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Home for Christmas

We are home for Christmas -- Glory to God!!!!  We arrived safely home to a wonderful welcome from family and friends at the airport around 3pm Saturday the 19th . Emeline traveled well and saved her melt down for the last 10 minutes of the flight from Chicago. It was 3am her time so we could not blame her -- she soon got over it and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and greeting her new sisters and friends. The excitement level at the airport was so contagious that people we didn't even know were clapping for us. What a blessing to be so warmly welcomed home.   Thank you for everyone who covered us with their prayers. We were a little late arriving to Chicago from Hong Kong which was significant because we only had a little over one hour to arrive , get through immigration and customs , reclaim our luggage and then check it again and find our new gate for the flight home. We were amazed at the angels who went before us to get us home on time. A lady pulled us out of the incredibly long immigration line and sent us to the front. Then a skycap led us swiftly and quickly through our other checkpoints and off to our next flight. He even had change for a $100.00 bill so that we could tip him. The weather gave us an extra 15 minutes as the flight was delayed in leaving and we arrived to the gate with 15 minutes to spare . God is so good -- He didn't want us to miss our warm homecoming welcome!!!    We are enjoying the season with Christmas activities at school. We were surprised by JOY when we were presented with a picture frame with the words to the Third day song Merry Christmas and all of the children's and teachers' names around it. They also gave us a book of prayers that the children at school made for us . Each child colored a picture and wrote out a prayer for Emeline. The had it laminated so that she could enjoy it and tied it with brightly colored ribbons. We are amazed at their thoughtful and generous spirit.These are the children who prayed for Emeline everyday the year that she was born and purposely placed to be found in the garden of a showplace orphanage in China. They also prayed her through her first surgery in China that year. At that time we didn't know which little girl was our Emeline but God knew her name and He had a very special plan for her life that He has been busy working out.   We are enjoying introducing our new daughter to everyone this Christmas. Her sisters love her and sounds of laughter can be heard throughout the house. (Emeline is especially delightful at 3 am as she has not changed over to our time zone yet! She has enjoyed the balloons and all the gifts she received at her homecoming! )   Thank you for following us on our wonderful journey and now the journey has just begun!! We rejoice at God's goodness in our lives.                   '

Hong Kong

We arrived in Hong Kong around noon on Friday. We loved the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou but were so excited to be leaving for home. We walked our bags through the airport right into the Regal Airport Hotel with very nice accommodations. We will miss the free breakfast buffet from the White Swan, however. Emeline was not cooperating with the idea of a nap so we jumped on the shuttle and headed to Hong Kong Disneyland. We had a wonderful day enjoying the Christmas spirit around Disney. A schoolage group of about 50  girls sang near the entrance. They did a wonderful job. It was very festive. We especially enjoyed the Small World exhibit that sang Jingle Bells for Christmas instead of the neverending Small World song. We also watched "The Lion King Show" which was wonderful. It was fun just to take in the sights and sounds of Christmas. Emeline slept through much of it so it is a good thing her ticket was free. She did get to go on her first Merry Go Round ride we sat on the bench and watched the horses as she was not so sure about them. Tomorrow we leave for HOME -- yeh!!!!!!

Adopted as God's Child

Here we are on our last day in Guangzhou, China. We are so ready to board the plane for home and are excited to celebrate Christmas with ALL of our daughters this year. As I look around at the many many orphans who have been found this Christmas I am reminded how in God's Kingdom we were all lost until we were found in Christ. The Lord was the author of adoption as it mirrors how he chooses us and calls us his own through Jesus whose birth we celebrate. Last week Emeline was an orphan named after her finding place -- this week she has been given a new name and the rights as our child. God desires to call each of us, give us a new name and adopt us as his children (Ephesians 1:5). The whole process is nothing short of miraculous!

Eric is off to the US Consulate to pick up Emeline's completed Visa. I am busy packing and Emeline is just as busy unpacking . Every time I turn around she has removed something from the suitcase and put it back where I just picked it up from. She is so funny!!!! She took her shoes off today and placed her socks on her hands like mittens. She was so proud of herself. It will be fun to see what she thinks of snow and the great white north. Thanks for all of your prayers on our journey. The Lord has gone before us and protected and sustained us. We enjoyed taking group pictures yesterday with Hope's family and another family from Grand Rapids whose daughter also has cleft palate. All of the children are adjusting and progressing well.

Sitting with Emeline and Hope