One Month Ago

September 7th, one month ago, we brought the sweetest, funniest, most energetic little boy home from China. Greyson Coy Shunli is such a blessing. His smile lights up the room. As I look back one year ago, I can remember wondering what precious child the Lord had across the world waiting for us. Now I know and oh how thankful I am for His call upon our lives to adopt.
Grey (as we are calling him) is adjusting well. He loves matchbox cars, trains and his bicycle. I think the training wheels will be off by spring. He is so smart! His English has more than doubled since we first met him. I KNOW I would not be speaking Mandarin that well within six weeks. Bonding has come very quickly. I sometimes find myself thinking this has been too easy. It truly is as if he has always been in our family. I must admit, having two toddlers is taking some time to adjust to. They are both full of energy. Oh well... It's just keeping us young... Right? Ruthey loves her new brother and Grey adores her. They are inseparable. Grey calls Brady "ultaman". Ultaman is a Chinese super hero. He loves going to visit Kailey at college and is always sad to say goodbye. Grey began praying about a week ago...talk about a tender God moment...he prays the most precious prayers. We understand only half of what he says but it brings me to tears. I pray both, Ruthey and Grey come to know Jesus at a very young age. I thank my Lord for the opportunity to call these two my own.

Traditional Chinese Attire

~All dressed up~

Leaving Guangzhou

Currently, we are at the train station. We are leaving Guangzhou and heading to Hong Kong. We fly from Hong Kong on Friday, the 7th, to make our very long journey back home.

Running in the Rain

After our Consulate appointment, we decided to go to the island one more time. We met such sweet people there last time and have enjoyed visiting them again. It's funny, several remember us.... Well... maybe they don't remember me, BUT...I assure you, they haven't forgotten Greg. He has the best time "dealing" with them. One says she makes "no money" from him.
Leaving the Island, we headed to a family temple. It was really neat and absolutely beautiful. The Chinese people are amazing, hard working, and talented artisans. I always love taking in the sights here and thoroughly enjoy seeing new things. Guangzhou is so clean, which is unlike other parts of China.
The Franks family ALWAYS has a story to tell from their travels. Kailey, you can attest to this. When we finished seeing the temple, Greg thought it would be a great idea to walk back. Well.... Why not? A lady showed us on our map which way to go. So, we headed out. Our hotel is across the street from a park and we kept walking toward "the park". After an hour of walking, we realized it was the wrong park. Finally, we gave up and took a taxi. After being determined to save money and walk. The taxi ride was about 15 minutes. We weren't as close as we thought. I must say it was fun and great exercise that Greg, Brady and I definitely needed. The sunshine did us all some good; however, we all needed showers. :)
With it being our last night in China, we decided to venture back out for local Chinese food where it's always a gamble. Pictures on the menu don't always work...sometimes the food looks totally different. I'm usually safe with chicken. Long story short... We actually had the best meal we've had in China. Walking out of the restaurant, we were greeted by a monsoon of rain. Our hotel was several blocks away and you guessed it...no umbrella. All the Chinese around us had umbrellas or were standing under the rooftops waiting for the rain to subside. Not us!!! We ran right in the middle of the downpour pushing the two strollers. Grey and Ruthey laughed out loud as I screamed. It was so much fun! Onlookers glared at us and I'm sure they were saying things like "crazy Americans" or "they are cruel parents and those children will be sick". What's great is that more Americans came up behind us running too. I guess the Chinese were all waiting for the rain to stop. Oh well. I haven't ran in the rain like that in years. What laughter it brought to all of us. Needless to say, we were all soaked. Thank you Lord for a great ending to the day! It's a day to remember for sure.

US Consulate

According to US government, he's now our son!! We are so thankful to the Lord.
~~"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen! Ephesians 3:20-21~~

Medical

Yesterday we arrived in Guangzhou at 2 am. We slept a few hours and then our guide Grace, Greyson and I went to the clinic for his medical check up. There were many Americans there with their newly adopted children as well. The medical is a standard procedure here in Guangzhou. All was well with Greyson. Thanks to Shepherd's Field and their great care, Greyson did not require any more shots. A tb test was all we had to do. Grey whimpered for a second and then was fine. He's a very brave boy. :). Tomorrow, we will return to the clinic to have the tb test read. It looks fine to me, so I feel it will be normal. Pray it is.
We went to our favorite shop yesterday that is owned by my friend Judy. I met Judy last time we were here. She's Chinese, a believer AND absolutely precious. Christ truly shines through her. For dinner, we went to Lucy's. It is a favorite restaurant among adoption families. Brady loves their iced sweet tea.... Something you don't typically get in China.
We have met several adoption families. It warms my heart to see all these families coming for these treasured children who are now no longer orphaned. Tonight we are having dinner with a couple we met who live in Tampa but are from Anniston, Alabama (we've been stationed there before). To the Ulrichs: It's not the same without you guys here to hang out with. Kailey told me about your referral... Praise God!
As always...we appreciate your prayers.
Blessings to you all!!!

Wonderfully made

I give thanks to God... For they are fearfully and wonderfully made: wonderful are His works. Psalms 139:14
So grateful God allowed Greg and I to be part of the lives of these two. Oh the things HE has taught us through the miracle of adoption.

Urumqi~

Greyson's providential city~

 Adoption Day~

 Buddies~

 Ruthey and Greyson are becoming fast buddies.

Thank you for prayer as we continue this journey in China.

 

Pics from Shepherd's Field~

Ruthey with the boys!

  

Greyson and Gideon, the preschool teacher.

Kim, Ruthey, and Song, a precious baby at Shepherd's Field.

Precious best friends at Shepherd's Field that have families too!

Worn out!

Shepherd's Field is an amazing place and so thankful sweet Greyson was there waiting for us!

Great day in Urumqi

Yesterday was a fun day hanging out in the city. Urumqi is huge and much different than the rest of China. This is definitely a unique experience. We are making the best of it and taking it all in.
Now... More about Greyson. He is a lively and extremely friendly little guy. He's going to keep us on our toes for sure. :). He is teaching Ruthey Chinese and she is teaching him English. They are having lots of fun together. Sibling rivalry has begun as well.
Today we are off again for another adventure. We covet your prayers.

Pictures

Here are pictures from yesterday~

Civil Affairs

Yesterday was our official "gotcha day". We did paperwork all day long. The two littles did really well considering. So... according to the Chinese government Greyson Coy Shun Li Franks is our son!!! Praise God for this precious gift. We are in his province of Xinjiang. After we get his passport on Friday, we fly to Guangzhou where the US consulate is. I can't say alot other than it seems very dark here. No other Americans in sight. With our adoption with Ruthey, there were other American families adopting as well in the hotel. Not here. An adventure to say the least. We are enjoying seeing a very unique Chinese culture. Several different kinds of people here with Russia and Kazakhstan being so close.
We could use lots of prayers. Brady is sick this morning. Please pray specifically for him today.
Today, we are going to the bazaar to shop (IF Brady is up to it).

Cool hair

Shepherds Field

Currently, we are at Shepherds Field Children's Village. What a wonderful place! We are so grateful for all the care these precious people have given to our son. He has received lots of love here and we praise God for that. We are unable to view the blog or Facebook . Both are blocked... I hear from Kailey and friends that there are some great pictures of us meeting Greyson.
I (Kim) taught Greyson's English class yesterday. Ruthey so loved being part of the class... She had ALL the answers:). Brady acquired a new friend in Tess (a sweet little girl). She wouldn't leave his side. Greyson loves all his clothes and especially his new monkey backpack and shoes. He had to show everyone in the restaurant last night his shoes and had the taxi cab driver laughing hysterically. I have no idea what he was saying but obviously it was funny. He is a spirited little guy.
Ruthey and Greyson were instant friends....melts my heart!!!
Please pray for us as we bond with Greyson. Pray for his precious heart as we leave Shepherds Field for his province tomorrow. Also...please pray for his nannies that have cared for him basically his whole four years of life. I'm sure that will be hard to see him leave. Pray for his foster brothers and sisters as well. I know all will miss him.
Shepherds Field Children's Village is truly filled with the presence of God. The founders (Tim and Pam Baker) and all the staff here are exhibiting the hands and feet of Christ to these precious orphans. I encourage you all to check out this great foundation (www.chinaorphans.org).
Praise be to God!!! We are humbled He called us to this place in our lives. What a gift we've received through this sweet boy. Adoption is once again changing us. May we never be the same.

Our Beautiful Son~

We arrived safely in Beijing and then to Shepherd's Field where we met our beautiful son Greyson~

 Much more to come! SO tired!!!

God is SO good!!!

Greyson... Here we come

We are currently at Huntsville Airport waiting to leave. Our flight leaves for Detroit at 11:30. At 3:30, we leave Detroit for Tokyo... Then to Beijing. We are so excited in anticipation to meet our new son Greyson. As a mom, I must say I'm having a hard time leaving Kailey behind at college. This is a first. We will sure miss her!!