Jesus Loves Me

Sorry we couldn't post yesterday .... we were experiencing technical difficulties.

We had another great day in Guangzhou and the highlight of the day was worshipping with the local Chinese people!! We attended a church service at 11am and I was moved to tears more than once. It began with a children's choir singing Jesus Loves Me in Chinese. Many more songs were sung throughout the service, about half in English and half in Chinese. The sermon was translated, and although it was difficult to understand, and quite lengthy (2 hours!), it was an experience I will never forget. It was so wonderful to be here and know that despite the language barrier and despite the cultural differences, we worship the same God. I sat holding Oakley, knowing that He is the one that brought us together, knowing that He knew her name long before we did, and that He had a divine plan for her before she was ever conceived. We have an awesome God!!

The remainder of the day was spent playing with our silly girl, completing some more paperwork, and shopping. I finally found one shop that had shoes to fit Oakley and she was as thrilled with the find as I was. Mike took a swim in one of the beautiful pools here at the White Swan while Oakley napped. We suited her up and brought her down later that evening for her first experience in the pool, only to hear thunder as we arrived. They had to close the pool -- we'll try again today.

We took Oakley out with us yesterday afternoon to have lunch and pick up our laundry, and left Sawyer at the hotel for some much-needed alone time. He ordered Papa John's pizza and feasted while watching Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on HBO. He's been so accommodating on this trip and he's been a HUGE HELP to me and Michael. He's having a great time but I know he's ready to come home. He's missing soccer, his brothers, his friends, and having his own space, I'm sure.


Many thanks to everyone who is leaving comments for us!! It's hard to be this far away from home for so long and we are so happy to hear from you! We'll share all the comments with Oakley when she's older so she knows just how many people followed her journey and loved her before they even knew her.

Sullivan and Hagan:

We'll be home in just a few days!! Tonight we are taking a river boat cruise and we're all looking forward to that. Our guide told us yesterday about a DVD store off the island that has really cheap movies so we're going to take a taxi there today and see what we can find for you. We are so ready to come home!! I'm posting some pictures of Oakley looking at the goldfish in the hotel -- they are HUGE!! I hope we can get her in the pool today and I hope that she likes it since I know you two are probably reading to go swimming when we get home!! She had her first taste of ice cream yesterday and she loved it, but when she eats anything cold, I think it hurts her teeth. We'll have to go see Dr. Lange when we get home and make sure she doesn't have any cavities. I don't think her teeth were ever brushed in the orphanage, but she LOVES brushing them now! She hasn't learned to spit the toothpaste out yet very well, and she usually swallows it and THEN spits!

I love you soooooo much!!

Mom