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 ...for the rest of the journey, at our family blog Ladybugs and Frogs. 

The End

The end of this journey has come. It all started a year ago when we saw the description of a little 8 year old girl on an adoption agencies website. We knew she was the 'Joy' that our Lord had been speaking to our hearts about. After a trip half way around the world and back, we are now a family of 7. Things are well. God is good and He is faithful to bring to completion what He begins.

Joy is adjusting fine these past few days home. She was shy at the airport. She is not really open to physical affection yet. She is still learning English and communication seems to be an issue at times and at other times it's not an issue at all. She plays well with her siblings and is learning her own routine within the family. She smiles a lot and has a generally pleasant disposition about her. It will be a tremendous pleasure to watch this little princess blossom.

We have some dear friends we traveled to China with for our first adoptions in 2004. Our families have bonded 'like family' over the past many years. They now have 4 children, soon to be 6 and we have 5. They surprised me and flew in for the weekend to Welcome Joy Home from China. What a blessing!!!! Another friend we 'met' online back in 2004 was Toni. I've finally gotten to know her in person since moving to Maryland, since she lives here and Debbie/Bill actually traveled to China with her a few years ago. It was nice to have our 3 families together in 1 location at the DC airport. Debbie took these photos and I cannot choose which to post, soooo, here they all are!

Having dinner with our Florida friends at the airport. 

Waiting for Mom & Joy to arrive.

Arriving Home

Showing Joy her room

 Getting to know her daddy

Love birds happy to be back together again

~ Sisters ~

Goodbye China

Goodbye China

Well, the end is here.

After 3 1/2 years of waiting for God to reveal to us who "Joy" would be and then another a year of paper-chasing after "finding" her, the end of this journey is over.

What an adventure it has been and I'm certain the next part of the journey will be like riding wild rapids. I'm looking forward to it.

We have a few misc shots of our last few days here to share with you. The goodbyes tonight were bittersweet.

Telling our favorite shop owners, a few who are our "sisters", goodbye. Being on the island, I have spent the last 5 days chatting with them for periods of time. They have shared so much that I have not been able to post. My heart longs to see them again. I hope and pray their stories end up happy ones and I hope one day to return with my entire family.

For now, we also long to be home. Joy is ready. She wants her sisters, her brother and her Babba. She wants her home, her room, her bed, her yard, a wardrobe and toys. She's waited 9 years to have a home and a family. Her time has come. Sweet Joy!!!!

Sunday On the Island Part 2

Around Town

Here's some cool pics from the past few days.

More scenes from China

Lanterns, the canal, fishermen and local apartments

THE BIG APPOINTMENT

Well, the appointment we came here for was today....the American Consulate. Joy was one tired girl with bed-head, after a long night of no electricity (no a/c) and a super early hotel departure, but we were the 2nd family (of only 3!) to have our paperwork reviewed. No questions, no issues, all in order. Her visa to enter the US will be ready tomorrow, we depart the next day & she'll become an American Citizen upon landing in Washington DC on Thursday.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."
-Isaiah 43:5 (NIV)

Just another day in China

Just another day in China 

Hmmmm, not much to report today.

~Joy's TB was negative so we are all set to go to our Consulate Appointment tomorrow.

We've had an entire free day today. We simply 'hung out' walking, shopping and wateched a few movies. Things are going pretty well. Joy and I seem to be getting into a much better parent-child groove with one antoher.

The countdown is on, we are almost home. Here's a few pics from today.

A few notes about the pics: the island was once under british control, so thus the architecture and statues, Joy got her new suitcase today, you can see her walking and reading at the same time (she loves to read)
 

A few updates on the Shamian Shop Owners: Jordon's shop is all closed up (so sad, but I hear he is working with his wife now selling floor tiles which makes alot more money), And Sherry married a Canadian and lives in Canada now, which is why she closed up.

Jessica is thinking she may have to close also, she's not making any money, the island is empty since families are not staying on the island now. I wish there was some way to preserve this place better for all us families who have so many memories here, I wish adpotion agencies would stay on the island again.