Last Full Day in Guangzhou!

This morning was our Consulate appointment at the US Embassey.  This was the appointment that our whole trip was scheduled around to apply for our children's Visas to the US.  All adoptive families in China must come here to obtain the Visas.

Tomorrow they will be delivered to our hotel at 4:20pm and then we depart for the airport 1 hour later.  We will fly into Shanghai, spend the night, and then some combination of our family will visit Grace's foster home - Shanghai Healing Home.  After her difficult first day with us, we've decided that it could be too hard on her little heart to go back and visit.  We do not want her to experience the grief she did the first day of having to say goodbye again.  So either Travis or I will stay back with her, while the rest of the family visits and delivers gifts.  That evening (Friday) we will fly out of Shanghai to Dallas, and then Dallas to Denver!

Our group, minus Ron and Celese who had their Consulate appointment yesterady.

As our trip is coming to a close, we've had some wonderfully deep conversations as a family.  Caleb and Mason understand that we did not bring them here to see China, or experience the culture, although that was a wonderful bonus.  We brought them to experience the gospel in this unique way, and live it out.  I believe they've done that.  Travis told me when Caleb was two and Mason was one, that he wanted to adopt when they were old enough to understand why we were doing it.  In His loving kindness, God has brought that to fruition.

We've also discussed the parallels between Reed and Grace's adoption, with OUR adoption into God's family.  Just as their story began with great loss, so did ours - a seperation from Christ that cost Jesus his life.  And just as their has been a beautiful redemption for each of us, so there is redemption for Reed and Grace.  As we have a new identity, so do they.  Not because of anything Travis or I have done, but all because of Christ.  

Just today we had opportunity to talk through how Reed and Grace have habits that need to be re-taught.  Yes, they have come from broken backgrounds and have had difficult things.  And yet the loving thing to do is to begin re-teaching them correctly, just as we have had to re-learn life as new Christians.  I am amazed at the grace God has poured out - it is so much easier to be patient with them than my biological children.  Partially because I have no expectations for them to behave correcty.  And partially (to my shame) I do not struggle with their behavior being a reflection of my parenting.  I have not been a part of their lives since birth.  I need to grow more in my parenting at home and not be so prideful - that is where the shame comes in.  I need to continue to grow in my identity and not worry about what other's are thinking.

Lastly, we've discussed sacrificial love, what it means to lay down our lives for another, and how Jesus has done that for each of us.  We've discussed the Great Commission, and what God might have next for our family now that we have a connection with this culture.  While we believe that we are done adding to our family, we are very open to whatever God might have for us to share the love of Jesus.  We are excited, and looking forward with anticipation to where God might lead us down the road and how he wants to use all of us, as a family.

Just for fun - this guy was someone we met at the medical clinic that reminded us of Blaise.  ;-)

In closing, I wanted to share just a few pictures of some of the other families in our group that we've had the joy and privilege of sharing this journey with!

This was the sweetest family!  Anna and her husband have 5 biological children, Armond is her youngest who traveled to help with the baby.  He was a wonderful example to my older boys.  Anna is from Bolivia, her husband from Texas, and they are now living in Shanghai.

Danny and Amy who we spent a lot of time with.  Their little guy, Jeremiah, was from the same orphanage and foster home as Grace and they are buddies!  At the beginning of our trip, everytime Jeremiah would cry, Grace would start crying too.

Mike and Annie and their children.  Samuel and Isaac were adopted from Guatemala and were the same age as Caleb and Mace. They all had fun together!

Becky, Tanna, and Jay.  Becky and her husband were just 20 days away from bringing home a little Russian girl with down syndrome when Russia closed down all adoptions.  Lucy is in an orphanage where they sedate the children to keep them laying down - pray Russia would re-open so they can get her home quickly!

And here is the infamous baby picture.  Ours is the one screaming on the right because Mommy is more than 3 feet away.

I think she is scaring the other children.  And the hotel workers.  It may be awhile before I go anywhere alone.  ;-)