A Yawn

Well let me tell you what else is the same in every language....a sweet precious yawn.  I just put my newest one to bed and he is oh so sweet.  My heart is so full of emotions that I just can't begin to tell you.

Let me start from the beginning.  About 2:30 Jeff led us in a time of prayer that was so dear.  I admitted to him several times over the course of the hour 2-3pm that I was so nervous.  But he reassured me and we talked about how this was God's plan or otherwise we wouldn't be here and now.  We talked with the children about a few things.  All this, along with lots of putting things away (and then away again) really helped the hour to pass.  But it was still slow.  And then about 3:15 or so we got the call that they were on the way up and to ready our cameras.  Our personalized photographers (Parker and Jenna) were all lined up along with an ipad.  I'll post what I can.

Hong Fu came right in and really took to us.  He just seemed to want to see us and see the toys we had.  He understood who Mama was and Baba was and who the Jie Jies were (please forgive me, I know I'm not spelling this right, but it's the Chinese word for older sister) and who Ga Ga is (again, no time to look up how to spell it) which is older brother.  He and Andrew immediately began to play and David needed to have some forms filled out.  Most of you know that I have done all that up to now, but now it was Baba's turn so I could be with my boy.  I had to!!  He has just as much energy and enthusiasm as Andrew and that is a ton.  I needed to keep him safe.  The next hour or two was filled with games and toys.  We saw so much of his personality and it is vibrant and alive.  It is obvious that he has been loved and prepared.  His foster mother called three times to our guide.  She is wanting to make sure he is okay.  Jeff and I had talked about whether or not we really wanted to go visit on Thursday and I told Jeff that I thought we'd know what to do when we saw Hong Fu and spent some time with him.  I think she really wants us to visit so we will probably do so. 

Hong Fu is a very bright little guy.  He has already learned how to do High Fives with Jeff and mimics some of the words we are saying.  He's doing very well with letting me know he needs to potty.  Right now he is konked out.  He usually takes a 4 hr nap, but not one today, so I had to finally hold him still and make him sleep which he did within 5 minutes.  He was taken by his foster mother's grown son to the orphanage this morning because she could not do it.  My heart hurts for her.  But she has written that she wants a loving family for Hong Fu and knows this is best.  She also wrote that she would like to get updates and we are thrilled to do that.  I can see God's amazing plan unfolding before us.  We had so many sweet times today that I would not even be doing it justice to describe each, but one came for me when I was in the other room alone with Hong Fu and he laid his head on the side of the bed as did I, following his lead.  I proceeded to tell him in Chinese that I love him (wo ai ni, again not spelled correctly I'm sure, but it is said woh eye knee) and he just got the biggest smile.  So I said it again and more smiles.  It was precious.

I've got a feeling that I need to sleep while he is so I won't write much more.  I am praising God for loving a little boy on the opposite side of the world and a family wanting a little one on the other and uniting us with each other.  If you could please pray for Jake's safety here in the hotel (we have already found many things that could cause him harm and he is into everything) and for the times when we'll be flying as he has much energy.  But it was an exciting day. 

Here are a few pictures.  Hugs to you all!