A Mixed Bag

Today was a mixed bag of wonderful treats for all of us. Willow slept in until about 8:30 a.m., allowing Victoria, Barret and Poppy to enjoy a peaceful breakfast. I joined them for a few moments before Barret and Victoria headed off to the market to do some shopping. I guess the pearl deals were remarkable, but Victoria didn't bring enough Yuan, so she intends to return tomorrow to make a few deals. I stayed back on Shamian Island (next to the Pearl River where our hotel is located) and went for a long walk with the girls and did some swimming in the hotel pool. The girls were in heaven on both excursions and seem to be getting more and more used to one another. (I think the adjustment to being a sister is greater for Poppy than the one for Willow.) We spent the rest of the afternoon together as a whole family, went on some walks and got ready for an adventuresome dinner at the local fish market. Not only was the market full of all the smells your mind can imagine (and some they cannot), but we were able to actually pick out the cuisine we wanted cooked for dinner. First, we bought some eel, then some local shrimp, and finally some scallops; everything alive before taking it to the restaurant to ask them to cook it for us. What an experience and what tasty delights (although I'm not sure all of us Americans would find the entrees as desirable as the locals)!

Right before we headed off to dinner, we ran into another adoptive family from the Bay Area that really warmed our hearts. They (about our age) had just adopted two older (13 & 14 years old) sisters from another province, and had shared with us the miraculous story of how God had placed on their hearts such a strong desire to adopt that they, like us, just couldn't shake. I found myself to be in good company when I heard that he told his wife, right after mutually agreeing to adopt a few years ago, that "they would have eternity to rest, but now we have much work to do". Now that's a man after my own heart.

For those of you curious about the local church in China, I've attached a few photographs that you might find of interest. Note the structure and the signage announcing the services and Bible Studies. I've been to this church twice now, and find it to be quite evangelical. Very exciting!

Tomorrow is day of our exciting excursion to Poppy's abandonment site. Barret and I will make a day of it, leaving all the girls behind (too tough on the little ones). We're thrilled to have the privilege of going to a place where very few Chinese nationals even go. We'll take plenty of pictures and try to forward them to you upon our return.

That's it for now. We now hear that the death toll of those impacted by the Chengdu earthquake is rising by the hour. Please continue to pray for these people. Between this disaster, the heavy Holiday snows, the Tibetan protests, the hand-foot-mouth disease, the recent train wreck, and the Olympic torch protests, this country has been through and suffered a lot.

Warmly in Christ,

Tom