We're Speechless!!

Nanchang

We are in Nanchang!!!! We loved the Great Wall, but it was time to move on to our girls home!! We are staying at the Gloria Grand feel very comfortable here. The beds are Fred and Wilma beds, but we were so exhausted we slept "like rocks." Our guide told us that we are getting her at 11:30 a.m. We were able to Skype so I have arranged to talk to the boys at 10:00 for a trial run. We should have photo's of Lydia soon!!

Beijing

We went to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tianamen Square, a pearl market, and the Acrobat Show. It's really nice to NOT be in charge and just sit back and relax. The traffic is just as I remembered... terrifying! Our food has been delicious. Yoshi took us to a resteraunt he thought we would all enjoy and he was right. I saw the braised duck tounge and beef tripe, but there were also many other less adventerous choices. We settled for a chicken/peanut dish with rice.

Today we go to the Great Wall and then straight to the airport. I can't believe we will be in Lydia's province today! There is a chance we will get her tonight, but we won't know until we get there. We saw some of the most beautiful children yesterday, and I especially got a kick out of the split pants!

Had my first run in with a squat pot, surprisingly it was not so bad. Just have to remember to get the TP BEFORE you close the door. (the TP is at the front entrance on one big communal roll)

I miss the boys, everytime we turn around we are talking about them. Thank you for your prayers, we need them.

If all goes well there should be some photos!

We made it!

Whew... we have made it to Beijing. The time change is killing us. We sat at dinner tonight nodding off. We ordered what we thought was a pesto pasta dish with grilled chicken. We got the pasta, no chicken. Hmmm ?? Not really crazy about the hotel (River View) There is no view! Only very old buildings that look very dirty. I guess bars on windows is universal.
We feel safe in the hotel. :-)
Tomorrow is a full day of sightseeing. We'll have more to post after tomorrow.
Jason and "Andrew... I miss you guys!
Love,
Cindy and Mark

And We're Off!!!!!

It's only 11:33 p.m. and we are finally all packed and ready to go. Since we have to be leaving for the airport at 4:00 a.m. it leaves us a few hours to spare! I have double checked and triple checked the luggage, paperwork, passports, etc. Mark says this is our trial run to see if we could make it on the Amazing Race. I'll have to keep you posted on that.
I had fully intended to post photo's of the nursery, but now I'm just to exhausted. We appreciate the e-mails and phone calls. More than anything else, we appreciate the prayer cover. Please pray for our safety, our health, and quick return. Hang on Lydia... We're coming!

Showers of Blessings!!

This day has been full of emotion! My peers at BCPS gave Lydia a shower and I was very humbled by the thoughtfulness and care that went into the event. I have to say I am so very blessed to work with such a great group of educators.

The gorgeous white dress is from the family of the student that I Para. I know God gave him to me for this point and time. I will miss him dearly.

Another photo is Mark showing off his "favorite" items of the shower. Having him in attendance was "dinner and a show!" He made certain that with each gift opened that he roared out an exagerated AWWWWWE. (Note to self... no husband at next shower) :-)

The two cuties who studied every gift I opened are my Pre-K friends. The one on the right gave me all of the church shoes she has outgrown. Thank you Olivia, Lydia is gonna love all those shoes! They also picked out an adorable outfit!

I can't end the post without thinking of my beautiful daughter who will be one year old tomorrow. My heart hurts as I think about her birthmother who will also be thinking about her in a completely different way. I pray for the Lord to bring peace to her. I pray for the Lord to give her a reassurance that the little baby she lovingly placed where she knew she would be found quickly, was indeed found safe and sound.

Pray for us.... pray for her....

Cindy

Time to Travel!!!

We got the official word today to purchase our tickets. We fly out of Jacksonville on 3/5/09 and return 3/18/09. Our official "Gotcha Day" is indeed March 9th!
How great is our God??
We are very happy to have Mamaw coming to keep the boys. I have absolutely no worries. My boys will be in good hands, the church will be in good hands, and my sweet student Justin will be in good hands.
Packing is coming along, I have managed to organize various stacks for each of us. Thank the Lord I am done Thursday! I will not return until the fall. You gotta love the sound of that! My school is throwing a shower for Lydia this Thursday. I can't express how wonderful it is to pastor in such a caring community. Both of our local newspapers have contacted us to do our story.
We are blessed beyond measure!
Don't quit praying now... we need you now more than ever.

Cindy (for Mark,Jason, Andrew, and Lydia Joy)