Day 11--Group Encouragment and Shamain Island

After breakfast today we met with several other families in our tour group by the pool to share stories about what we are experiencing and how God is speaking to us in the process. It was a tremendous encouragement. We were sensitive to the needs of the kids so it wasn't a long time, but it was a blessing. We prayed together and then went on with the day. That meant swimming, lunch and off to Shamain Island for shopping and seeing the famous White Swan Hotel. For those of you who are not in the Chinese adoption loop, that is the hotel where for years families have stayed when they come to Guangzhou for adoption of Chinese children. There are numerous shops around the hotel and the island that cater to the families in this situation. We were able to get some good deals on some small items that we needed.

We are coming to the end of our China trip experience. Several of the families will be leaving our hotel tomorrow evening, heading to Hong Kong and flying back on Wednesday. Those of us who have adopted children from Guangdong Province must wait one additional day for the completion of the necessary process. In many ways it is difficult to see these families leave because they have shared in this journey is so many ways and have been a great support, even if they don't know it. (Thanks travel group). In addition, we find ourselves wishing we were on the same timetable.

As we come to the point of leaving China please pray for Jadon earnestly. He appears to be bothered by something in his ears--don't want this to be an issue on the plane. He has never been on a plane before--he will want to push every button known to man and Alan will be nervous that he is constantly kicking the seat in front of him and bothering others. He seems to be a little less interested in pleasing his new parents all the time as he becomes more comfortable and his extremely strong-willed nature is asserting itself. We expect that this will subside a little bit when we first get home. He doesn't appear to be very interested in Western foods, which will be a problem in a short time if something doesn't change. He has tried things when we have insisted, but don't know if this will continue. Pray for Ruth, Alan, and Andrew also. We are pretty much spent emotionally, physically, and to some extent spiritually. Pray that we get a good night sleep tonight since Jadon woke up last night at 4:30 and thought it was time to get up. It took about an hour of convincing before he finally went back to sleep and then only for an hour or so. I keep thinking about the need "to lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord" (Psalm 116:13). Calling on the name of the Lord is our best hope for all of us.

Thanks again for traveling with us.