Guangzhou

For the past four days, we've been in Guangzhou.  Greg flew home and we flew here.  Guangzhou is where we finalize things and get approval to bring Esther and Josie home to America.  The US Consulate is located here. I love being here and getting to know other American families who are adopting.  

Saturday, our first full day here, was spent getting medical check ups for both girls.  We found out today both TB tests were normal. Praise The Lord!  We are fairly certain Esther is going to need glasses.  She didn't do so well on the eye exam.  

Sunday, we went with our Lifeline group to the Chen Family Temple.  Brady and I had been here on our last trip. The girls enjoyed it and Esther really loved all the beautiful artwork.  I finally bought a picture of the Great Wall.  :). 

Immediately, after we got back to hotel, my friend Traci and I decided we would grab taxis and go to Shamien Island.  I have great memories here from our last adoptions.  We shopped, visited with my dear Chinese friend Judy and ate at Lucy's. I must say it's not as much fun without Greg here to bargain and frustrate the Chinese store owners.  They all say "we make no money from you" when he's here.  But, It was nice to have a little taste of home after being here for two weeks.  My new friend Traci and her little guy hung out with us. So thankful for her. We've had a blast hanging together making memories of our adoption journeys.

Esther with Tanner (Traci's son).

On Monday, we all enjoyed the Guangzhou zoo....

The weather was perfect!

This morning.... We went to the Consulate for the final step. Yay!  All we need now are the girls' visas tomorrow and we can leave.  I love China but I'm eager to be home with the rest of my family.  

Tonight.... We went on a river cruise. The food was horrible but the fellowship was awesome!!  The girls loved it and had a fabulous time.  

Please continue to pray for us as we travel home. We leave Guangzhou for Hong Kong early Thursday morning. We only have a 1 hour layover... Not much time to catch our flight.  Pray for NO DELAYS.  I so want to make that flight. We fly from Hong Kong to Chicago... 15 hours. We arrive in Huntsville at 9:40 pm.  So ready!!!  God is great and HE has blessed us with two new daughters. For that, I praise Him. He receives all the glory.  Great is His faithfulness. 

Nanjing orphanage and school

Today we visited Esther's orphanage; the place she called home the past two years.  It is a small orphanage.  There's approximately 100 children who live there. Esther was the oldest. Most were under 5.  Greg, Brady and I absolutely enjoyed loving on the kids and as always, there was one little boy we just wanted to bring home. He cried when we left the room. I had to run back and give him a piece of candy and just one more hug.  Oh, how I pray each of you could just see these children personally.  It just does something inside that I can't explain.  I fervently pray each of them discovers the love of a family.... That their forever family would hear the call soon and come.

 Walking in for the last time.  

Esther's favorite Ayi (nanny).  They really love each other.  I'm grateful this lady loved our girl and took great care of her these past two years.  

This is Cocoa... She is the one who allowed us to skype with Esther and translated when we "met" Esther through Skype.  Cocoa is in charge of all the files of the children at the orphanage.  

leaving the orphanage... We praise God for this child and can't wait to get her to her forever home with us. 

Next... 

We visited Esther's school.   The kids all ran to hug her and the teachers were very gracious to let them all hang out with Esther and the rest of us.  I must say, all the girls went crazy over Brady.  They all kept taking pictures.  Brady handled it well and was a great sport about it.  

We met three of her teachers.  They were all very kind and excited for Esther. 

All in all... Today was a great day.  Greg and I thought visiting both places would help with closure as this next chapter of her young life begins. 

Not the best photo... But... Notice Brady is in the center of all the girls. He was a great sport.

Entrance to the school.

Beautiful Esther

Yesterday, March 17, was an early morning.  Greg and I both were anxious yet ready to meet Xiang Nan... our Esther.  Several of you know Esther's story and how we came to the place of adopting her.  This dear precious girl has lost so much at such a young age.  We knew this gotcha day might not be so easy.  When she arrived, she was sad because she had just told her Ayi (nanny) goodbye and her friends from the orphanage.... Not to mention her classmates at school from Friday. 

After a little time, she began to smile and interact with us.  Having Josie ,miss personality, made all the difference.  They had an instant bond.  As the day went on, Esther began relaxing and smiling more and more.  She loved painting her dad's fingernails (he's such a great dad).  Esther is a talented artist and I brought lots of art supplies; she kept saying "wow".  Sweet girl.  

Today was a wonderful day. She loved going shopping.  I needed to buy her some clothes... Many of the things I brought did not fit.  She was very gracious and joyful about the new clothes.  We spent a lot of time in the room today just getting to know her.  What a gem!  I'm humbled by the Lord's blessing of Esther Lynn Xiang Franks.  She's beautiful inside and out.  Greg and I just praise God for what He is teaching us on this journey of adoption.  

Tomorrow, we visit Esther's orphanage and school. Please pray for our Esther Lynn.

Esther showing me her artwork. We have another talented artist in our family!!

Josie and Esther with Lilly from Lifeline. 

Ice cream makes everything better!!  Great way to end our day

It's official!!

Orphanage director giving us a special gift.

Street food!!  They were thrilled...

Eating at a local German restaurant. Yum!