 o'clock in the morning, he wanted to jump on the trampoline. They are already talking about what they want to share in Sunday School. Church is all they talk about, oh how I love that!!!! Well tomorrow is the big day! We go to the U.S. Consolate for our official ceremony. Then, we are done! Emma will go pick up Maggie Mae's visa Wednesday afternoon, and we will be packing and preparing for going home. Our room looks like a bomb went off in it, but 6 people in a single hotel room about 1 and 1/3 the size of a normal hotel room is a bit tight. I'm looking forward to having my space back.

TRUST is the big word this trip, and I think the Lord has been teaching me about trust in so many ways throughout this whole process. It's one of those things that is too difficult to explain, you just know that is what He is wanting to establish in you. I am so encouraged and blessed by all the emails we have received. I am overwhelmed by what the Lord is doing in so many peoples lives. We love you all and miss you terribly. Be home soon!!!!!

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Day 8 a week since "Gotcha Day" .... Click for video

The girl likes to shop!!! We went shopping this afternoon for "squeaky shoes"! Took a while to find sizes and colors and she was a trooper. She did very well today. She was a little tired this morning because the construction workers were literally on our window ledge at 7am and woke us all up. However, we got her to go down for a nap in her crib which was huge. She slept for 2 1/2 hours while I was gone to the store and getting pizza for lunch. It was raining all day today, but we have severe cabin fever, so we put on our jackets and hit the streets. We met up with our new friends from North Carolina again for dinner. We found an Italian Restaurant owned and operated by an Italian couple so it was very good. We are loving the European flair to Shamian Island which is where we are in Guangzhou. Tomorrow night we are going to try the German Restaurant! Maggie Mae, as you will see in the video, was very happy tonight. She is talking so much. I tell her I love you so many times and tonight she looked right at me and said "luv you" in that sweet voice. She laughed a lot when we were running in the rain. She loves her Boba (the carrier I'm using). She and daddy had some good moments too! Once again, she loved her massage, and she touched him a lot during dinner. Thank you all for praying about that. We are seeing prayers answered all the time. We believe in the power of Jesus name, and we call on it often. He is SO GOOD to us!! We are truly falling in love with this precious gift. Enjoy the pictures and video (sorry it's so long, but I didn't want to cut any of it out). We only have 3 more full days then we leave Thursday morning. Oh how we are all so homesick. We can't wait to see everyone. We are praying she will adjust quickly to yet another change, and we will soon be able to spend time with everyone. Did you see more of Jesus today?

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Day 8 Daily Manna

"I've touched the hem of Your garment, and I have felt the leading of Your hand. But today my eyes look much higher, to see the face of the Great I Am, More of You Jesus!

This is one of my favorites songs, but today something occurred to me as I reflected on the words of this song and Matthew 25:35-40 where Jesus is talking about whatever we do for the least we do for Him. We want more of Jesus, and somehow I think we believe that this requires more on His part. We want to see God move, yet I think we will see more of Him and His glory when WE MOVE! What are we missing in our fellowship with God. Well this scripture spells it out very clearly. When we give our lunch or snack to the guy standing at the exit ramp with the sign that says "Hungry", we give unto Him. This is more of Jesus. When we love the old lady down the street that doesn't seem to have many visitors, we are loving Him. This is more of Jesus. When we show up to help groups like Urban Trec on a Thursday afternoon and go out and give food to the homeless, we are feeding Him. This is more of Jesus. When we look into the eyes of the cashier at Walmart, who is probably working 3 jobs to make ends meet, and smile and say "How are you doing today?' We are looking at Him. This is more of Jesus. So many opportunities we pass by everyday that would bring More of Jesus into our lives. We, the church, want more of Jesus and for God to show up and do something amazing. Well, He already has!!!! We are redeemed aren't you? For me, it's obvious loving Maggie Mae and bringing her into our home is walking this out; however, this is not the end. Today as I walk the streets and encounter store owners who are pushing me hard to buy something, I have a choice. I can get frustrated and leave, or spend some time breathing the breath of Life in their store. His presence and glory will fill that place because He is with me. More of you Jesus, More of your face, as I see you in the faces of the people all around me!

Day 7 in Guangzhou China ... Click for video!

Would you ever think cold water could throw you over the edge. Well, believe me, it was the straw that broke the camels back for me this morning. Once again, the whole family slept all snug in their beds, while I lay restless in mine. I finally quit the fight and got up to take a shower and spend some time with the Lord. I decide to take the shower first and much to my dismay, NO HOT WATER!!! Can you say meltdown? I mean really, I can't believe I'm having a meltdown over no hot water. Poor Dexter is so wishing he could fix it, and you know what, he did, with a great big hug. Soon after that, the hot water miraculously came on. As I was getting ready to take my shower the Lord gave me a thought to ponder. Yesterday, I started my day out with LIVING WATER and as you remember, I said it is what sustains me. Well, as I was sitting on the side of the tub crying like my baby, I thought, do I fall apart when I don't have Living Water. I'm not sure I can put into words this time what the Lord was trying to teach me other than I need Him more than anything. So after a long, hot, QUIET shower, we started our day. We had a good buffet breakfast. Oh the sight of all the adopted children with their new families, all sitting happily in their high chairs. So I tried once again to put Maggie Mae in one and she wouldn't have anything to do with it. She sat in my lap and ate a big breakfast. She is a good eater. The only thing I've found that she doesn't like is melons. After breakfast, we went to our medical appointment which was a bit of a joke. It was more like an assembly line of checking the boxes. I guess Dexter and I being nurses gives us a different perspective on things. She hated every minute of it, but thankfully we were out of there with no shots in 30 minutes. We also got her Visa picture taken. Yep it matches her passport, both screaming:):) We are surrounded by so many people adopting and most seem to be doing very well or just faking it, HA! We did meet up with the people we met in Kunming from North Carolina and had dinner with them at Lucy's Bar and Grill. It was such a good evening with very REAL conversation. We decided you become good friends fast when you are frazzled. Anyway, Maggie Mae had her first steak and broccoli and cheesecake and LOVED IT! Now I am happy to report, she is lying in bed WITH DADDY, ASLEEP! She is a sucker for his after bath massages, it really calms her down. Tomorrow we have a free day, so hopefully we'll do some shopping. Well time to go download some video to send, I know that's what yall REALLY want! 4 more days then we travel home with our new addition!!!!

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Day 6 Ends

Well we just arrived in Guangzhou, our last stop before heading home. Today was all about packing, going to a floral market, and flying with her for the first time. She did GREAT! No crying at all on the plane. She laid in my lap and talked for 2 hours. Amazing how the day goes when it's started out in His presence:) We really did have a good day. Dexter had some good moments playing with her and feeding her. She still wants me to hold her, but she is at least letting him play, change clothes and feed her. We already LOVE Guangzhou and it's dark outside, can't wait to see it in the light. The pace is much slower and the city is just very different. When we arrived at the Guangdong Victory Hotel, we saw 6 American families with their newly adopted little ones. That was so fun talking and sharing with others. Tomorrow is a very early day. Maggie Mae is going for her "body check-up" (aka, dr. visit). We are told she will not have to get shots because we are a non Hague adoption. The Hague adoption children have to get 7 shots, YUCK! This is some new governmental policy. I'm so thankful our paperwork was before the Hague Convention implementation in the US. Well I know this is short, but I am very tired and ready for bed. We have an early morning. Sorry there are no pictures or videos today, but we really didn't take any. Well Dexter did take one at the hotel of some interesting statue in a fountain, but I won't let him post it. We are going to keep this blog G-rated:):) Thank you again for all your thoughtful emails. We too look forward to reading them. Love and blessings.

Patricia

Day 6 Early Morning Inspiration

As I woke up again in the wee hours of the morning, I had an overwhelming sense to spend some much needed time with the Lord. All was quiet and dark in both rooms, so me, my bible, glasses and pillow headed for the bathtub. It was there the Lord met me with His Life giving words. If we want Him to exchange beauty for ashes, we have to give Him our ashes! Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Sometimes we lay our ashes at His feet and expect Him to turn them to beauty immediately. Sometimes He does not "pass the cup". 1 Peter 4:12-13 says "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." When I decided to obey Him and follow Him through this adoption, I walked into it thinking "what a beautiful thing this will be". Unknowingly motivated deeply by trying to make up for past sin in my life, God revealed to me His motivation for me was just to simply love her through Dexter and I. The enemy wants not only to destroy and devour us, but He wants to confuse and deceive us into believing why we are doing what we are doing. Yet, "the eyes of the Lord are ranging throughout the earth seeking those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9. HE WINS ALWAYS!! If we will just persevere and trust Him, we will see victory! Listen to His voice and don't believe the lies of the enemy. Follow Him everyday of your life and this will be your witness and testimonty. "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Peter 1:16. Follow hard after Him and be an eye witness to His Majesty!

Love and Blessings to you all.

Patricia