Slacker mom is finally posting....

It's been a while...we've been busy hanging out, having fun and doing a few things. Here's a rundown on life in the Brown family the past few days:

Sunday, when we skipped the zoo trip, we walked around and did a bit of shopping on the island. We found some more squeaky shoes for Big Foot (EX being an older than usual adoptee and a big girl anyway, pretty much tops out the sizes of squeakers)....a shiny black pair and a pair of brown ones the next size up. We walked around and found ourselves drawn to the sounds coming from the Christian church on the island. We had decided this morning not to go to the service. Elf said best what we probably all felt...we just weren't sure about attending a government sanctioned church....we didn't want to give the appearance of supporting a watered down gospel. However, as we neared, we could hear the scripture being read from Numbers. We decided to listen, so we entered the courtyard and stood near the speaker. The pastor would read or preach in (probably) Mandarin, pause and the iterpreter would translate in English. We heard almost the entire message.

It was quite interesting. We all were pleasantly surprised that the message was solid. Some new friends we met at breakfast earlier, Scott and Cheryl, who are believers were equally surprised. They had spent two years in China, much farther north, and said they would've never heard that kind of teaching in Nanjing. It is encouraging that God's word is being proclaimed, even in China.

Later, we had supper with our friends we'd met in Beijing, JB and Laura and their Maggie, at the Chinese restaurant and settled in for the night, as we would have an early morning. But, EX didn't sleep well. This night she woke twice, we think with night terrors or something. She didn't appear to be awake, but would scream and cry. We'd try to soothe her, but to no avail. The last "fit" was the worst, and I was beginning to not be so patient. My very smart husband knew that I'd consoled enough and that she might even be responding to me not being so patient, took her from my arms. Instantly she relaxed. I wasn't so thrilled that I couldn't soothe her (a bit of pride, eh?), but was glad she was comforted. I prayed, repented and we all slept well.

The morning was an early one, so we ate, brushed teeth (which EX loves to do....YEAH!) and boarded the mini-bus headed for a city about 3 hours away. Four of the 11 families made the trek (we being the only family whose child was not from this particular orphanage). We drove past areas that were VERY industrial....the air was even more polluted than in Guangzhou, which was hard to believe. The living conditions that we could see in those areas were awful. We also drove past some beautiful hilly areas, and some farming areas...even duck and goose farms. Finally we arrived at the city (can't remember the name). It was quite interesting...hard to describe. There were bikes, mo-peds and motorcycles everywhere, but few cars. You would also see a few buses and lots of big trucks carrying recyclable factory scraps, wares that folks would sell, like fruits and veggies, and even garbage. Occassionally you'd see a woman with one of those familiar pointed Chinese peasant hats would have two baskets slung over a bamboo pole hoisted on her shoulders. Then, you might see a man pulling behind him a cart full of bamboo, which almost all construction scaffolding everywhere in China was made of....high rise buildings, interstate overpasses, everything. Who needs 2x4s.....China has lots of bamboo and twine!

We drove to the orphanage, which was basically just two main rooms, as this orphanage was quite small. It was clean, but there were about 40 beds in each room.....lots of babies in a small space. It was in a sad area, but the people were very nice and the babies looked clean and healthy. The nannies were very excited to see the babies who'd made the journey back. We were all, I think, glad to have come, but equally glad to go. We visited a few of the babies finding sites....a grocery market, a hospital gate, the water plant and an elementary school. Our own daughter had been found three years ago in a waiting room of a bus terminal. As sad as it is, we must recognize that these babies had been left in very public places so that they would be found. That must be hard for a parent, but it does show a remarkable kind of love. These parents were trying to give their daughters, and sometimes sons, a chance for a better life. I am grateful that God allowed us to provide that chance for Emmy Xiang.

We stopped to buy some food to eat on the way home...ever tried to eat noodles, topped with meat and veggies with chopsticks on a VERY bumpy mini-bus speeding down the China interstate? Interesting! We all did well. Of course, we took turns feeding our bird who doesn't know how to eat with chopsticks..."only with spoon" we had been told before. Right. (Remember how we told you she is an expert with a fork?)

Once home, instead of the suggested Papa Johns pizza, we opted for the Cow and Bridge Thai place. As the food came out, we began scoop up the plates, but realized that we hadn't asked for a fork for EX. We looked over at her and she was eating, quite expertly, with chopsticks. Who taught her that?!? I can just hear you now....duh! She's Chinese! Of course she knows how to eat with chopsticks! We didn't know. But now we do. She's better than us all!

We left there with her pushing her stroller (hear that Aunt Rufus? She's gonna love the stroller you got her!) and got ready for bed. It had been a long day, an enlightening day.

Today's been nice. Leisure breakfast...boy am I gonna miss that breakfast buffet! No one does French toast like the White Swan...and the omlettes! They're delicious. Good thing Jim's good at omlettes! We filled out all our paperwork for the US Consulate, so that we can obtain Emmy Xiang's visa. Our Consulate Appointment is tomorrow, we take the oath on Thursday and Friday morning we head for home. Jim and I were just discussing how all of a sudden it seems like time is flying.

I'll try to put together a little slide show since we've got a little time...stay tuned....and lots of love to our friends and family. We will be home soon.