Our journey to our daughter: Happy 4th of July!

We finally made it into Guangzhou early this morning after our plane leaving Lanzhou was delayed one hour. So, we did not get to the hotel last night (or this morning) until around 12:30am (China time). Needless to say, we were very tired when we woke up this morning. We had to leave the hotel around 8:30 for Ava’s medical appointment. The examination went well without any difficulties. After the examination, we were able to spend time with some of our group shopping around Shamian Island. It was great seeing our travel group at breakfast today and even better to be able to meet all their new children. All the babies are doing well except for two little ones who have been running fevers. After shopping, we came back to the hotel and rested. We were excited to eat McDonald’s for lunch and I have to say this is the first time I have ever been excited about eating at McDonald’s.

Ava is continuing to bond and show more of her personality. On the way back to the hotel today, she sat on daddy’s lap and fell asleep. This was even with mommy sitting in front of us. She continues to show moments of grieving, but we give God praise that these are lessening. We continue to remind ourselves that this grieving will be an ongoing process. Yesterday when our coordinators dropped us off at the airport, he noticed that she is getting a little bit of a temper. Also, yesterday when we were at an open air market, a little boy tried to take away her toy and she slugged him in the head with her sippy cup. Her brothers had better watch out. Please continue to pray for her medically. She is doing well with her walking but we are beginning to have some other concerns with her spina bifida.

Our last day in Lanzhou yesterday was amazing. We had a very good lunch at a local beef noodle restaurant and then we had an enjoyable time walking around an open air market. After the market, our coordinator asked us if we wanted to walk over a bridge that crosses the Yellow River. In my opinion, this was an appointment set by God. As we were coming back across the bridge, we saw a group of young people getting their picture taken and they were holding a “New Song” Worship Songbook. Tammy went up to them and asked them about the book and it was a worship book. She then had her picture taken with them. We began talking with them and they told us that they are from South Korea and had stopped in Lanzhou to pray for and ask for God’s blessing on this area and then on their way to Pakistan to preach, teach, and sing. They then sang “Blessed Be Your Name” for us. It was AMAZING!!!! We drew quite a big crowd watching us praise our awesome God in their land who sadly does not know and love Him. After they sang, they then asked if they could pray over Ava. Needless to say, we said “yes!” It was so beautiful hearing them pray. I know God sent us to that bridge to meet these young people. He truly blessed us through them. We told them we would ask everyone to pray for them. Please do because we know how God answers prayer.

Well, we are on the countdown to home. We are enjoying our time in China but are ready to get home to see Jackson and Hudson. We are ready for our family to be home on Gulley Lane.