Didn't Scarlet say, "Afterall, tomorrow is another day!"

And what a different day it has been. Sleep, good food, family time, date "afternoon" and godly counsel of God's ruths....what a difference these make. Thank you, friends and family for your continued faithfulness to encourage and speak truth to me, to remind me of the gospel, and of the need for perserverance. I am truly grateful.

Today was good. We've consistently met those "issues" of which Jim previously posted with gentle, but firm resolve. Emmy Xiang has responded well and seems to be "getting it." So the day has been pleasant.

Good news! She's decided that green beans are yummy, watermelon is fun to eat and even dehydrated apple slices are good. The other surprise food is this wonderfully sweet and tiny orange here. One of the floor attendants at the hotel reached in for a treat for EX (probaby to try to convince her to actually obey mama and baba) and instead of reaching for a lollipop (which one sweet and well-meaning girl did days ago), she handed EX an orange. We thought we'd better not peel it...she enjoyed just holding it. But later when she signed for food, and the Elf offered the orange she consented - and loved it. This girl doesn't like fruits or sweets? Hmmmm.....

Supper tonight was at a local authentic Chinese restaurant...and was it delicious! We all loved the food...some yummy pork dish with cilantro, sweet and sour beef (which almosted tasted like bar-b-que sauce with onions, though Jim said it tasted like ketchup), chicken that was fabulous and these cut up steamed green beans with pork meat. I think we'll go back there.

We've been doing some counting with EX, and pointing to body parts, having her repeat back what we say. This girl is clever! But we crack up everytime she says "four"...it's hilarious.....something like "bllaawwwhhhhh".....you just gotta hear it. We filmed her, but I think the clever girl is getting better by the minute on her speech.

Finally made it to Starbucks today. It was hot (we'd all been playing on the playground, which is more acurately an exercise place for grown-ups, too...looks a lot like a playground in NYC), so we got those cold drinks and a few sandwiches. It's fun to go anywhere on the island and have people you "know" to chat with. Almost every person here who frequents shops or eating places is another adoptive family...and many times we'll run into the folks in our own travel group (total of 11 families!). Tonight after supper, as we walked along the sidewalk, we saw our friends with whom we toured in Beijing. They had just come in from Nanjing, I think. It was fun getting to meet JB and Laura's Maggie. Such pretty children we've seen!

I think I'll sign off now. Just put EX in her crib (Oh, mama! Before I forget....can you bring your pack-n-play? We want to see if EX will sleep better in it than in the tall bed? Thanks!) and the girls are off to bed. Jim and I are turning in early.

Tomorrow is another free day for us (we opted out of the zoo trip), but Monday should prove interesting, as we are driving in a bus 3 hours one way to visit an orphanage. Though we won't be able to see Shantou, the city EX is from, we'll at least be able to see more of the countryside of China and an orphanage here. Pray that EX does well on this lengthy trip. We like to think of it as training for that LONG plane ride(s) home!

Blessings, y'all! More to come!