Worse Before Better

Thankfully, the rain has stopped. Sadly, it left behind 100 degree weather. Yesterday (Friday) we went to see two temples. We were glad to get out and be busy. This sitting around isn't our style. Mei woke up sad; no tears but she was in a funk all day. I expect it, but it's hard when nothing, even B, can make her smile. Our pool therapy is closed for 2 days because of some tv show they are filming. The first temple we went to , Chen Temple, is no longer an actual temple. It is now used as an art exibit, and it was nice. This is where we took our group picture.

There are 9 kids getting another chance here, praise God. As we walked in, a group of grandmas walked all around us looking at every child. We have several kids with a clift lip, and they were concerned, "Why we would take them?" We were able to make them understand that in America it can be fixed and will be O.K. They were happy and kept saying how nice we were and how lucky the kids are and were very happy. That was a nice change. We started counting how many nasty looks we got, but stopped counting after the number got to high to remember. Our leader tells them "And what life will they have in the orphanage?"

The second temple was a working one. After we paid to get in, passed the gift shop and offering supplies shop, we went in to see all these buddhas. This stuff is for real! With the smell of incense, the voices of prayers, the bowing and chanting - it made me physically sick. She gave us 45 minutes to look around, but we were ready to get out of there much faster than that.

Tammy


Today I did my morning run at one of the local parks. It still felt like it was about 90 at 7:00 in the morning, but what a great place to run. Here in the middle of this huge city is a lush park that is about one and a half miles around. I am amazed to see how many people go out to the parks for exercise in this country. It really puts us in America to shame. I saw people of all ages doing all sorts of exercise. This park has ping pong, badmittton, chess, an amusement park, boats, and the has all sorts of exercise machines that anyone can just go and use. It really is fun to go to these parks and see all this.

This morning we went back to the hospital and had to have Mei's TB test looked at. It was negative, praise the Lord. The doctor is close to some cool stores, so we went to some of those while we waited for the bus to come back and get us. Then, back to the hotel for two hours of paperwork. After I finished that we decided to go to the park for some more fun.

Big breakthrough today. Mei decided to walk and hold Tammys hand instead of Brixton's. It didn't last very long, maybe ten minutes, but it was a good step. She still really doesn't have any interest in me, so that is something I am struggling with, especially when I have a daughter at home that always wants to cuddle with me. I know this is a process and she needs to get comfortable with us, but in the present it is hard. Pray for me in this area.

Mei was a lot happier towards the end of the day, which is good. I think she is realizing now that she is not going back. Our guide spoke to her for us today and explained to her that we love her and are going to be a happy family and her attitude seemed to change a little after her talk.

10 more families joined us at our hotel today so that is kind of fun to meet some new people and their babies. Tomorrow, the zoo, so that should be fun. Thanks for your prayers , they are really felt here. We love you all!!

From China, David