Logan's Journey.

Our bags are once again packed, this time for our voyage home.

This will be my last post from China before we leave early Saturday morning.

 

Almost two weeks ago we picked up our sweet, little boy.

He walked into the receiving room at the orphanage calling us mama and baba,

but he didn't really understand that we'd be taking him with us...for keeps.

 

On the bus ride from the orphanage to the Civil Affairs office

he cried silent tears as he sat on my lap.

The lump in my throat swelled and my heart cried for him.

 

We quickly learned that he carried a hunger from a belly that never knew the feeling of being full.

He also carried a hunger for a love he'd never known.

We filled his belly and

we filled him with love,

the love of a family...his family.

 

In less than two weeks we've seen this precious boy blossom,

opening up like a beautiful rose in the sunlight.

His personality shining through.

 

Two weeks ago we were strangers to him,

and now, it feels as though he's always been with us.

 

We can't wait to get back home,
to introduce everyone to our new son.
Until then, enjoy these last few pictures of our time in China...

He said nǐ hǎo (hello) to each of the statues.

 

I have another Starbucks kid!

 

 Pure happiness!

When we arrived in China we thought that our Journey to Logan
had come to an end...

 But truly, the journey has only just begun...

 



Guangzhou

 

We arrived in Guangzhou on Saturday.

A typhoon had just made it's way through the area before our arrival, leaving hot and humid weather behind. 

Perfect weather for swimming,

or just splashing by the pool... 

 

We've spent quite a bit of time on Shamian Island.

The island is a famous historical area with beautiful parks, restaurants and tourist shops.

 

Of course we found the only Starbucks on the island.

Logan enjoying dinner on the island.



Tonight we enjoyed a river cruise on the Pearl River.

We went with the other families in our travel group.

It was a beautiful night and the view of Guangzhou was breathtaking.



 

 I'll soon post an update on Logan and how his transition is going,

but for now here is one last picture of our sweet boy and

a story about a new friend...

 

 

Jenni's Story

This is our new friend Jenni who we met while walking along the streets of Shamian Island. 

She was with her four year old son and stopped to ask about Logan. When I told her that Logan is our fifth child, she said that I had very good luck.

I told her that it wasn't luck, but that each child was a blessing.

Jenni asked what a blessing was, she said she had never heard that word before.  I told her that each child was a gift from God.

Her face lit up and she quickly showed me her necklace, pointed to the cross and said, "I know Jesus too, I am a Christian."

She took us to her store where we met her husband.  She told me the story of how she and her husband met at the church on the island, the church where they eventually would be married.

She said that her husband plays the calabash flute at the church each week. 

He played a song for us and it was a privilege to hear him play, he's an amazing musician.

Before we left, she gave me, Olivia and Julia each a bracelet that had a traditional family ball charm on it. 

She said they were gifts from her because we were her family in Christ.

The Forbidden City

Today we visited the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

The Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.  It was amazing to walk the grounds where emperors once walked.

 

Here are several pictures from our day...

Logan always likes to point at me when I take his picture.

 

It was an incredibly hot and humid day,

but that didn't stop us from having a fantastic time on our tour.

Logan seemed unimpressed by the rich history that surrounded him.

Logan playing with Jiejie Olivia's camera.

Our day ended with a tour of a local silk factory.

We were able to try our hand at making a silk comforter, but we weren't as skilled at it as these lovely women who make it look so easy.

 

Yesterday our adoption was finalized in China, it was very exciting to know that this little boy was officially our son.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) we fly to Guangzhou where

Logan's medical exam and passport paperwork will be completed.

 

We are so thankful to everyone for your continued prayers and encouragement

and I'll post more when we arrive in Guangzhou...

 



Meet Logan.

We are overjoyed

to finally introduce you

to our son

Logan David

 ADOPTION DAY!

Meeting Baba (daddy).

Mama's joy.

Logan walked in holding his caregivers hand,

as soon as he saw us he called us mama and baba.

He is amazing!

It was obvious that the orphanage director loved our little boy very much.

She told us that we were now family and that we were welcome back any time.

 We had brought him a special backpack filled with goodies.

His favorite item was the toy phone.

Leaving his handprint on the paperwork at the Civil Affairs office.

He is incredibly smart.

It didn't take him long to master the stacking cups.

Taking his first walk with his new family.

Meeting Ross and Ella via Skype.

He loves his big sisters!

Having fun in the hotel pool.

We are so blessed and privileged to be given the opportunity

to parent this beautiful child.

More pictures coming soon...

Beijing.

It's a rainy Sunday evening here in Beijing. 

Back home it's early Sunday morning.

 

We arrived safely in China on Friday afternoon after almost 17 hours of flights and layovers. 

 

When we checked into our hotel there was a folder waiting for us from our agency.  We were thrilled to find that the folder contained updated pictures of Logan!  Our little guy had grown and his adorable, little smile lit up each picture.

 

We had been up for a little over 24 hours, so after having settled in our room, we were all in bed by 5:00 p.m.

 

After a restful Saturday, our bodies were finally adjusted to the 12 hour time change and we were ready to explore the city.

 

Beijing is absolutely amazing. 

It's the largest city we've ever been in.

There are 21 million people living in the city and it seems that at least half of them have bicycles.

 

Today our local guide arranged a trip for us to the Great Wall.
Ascending this part of the Wall was quite a challenge, but we made it.

It was a very hazy day, so it was a bit difficult to get a good picture.

 

 Our guide had quite a day planned for us.  After the Great Wall we toured the local jade factory, which included a delicious lunch in their beautiful restaurant. 

 

Our day ended with a tour of Hutong Lane in a rickshaw.

 

While touring Hutong Lane we had the privilege of visiting with a local family in their home.

 

They were delighted to show us their "good luck" grasshopper that they keep in a cage in their courtyard.

 

It was a privilege to take in so much of Beijings rich history today.

And as we spent the day exploring the vast city, I would often think about the little boy who would soon be calling me "mama".

Our little boy, here in Beijing.

Our little one, who will be in our arms tomorrow...