tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71119010694723013192024-03-12T18:54:37.466-05:00Walking In The TruthTodd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-14134651645602569702013-12-19T09:37:00.002-06:002013-12-19T09:37:38.205-06:00Gifts<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior....for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." Luke 1:46b-47, 49</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are doing a lot of rejoicing today as we remember God's complete faithfulness to us as a family two short years ago. We mark the 2nd Gotcha Day of Elsa today and praise the God who "settles the solitary in a home" (Psalm 68:6). We look at this precious four year old and cannot imagine our lives without her. The words of David in Psalm 139 are so amazingly applicable to her life. "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." (Psalm 139:16) God saw to it that this Lindquist, born in China, was united with her family far, far away. That blows my mind! What a privilege and an honor for us to live out His plan each and every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsa continues to amaze us with her wit and her daring. Her smile truly lights up a room. She gives out "I wuv you" freely, which is so precious to these mama's ears. Her speech continues to improve and now it is actually hard to get a word in edgewise! This past year she has tried many new things like horseback riding, alpine sledding, and wake surfing. She has seen new sights like the Rocky Mountains and the Badlands of South Dakota. She has played soccer on a team, taken swimming lessons and started preschool. There continue to be so many firsts for our youngest. As we look forward to celebrating our third Christmas next week with Elsa, I think of all the wonderful gifts we have been given from the Giver of all good gifts. Adoption shows us in earthly pictures many of the amazing truths of Scripture. Many people have written about this and said it much better than I ever could, but I just want to testify that adoption has changed my life forever...as an adopted child of my Heavenly Father and as an adoptive mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Pursued:</b> We went after Elsa and the Father pursues His children. (Romans 8:29)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Loved unconditionally:</b> Before even meeting her, we loved her deeply and permanently. So God loves us and sent His Son in order that we may have a restored relationship with Him. (1 John 3:1)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Name changed:</b> Just as Xia Jian Yi became Elsa Mei Yue, so believers have the right to be called children of God. (Romans 9:26)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Part of a forever family: </b>Elsa is a Lindquist now and forever, just as everyone who is in Christ is a part of God's family forever. (John 10:28-29)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Knows our voices: </b>Elsa knows when Mom or Dad call to her, even in a crowd. She knows our voices. Children of God know the voice of their Dad and follow Him. (John 10:27)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-29086808452608539202012-12-19T05:30:00.000-06:002012-12-19T08:22:31.069-06:00"Love my fam!"We started this kind of corny tradition when our older kids were in grade school. It began on a ski trip to Breckenridge. As we rode the chairlifts, Todd would shout, "Love my family!" to the two or three surrounding chairs containing all of us Lindquist skiers. It then became a contest to see who could repeat the phrase the fastest. So, from other chairs on the lift people could hear the "Love my family" echo in response. Now, whenever there is competition involved, Lindquists will find a way to be first. So over the years the game has been reduced. Now someone will shout "Fam!" and everyone who hears it will echo it loudly. It's a little harder to understand for anyone who may overhear this chatter, but we know what we mean. The other day I just couldn't help but smile right down to my toes when I heard Elsa yell "Fam!" in the car on the way to church. Of course, we all responded loudly and in unison, "FAM!" For that is what we are!<br />
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One year ago today, the seven of us became a family. It was a shaky start, as most international, toddler adoptions can be. There were tears, sleepless nights, sad looks, and lots of silent gesturing in order to make ourselves known over the language barrier. By God's grace, the sad little girl in the picture above has blossomed into this:<br />
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We are so grateful that we serve a God who is sovereign over all things and working in our lives that which brings us closer to Him and brings Him glory. "For I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"(Isaiah 46:9b-10)<br />
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He has done great things! We are amazed at how far Elsa has come in one year. She is a joyful, fun-loving, chattering 3 year old who captures everyone's hearts. Her English is coming along well and despite a few puzzled looks from those she is trying to communicate with, she presses on. She has ventured off on her own to Sunday School, Wednesday morning Bible study, and Wednesday night connection classes. Many days she asks if today is the day for "Elsa's class." While learning the memory verse can be difficult since she doesn't speak in complete sentences yet, I am amazed at all that she is learning. She informed me the other day that Jesus cares for her and her bedtime routine now includes singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "This Little Light of Mine."<br />
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As a family, we cannot imagine life without Elsa Mei Yue! We praise God for this gift to us. He has shown us more of Himself and His heart through this process. We continue to learn from Him more about the amazing grace He bestows on His children when He calls them to Himself and adopts them for His own. We have His name. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13) Hallelujah!<br />
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Last Christmas we celebrated the birth of our Savior in China with a new little girl in tow. This year Elsa will celebrate her first Christmas at home and we will bring to a close her year of firsts. That's not to say there won't be more new discoveries and adventures for our spunky little peanut! Of course there will! I'll end with a few pictures from our fall. Thanks for reading and praising God with us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Wheaton College for Dad & Mom's 25th reunion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sisters at Fall Break.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking just the right "gum-kin" (aka pumpkin)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Daddy's birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressing up for Halloween.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved getting all that candy!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved time with family from far away for Thanksgiving! Aunt Ingrid is pretty fun! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supported Annika at her school Christmas program. Elsa can't wait to do this for herself next year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoyed the first big snowfall....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">......a lot!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With hot chocolate and whipped cream to warm up. Yum!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-60749352756836263212012-08-12T17:15:00.000-05:002012-08-12T17:15:05.435-05:00Seven Months and Counting......."Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man." Psalm 66:5<br />
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Awesome. That word is so overused in today's verbage, but it should really pack a punch. God's works are awesome and do inspire awe in us as defined by Webster as wondering reverence tinged with fear. He has done great things for us these last seven months.<br />
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I am really awed when I think about it. The God of the universe, the One who holds it all together, Who fixes the galaxies into place, this God, by His Spirit, worked in all seven of our hearts to make us a family! He HAS done awesome deeds. His love and concern for us, for me, is overwhelming and humbling.<br />
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The Elsa update: She continues to make us all laugh with her antics. We loved celebrating her 3rd birthday (and first one at home!) in July. Her English is coming along well. Friends and family who don't see her on a regular basis are amazed at how well she speaks. I am grateful for those words of encouragement. She still has her hold over words that come out more naturally for her like: "bow"me instead of hold me, "joe-joe" for sit down, and "gua-gua" for any type of fruit. She strings words together for simple sentences as well. Elsa loves playing with Annika and will follow her around all day! She wants to wear what Annika wears, eat what Annika eats and play what Annika is playing. All a part of learning......Annika is very gracious about it all! We had our second post placement home study in June. The information our social worker takes from us is sent to China and to Elsa's orphanage. We pray that her foster family knows just how much she is loved through the pages of the report! She has definitely bonded with us and is working on attachment. Some days she seems to have it and not others.<br />
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Attachment is a tricky thing. She remembers a time when she didn't have a family, a time before she had a dad and a mom. I was just talking about this with a friend at church today who is also an adoptive mom. She related to me that her husband, one of our pastors, drew a wonderful spiritual parallel to this process recently. As believers, we also have a memory of a time we did not have a spiritual Father. Just as Elsa needs to be reminded that we are her FOREVER family, that she is ours and we are hers, so it is with us. Many days I need the Spirit to remind me who I am in Christ; that I am loved (John 3:16), chosen (Ephesians 1:4-6), bought (1 Corinthians 6:20) and royal ( 1 Peter 2:9-10). Elsa will have days where she doubts her place as a Lindquist. We will patiently reassure of who she is and point her to the One who cares for her so deeply and completely that He died for her. What a privilege we as parents have. Parenting really does drive us to our knees!<br />
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On a lighter note, God has blessed us with some wonderful family time this summer. With Mari home, we have spent time on the water, at the cabin, with friends and with family. I will add a few photos here to let you in on the fun.<br />
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Watch out!</div>
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Tubing with Mom and Mari</div>
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Enjoying freeze pops with cousin Stephen</div>
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Learning to fish with Andrew</div>
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Celebrating turning 3!</div>
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She loved opening the cards as much as the gifts!</div>
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Brother love!</div>
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More brother "love"</div>
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Oh, that look! She's up to something!</div>
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She loves sparklers.</div>
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An example of wanting to be just like Annika!</div>
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Sweet sisters</div>
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She loved the motorcycle rides....</div>
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and the SeaDoo rides.</div>
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Slurping noodles with Gus!</div>
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Playing mini golf</div>
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Making treats with Jake</div>
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Watching all the surfing action behind the boat</div>
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Loving her big girl scooter</div>
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With big sister, Mari</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-55425128890506829112012-03-25T19:40:00.001-05:002012-03-25T19:44:32.806-05:00Three months and counting!It is truly hard to believe that Elsa has been home for three months. It honestly seems like she's always been here! This simple grace from God is too wonderful to comprehend. As I hear the two girls giggling in bed with the lights out, see two black haired beauties swinging on the playset, or witness the shrieks of joy as big brothers "chase" down the little sisters, I am once again overwhelmed by His goodness to our family! <br />
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"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" Isaiah 43:1<br />
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We read this portion of scripture this morning at church and I couldn't help but think of the similarities between God calling His children to Himself and us bringing Elsa home. We called her by name, she is ours. By His grace. Hallelujah!<br />
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Seeing this side of adoption has had a profound impact on Annika. She has always been a thoughtful, deep thinking little girl so I guess we shouldn't be surprised. The other day as we talked about her Chinese heritage, she asked, as she has in the past, why we think her birth mother gave her to the nannies. "Didn't she want me?" The question wasn't asked in a pitiable sort of way, just inquisitive. Still, it made my heart ache. Those questions will always be there. Thankfully, God's Spirit was at work in the conversation and I heard myself telling her that we just simply don't know what circumstances her birth mother found herself in at the time. BUT GOD DOES! More than that, I went on, He had planned all along that you and Elsa were to be Lindquists. That's a fact we find right in His Word. This thought is not new for her. I could see the wheels turning. Then she turned and said to me, "God must have really wanted me in His family! He knew the best way for me to learn about Jesus and belong to Him is if you and Daddy adopted me." Wow!! The gospel, plain and simple. Twice chosen. Annika gets it. I smiled through my tears as I gave her the biggest hug ever. So blessed am I.<br />
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Elsa, aka Mommy's shadow, has settled into a great routine. She loves the days we drive Annika and Ava to school. She requires kisses from both of them before they can go to class. She has begun a preschool gymnastics class that she loves. Her English is growing by leaps and bounds. I think I will really miss all the "Chinglish" when it finally leaves her vocabulary completely. Some of her favorite words and phrases include: <br />
"me too", "popcorn", "pray", "more", "I -v- oo" (that's I love you in case you're wondering!), "all gone", "drink", "play", "nigh-night", "one, two, three" (this usually precedes a jump from various heights), "Jesus"<br />
I go on, but you get the idea. Her prayers are simply the most precious things! She asks to pray and then after addressing the Father lists off as many names of family as she can, over and over! When she feels she has sufficiently covered us all, she says an emphatic "Amen!" in conclusion. <br />
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This is a long post, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we took a little 1,700 mile roadtrip to Florida this month. Don't ask if we'll do that again. Not sure we will! :) It was wonderful to connect with big sister, Mari, and some of her friends as well as have some family time on the beach and at Magic Kingdom. I will end with a few pictures. Just a few. We have 700. It was a wonderful, relaxing week away. Until Todd's back began acting up. But that is another blog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeZw-IhNljBjTaDfrpKCBr5L46FTlaLX0GsmdwV0-agTGDfeOnMvk7BR0-2pzrUfQYrekjBLyuQq4sslyLXJnq2Iy12YfUfymDDy5Ex2qqRUt5HboJYeo7GSFvSWOgHN9XPPYRpx6-KaI/s1600/DSC00556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeZw-IhNljBjTaDfrpKCBr5L46FTlaLX0GsmdwV0-agTGDfeOnMvk7BR0-2pzrUfQYrekjBLyuQq4sslyLXJnq2Iy12YfUfymDDy5Ex2qqRUt5HboJYeo7GSFvSWOgHN9XPPYRpx6-KaI/s320/DSC00556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The trip begins!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_Zk2UwQ7vYHg0l0nUtOzLTiON67zvMSiUCmkKI4jj9IdfzkBq9geRYTrf4pwBxowBiDcEc_KWHhyphenhyphenUv1DSXUeV1gPAgI7_q-Bj54uONCResY9hZ-CUl_DdSpO7EwChwasEUejCAG7s6r/s1600/DSC00590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_Zk2UwQ7vYHg0l0nUtOzLTiON67zvMSiUCmkKI4jj9IdfzkBq9geRYTrf4pwBxowBiDcEc_KWHhyphenhyphenUv1DSXUeV1gPAgI7_q-Bj54uONCResY9hZ-CUl_DdSpO7EwChwasEUejCAG7s6r/s320/DSC00590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Finally here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx_RRgh27m5K1JuxpuXyoHgymxoKFcsZLkNYWqv-D0b68GMYodKanLuen0jzknTsV9HK9Fn3NjDlamBhC-TQxuFkH8DWjIxRJK9ORWhdkD151AG59oeZyG4QRyGokHG6wGERCjOb-H1W4/s1600/DSC00612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXx_RRgh27m5K1JuxpuXyoHgymxoKFcsZLkNYWqv-D0b68GMYodKanLuen0jzknTsV9HK9Fn3NjDlamBhC-TQxuFkH8DWjIxRJK9ORWhdkD151AG59oeZyG4QRyGokHG6wGERCjOb-H1W4/s320/DSC00612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Lindquist girls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt1GHY5V-Hu3ncMgbJccLvDWiF4jFwb_UfckuUxOBmbllo0vrW6tThC7T8naGvWxNktm2_Jzrt4bRoc4u0dgTiVW0-MRTdgRR-tTvlRVZjqu3lCn_A6p6wb_HR5zlJJWm2ah9TPS1VGzj/s1600/DSC00630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt1GHY5V-Hu3ncMgbJccLvDWiF4jFwb_UfckuUxOBmbllo0vrW6tThC7T8naGvWxNktm2_Jzrt4bRoc4u0dgTiVW0-MRTdgRR-tTvlRVZjqu3lCn_A6p6wb_HR5zlJJWm2ah9TPS1VGzj/s320/DSC00630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Guess who has watched "Soul Surfer" a dozen times!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cXcMaFvIx0Z__Q5BmuHgc0XB_ougezS-ssOQ5vV0BZ-iXnAvaS2LpmqqjGx2TspTcRtvF8bhjnOBLOe5aG64Phx5IJeGJUQWt8WtoL8uUyhnwv8_3q2EOROE9LWw8A4LTSwCzYcmMIvZ/s1600/DSC00636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cXcMaFvIx0Z__Q5BmuHgc0XB_ougezS-ssOQ5vV0BZ-iXnAvaS2LpmqqjGx2TspTcRtvF8bhjnOBLOe5aG64Phx5IJeGJUQWt8WtoL8uUyhnwv8_3q2EOROE9LWw8A4LTSwCzYcmMIvZ/s320/DSC00636.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Perfect way to spend a morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf67XM1cGq-UEY8Mx6unLW0gXcR-_YLOnO63p8FTG0tPvdn40x7_xhXxRGRVWdeK6p-0Bdm8_Jxl2OXH39VGkDydGHUg5XYaRxW-rzgm4Y96YsYiDy3Yo6epCondkXXVsF-JG7SwUTUEBK/s1600/DSC00659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf67XM1cGq-UEY8Mx6unLW0gXcR-_YLOnO63p8FTG0tPvdn40x7_xhXxRGRVWdeK6p-0Bdm8_Jxl2OXH39VGkDydGHUg5XYaRxW-rzgm4Y96YsYiDy3Yo6epCondkXXVsF-JG7SwUTUEBK/s320/DSC00659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Spent a lot of time in the water!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjuUer4-9KxRdfUPQdjVShm9ddBsjo22ZW0T7ainP2P6sM3Y0EDcNBnh5CdHEqZ5d55MsUsx7JLJ0KX-FuqVlXwudfbXz89SrIsH3foQi0rJC_WieTvJC68O1nIuL-Qi1t2E5YCwz7UIZ/s1600/DSC00703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjuUer4-9KxRdfUPQdjVShm9ddBsjo22ZW0T7ainP2P6sM3Y0EDcNBnh5CdHEqZ5d55MsUsx7JLJ0KX-FuqVlXwudfbXz89SrIsH3foQi0rJC_WieTvJC68O1nIuL-Qi1t2E5YCwz7UIZ/s320/DSC00703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mari, Annika and Leanna..... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxrAE3hscLELUs0woG4XPvx_xb1UQgSLm-nofu2jOjcoGrInvs8h8JIIukid8dZDuZOQHSP3BhnHjoJ2UAVgqOLwUae4WuBIb6Zto5AqLDoMMVQgb-QH5xtfG6Tf1yiPBkbs4iYzM67uM/s1600/DSC00781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxrAE3hscLELUs0woG4XPvx_xb1UQgSLm-nofu2jOjcoGrInvs8h8JIIukid8dZDuZOQHSP3BhnHjoJ2UAVgqOLwUae4WuBIb6Zto5AqLDoMMVQgb-QH5xtfG6Tf1yiPBkbs4iYzM67uM/s320/DSC00781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> getting dipped!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxVdEaG0AwLkheY3Ijfnc_tJOmFpH5xB6mb_NSAD4oQ6gFlq3_jbSMs5so7n-rQ7IJ7OXTes1fuZz5t9-N79jru8R6IHyNk3dlFUXQCu0lE-LUNFuXwfH1l-KgGU8MrBjKiFT2KSh2mzp/s1600/DSC00793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxVdEaG0AwLkheY3Ijfnc_tJOmFpH5xB6mb_NSAD4oQ6gFlq3_jbSMs5so7n-rQ7IJ7OXTes1fuZz5t9-N79jru8R6IHyNk3dlFUXQCu0lE-LUNFuXwfH1l-KgGU8MrBjKiFT2KSh2mzp/s320/DSC00793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Just checking her Facebook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuQ9w-BOyG5V9Q8raZaTdh9tZvQsG_LN5Of53InTY2aVwEZlUaJMzvIbEDI5tLQh_lp8AS0h8iwML3uKCoiLw7Vc5Lx7g5gKA0okepOjzUA-Ky9ANi8Ezh07ZrzOL4gackBeN6sBSSUMu/s1600/DSC00838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuQ9w-BOyG5V9Q8raZaTdh9tZvQsG_LN5Of53InTY2aVwEZlUaJMzvIbEDI5tLQh_lp8AS0h8iwML3uKCoiLw7Vc5Lx7g5gKA0okepOjzUA-Ky9ANi8Ezh07ZrzOL4gackBeN6sBSSUMu/s320/DSC00838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dinner out with the Spring Break crew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdnBbdUx-NV0DkJJxsOs9l7HsNOEA-f3dE7vlu3hMnzND11unMH4UsvAdWMo4RmrbFtrVsbvqyuxjRLMtITfqS1ssZDt7w2HgTifprQDiSkUR_fBIDVJf4IBsQpiWT8zqgfeXiEXXGFWU/s1600/DSC00935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdnBbdUx-NV0DkJJxsOs9l7HsNOEA-f3dE7vlu3hMnzND11unMH4UsvAdWMo4RmrbFtrVsbvqyuxjRLMtITfqS1ssZDt7w2HgTifprQDiSkUR_fBIDVJf4IBsQpiWT8zqgfeXiEXXGFWU/s320/DSC00935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Annika and Jake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKC5isFQv5CK_LjBmiPaiG_mAcOp8wxnUZzG4hJlG8OSGPmeyyQ4MdfeImYbF85parP-KMQhvcLM8q6q99GVG4XO4pzhcFbaqjcWIrLdmRGo8puELH6X0GKA_h6UIyv9nSi6pi8SCz0A8/s1600/DSC01007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKC5isFQv5CK_LjBmiPaiG_mAcOp8wxnUZzG4hJlG8OSGPmeyyQ4MdfeImYbF85parP-KMQhvcLM8q6q99GVG4XO4pzhcFbaqjcWIrLdmRGo8puELH6X0GKA_h6UIyv9nSi6pi8SCz0A8/s320/DSC01007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gus, Kirstin, and Jake.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZld2z7GBSb9Ad893CT-vKuznAc1oIYVVPH5rSDeaxfz3ZVbUkLpQMD3dPenNteMB1qPhvDh9BBs3Kv7im9heH1Go5LDtcAU6O78ZBPKRjtf-ZpBa32SUlAy23OrSonT9yaQFfXZSXWdf/s1600/DSC01064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZld2z7GBSb9Ad893CT-vKuznAc1oIYVVPH5rSDeaxfz3ZVbUkLpQMD3dPenNteMB1qPhvDh9BBs3Kv7im9heH1Go5LDtcAU6O78ZBPKRjtf-ZpBa32SUlAy23OrSonT9yaQFfXZSXWdf/s320/DSC01064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> get a really loooonng dip at Todd's request.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_3XijvEyn3hi-HVXUGGIdtu8lYELU1bSiheY4FwSHbeSERnkQS7pKBLFbkMnY0YQFXCMbGwZV3weM4lbDHqJhWSch9-G1bM4lG2oeDCZDfxIJWti0SRSqkAe-RbKvPRqznYif4UP4A-3/s1600/DSC01093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_3XijvEyn3hi-HVXUGGIdtu8lYELU1bSiheY4FwSHbeSERnkQS7pKBLFbkMnY0YQFXCMbGwZV3weM4lbDHqJhWSch9-G1bM4lG2oeDCZDfxIJWti0SRSqkAe-RbKvPRqznYif4UP4A-3/s320/DSC01093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gus helping Annika catch the big one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ6XfV2wAQeiD2aGIhEkT8ZwzuOXfyxR3XlMbxKqHt-uHMg-6q2Irq00BMj4IBxtFE-hFnu7CmFCqjTJ5oZJIHQpa_LlBjGCONecB5sTQ0kYV5ta1pjhhmZClLnr7HSYmEVa2ylhUbQLq/s1600/DSC01141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ6XfV2wAQeiD2aGIhEkT8ZwzuOXfyxR3XlMbxKqHt-uHMg-6q2Irq00BMj4IBxtFE-hFnu7CmFCqjTJ5oZJIHQpa_LlBjGCONecB5sTQ0kYV5ta1pjhhmZClLnr7HSYmEVa2ylhUbQLq/s320/DSC01141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A sand mermaid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsIo_2uXTAKiMiOlCTvB9a4Pfa1nbnM-aRq0bDOSTlA3Tdo6zpwvewJQH3NK73C4zmVa-bGsqiXONV-sdCYrbShy6xozt2BHpc5qrAZ91OyENc7wE8nFEmha57l0fGRF4qGlp8KVdslyk/s1600/DSC01156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsIo_2uXTAKiMiOlCTvB9a4Pfa1nbnM-aRq0bDOSTlA3Tdo6zpwvewJQH3NK73C4zmVa-bGsqiXONV-sdCYrbShy6xozt2BHpc5qrAZ91OyENc7wE8nFEmha57l0fGRF4qGlp8KVdslyk/s320/DSC01156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We staked out our spot early.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyxGNfWUGhH9AT87acwjdjWJPiUEEBNNmM-jeKlohSMQSCZBwGzbBudIDg8N1XBGRGXA9dLaASsejebEgAIkcG-QXTFeGNbfA4DcoRAkSYF7dHul1Jv0TPeyzrHCVzcsvCPm4G4SIo4xl/s1600/DSC01172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyxGNfWUGhH9AT87acwjdjWJPiUEEBNNmM-jeKlohSMQSCZBwGzbBudIDg8N1XBGRGXA9dLaASsejebEgAIkcG-QXTFeGNbfA4DcoRAkSYF7dHul1Jv0TPeyzrHCVzcsvCPm4G4SIo4xl/s320/DSC01172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Another mermaid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHFP2hZ7u6oQb5ZYVE2z2tHHIxjH37mQdv-dm-w0qyrq8aTZY95bBkQwfCUj_-ManOfYvjfbdT7koDZXFXqsffLTl132y4KbOmfCW5RvRBLafwHsXLIJJJPNVaWn65M30vuj8zsaKEZ7z/s1600/DSC01222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHFP2hZ7u6oQb5ZYVE2z2tHHIxjH37mQdv-dm-w0qyrq8aTZY95bBkQwfCUj_-ManOfYvjfbdT7koDZXFXqsffLTl132y4KbOmfCW5RvRBLafwHsXLIJJJPNVaWn65M30vuj8zsaKEZ7z/s320/DSC01222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The girls' reaction to the Disney fireworks seen from our hotel balcony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTvtG9SdXtieBLqH6TgpUU1MMPVe0QgHBKydWlQCNFq37M5DvJwVCPRVP6-EAZi6Ft25yzcLCfAQzXcqa1IBtugwDZ-Nk2ZjhhItM1Hx7BYd0dc94Egf3H1DvK6un8BZ2ma-KgpN4Gvyx/s1600/DSC01228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTvtG9SdXtieBLqH6TgpUU1MMPVe0QgHBKydWlQCNFq37M5DvJwVCPRVP6-EAZi6Ft25yzcLCfAQzXcqa1IBtugwDZ-Nk2ZjhhItM1Hx7BYd0dc94Egf3H1DvK6un8BZ2ma-KgpN4Gvyx/s320/DSC01228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXjON23R4pm8CdyAQDMuK3VobPE9gVilo7nwvRfm_k7W1dVH22fVUY0SEuCVe_3OPce22ZqVLNxoRP28nlnYBdS1KBJt0osm4eDgpO2pSq6QWl3_w7V11BNw0lB45KbET8ZTap2AGuXRg/s1600/DSC01238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXjON23R4pm8CdyAQDMuK3VobPE9gVilo7nwvRfm_k7W1dVH22fVUY0SEuCVe_3OPce22ZqVLNxoRP28nlnYBdS1KBJt0osm4eDgpO2pSq6QWl3_w7V11BNw0lB45KbET8ZTap2AGuXRg/s320/DSC01238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ready for a day at Magic Kingdom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjR6bm2iEuyenyebba6bvGA8NgNFxkxQXgj0v4r2h8FOGQLBduJc1Ru4a-ymtLAGsVflAyUZtGwLmFkM3RLh-_TOlfKebYK_KOs9K-s53KOGh4unKGBxybt7oX3qF-Se2R7aeFTP7LbUn/s1600/DSC01255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjR6bm2iEuyenyebba6bvGA8NgNFxkxQXgj0v4r2h8FOGQLBduJc1Ru4a-ymtLAGsVflAyUZtGwLmFkM3RLh-_TOlfKebYK_KOs9K-s53KOGh4unKGBxybt7oX3qF-Se2R7aeFTP7LbUn/s320/DSC01255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Started the day with a character breakfast. One thrilled girl. The other three kids, not so much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlurltMgUcN5l6Z32IpjKxn6otcZ5PK333tvPK14RE6MqtBSqn1k8WqFbKbNP9DsukhFubM5UHS2XrbBVK6RwIzZzLVs9UJBz0TLAPSDxabpSy-oVhgA8pJLWF8YnzriqT1WGp458XDwTp/s1600/DSC01263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlurltMgUcN5l6Z32IpjKxn6otcZ5PK333tvPK14RE6MqtBSqn1k8WqFbKbNP9DsukhFubM5UHS2XrbBVK6RwIzZzLVs9UJBz0TLAPSDxabpSy-oVhgA8pJLWF8YnzriqT1WGp458XDwTp/s320/DSC01263.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The big brothers were troupers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mYznjz_pZvhr3VwVF_Aj01jRdUOYVUOz8fxcz-EP-bRhbIWyGVwxeyJjtFC7ITXMC1eMWPL1uzG8MUt1_386q-t2RUuKx7PcnBR3ys7CyWrzN3LZ6rkgvht3oBPBKjRdst4ub8FaTyf/s1600/DSC01308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mYznjz_pZvhr3VwVF_Aj01jRdUOYVUOz8fxcz-EP-bRhbIWyGVwxeyJjtFC7ITXMC1eMWPL1uzG8MUt1_386q-t2RUuKx7PcnBR3ys7CyWrzN3LZ6rkgvht3oBPBKjRdst4ub8FaTyf/s320/DSC01308.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0mS1NJZBb9Fxeq_j7GSz8_L5s-gTDJT1u4OdVbFJF-EQEyFOAMRUAWarsP5dyhibxZG5lI3AhYo6YwRN9ZR-Z2r6PGXfrvvq1fJtLyNeSRsPbLrgUNRTgLN7N0tFuKm5exGQNSvwU52q/s1600/DSC01420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0mS1NJZBb9Fxeq_j7GSz8_L5s-gTDJT1u4OdVbFJF-EQEyFOAMRUAWarsP5dyhibxZG5lI3AhYo6YwRN9ZR-Z2r6PGXfrvvq1fJtLyNeSRsPbLrgUNRTgLN7N0tFuKm5exGQNSvwU52q/s320/DSC01420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Got to meet Mickey and Minnie before we ended the day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb7a-_Q5AM9T7G88KnKYAC72K-oBspMtEyWhCgaRVgggsBT4oWRmJJpczBcqT8VWh1g_5jyb4GLqYjUPoKSC6lqNBkMQ1U7FNyf3SqcER7k72PPBTbTy9QXVYa-1JBMxOIzy7Qj1FZ4xu/s1600/DSC01434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieb7a-_Q5AM9T7G88KnKYAC72K-oBspMtEyWhCgaRVgggsBT4oWRmJJpczBcqT8VWh1g_5jyb4GLqYjUPoKSC6lqNBkMQ1U7FNyf3SqcER7k72PPBTbTy9QXVYa-1JBMxOIzy7Qj1FZ4xu/s320/DSC01434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The looonnng car ride home. Did I mention we DROVE to Florida?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FBYR1S7EeeRtPa0dDR74_IbzySChb6A2g9Dy1BiS7tJRr0n4QmXu-UaXF3L3b1Xir3Lpk-8yI4QNhGbe0zUeMrNBa32i1igSqh-8a0eimx3T-FpdZNuAcwcbTGg7lc6kd1xKgQvYsQGs/s1600/DSC01435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FBYR1S7EeeRtPa0dDR74_IbzySChb6A2g9Dy1BiS7tJRr0n4QmXu-UaXF3L3b1Xir3Lpk-8yI4QNhGbe0zUeMrNBa32i1igSqh-8a0eimx3T-FpdZNuAcwcbTGg7lc6kd1xKgQvYsQGs/s320/DSC01435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jake racked up the behind the wheel hours! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2mgPfH3_fYy8I-9jlFtp0tcy6Rp-ZdrHzOGRA6X6ZuHeBbw92zzWR9Y7oslHFtdCjFzmAqBFW4INihBCq8eUjxSSSBvzPZaEZXCJ1cvuEXOBvQlmpkP6xC4BgW-QhUPeRtqXZ-yVrHxx/s1600/DSC01446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2mgPfH3_fYy8I-9jlFtp0tcy6Rp-ZdrHzOGRA6X6ZuHeBbw92zzWR9Y7oslHFtdCjFzmAqBFW4INihBCq8eUjxSSSBvzPZaEZXCJ1cvuEXOBvQlmpkP6xC4BgW-QhUPeRtqXZ-yVrHxx/s320/DSC01446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thrilled to be home again.</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-16629792327209925202012-01-31T14:07:00.002-06:002012-01-31T14:09:16.672-06:00One Month Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow! We have come a long way in one month!!! God has been so faithful to us as we returned home December 30th as a family of seven. I could go on forever about all the wonderful ways His hand has guided in the last month. Instead, I will highlight just a few.....for the praise of His glory.</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at MSP to a wonderful group of family and friends-all excited to meet Elsa (and see us, I presume!)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sister, Ingrid, and her family (Chip, Olivia & Trey) were still here in MN for Christmas vacation. This allowed us some wonderful family time with them before they headed back to MI. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were a few days before Jake & Annika headed back to school so they could get used to central time zone again!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mari spent her last week of vacation here at home; sleeping and enjoying Elsa before heading back to Wheaton.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsa loves sharing a room and a bed with Annika. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annika is a wonderful big sister. She has a tender heart that loves freely and gives generously. God has gifted her perfectly to minister to her younger sister as she transitions to life here at home.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gus and Jake are amazing big brothers who Elsa adores.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All these gifts are just a glimpse of the month we have had. We are all sleeping through the night now ( a BIG blessing for me! ) and even adjusting to a nap schedule. Elsa understands almost everything she hears, but speaking English is not high on her "to do" list yet. We are all learning her words for things and getting along very well. Honestly, it hardly seems possible that it has only been a month since we came home. Life here would certainly be dull without her. I am so thankful to Him that we didn't miss this wonderful little girl and all the blessings of seeing God work in and around us. I read these verses in Isaiah 45:5-6 and think it sums up our life perfectly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no god; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While this prophesy speaks specifically of Cyrus and how God was going to use him in the life of Israel, I do know that He is equipping us daily. In addition to getting used to the crazy life that is ours, Elsa has also visited with a variety of doctors. We are thankful for access to wonderful medical care and advise. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. We know that without a doubt. That precious smile and dimple says it all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3vMXaZVKSxONkpNTvrGtQj86EdcwbdGzqkbDZ1pV1tZ8I_PBsvhljE3mMgDlaCsK7MUsTTb4g3ZMgX3EK_Pu1-lMwbvl5K_quqnMsmVBXfAuovLHnnlMa2x_fSsQXWWOjeaChoQjodx0/s1600/DSC05346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3vMXaZVKSxONkpNTvrGtQj86EdcwbdGzqkbDZ1pV1tZ8I_PBsvhljE3mMgDlaCsK7MUsTTb4g3ZMgX3EK_Pu1-lMwbvl5K_quqnMsmVBXfAuovLHnnlMa2x_fSsQXWWOjeaChoQjodx0/s320/DSC05346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Time with the extended family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxMjIZzcYRfQsgZmvhJM5tOR2Ri2IUdchfWMxRuQKASjffyrl2dgUtzj6LkwSN7A0z0jE7oy_1wVi7o_cqAowRLoyDpoJwD_0yk-6YM9f75Faks1ZSJ6cjH0segixan27jw90NLy-vjLQ/s1600/DSC05366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxMjIZzcYRfQsgZmvhJM5tOR2Ri2IUdchfWMxRuQKASjffyrl2dgUtzj6LkwSN7A0z0jE7oy_1wVi7o_cqAowRLoyDpoJwD_0yk-6YM9f75Faks1ZSJ6cjH0segixan27jw90NLy-vjLQ/s320/DSC05366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A new panda from Uncle Eric and Val</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIb9N3BlQk-3BuuL3BsnU5Tu8WdmMk3Zo2O21Wb6P21xNVhfp4xOh94cE7VUJeIsWbIQj2t7etKhfKLJh3I4ILht2zyWqQ8qWVlwui_6cGgDh-8K10y70nhviZXkGtccPWsWCoWaUmv0p/s1600/DSC05481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIb9N3BlQk-3BuuL3BsnU5Tu8WdmMk3Zo2O21Wb6P21xNVhfp4xOh94cE7VUJeIsWbIQj2t7etKhfKLJh3I4ILht2zyWqQ8qWVlwui_6cGgDh-8K10y70nhviZXkGtccPWsWCoWaUmv0p/s320/DSC05481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lovin' time with the cousins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC6LL7B6kAXnn9zzYZRCb97bevDNPnwG8ououMAlEzr5nC1app2ZzFcXuDQZbcqtXNIB0Rppaxyi5bezv6ikC2K9SklIhf0p5X8jMd2JHABMce_5cIFB6H3XyfiDCT7wpHbDg8Sw_HI-7/s1600/DSC05489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC6LL7B6kAXnn9zzYZRCb97bevDNPnwG8ououMAlEzr5nC1app2ZzFcXuDQZbcqtXNIB0Rppaxyi5bezv6ikC2K9SklIhf0p5X8jMd2JHABMce_5cIFB6H3XyfiDCT7wpHbDg8Sw_HI-7/s320/DSC05489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Matchy, matchy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW6nhCmwO8WjLMPumILWRBA3GToRcrJvWOh88Kip4OuwSRmaafg5hr6tTT5HViriHCm9VHLGBxaXx95LyTxGvNNLY5CPxFy4yxrC_JP80a_ZSJ7mn-6Sw560vYJ7jE0DMoSFuiGR5zt36/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW6nhCmwO8WjLMPumILWRBA3GToRcrJvWOh88Kip4OuwSRmaafg5hr6tTT5HViriHCm9VHLGBxaXx95LyTxGvNNLY5CPxFy4yxrC_JP80a_ZSJ7mn-6Sw560vYJ7jE0DMoSFuiGR5zt36/s320/IMG_0171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Getting a trim from Wendy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUxD553Y2hpWEiwo43Zx9oYEnZR8-FhM1p3f2X864PdbNgJQ-Xwu0b4WbEzAmt1ru_zBUqMz4Jghk5Oh-PN8gvjWyPHrSTT5kb53LkpY-HaQTG8Flp0B6KX-U2yHogkIpZUIKDDIOEGuk/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUxD553Y2hpWEiwo43Zx9oYEnZR8-FhM1p3f2X864PdbNgJQ-Xwu0b4WbEzAmt1ru_zBUqMz4Jghk5Oh-PN8gvjWyPHrSTT5kb53LkpY-HaQTG8Flp0B6KX-U2yHogkIpZUIKDDIOEGuk/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Visiting MOA with Mari</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI2aLFakiyA8fHsI_9yfSdvU_ZUKetMZUC5aQYTLmlNGIYmNvPcP87APnI3ebFkxgbInZpi4auYSKWQsRh6JkDJG0BHym_GrcXKcPcl8NZdKZkaArZF4xRNlfYAiSP10xuCeTojpKQdBD/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI2aLFakiyA8fHsI_9yfSdvU_ZUKetMZUC5aQYTLmlNGIYmNvPcP87APnI3ebFkxgbInZpi4auYSKWQsRh6JkDJG0BHym_GrcXKcPcl8NZdKZkaArZF4xRNlfYAiSP10xuCeTojpKQdBD/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Discovering lots of ways to play</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UoqfqWcWOZnotgCsagt3Yhm87SIw3ojLCM1B7tBOnpLtEx64mMp6EiTUc-w5NQdqD1Ql2lhfibxs0K-1gyB5W9SpbKnhYZSjOjM7VjiEoRJ5WK0aMV5SgVyhGoxEcfx3anJhQmpNK2xA/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UoqfqWcWOZnotgCsagt3Yhm87SIw3ojLCM1B7tBOnpLtEx64mMp6EiTUc-w5NQdqD1Ql2lhfibxs0K-1gyB5W9SpbKnhYZSjOjM7VjiEoRJ5WK0aMV5SgVyhGoxEcfx3anJhQmpNK2xA/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Cuddle time with Gus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiisY7M0NMSEKKPH513nWzxajU0WUHGYgIPKsfKp_xpxSbG40nd-2PB3AUaTypubHzEdfz-4JiM1Rx95WzJBPUXfLXRtt83pWQCVw3xKZ4v0eHkAQNP44eW2e78c5W_5iCfMVYAJKGgcl/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiisY7M0NMSEKKPH513nWzxajU0WUHGYgIPKsfKp_xpxSbG40nd-2PB3AUaTypubHzEdfz-4JiM1Rx95WzJBPUXfLXRtt83pWQCVw3xKZ4v0eHkAQNP44eW2e78c5W_5iCfMVYAJKGgcl/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Playing dress up with Annika</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzk1YQBvR-BDy5Z00tZXsAxndQLmF5KQhw8X-oiY2y_oWYccHFZqgmqAvgsAconoAxwrZRQXWvrt2pf7cYzjQWF2_c10XhLYxPMuDy2Uf6eKZqtx0VhMZeOAtjkZ-tIDKlJimuIGceDhh/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzk1YQBvR-BDy5Z00tZXsAxndQLmF5KQhw8X-oiY2y_oWYccHFZqgmqAvgsAconoAxwrZRQXWvrt2pf7cYzjQWF2_c10XhLYxPMuDy2Uf6eKZqtx0VhMZeOAtjkZ-tIDKlJimuIGceDhh/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK-2utDh4RMB96T6I5SfStgn__ZcIl-qJEQhyphenhyphenrukwQPL3mu15zMx1rVwBspkd5d2ERvDZxukgJD9kYWcRZc8kAS2H2eLnPLyn42Zbwu9QSn7qajA7Xjejqzjo6blJVzpUQq38OrD9coRU/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK-2utDh4RMB96T6I5SfStgn__ZcIl-qJEQhyphenhyphenrukwQPL3mu15zMx1rVwBspkd5d2ERvDZxukgJD9kYWcRZc8kAS2H2eLnPLyn42Zbwu9QSn7qajA7Xjejqzjo6blJVzpUQq38OrD9coRU/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Supporting Wildcat basketball</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-LwxR0Mz1ZuCWq7SSMAYdVhPAeR9Vf-5bR0EUc8PImuQxaXGZpq9FDZH9zKZr4NHiz_TJOCLrUtlV_rxN82E1M44xc5Hkq_XGqP8FpvFzb8WqowhNx1_yzuU3pSQB0Wrj83bhUQG7dCH/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-LwxR0Mz1ZuCWq7SSMAYdVhPAeR9Vf-5bR0EUc8PImuQxaXGZpq9FDZH9zKZr4NHiz_TJOCLrUtlV_rxN82E1M44xc5Hkq_XGqP8FpvFzb8WqowhNx1_yzuU3pSQB0Wrj83bhUQG7dCH/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jammin' to LeCrae</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCO9JqPcbSgy4JPPhLGnqihZGVRYvFGPmt6UxGJGjwMj4R-Ff_rOlo3o_rjcV54TKF8MlPFvj1m1Nzz_6cyBs0oVUzzLOej1yJnE40nZ56hx5w2a9rvKsvDdQU68aGE8Wv3qz-wVCtmB4/s1600/IMG_0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCO9JqPcbSgy4JPPhLGnqihZGVRYvFGPmt6UxGJGjwMj4R-Ff_rOlo3o_rjcV54TKF8MlPFvj1m1Nzz_6cyBs0oVUzzLOej1yJnE40nZ56hx5w2a9rvKsvDdQU68aGE8Wv3qz-wVCtmB4/s320/IMG_0262.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Helping us dogsit and loving it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl8zy5lvdutKSnNKgT8RMQxuVl6JNFVe5iLD3UCTX0vrF6Fl_tAWG_i6N8Ts5Db9Lj5Fe8fXepybKobeJ8QgGwkJVszH1fHkagW67id9m0rYfMqQ5pAgBSubgJdkMZafOCIEq0yFQEH8F/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUl8zy5lvdutKSnNKgT8RMQxuVl6JNFVe5iLD3UCTX0vrF6Fl_tAWG_i6N8Ts5Db9Lj5Fe8fXepybKobeJ8QgGwkJVszH1fHkagW67id9m0rYfMqQ5pAgBSubgJdkMZafOCIEq0yFQEH8F/s320/IMG_0263.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still love my noodles!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find myself peeking into their room after all is quiet. Where there was one little, black-haired head on a pillow, now two lie side by side. God is good. He "crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:4-5)</span></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-20351285593471997202012-01-04T13:44:00.001-06:002012-01-04T13:48:38.764-06:00The New Year"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5<br />
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Praise Him for all His benefits....that all seven of us survived nearly 27 hours of travel, that Elsa did not have one crying outburst on ANY plane ride home, that all our bags arrived in MN when we did, that a wonderful group of family and friends greeted us at the airport, that we have now slept in our own beds for five nights, that we could spend time with family over the New Year's weekend (making up for our absence at Christmas), that Elsa continues to be more and more comfortable at home. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say that we are grateful to God for all He has done for our family. <br />
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We were able to spend some time with both sides of our family this past weekend. They were kind enough to relive Christmas for us and we enjoyed sharing Elsa with them. She is quiet at first, when meeting new people, but it didn't take too long for her to leave my side and be running with the cousins. I just have to sit back and smile at all she is taking in and doing. We are all a crazy bunch......she fits right in!<br />
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Now, to the daunting task of returning to a work/school schedule while still working on returning to this time zone! We know that God will faithfully show us through this transition as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhS5jdEjQu0/TwSroDxPBRI/AAAAAAAAAfk/8mcpxUd81wU/s1600/DSC05338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhS5jdEjQu0/TwSroDxPBRI/AAAAAAAAAfk/8mcpxUd81wU/s320/DSC05338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Arriving at the airport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5fIVyc0Wv8/TwSrpDTo_2I/AAAAAAAAAfs/3mUc6DnhXGY/s1600/DSC05339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5fIVyc0Wv8/TwSrpDTo_2I/AAAAAAAAAfs/3mUc6DnhXGY/s320/DSC05339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yS5rfyIau2c/TwSrq4olpwI/AAAAAAAAAf8/WgWo0E80NuI/s1600/DSC05344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yS5rfyIau2c/TwSrq4olpwI/AAAAAAAAAf8/WgWo0E80NuI/s320/DSC05344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyAAtUMMamM/TwSrsdWzWpI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hca6ZtBmZeI/s1600/DSC05346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DyAAtUMMamM/TwSrsdWzWpI/AAAAAAAAAgE/hca6ZtBmZeI/s320/DSC05346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Family time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbBT-KNqnI8/TwSruPachjI/AAAAAAAAAgM/sDrmQwhXIo8/s1600/DSC05347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbBT-KNqnI8/TwSruPachjI/AAAAAAAAAgM/sDrmQwhXIo8/s320/DSC05347.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSDO540MED4/TwSrvGuyufI/AAAAAAAAAgU/UHwpY-_0_b0/s1600/DSC05350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSDO540MED4/TwSrvGuyufI/AAAAAAAAAgU/UHwpY-_0_b0/s320/DSC05350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UOUGs5DvGc/TwSrwFRcyWI/AAAAAAAAAgc/DSXMoVRytvU/s1600/DSC05358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UOUGs5DvGc/TwSrwFRcyWI/AAAAAAAAAgc/DSXMoVRytvU/s320/DSC05358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGTzJWr_Sng/TwSrxqdAVlI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ntFpETI7uM4/s1600/DSC05442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGTzJWr_Sng/TwSrxqdAVlI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ntFpETI7uM4/s320/DSC05442.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfSlfdtwJ_k/TwSryz8ZkII/AAAAAAAAAgs/-JBcFq3u_ao/s1600/DSC05449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfSlfdtwJ_k/TwSryz8ZkII/AAAAAAAAAgs/-JBcFq3u_ao/s320/DSC05449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IwPmbJnn4U/TwSr0c0GyRI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Q6-gzZmI8Aw/s1600/DSC05486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IwPmbJnn4U/TwSr0c0GyRI/AAAAAAAAAg0/Q6-gzZmI8Aw/s320/DSC05486.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xL-L-dClIg/TwSr1n-asPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ZUAqmrHOJ-I/s1600/DSC05489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xL-L-dClIg/TwSr1n-asPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ZUAqmrHOJ-I/s320/DSC05489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-15384061530758660232011-12-29T07:53:00.000-06:002011-12-29T07:53:29.445-06:00Hong Kong - December 29We were recounting tonight as a family all the wonderful blessings from God we have seen and experienced this trip. Some were funny, some were serious, all were amazing. He has been so near to us as we leaned hard into Him these two weeks. All of us are grateful to Him for His provision for us in travel, health and most of all in Elsa. She has made amazing strides these two weeks in becoming a part of our family. We love her so much! Tonight we heard belly laughs from her for the first time and it was spectacular! <br />
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We left Guangzhou and our guide Connie early this morning, heading for Hong Kong. Leaving mainland China, we used Elsa's passport for the first time. Its a little unnerving standing at immigration, knowing all the paperwork is correct, but still wondering if there will be a problem. The only issue was that somehow Elsa lost her diaper on the floor as we were passing through security! Oh dear!! It wasn't a national incident, but definitely a first for them, I'm sure.<br />
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After arriving in Hong Kong, we checked into the hotel and found out how to get to the city. The last time we were here was when we adopted Annika five years ago. We knew exactly where we wanted to go this time too. We found the train station, made it to the central station after a few stops, got into taxis and rode to the top of the Peak. With a spectacular view of Victoria Harbor, we ate a wonderful meal. The only thing that was missing was the Lee family, who were with us the first time we did this. <br />
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We leave tomorrow morning for home. That is a great feeling. We are so grateful for all the prayers and encouraging comments we have received these two weeks. It will be good to get home and into our own beds. Our great God has gotten us this far, and He will get us home. To the praise of His glory......<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBqRrtJx66I/TvxwjRRSKeI/AAAAAAAAAeo/uKQtnsHhWLI/s1600/DSC05303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBqRrtJx66I/TvxwjRRSKeI/AAAAAAAAAeo/uKQtnsHhWLI/s320/DSC05303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the train to Hong Kong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsnxOqHNeqQ/TvxwkWhbMZI/AAAAAAAAAes/r9sQiC5ACUY/s1600/DSC05307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsnxOqHNeqQ/TvxwkWhbMZI/AAAAAAAAAes/r9sQiC5ACUY/s320/DSC05307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fzjPlnhq00/Tvxwk_n0ojI/AAAAAAAAAe0/zxLkRlPI_rg/s1600/DSC05308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fzjPlnhq00/Tvxwk_n0ojI/AAAAAAAAAe0/zxLkRlPI_rg/s320/DSC05308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> View from the Peak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BP_T8tyljrg/TvxwllJej9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Ir50fUlnQzc/s1600/DSC05309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BP_T8tyljrg/TvxwllJej9I/AAAAAAAAAe4/Ir50fUlnQzc/s320/DSC05309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Missing the Lee's here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M91XIr_TAn8/TvxwmKysMmI/AAAAAAAAAfA/4P1ydotgfbM/s1600/DSC05311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M91XIr_TAn8/TvxwmKysMmI/AAAAAAAAAfA/4P1ydotgfbM/s320/DSC05311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W7edsO7q3E/Tvxwmz6qQBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/GEMEw33JURM/s1600/DSC05323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W7edsO7q3E/Tvxwmz6qQBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/GEMEw33JURM/s320/DSC05323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Incredible view from our table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQMTZkrMt8/TvxwnhLB8UI/AAAAAAAAAfU/fXDY-1wDUKw/s1600/DSC05329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LQMTZkrMt8/TvxwnhLB8UI/AAAAAAAAAfU/fXDY-1wDUKw/s320/DSC05329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-33138096258486101622011-12-28T07:52:00.000-06:002011-12-28T07:52:22.339-06:00White Cloud Mountain-December 28God has been so good to us this trip. As we walked down the street today, I stepped back and drank in the scene. Five kids were walking down the street ahead of me, laughing and talking. Well, actually only four were walking because the littlest Lindquist was being carried by a "ge ge" at the time. She planted a "ching-ching" on his cheek and my heart melted. It is so evident that the Spirit has been at work in our hearts and in Elsa's to bind us together as a family. Certainly we are not done with the process by any stretch of the imagination, but in His mercy we have a great start!<br />
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For our last day in Guangzhou, Connie took us to White Cloud Mountain where we took a cable car ride up to the top to view the city. The gardens were spectacular and the view from the top was great. It was somewhat marred by the fog, but with warm temperatures, we didn't care about that! After walking around the gardens and taking some fun pictures, we headed out to a restaurant. At the Noodle King, we watched a cook make the special noodles of this area. It was really fun to watch as he stretched, pulled and cooked them. <br />
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Connie dropped us off at the hotel and headed back to the consulate on our behalf. She returned later in the day with Elsa's passport complete with an American visa. Accompanying this was a packet that we are not to open, but simply hand to officials of USCIS when we land in the USA on Friday. After these papers are looked through and stamped, Elsa is officially a citizen of the United States! <br />
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We really are excited to get home. We ate at Lucy's again tonight and enjoyed the American cuisine. We wake early tomorrow morning and fly to Hong Kong. After spending the day and the night there, we will board a plane on Friday morning to head home. Please pray with us that these flights will be good ones for Elsa. Anything would be better than her first airplane ride! We assume that with the extra hands she will be easier to keep happy, but it will still be a challenge to say the least. Thank you all for your kind words and comments. We are so thankful for all of the support and prayers from all of you. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax-uDeiymvg/TvscarC_QiI/AAAAAAAAAcc/uGmMB4LGY8E/s1600/DSC05161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax-uDeiymvg/TvscarC_QiI/AAAAAAAAAcc/uGmMB4LGY8E/s320/DSC05161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The gardens at the base of White Cloud Mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVBrE6AYE2s/TvsceIFOsdI/AAAAAAAAAck/PbkJvUND6kk/s1600/DSC05164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVBrE6AYE2s/TvsceIFOsdI/AAAAAAAAAck/PbkJvUND6kk/s320/DSC05164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfwYIaOeGGU/TvscrvGdheI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7mCb954uyfg/s1600/DSC05166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfwYIaOeGGU/TvscrvGdheI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7mCb954uyfg/s320/DSC05166.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EfGCpse3g2Q/TvscxyQeHmI/AAAAAAAAAc0/KlszaZlDKy0/s1600/DSC05169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EfGCpse3g2Q/TvscxyQeHmI/AAAAAAAAAc0/KlszaZlDKy0/s320/DSC05169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fZQcDxiTU/TvsdGKbGc8I/AAAAAAAAAc8/pJMMwjXKOyY/s1600/DSC05179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_fZQcDxiTU/TvsdGKbGc8I/AAAAAAAAAc8/pJMMwjXKOyY/s320/DSC05179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LqPU5afIpM/TvsdMTGj1PI/AAAAAAAAAdE/543jj4UloMs/s1600/DSC05192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LqPU5afIpM/TvsdMTGj1PI/AAAAAAAAAdE/543jj4UloMs/s320/DSC05192.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The rose garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShSyULeip68/TvsdRS6PRQI/AAAAAAAAAdM/24jkgKardx4/s1600/DSC05199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ShSyULeip68/TvsdRS6PRQI/AAAAAAAAAdM/24jkgKardx4/s320/DSC05199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDRfPSRWmRM/TvsdV_QsPnI/AAAAAAAAAdU/N_2MyzArJGU/s1600/DSC05207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDRfPSRWmRM/TvsdV_QsPnI/AAAAAAAAAdU/N_2MyzArJGU/s320/DSC05207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They were ready to go back to the hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08aQ0l2qEVA/TvsdbShf3sI/AAAAAAAAAdc/c5utaNQ9b1Y/s1600/DSC05213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08aQ0l2qEVA/TvsdbShf3sI/AAAAAAAAAdc/c5utaNQ9b1Y/s320/DSC05213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfBXTD_vPNk/TvsdmHHiAPI/AAAAAAAAAdk/ypr1cedwjnA/s1600/DSC05220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfBXTD_vPNk/TvsdmHHiAPI/AAAAAAAAAdk/ypr1cedwjnA/s320/DSC05220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We took cable cars to the top!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TraX61vJwY/Tvsdn7ScCAI/AAAAAAAAAds/EL9gx8hRinM/s1600/DSC05226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TraX61vJwY/Tvsdn7ScCAI/AAAAAAAAAds/EL9gx8hRinM/s320/DSC05226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> View of the whole city from the top of the mountain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw9cynok03Q/TvsdvBtT4yI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ByMbKfPIwWI/s1600/DSC05234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pw9cynok03Q/TvsdvBtT4yI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ByMbKfPIwWI/s320/DSC05234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1-E02A_YyY/TvsdyJv-GwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/SVaytndUnzo/s1600/DSC05241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1-E02A_YyY/TvsdyJv-GwI/AAAAAAAAAd8/SVaytndUnzo/s320/DSC05241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dinner at Lucy's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wynPd_IK1I/Tvsd5HFtTuI/AAAAAAAAAeE/jHIcue-uAmw/s1600/DSC05260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wynPd_IK1I/Tvsd5HFtTuI/AAAAAAAAAeE/jHIcue-uAmw/s320/DSC05260.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Taking some family pictures inside the beautiful White Swan Hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RrkDcwcZ5Ak/Tvsd8fDpBVI/AAAAAAAAAeM/hrY51TRtOD4/s1600/DSC05267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RrkDcwcZ5Ak/Tvsd8fDpBVI/AAAAAAAAAeM/hrY51TRtOD4/s320/DSC05267.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the famous red couch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DCdnNT2QIA/Tvsd_57jrzI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Y2wTKiwrmlk/s1600/DSC05279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DCdnNT2QIA/Tvsd_57jrzI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Y2wTKiwrmlk/s320/DSC05279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Massages, yet again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDHmp1of4H8/TvseDXYEZ6I/AAAAAAAAAec/u3IkXblyIxU/s1600/DSC05281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDHmp1of4H8/TvseDXYEZ6I/AAAAAAAAAec/u3IkXblyIxU/s320/DSC05281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-89181952959649900822011-12-27T06:23:00.000-06:002011-12-27T06:23:17.946-06:00Consulate Day - December 27Today we had the last official visit here in China. We were met by Connie at 7:30 this morning to head over to the US Consulate. We brought all our official papers from the medical visit as well as papers we filled out and haven't seen since we sent them off to China months ago. When at the consulate we gave an oath on behalf of Elsa that all the information we provided was accurate, had an interview with a consulate official and signed more official papers. With this last visit completed, we now only have to wait for Connie to pick up Elsa's passport tomorrow afternoon which will have a US immigrant visa inside. It was amazing to be in the same room we were in five years ago with Annika. She took it all in. So amazing!<br />
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The rest of the day was spent relaxing and shopping. Connie took us to a pearl and jade market where we saw amazing amounts of precious gems. We also found an amazing within walking distance of the Victory Hotel. We walked through the "pharmacy" market first with all of its herbs and dried things. Next was the pet market with fish, turtles, snakes, rabbits, dogs and cats. Last was the merchandise markets with purses, clothes, watches and the like. Everywhere we went we did not see one other foreigner! It was such fun shopping and bargaining. <br />
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We ended the day with a short dinner at our new favorite restaurant which is actually Thai. After all that walking we had definitely worked up an appetite! God continues to guide us as we blend our family together. We are so grateful to Him that we have had this chance to all be together here. It truly is amazing how Elsa loves her brothers and sisters. As we walk down the street she yells to her "ge ge" or "jie jie" to hold her or to show them something. All I can do is praise the One who has put all this together and smile. <br />
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I can't believe that tomorrow is our last full day in Guangzhou. Our time here in China is quickly drawing to a close. We are happy for our time here, but really ready to go home too. We continue to ask for your prayers as we end our time here. We know that so many of you are lifting us up and for that we are grateful to you and the Lord.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnJBhccXNpo/Tvm4Py94OsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/jPmTzO1oUp0/s1600/DSC05122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnJBhccXNpo/Tvm4Py94OsI/AAAAAAAAAaw/jPmTzO1oUp0/s320/DSC05122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Street market in Guangzhou. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJdeJxMfzs4/Tvm4RDWIjYI/AAAAAAAAAa4/JX5dt0GpH7g/s1600/DSC05124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJdeJxMfzs4/Tvm4RDWIjYI/AAAAAAAAAa4/JX5dt0GpH7g/s320/DSC05124.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d2y8aJmmXc/Tvm4UzhCSuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/O_smLz5BHOA/s1600/DSC05127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3d2y8aJmmXc/Tvm4UzhCSuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/O_smLz5BHOA/s320/DSC05127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zW7p7l_bKU/Tvm4WArt9_I/AAAAAAAAAbY/_TGmFQl05bg/s1600/DSC05128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zW7p7l_bKU/Tvm4WArt9_I/AAAAAAAAAbY/_TGmFQl05bg/s320/DSC05128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vmc9w3vqMJs/Tvm4Xd3JifI/AAAAAAAAAbg/AU2BqoNNgMc/s1600/DSC05132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vmc9w3vqMJs/Tvm4Xd3JifI/AAAAAAAAAbg/AU2BqoNNgMc/s320/DSC05132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxemfApzxkI/Tvm4YURqVCI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Yf_EzgEpczg/s1600/DSC05135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxemfApzxkI/Tvm4YURqVCI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Yf_EzgEpczg/s320/DSC05135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbqpwzAVQuY/Tvm4ZVjIKzI/AAAAAAAAAbw/_XsWBJC5POM/s1600/DSC05137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbqpwzAVQuY/Tvm4ZVjIKzI/AAAAAAAAAbw/_XsWBJC5POM/s320/DSC05137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We bought Elsa her first pets!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liiR1RLHJNM/Tvm4as8YNoI/AAAAAAAAAb4/2EmYWoR-g_w/s1600/DSC05140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liiR1RLHJNM/Tvm4as8YNoI/AAAAAAAAAb4/2EmYWoR-g_w/s320/DSC05140.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvDiV6AVowM/Tvm4c7SnAbI/AAAAAAAAAcI/rVUVe0vZI_o/s1600/DSC05144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CvDiV6AVowM/Tvm4c7SnAbI/AAAAAAAAAcI/rVUVe0vZI_o/s320/DSC05144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPpp1mtyXZ0/Tvm4eB8R_2I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/RFL3RDl3_yo/s1600/DSC05145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPpp1mtyXZ0/Tvm4eB8R_2I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/RFL3RDl3_yo/s320/DSC05145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-76571892782049495392011-12-27T05:57:00.000-06:002011-12-27T05:57:41.456-06:00Safari Park - December 26<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">One thing about the adoption process that so thoroughly captures our hearts is that feeling of being totally out of control. We can do none of this in our own strength or power. It is only by God’s grace and power that this miracle has happened to our family....twice! Paul puts it perfectly in I Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will bast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are winding down our adoption appointments here and are getting really ready to head home! Today we made a quick visit back to the medical clinic to have Elsa’s TB test read. Connie just walked right in that crowded place pulling us behind her, headed straight to someone in a lab coat, rolled up Elsa’s right sleeve and shoved her little arm at the lab tech. We were back on the street with our paperwork in 3 minutes flat! Todd loves her “get ‘er done” attitude! It is definitely convenient at times. Now all we have left to do is the consulate appointment tomorrow. Soon we will have Elsa’s visa and be able to head home.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After that quick appointment, Connie and our driver took us to the Safari Park for the day. It is a great zoo complete with lions, tigers, giraffes and pandas. Connie told us that they have the most pandas here than anywhere else in the world. The twelve pandas were not close enough to touch, but let’s just say that the enclosures here may not meet US standards. The kids were able to feed leaves to the giraffes and bananas to the elephants. Then, we happened upon an opportunity to feed a white bengal tiger cub his bottle. We’re pretty sure that wouldn’t happen back home! Elsa loved every bit of it. She kept poking each of us and pointing in the direction of whatever animal was in our view to make sure we weren’t missing any of it. Too cute. We were able to go on a dinner cruise on the Pearl River later in the day. It was beautiful to see all the buildings lit up in the night sky. We ended the day with a foot massage for our aching feet. Quite a day!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Elsa continues to amaze us in her transition. She talks to us and most of the time it is just babbling. When she needs something she lets us know with pointing and other gestures. Occasionally she gets frustrated, as I would too, that we don’t understand what she wants. And sometimes she gets frustrated because we DO understand what she wants and we’re just not doing it. Welcome back to the two’s! Honestly though, God is answering our prayers for bonding and a good transition into our family. She really does love her brothers and sisters. She goes easily to Baba and Mama alike. Her brothers can even get her out of a funk if she gets a bit pouty. It truly is a miracle and only possible through the Spirit’s help.</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8RgOftOfg4/TvmxCqtJFlI/AAAAAAAAAX0/VQgmSJGMrmQ/s1600/DSC04961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8RgOftOfg4/TvmxCqtJFlI/AAAAAAAAAX0/VQgmSJGMrmQ/s320/DSC04961.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Safari Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4OT4CHPvRU/TvmxD9VywLI/AAAAAAAAAX8/4IP5RCtCFd8/s1600/DSC04966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4OT4CHPvRU/TvmxD9VywLI/AAAAAAAAAX8/4IP5RCtCFd8/s320/DSC04966.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L1eFsmnMEI/TvmxFOA0TKI/AAAAAAAAAYE/1gUkx3Q6tc8/s1600/DSC04969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1L1eFsmnMEI/TvmxFOA0TKI/AAAAAAAAAYE/1gUkx3Q6tc8/s320/DSC04969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Began with a train ride around the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV5A7YoMFGc/TvmxH8dnGBI/AAAAAAAAAYM/u_M0AxgmbVI/s1600/DSC04974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV5A7YoMFGc/TvmxH8dnGBI/AAAAAAAAAYM/u_M0AxgmbVI/s1600/DSC04974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTyAKR5bb0g/TvmxJiE8-0I/AAAAAAAAAYU/Wl5wbmJTjFY/s1600/DSC04987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTyAKR5bb0g/TvmxJiE8-0I/AAAAAAAAAYU/Wl5wbmJTjFY/s320/DSC04987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Saw many animals really close up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wa7v6oxIf9E/TvmxMZ9DGYI/AAAAAAAAAYc/3wnLqMk1Js8/s1600/DSC04992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wa7v6oxIf9E/TvmxMZ9DGYI/AAAAAAAAAYc/3wnLqMk1Js8/s320/DSC04992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJIzP7j1w8/TvmxOZzE3GI/AAAAAAAAAYk/1XsDAiU-804/s1600/DSC05009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CAJIzP7j1w8/TvmxOZzE3GI/AAAAAAAAAYk/1XsDAiU-804/s320/DSC05009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38iwqB70KtQ/TvmxQGwwSKI/AAAAAAAAAYs/Zdw-OIxexQ8/s1600/DSC05016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38iwqB70KtQ/TvmxQGwwSKI/AAAAAAAAAYs/Zdw-OIxexQ8/s320/DSC05016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcnkE55vB-4/TvmxRQUm-nI/AAAAAAAAAY0/7vouhwieiUA/s1600/DSC05019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcnkE55vB-4/TvmxRQUm-nI/AAAAAAAAAY0/7vouhwieiUA/s320/DSC05019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK80qkqdSVQ/TvmxSrkqXZI/AAAAAAAAAY8/7WOL1IJsI9I/s1600/DSC05030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK80qkqdSVQ/TvmxSrkqXZI/AAAAAAAAAY8/7WOL1IJsI9I/s1600/DSC05030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Feeding the giraffes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1JTcbO74QU/TvmxT8N_1NI/AAAAAAAAAZE/S6SG80d8xeg/s1600/DSC05034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1JTcbO74QU/TvmxT8N_1NI/AAAAAAAAAZE/S6SG80d8xeg/s320/DSC05034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr9KjpQt4vw/TvmxU0ncBkI/AAAAAAAAAZM/rmPhWzSpJyM/s1600/DSC05044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr9KjpQt4vw/TvmxU0ncBkI/AAAAAAAAAZM/rmPhWzSpJyM/s320/DSC05044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And the elephants!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrgE-t5DRXc/TvmxWxE_h5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/-2uDQI8jKkg/s1600/DSC05049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrgE-t5DRXc/TvmxWxE_h5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/-2uDQI8jKkg/s320/DSC05049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxF4251MBgs/TvmxYONJc_I/AAAAAAAAAZc/VklNiM_MT3Q/s1600/DSC05051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IxF4251MBgs/TvmxYONJc_I/AAAAAAAAAZc/VklNiM_MT3Q/s320/DSC05051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> New exhibit?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSmfrOfS8eI/TvmxZTYFMuI/AAAAAAAAAZk/V6BsjXkHwxk/s1600/DSC05052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSmfrOfS8eI/TvmxZTYFMuI/AAAAAAAAAZk/V6BsjXkHwxk/s320/DSC05052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hlNfWgUtO1U/TvmxcotYiRI/AAAAAAAAAZs/umpH3RIpVPE/s1600/DSC05059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hlNfWgUtO1U/TvmxcotYiRI/AAAAAAAAAZs/umpH3RIpVPE/s320/DSC05059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> These three got a chance to feed a White Bengal Tiger cub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfC3SsXcLso/Tvmxd_UZ33I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/UkIHL6yqF6E/s1600/DSC05064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfC3SsXcLso/Tvmxd_UZ33I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/UkIHL6yqF6E/s320/DSC05064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFMGJIe52qQ/TvmxfF6xrxI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/35z1FzymA9A/s1600/DSC05075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFMGJIe52qQ/TvmxfF6xrxI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/35z1FzymA9A/s320/DSC05075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Elephant show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_QxZf4zak/TvmxgQwLlTI/AAAAAAAAAaE/9tpq9ydDVCg/s1600/DSC05079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl_QxZf4zak/TvmxgQwLlTI/AAAAAAAAAaE/9tpq9ydDVCg/s320/DSC05079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg9BOIeknUc/TvmxhULj-dI/AAAAAAAAAaM/xHzNNj2mFVc/s1600/DSC05083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg9BOIeknUc/TvmxhULj-dI/AAAAAAAAAaM/xHzNNj2mFVc/s320/DSC05083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8BiXWCSaHg/Tvmxik_1uXI/AAAAAAAAAaU/iEuTHzM7E7k/s1600/DSC05101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8BiXWCSaHg/Tvmxik_1uXI/AAAAAAAAAaU/iEuTHzM7E7k/s320/DSC05101.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pearl River cruise was beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YnCCg3n7Hk8/TvmxjuVtrWI/AAAAAAAAAac/3ph9BqUGoZg/s1600/DSC05102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YnCCg3n7Hk8/TvmxjuVtrWI/AAAAAAAAAac/3ph9BqUGoZg/s320/DSC05102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YwnPz0xtmM/Tvmxkx3UOkI/AAAAAAAAAak/j4lNaR53VAs/s1600/DSC05121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YwnPz0xtmM/Tvmxkx3UOkI/AAAAAAAAAak/j4lNaR53VAs/s320/DSC05121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Foot massage to end the day!</span></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-14128507815673480512011-12-26T18:00:00.000-06:002011-12-26T18:00:14.987-06:00Christmas Day in Guangzhou-December 25<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.....And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1: 14 & 16) This was the sermon text in church this evening. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning of Christmas Day.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Christmas Day in Guangzhou brought a few presents to the Lindquist family. The biggest gift was that Gus and Jake arrived safely on an early morning flight from Hong Kong. They were full of stories about their travels and their week together at home. It was so good to see their faces, laugh at their stories, and share in the goodness of a great God!! He was so good to us in answering so many prayers for their health, safety and protection while they were away from us.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We spent the rest of the day showing them all the wonderful things to do around the hotel. The festivities continued today with all the food booths and sights to see. We sampled more wonderful fruit and something called cheese balls, which were fantastic. There were more photo opportunities as we walked around. Another gift came in the form of how quickly Elsa took to her brothers. Before we had made it to lunch time you could hear her calling “gue, gue” , which means big brother! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Elsa, it appears, is becoming more comfortable as a Lindquist. This is such a gift from God and really a miracle. She had so many smiles and giggles today. Her babbling is so adorable! I call it that because we have no idea, most of the time, if she is speaking words or not. Oh, how I wish we knew Chinese!! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">After a long day of wandering around here, we went to the “medical clinic” to have our spines analyzed. This is a euphemism for getting a back massage. They had room for us all together, so Elsa and Annika colored while we groaned. It was a stitch! After dinner we went back to the church and hoped that the line would not be too long so that we could be a part of the evening service. What a complete blessing and gift it was to be there with our Chinese brothers and sisters. They seated the crowd about an hour before the service was scheduled to start. We were packed into the pews like sardines! Since we had so much time before the service actually began, we got to know the people sitting near us. Clearly, we were an oddity in the congregation being the only foreigners in the whole chapel. We met a sweet older gentleman who just shined with the love of Jesus. He gave us his card and a DVD of his testimony that he carries with him to give to anyone who wants to know more about the gospel. We also met three college students who sat near us. They translated the written program for us and talked about their studies. One boldly asked Todd if we believe all the gospel message. What an opportunity! We talked until the service began and exchanged emails. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We really are overwhelmed at the grace and mercy of our great God. His love is what compels us to live each day for His glory and for His fame. All of this is because of Him! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suESoYN3txE/TvkJyOkZ50I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/xL8VNsMVIe0/s1600/DSC04896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-suESoYN3txE/TvkJyOkZ50I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/xL8VNsMVIe0/s320/DSC04896.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Meeting the boys at the airport!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vxTUDgbboQ/TvkJy-cJmoI/AAAAAAAAAWY/5Ju0jeqGaEM/s1600/DSC04903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vxTUDgbboQ/TvkJy-cJmoI/AAAAAAAAAWY/5Ju0jeqGaEM/s320/DSC04903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Family pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A9ac0Vxa2c/TvkJz666rgI/AAAAAAAAAWg/XhTiGmId7_c/s1600/DSC04904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A9ac0Vxa2c/TvkJz666rgI/AAAAAAAAAWg/XhTiGmId7_c/s320/DSC04904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeLaO4A4DQs/TvkJ0_-XCSI/AAAAAAAAAWo/BTJiNHE1PMw/s1600/DSC04908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeLaO4A4DQs/TvkJ0_-XCSI/AAAAAAAAAWo/BTJiNHE1PMw/s320/DSC04908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LK0tPMAdMh0/TvkJ2HUpfnI/AAAAAAAAAWw/RES9q897g18/s1600/DSC04919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LK0tPMAdMh0/TvkJ2HUpfnI/AAAAAAAAAWw/RES9q897g18/s320/DSC04919.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wearing their Christmas dresses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Me7_fJHbMzs/TvkJ3GlyUJI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Fv9t84luX6M/s1600/DSC04935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Me7_fJHbMzs/TvkJ3GlyUJI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Fv9t84luX6M/s320/DSC04935.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Can't get enough of that smile!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjQwd5GSxn0/TvkJ4KhC4fI/AAAAAAAAAXA/NCsypsQ_oCM/s1600/DSC04939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjQwd5GSxn0/TvkJ4KhC4fI/AAAAAAAAAXA/NCsypsQ_oCM/s320/DSC04939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eating dinner!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Y0HjSwMis/TvkJ5QocBtI/AAAAAAAAAXI/TJkbpNTPI-o/s1600/DSC04947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Y0HjSwMis/TvkJ5QocBtI/AAAAAAAAAXI/TJkbpNTPI-o/s320/DSC04947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Line outside of church for the Christmas service.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVaYGoRDX1M/TvkJ6D_TK4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/TsUEYo1o19M/s1600/DSC04949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EVaYGoRDX1M/TvkJ6D_TK4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/TsUEYo1o19M/s320/DSC04949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We were packed into the pews!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KxDczDhr7bQ/TvkJ7QXJt3I/AAAAAAAAAXY/WK6rAuSZAro/s1600/DSC04957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KxDczDhr7bQ/TvkJ7QXJt3I/AAAAAAAAAXY/WK6rAuSZAro/s320/DSC04957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</span></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-45244647255695216002011-12-24T07:45:00.000-06:002011-12-24T07:45:17.900-06:00Christmas Eve in Guangzhou - December 24The star, the angels, the shepherds all heralded the coming of the Messiah on the night of His birth. Tonight we celebrate the birth of the King....our King. We are not celebrating in our typical fashion this year, but like every year, we mark this special day. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." <br />
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We woke this morning to sunshine and cool temperatures. At breakfast we met a few other adoptive families who are here at the hotel for the week finishing their paperwork as well. Sweet people and wonderful kids. After breakfast, we wandered the streets around the hotel and found.......a Starbucks! Kirstin's homing chip was at work. Soon after our guide Connie met us and we walked to the clinic for Elsa's medical exam. This experience which all adopted children from China share is a rite of passage and a US government requirement. After moving from room to room, the doctor finally looked Elsa over and stamped her records. Now we wait to have the TB test read before her visa is issued. After the exam, Connie went through more paperwork with us and our itinerary for the rest of the week here. <br />
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The rest of our day here involved walking this beautiful island, shopping, people watching, and resting. Since it's a Saturday, there are lots of people shopping here. There are unique food booths set up in the square. We tried the crepes with mango and loved them. We found a few shops that catered to adoptive families. The shop keepers are sweet. One man, Jordan, found us on the street and gave us his card. We later saw his shop and went in. He offered to do a calligraphy of Elsa's name for free while we waited. Throughout the day, we got text updates from the boys as to their whereabouts. We are so excited to see the tomorrow! We walked into a few restaurants to see what was on their menu for tonight before settling on eating dinner at Lucy's, a popular spot on the island. <br />
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Elsa continues to get to know us and we are more and more familiar with what she needs and how to meet those needs. Dad is still her favorite, but the two of us walked around the island alone for an hour or so this afternoon to give Dad a break. After the initial shock of "where's Baba?" , we had a great time together. Definite progress. Her smiles were few today. I think the late night of travel yesterday and the medical visit today have taken its toll. Annika and Mari are great with her. And they are a big help to Mom and Dad! It is wonderful to be here with them. Annika is experiencing a new side of adoption. Her soft heart is obvious as she deals with her new little sister. I am excited for Elsa to meet her brothers tomorrow! <br />
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We ended the day at church for the Christmas Eve service. We were there earlier in the day to find out what time the service was scheduled to start. They told us to get there early for the 7:30 service because it would be crowded. At 7pm we arrived and there were crowds outside the closed gates of the church. We assumed that they were waiting to open the gates until a certain time. The longer we stood there in the crowd, it became obvious that we were not getting in. Someone from the church told us that the church was already full and that's why the gates were closed. The rest of the people who couldn't get a seat were waiting outside to hear the service on the speakers mounted on the fence. Some were crowded around a blank wall of the church to watch a video feed of the service. We were overwhelmed by the desire of so many Chinese believers to worship the newborn King. We sang with the congregation in the pews, " O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1STky1mXIPA/TvXTZ_jfPwI/AAAAAAAAATE/2fNG7AL9zA8/s1600/DSC04772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1STky1mXIPA/TvXTZ_jfPwI/AAAAAAAAATE/2fNG7AL9zA8/s320/DSC04772.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5FwLUNZKP9M/TvXTbYLEWNI/AAAAAAAAATM/RWWVQuzw7Z4/s1600/DSC04776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5FwLUNZKP9M/TvXTbYLEWNI/AAAAAAAAATM/RWWVQuzw7Z4/s320/DSC04776.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eedKfCAbh9E/TvXTfNg4t3I/AAAAAAAAATU/JYR0hd7Wqpg/s1600/DSC04778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eedKfCAbh9E/TvXTfNg4t3I/AAAAAAAAATU/JYR0hd7Wqpg/s320/DSC04778.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Beautiful Shamian Island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEhU9u28Vc0/TvXThP_BqWI/AAAAAAAAATc/dJ2nk-x2YlQ/s1600/DSC04785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEhU9u28Vc0/TvXThP_BqWI/AAAAAAAAATc/dJ2nk-x2YlQ/s320/DSC04785.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx4x64zVepM/TvXTkNDWPVI/AAAAAAAAATk/daTiSolTHVo/s1600/DSC04787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx4x64zVepM/TvXTkNDWPVI/AAAAAAAAATk/daTiSolTHVo/s320/DSC04787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-od-hJ7tUsH0/TvXTnLbSMkI/AAAAAAAAATs/rcKCL80R47w/s1600/DSC04788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-od-hJ7tUsH0/TvXTnLbSMkI/AAAAAAAAATs/rcKCL80R47w/s320/DSC04788.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One of our favorite shops!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaGsG9_sqLs/TvXTpNF7TEI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zP0CI94RB2M/s1600/DSC04793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HaGsG9_sqLs/TvXTpNF7TEI/AAAAAAAAAT0/zP0CI94RB2M/s320/DSC04793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8elXt-ML0Zs/TvXTqSqZ5-I/AAAAAAAAAT8/vUTCiuV3BDg/s1600/DSC04796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8elXt-ML0Zs/TvXTqSqZ5-I/AAAAAAAAAT8/vUTCiuV3BDg/s320/DSC04796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrKY50imjss/TvXTto7xK_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/9k7fCKwpAhM/s1600/DSC04799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrKY50imjss/TvXTto7xK_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/9k7fCKwpAhM/s320/DSC04799.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYCxGgfZses/TvXTxCg-GTI/AAAAAAAAAUM/ekQ7DfWyWuI/s1600/DSC04803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYCxGgfZses/TvXTxCg-GTI/AAAAAAAAAUM/ekQ7DfWyWuI/s320/DSC04803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6z6pxiXcQY/TvXTywvqzYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/L3ivd-mB4WA/s1600/DSC04816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6z6pxiXcQY/TvXTywvqzYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/L3ivd-mB4WA/s320/DSC04816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olVvJEb-nlU/TvXT0vJBwbI/AAAAAAAAAUc/buaGH5H9hX0/s1600/DSC04817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-olVvJEb-nlU/TvXT0vJBwbI/AAAAAAAAAUc/buaGH5H9hX0/s320/DSC04817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sampling some unique food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8z8pssuvnDo/TvXT2mkVKNI/AAAAAAAAAUk/OMM9zI4I2BM/s1600/DSC04818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8z8pssuvnDo/TvXT2mkVKNI/AAAAAAAAAUk/OMM9zI4I2BM/s320/DSC04818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTDGljU9Nbc/TvXT4k6YZ7I/AAAAAAAAAUs/o5Ov9LyFz9Y/s1600/DSC04821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTDGljU9Nbc/TvXT4k6YZ7I/AAAAAAAAAUs/o5Ov9LyFz9Y/s320/DSC04821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAR0AQG_yc0/TvXT6iy_VzI/AAAAAAAAAU0/U-iqbk6SE00/s1600/DSC04826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAR0AQG_yc0/TvXT6iy_VzI/AAAAAAAAAU0/U-iqbk6SE00/s320/DSC04826.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Having fun with one of the many bronze statues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVCLZ3BqJeQ/TvXT8Djs1dI/AAAAAAAAAU8/aBC2P9Xwkf8/s1600/DSC04830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVCLZ3BqJeQ/TvXT8Djs1dI/AAAAAAAAAU8/aBC2P9Xwkf8/s320/DSC04830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsD-R5w8xns/TvXT9oTJCAI/AAAAAAAAAVE/HPK1OpabAWY/s1600/DSC04832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsD-R5w8xns/TvXT9oTJCAI/AAAAAAAAAVE/HPK1OpabAWY/s320/DSC04832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One of the items on a menu in one of the restaurants near by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUYWYCilKVE/TvXT-xYOBYI/AAAAAAAAAVM/NhwvgpevJGA/s1600/DSC04856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUYWYCilKVE/TvXT-xYOBYI/AAAAAAAAAVM/NhwvgpevJGA/s320/DSC04856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We asked someone to take our picture... this is what we got.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2c4oM3bKAE/TvXUAu2LYZI/AAAAAAAAAVU/kgFg3hUa_CA/s1600/DSC04869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2c4oM3bKAE/TvXUAu2LYZI/AAAAAAAAAVU/kgFg3hUa_CA/s320/DSC04869.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas Eve dinner at Lucy's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhpQttdn0Gc/TvXUBxZuO6I/AAAAAAAAAVc/amfrEW9eylo/s1600/DSC04874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhpQttdn0Gc/TvXUBxZuO6I/AAAAAAAAAVc/amfrEW9eylo/s320/DSC04874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Complete with complimentary Santa Claus hats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhZN1zm53wU/TvXUDBrCEAI/AAAAAAAAAVk/LOSOWfSuhN4/s1600/DSC04876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhZN1zm53wU/TvXUDBrCEAI/AAAAAAAAAVk/LOSOWfSuhN4/s320/DSC04876.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-APSEp9kcc/TvXUEXn2lwI/AAAAAAAAAVs/y6iRKI6S-Vk/s1600/DSC04883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-APSEp9kcc/TvXUEXn2lwI/AAAAAAAAAVs/y6iRKI6S-Vk/s320/DSC04883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Waiting outside the church for the Christmas Eve service.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8PBjifg3S8/TvXUFyPxWBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/mkFu1Wpt6Es/s1600/DSC04884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8PBjifg3S8/TvXUFyPxWBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/mkFu1Wpt6Es/s320/DSC04884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihie439sZhQ/TvXUHCAAM0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/u3EHyhGZ-Xw/s1600/DSC04887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ihie439sZhQ/TvXUHCAAM0I/AAAAAAAAAV8/u3EHyhGZ-Xw/s320/DSC04887.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khdn07KREHs/TvXUIoUGmPI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-J-Fh5x6vCA/s1600/DSC04889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khdn07KREHs/TvXUIoUGmPI/AAAAAAAAAWE/-J-Fh5x6vCA/s320/DSC04889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-29335876650554938792011-12-23T04:19:00.000-06:002011-12-23T04:19:02.546-06:00Leaving Nanning - December 23We are so grateful to God for this beautiful place. As we leave here with Elsa, we do so with thankful hearts for the woman who gave her life and the foster family that loved her for us until we could get here. God has truly been faithful to meet her needs as He promises in His word.<br />
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Elsa continues to amaze us. The language barrier is not insurmountable. With pantomime and gestures we are able to communicate with her pretty well. About once a day, though, we hit a wall where nothing but a good cry will do. On some level, I can relate. :) If you have something that she wants, she will say "please" for it if you ask her to. She loves chewing gum, body lotion, and pictures of herself on the computer. She does NOT like Snickers bars. She continues to LOVE her Baba. She called for Mama today when we left the restaurant. Todd got so excited because he thought she wanted me to carry her down the stairs. When I turned, she handed me her little purse, then turned to Dad for him to carry her. I was just thrilled she called me Mama! Baby steps!<br />
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Today has been a packing day. Boy! You can really spread out in a hotel room after being in it for five days! We visited the pool one last time as well as our favorite restaurants, NE Dumplings of China and RBT Tea Cafe. The helpful wait staff at both places are smiling faces we will remember for a long time. Our one adventure for the day was taking a taxi to a park the doorman recommended. The word park excited Annika. She had visions of swings, slides and climbing equipment. The reality was a very beautiful, landscaped park in the city center. Not a teeter totter in sight. It was a wonderful spot, but we didn't last too long. If Todd and I had been alone, a leisurely stroll there would have been wonderful. We settled for a quick run through some grass and a few pictures by some pretty flowers. <br />
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Our flight to Guangzhou leaves in a while. There we will begin the last phases of paperwork, meet the boys and have some wonderful family time celebrating the birth of our Savior. We cannot think of a better way to celebrate Jesus this year than to be altogether as a family with Chinese brothers and sisters in the Lord.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFHYqvOGSBY/TvRUkprcayI/AAAAAAAAARg/TtnAesojXPU/s1600/DSC04755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFHYqvOGSBY/TvRUkprcayI/AAAAAAAAARg/TtnAesojXPU/s320/DSC04755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our trip to the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ScVIGgjV3Y/TvRUmSuXHFI/AAAAAAAAARo/L0RqHC0aXcM/s1600/DSC04756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ScVIGgjV3Y/TvRUmSuXHFI/AAAAAAAAARo/L0RqHC0aXcM/s320/DSC04756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3a2ugGJhx8/TvRUoWjAp8I/AAAAAAAAARw/P20ZVUUG3i0/s1600/DSC04757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3a2ugGJhx8/TvRUoWjAp8I/AAAAAAAAARw/P20ZVUUG3i0/s320/DSC04757.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-W_WwWzUr4/TvRUpxHdiKI/AAAAAAAAAR4/lYdfO8NI_Tg/s1600/DSC04759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-W_WwWzUr4/TvRUpxHdiKI/AAAAAAAAAR4/lYdfO8NI_Tg/s320/DSC04759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xahdxKPqHMo/TvRUre9dDCI/AAAAAAAAASA/lv7tRRLDhdY/s1600/DSC04763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xahdxKPqHMo/TvRUre9dDCI/AAAAAAAAASA/lv7tRRLDhdY/s320/DSC04763.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our second favorite restaurant in Nanning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eVo-wjn2fQ/TvRUs-HNYWI/AAAAAAAAASI/ta8IJv_WdXk/s1600/DSC04764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eVo-wjn2fQ/TvRUs-HNYWI/AAAAAAAAASI/ta8IJv_WdXk/s320/DSC04764.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Taking pictures with Elsa is always a challenge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ2wV7wTE1k/TvRUunc5wmI/AAAAAAAAASQ/ovDDjgQL8K4/s1600/DSC04765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ2wV7wTE1k/TvRUunc5wmI/AAAAAAAAASQ/ovDDjgQL8K4/s320/DSC04765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57yl6UFYPH0/TvRVDoKCfhI/AAAAAAAAASY/E9EhIvai6L4/s1600/DSC04766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-57yl6UFYPH0/TvRVDoKCfhI/AAAAAAAAASY/E9EhIvai6L4/s320/DSC04766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0owYFnerg0/TvRVFBY56nI/AAAAAAAAASg/ZKMgIhOFgYQ/s1600/DSC04767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0owYFnerg0/TvRVFBY56nI/AAAAAAAAASg/ZKMgIhOFgYQ/s320/DSC04767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfVG0fqdDLc/TvRVGyv0hZI/AAAAAAAAASo/YDMGk90XQQA/s1600/DSC04768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfVG0fqdDLc/TvRVGyv0hZI/AAAAAAAAASo/YDMGk90XQQA/s320/DSC04768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She's going...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1JHo4c8OgA/TvRVIZNVB_I/AAAAAAAAASw/m8GohM93Wtc/s1600/DSC04770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f1JHo4c8OgA/TvRVIZNVB_I/AAAAAAAAASw/m8GohM93Wtc/s320/DSC04770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Going...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mpva7b6_5Q/TvRVKG_M_ZI/AAAAAAAAAS4/E6b3WxSsAsk/s1600/DSC04771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1mpva7b6_5Q/TvRVKG_M_ZI/AAAAAAAAAS4/E6b3WxSsAsk/s320/DSC04771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gone. </div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-77459963680043768392011-12-22T08:45:00.000-06:002011-12-22T08:45:12.683-06:00The BEST Birthday present ever! - December 22I don't think I would have ever dreamed growing up that I would ever spend my birthday in China. It has been a wonderful day here. The verse for the day is Isaiah 25:1, "O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure." We continue to praise Him for such a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit in our lives as we bond with this precious little girl who's smile is brighter every day. It is such a wonderful thing to see His hand in all of this and be able to say with complete confidence that it is not about us, but about the praise of His name! <br />
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We began today slowly since we were up a couple of times calming down Miss Elsa. She doesn't seem to be fully awake ever, just fussy. It's a good time for cuddling, but definitely leaves the sleep department lacking. After breakfast, we met Cindy who had all of our official adoption paperwork notarized and ready for us to file away for our paperwork meetings in Guangzhou in the days ahead. Then we headed off to see some beautiful parts of Nanning. She brought us to Green Mountain Park outside of the center of the city near the river. Here we climbed the nine flights of stairs to the top of a pagoda at the tippy top of the park. The view from the top was spectacular and worth the huffing and puffing on the way up. Next stop in the park was the stone monuments representing the twelve different "years" of the Chinese calendar. This year was the year of the Rabbit and in the coming year it will change to the year of the Dragon. A quick look around the part showed us that Todd and I were born in the year of the Dragon, Mari and Annika were born in the year of the Rooster, Elsa was born in the year of the Ox. Annika found it funny that Jake was born in the year of the Rat while she was jealous of Gus who was born in the year of the Dog. We then went to the pond and spent some time feeding the koi. They were well fed, but still jumped at the chance to eat whatever the girls threw their way. After leaving the park, Cindy took us to a wonderful museum featuring the twelve different ethnic groups found in and around Nanning. We wandered the exhibits looking at the beautifully colored ethnic costumes and hearing about the interesting traditions of each people group. This area is known for its bronze drums, in fact the entire museum is shaped like a drum. It was fascinating. We were able to buy a few things for Elsa to help her understand where she was born as she grows up far away from here. <br />
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The afternoon included time at the pool, walking to the park and enjoying tea at that fabulous restaurant we discovered yesterday. Todd enjoyed his favorite mango tea and we all loved trying the chocolate banana waffle. Walking back to the hotel, we ran into our friends that we met our first day here. It was great to say hi and to thank them for their encouragement and prayer. We ended the day with a massage. <br />
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So, what was my best birthday present ever? Elsa turned to ME this morning and wanted ME to hold her! Then she smiled at me and at Baba's prompting planted a kiss on my cheek. As I write, the three sisters are squealing and laughing, having a tickle fest on the beds. I'm not sure a birthday could end better than that. Well, maybe it could. If the brothers were here too, now that would be beyond words! In a couple of days.....<br />
For now, I'll take this laughter, smiles and dimples. Praise His holy name.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEo24G3BQNQ/TvNAXvCk40I/AAAAAAAAANw/rraQy_P8c1Q/s1600/DSC04710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEo24G3BQNQ/TvNAXvCk40I/AAAAAAAAANw/rraQy_P8c1Q/s320/DSC04710.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> All of nine floors of the pagoda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqM_h-6-oVY/TvNAZREzlYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Ucx_GhuP72A/s1600/DSC04715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DqM_h-6-oVY/TvNAZREzlYI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Ucx_GhuP72A/s320/DSC04715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> View from the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnt-Ax0AENY/TvNAatb02AI/AAAAAAAAAOA/sJeHKKvC7c0/s1600/DSC04717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pnt-Ax0AENY/TvNAatb02AI/AAAAAAAAAOA/sJeHKKvC7c0/s320/DSC04717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4iFh36cFh4/TvNAcnI0ARI/AAAAAAAAAOI/HvscXqwUaHk/s1600/DSC04718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4iFh36cFh4/TvNAcnI0ARI/AAAAAAAAAOI/HvscXqwUaHk/s320/DSC04718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Cindy and Mr. Fu stayed behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6FvYKU2YqQ/TvNAeYnGQiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/M_Jx3FRIyLU/s1600/DSC04722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6FvYKU2YqQ/TvNAeYnGQiI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/M_Jx3FRIyLU/s320/DSC04722.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Feeding the koi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mnH44RUqMM/TvNAgOtZn0I/AAAAAAAAAOY/pRdTJmY3QNM/s1600/DSC04723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mnH44RUqMM/TvNAgOtZn0I/AAAAAAAAAOY/pRdTJmY3QNM/s320/DSC04723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUe2Ji1vKZI/TvNAhzVkKII/AAAAAAAAAOg/nPASez75bPg/s1600/DSC04724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUe2Ji1vKZI/TvNAhzVkKII/AAAAAAAAAOg/nPASez75bPg/s320/DSC04724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdtu87J8RZQ/TvNAlHq_82I/AAAAAAAAAOw/juhMux4jOI0/s1600/DSC04726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdtu87J8RZQ/TvNAlHq_82I/AAAAAAAAAOw/juhMux4jOI0/s320/DSC04726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LGl00QHztw/TvNAmaZmy0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/KQQXn5itUhA/s1600/DSC04728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LGl00QHztw/TvNAmaZmy0I/AAAAAAAAAO4/KQQXn5itUhA/s320/DSC04728.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYwhnAf0TbY/TvNAn_9j6mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/UT7deoGSQk0/s1600/DSC04729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYwhnAf0TbY/TvNAn_9j6mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/UT7deoGSQk0/s320/DSC04729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz1DE_4oL4s/TvNAplJFzrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/8vOaY-b3Z4Q/s1600/DSC04732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz1DE_4oL4s/TvNAplJFzrI/AAAAAAAAAPI/8vOaY-b3Z4Q/s320/DSC04732.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDF5zaE-eQo/TvNAriBFvLI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/i4uAo-d3WUw/s1600/DSC04741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDF5zaE-eQo/TvNAriBFvLI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/i4uAo-d3WUw/s320/DSC04741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Year of the Rabbit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRwswflFNGo/TvNAszlB9SI/AAAAAAAAAPY/o1TQP_h_QMU/s1600/DSC04743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRwswflFNGo/TvNAszlB9SI/AAAAAAAAAPY/o1TQP_h_QMU/s320/DSC04743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Visiting the museum...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYPCzpbzKG8/TvNAt1r0NfI/AAAAAAAAAPg/X35njlJ7dhY/s1600/DSC04747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NYPCzpbzKG8/TvNAt1r0NfI/AAAAAAAAAPg/X35njlJ7dhY/s320/DSC04747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Was VERY tiring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y9myn_c7wc/TvNAu5fdl9I/AAAAAAAAAPo/OUpvDiNU1II/s1600/DSC04751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y9myn_c7wc/TvNAu5fdl9I/AAAAAAAAAPo/OUpvDiNU1II/s320/DSC04751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Birthday girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLjvh0n96k/TvNAwaNokqI/AAAAAAAAAPw/QeSBoGIfKcw/s1600/DSC04753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLjvh0n96k/TvNAwaNokqI/AAAAAAAAAPw/QeSBoGIfKcw/s320/DSC04753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love that smile!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-87064986594493007222011-12-21T06:51:00.000-06:002011-12-21T06:51:52.142-06:00Quiet Day in NanningChristmas is alive and well, even in China. Sometimes I forget for a minute where we are because wherever we go Christmas music is playing and the decorations are everywhere. It is wonderful to be reminded of the important day approaching. We have received so many gifts on this trip already, but it all pales in comparison to God's great love demonstrated in the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Son. Life in Christ is truly living and for that we are eternally grateful this season!<br />
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I need to begin today's entry with a story about last night. We were able to enjoy a foot massage at the hotel. While the four of us sat in comfortable chairs, Elsa chose to sit with Dad. No surprise there! It was a wonderfully relaxing hour. I'm sure I drooled. Annika was out cold by the time we were done. And Elsa watched it all from her perch. <br />
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We have found that the best place to hang out as a family is the sitting area by the elevators on our floor. There is room to run and two comfy couches. We have spent time there while skyping family and friends while Annika and Elsa play with balloons and play hide and seek behind the couches. I think some of the hotel guests think we're strange for our choice of living room space, but we are foreigners here so we're allowed to be strange.<br />
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Today, as the title says, has been a quiet day. We slept late, ate breakfast late, and napped. In spite of all that lounging around, we found time to swim at the pool, shop for trinkets, walk around the neighborhood looking for a nonexistent park, and discover two new restaurants. In the process, we continue to get to know this beautiful girl God has placed in our lives. She loves strawberries and tea. She can slurp noodles like a pro. She is definitely most happy with Dad and around lots of activity. Todd is still baffled by her choice of favorites. In addition, Elsa loves playing games on my phone. What toddler doesn't, I guess. I'm just surprised that she knows her way around an iPhone already! She was able to show Mari how much she likes the pool today. While she took a nap, Todd took Annika shopping on the street. When Elsa woke up and Dad was gone, she was not a happy camper. She called for Baba and jie jie through her tears and only stopped crying when I put her shoes on and headed out the door with her on my hip. If you all could have seen her face when we found them, it would have brought a smile to your face. Too cute. <br />
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Later in the day, we wandered around looking for a park to play in, but came up short. We ventured out to a new restaurant, ordered some unknown food and entertained the staff by trying to pick up slippery broccoli stalks with our chopsticks. Mari was popular tonight. She was asked to pose for pictures with a couple of different sets of people. Did I mention that we are clearly the only westerners in this immediate vicinity? We found a cute restaurant that serves amazing teas and the best waffles we have ever had. Todd was a little suspicious of his tea when a few minutes after drinking it, he began to feel a bit light-headed and his lips started to tingle. But, he couldn't stop raving about the place to the wait staff who responded positively by taking out their cameras and taking numerous pictures of our family. <br />
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All in all, things are are progressing well. We are so grateful to God for how He is answering our prayers. We love this little one so much and she is beginning to respond with smiles, laughs and playful interaction. There are still sad moments which we know will not go away quickly. But we praise Him for these precious steps toward bonding with us. Thank you all for your prayers. We really do feel that we are being lifted up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudQj_ItznOQH47iG3c0jOWsuZyV5cNrp1Y0E2Vo52UBwTZT34M-YEpbiCpYRHi-68xEkgRvGlx-U5arGRS0NdfCe6exsYW8I8iOHlvEv7MYgNTqz_1tNmAYsoBXsXdOTqvpAPEgA2FgjS/s1600/DSC04618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudQj_ItznOQH47iG3c0jOWsuZyV5cNrp1Y0E2Vo52UBwTZT34M-YEpbiCpYRHi-68xEkgRvGlx-U5arGRS0NdfCe6exsYW8I8iOHlvEv7MYgNTqz_1tNmAYsoBXsXdOTqvpAPEgA2FgjS/s320/DSC04618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sister love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTQimXl3NBt3m05bW3a4nFZesKRZfypmHbHxbeFjF9yH3lbXMSiYqelbxU1HJR60Ei0Z0Nxb3eTPCIl3VrvJYnQGzcIgci0-e95Ku8MP9d1k0ey9U-m9sushhmkUTn-w2_YbAlvuyQIrc/s1600/DSC04621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTQimXl3NBt3m05bW3a4nFZesKRZfypmHbHxbeFjF9yH3lbXMSiYqelbxU1HJR60Ei0Z0Nxb3eTPCIl3VrvJYnQGzcIgci0-e95Ku8MP9d1k0ey9U-m9sushhmkUTn-w2_YbAlvuyQIrc/s320/DSC04621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The results of a great foot massage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSYRwNplkQ4muYh_pSOxjaix85rlMWQmxuUDCb4jRB4aFCY5xbV8ULHKjXFvHDYVj32C80FnQoPuxrhukCD9BWX28hZa9Bfz_mCAnKCku8QppYe9uO_3rHnpASSveDovRThZil0kG4fdB/s1600/DSC04624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSYRwNplkQ4muYh_pSOxjaix85rlMWQmxuUDCb4jRB4aFCY5xbV8ULHKjXFvHDYVj32C80FnQoPuxrhukCD9BWX28hZa9Bfz_mCAnKCku8QppYe9uO_3rHnpASSveDovRThZil0kG4fdB/s320/DSC04624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Reppin' Wheaton College, thanks to our friends at the Alumni Office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5bQBJLRy-Yih8ltFlq8ptzCvvs60ngye_ryvH0jxOaUj72SrxJf_ZZwN5x4RarnPFp1JFEp0AC831hO3xz2gGLl0U9e_Z_zLg_eknn-H4Ho0Tte2hg9eE3Ie32WMajXuP5hVljuH5SF8/s1600/DSC04627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5bQBJLRy-Yih8ltFlq8ptzCvvs60ngye_ryvH0jxOaUj72SrxJf_ZZwN5x4RarnPFp1JFEp0AC831hO3xz2gGLl0U9e_Z_zLg_eknn-H4Ho0Tte2hg9eE3Ie32WMajXuP5hVljuH5SF8/s320/DSC04627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Slurping noodles like a pro. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQKaMmt3pLr2409Q6FkuKXw42IHTvoJ2BTX78l-0PUFMibTawvnhIdqXDFEeYO8XhI_wB4zXZh93ncfiFMF88Zxi9m1DGAtrpP_yTGwRL8BiOIwymB-4xL1uzXdvgVcjC-56ViSnwEyHU/s1600/DSC04642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQKaMmt3pLr2409Q6FkuKXw42IHTvoJ2BTX78l-0PUFMibTawvnhIdqXDFEeYO8XhI_wB4zXZh93ncfiFMF88Zxi9m1DGAtrpP_yTGwRL8BiOIwymB-4xL1uzXdvgVcjC-56ViSnwEyHU/s320/DSC04642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> LOVES strawberries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ0AdSQoqZijRR7oQshYNIJxtywHJPIG4UtSh1yxu8PiSyL1ECY3vXhLwpEUFZVZE_b-BphvjS5Ig9SACI8Ww6tUDErOP7OSPZtzwc0f6b0s3mv4L6SKpkF1XwAty1ky90yFYt3bvtX3t/s1600/DSC04644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ0AdSQoqZijRR7oQshYNIJxtywHJPIG4UtSh1yxu8PiSyL1ECY3vXhLwpEUFZVZE_b-BphvjS5Ig9SACI8Ww6tUDErOP7OSPZtzwc0f6b0s3mv4L6SKpkF1XwAty1ky90yFYt3bvtX3t/s320/DSC04644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> At the pool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpirevoDkdX0JufVUYiTe8IuM8_0Af7isf1_v5-AcIgbfVtyQBgJKbsh7C1H7XWfQIwRjr1MVYLi8LsMSictwyAV51as2dD9QxSuxgNAkKciTRFNbbCBzt5vG5Esu59hrDASJs4Go7jtr/s1600/DSC04663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpirevoDkdX0JufVUYiTe8IuM8_0Af7isf1_v5-AcIgbfVtyQBgJKbsh7C1H7XWfQIwRjr1MVYLi8LsMSictwyAV51as2dD9QxSuxgNAkKciTRFNbbCBzt5vG5Esu59hrDASJs4Go7jtr/s320/DSC04663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWF2mpD_W0OEUptHPCbe2ubwMAfsRc3Oh8pamF4k1MIiLSF0jv8v6e200DVOBLTy9YaMAMRlIRKxzf4DZ5bBppMEk3c8_sH4jnpMGxHrCFHNlJ0BkKLEbXcYf-S0aSGZWee5NiC_YHt1V/s1600/DSC04681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWF2mpD_W0OEUptHPCbe2ubwMAfsRc3Oh8pamF4k1MIiLSF0jv8v6e200DVOBLTy9YaMAMRlIRKxzf4DZ5bBppMEk3c8_sH4jnpMGxHrCFHNlJ0BkKLEbXcYf-S0aSGZWee5NiC_YHt1V/s320/DSC04681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BPa_EhNQ4-NmvNnocRlXp2JDZq70kmCXZG5YL5g8J6YBVpBkzUQiPvk4dL4GRMPFHPZzwyOsPhnUAsNbnlRU5p9ai0BaDf5SNzQvO8XR8s-Isfi4peHheWegAhVlctqIQ0pOiiPbY2e3/s1600/DSC04682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BPa_EhNQ4-NmvNnocRlXp2JDZq70kmCXZG5YL5g8J6YBVpBkzUQiPvk4dL4GRMPFHPZzwyOsPhnUAsNbnlRU5p9ai0BaDf5SNzQvO8XR8s-Isfi4peHheWegAhVlctqIQ0pOiiPbY2e3/s320/DSC04682.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Photo "op" with Mari.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-D245eTfAqQeT4e1ADZPi3r9_eAPnHTKLPrYC0CGl-kJUziOe_icX8xw9yR_ggUSq_qoTvkGo_-72t8uhr7Yd4Q8_9DIldGgCXZ-VfFWU2JUhbVGmSnCV7RYuWzUbq1V8ICaKqS2brny/s1600/DSC04693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-D245eTfAqQeT4e1ADZPi3r9_eAPnHTKLPrYC0CGl-kJUziOe_icX8xw9yR_ggUSq_qoTvkGo_-72t8uhr7Yd4Q8_9DIldGgCXZ-VfFWU2JUhbVGmSnCV7RYuWzUbq1V8ICaKqS2brny/s320/DSC04693.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Love that smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2PCkugK4P_aFJ7A1d9RvlHcrUuAaB2eS7rIZIOh3lWLT5VO7eptXfQ_v0yhyphenhyphen9mhiN5hpu-wY8xLDk5iE11xdsMghGv1y3z-eKs9dISIW0r8TvmyqE6Eupiwf1YemxONVLRfIFTFt2aev/s1600/DSC04696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2PCkugK4P_aFJ7A1d9RvlHcrUuAaB2eS7rIZIOh3lWLT5VO7eptXfQ_v0yhyphenhyphen9mhiN5hpu-wY8xLDk5iE11xdsMghGv1y3z-eKs9dISIW0r8TvmyqE6Eupiwf1YemxONVLRfIFTFt2aev/s320/DSC04696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Loved the tea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE88gnSqa6280RI-XA-1LPvhA3iBlJsjzU89EBF4vzRK4PbymbQn01IWI-UNGqaXr6fNNRcC_OWmjuQkaWTcYFSv4Mwhh3cVzWOXkc_9FLDLFJO_8l84DgyrTIETuFLsVP3NEM8NDFijw4/s1600/DSC04698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE88gnSqa6280RI-XA-1LPvhA3iBlJsjzU89EBF4vzRK4PbymbQn01IWI-UNGqaXr6fNNRcC_OWmjuQkaWTcYFSv4Mwhh3cVzWOXkc_9FLDLFJO_8l84DgyrTIETuFLsVP3NEM8NDFijw4/s320/DSC04698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> But I think her dad liked it a little more, tingly lips and all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6j-47i42HrmeANhBdoWKc8brmpE-mzE3kKOVFtkIaDqmM1vH5ffhzNmDg2JaHEWYvPzJUsq7w1lvm7WCYpPdZSuMD-BPHP2YKW7oVIeRfTJLamjb5yhICC2UZCmoy8KFcuXGobW0Lwfg/s1600/DSC04699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6j-47i42HrmeANhBdoWKc8brmpE-mzE3kKOVFtkIaDqmM1vH5ffhzNmDg2JaHEWYvPzJUsq7w1lvm7WCYpPdZSuMD-BPHP2YKW7oVIeRfTJLamjb5yhICC2UZCmoy8KFcuXGobW0Lwfg/s320/DSC04699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVb-8Q16VY8OF5PBWfS0okp19ILB108rb49Dpje8yLDjZeuPWPsq5nP26AtL_iyE_LlISOKhx5c1e8_DUz4vAfaa7XS8bjUsI2DX7dXJmJkEa2RJ_NpyeeRU50PBPd4KixxmhkOQ2gmDs/s1600/DSC04702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVb-8Q16VY8OF5PBWfS0okp19ILB108rb49Dpje8yLDjZeuPWPsq5nP26AtL_iyE_LlISOKhx5c1e8_DUz4vAfaa7XS8bjUsI2DX7dXJmJkEa2RJ_NpyeeRU50PBPd4KixxmhkOQ2gmDs/s320/DSC04702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Awesome waffles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDvSdwpTs6GDNbXCOJl7mVtZXcbFEk-R8VzTsJA3jgv_C1-I0xmUMqPNX8XD8-hdL7T-LyQHqI2y-1y5sPssAYiv4TocIbC4_B8f76irTTmpCjGedmNHQeZ7zGy72Pls8jnC0lfx66ASt/s1600/DSC04704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDvSdwpTs6GDNbXCOJl7mVtZXcbFEk-R8VzTsJA3jgv_C1-I0xmUMqPNX8XD8-hdL7T-LyQHqI2y-1y5sPssAYiv4TocIbC4_B8f76irTTmpCjGedmNHQeZ7zGy72Pls8jnC0lfx66ASt/s320/DSC04704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfmBBzj4iUAZTcpUajZnErHlQlFh1SJkj4rmDFqotzJOhIhN-MZH76VCv1iHayNJj8yD3wVDcFKnIa5qGSbx8r-IxMoUe36hu5ixDELocNlsg48aeN5Rgdv4oK5ZXUzcxINGCANYY2UU2/s1600/DSC04708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfmBBzj4iUAZTcpUajZnErHlQlFh1SJkj4rmDFqotzJOhIhN-MZH76VCv1iHayNJj8yD3wVDcFKnIa5qGSbx8r-IxMoUe36hu5ixDELocNlsg48aeN5Rgdv4oK5ZXUzcxINGCANYY2UU2/s320/DSC04708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Going here again tomorrow." </div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-33452286328849535182011-12-20T02:11:00.000-06:002011-12-20T02:11:15.598-06:00Paperwork and Progress - December 20I woke this morning with these verses on my mind. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) I claimed that promise as we started our new day with Elsa. We had to begin a bit earlier than yesterday because our appointments began at 9am. Though Elsa woke up sad, she was much easier to console if Dad was around. After eating a wonderful breakfast downstairs, we headed out with Cindy and Mr. Fu. Our first stop was the Civil Affairs office where we met Elsa yesterday. There we were to meet the orphanage director, answer some questions and sign our official adoption papers. We walked into the room where we were yesterday and Elsa kind of freaked out. Our wonderful guide took control quickly and moved the meeting to another room. This one was full of small kid toys and equipment. It didn't take more than a couple of minutes before Elsa began to follow her big sister, Annika, around on the equipment. As we had our meeting, the girls had a wonderful time playing and we began to see a new Elsa shining through. She smiled, laughed, and squealed with delight as she played. What music to our ears! The orphanage director gave us some wonderful keepsakes for Elsa including a memory book put together by Half the Sky Foundation documenting her days at the orphanage. It included early pictures and will be so great to have. <br />
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Our second stop brought us to another official office for another interview and more papers to sign. While we waited for Cindy to get some receipts, Mr. Fu and Annika entertained us by racing on the outdoor basketball court. Elsa continued to amaze us with her smile and laughter. God's mercies to us. <br />
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With our official work done for the day, we headed back to the hotel for another new adventure......the pool. She was skeptical at first, but watched Annika carefully. After a few minutes, Elsa was venturing down the steps and smiling all the way.<br />
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We are learning more and more about this little girl of ours. She has a dimple on her left cheek when she smiles big. She goes on the potty and not in her diaper. She can slurp noodles like a pro. She has wonderful fine motor skills, writing with a pen on paper. She loves her big sisters like crazy. She loves playing with balloons. She really likes Skyping on the computer. <br />
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There's not much left of today. We are heading out to dinner with a list of dishes to order written in Chinese thanks to our new friends here in Nanning. Then, its time for foot massages. This will be a great ending to a wonderful day. <br />
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To the praise of His glorious grace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0HEHVCIyxfIbahNJaVpdliOt6wNSNqpGXKmx-9VJAbXDr_ybgwVEAxhXJjQClxdYLozyc5_39TI97aSS8sAVm7t9NN4CVcJXyfq3WVp3GIFxnLa6D6Vd9P95hHI14WPAQk63MmaHmmlb/s1600/DSC04530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0HEHVCIyxfIbahNJaVpdliOt6wNSNqpGXKmx-9VJAbXDr_ybgwVEAxhXJjQClxdYLozyc5_39TI97aSS8sAVm7t9NN4CVcJXyfq3WVp3GIFxnLa6D6Vd9P95hHI14WPAQk63MmaHmmlb/s320/DSC04530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Playing around at the Civil Affairs office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3zNy7Y7hlQIJ_-9ilFB51wJ_RcEU99Mf2Jl4yY4301U8-NbTO9PR1f77bKTwqSidUJV0P4fs76jn9xcH3UKyPJq_74Cs4x1dqHKwvh2DUbUtHfUdf55NKNehMkE0cNDgfrhOtvkCDrPA/s1600/DSC04535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3zNy7Y7hlQIJ_-9ilFB51wJ_RcEU99Mf2Jl4yY4301U8-NbTO9PR1f77bKTwqSidUJV0P4fs76jn9xcH3UKyPJq_74Cs4x1dqHKwvh2DUbUtHfUdf55NKNehMkE0cNDgfrhOtvkCDrPA/s320/DSC04535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctmbzjiseC2cYCOevEblOnfgNn-k89npgQDVUW9ir831bItW8on4CE9cB8Nb9DAc35YOl-fvQKvJhKrPGMIYaoNEfIsyjAH_5emN0NnFsazLgsRjgK3wcGb1DsZYnfPsYtxxbwlKBM93M/s1600/DSC04539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctmbzjiseC2cYCOevEblOnfgNn-k89npgQDVUW9ir831bItW8on4CE9cB8Nb9DAc35YOl-fvQKvJhKrPGMIYaoNEfIsyjAH_5emN0NnFsazLgsRjgK3wcGb1DsZYnfPsYtxxbwlKBM93M/s320/DSC04539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Signing official documents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsjLY-XrC4acdvRGx6kW2ECTTicWuxbhjuRGtRCKw603F50smDEFTVSyIDTeI4Jrb1vnfkM32xwQfIYeTs32xAbjPvUSjZNedh8-k40XNHWz3A7WZEmG_ibDaGF4rezsqdK9DGPZHAgfl/s1600/DSC04544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsjLY-XrC4acdvRGx6kW2ECTTicWuxbhjuRGtRCKw603F50smDEFTVSyIDTeI4Jrb1vnfkM32xwQfIYeTs32xAbjPvUSjZNedh8-k40XNHWz3A7WZEmG_ibDaGF4rezsqdK9DGPZHAgfl/s320/DSC04544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Official footprint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9H8LYPBaB13ifSeVmbZVBj09Zc1P68bC102yBCaqN6Tg_UlEh9cW-eiY_xUhQeYlImau6SgszIzdH9RaW1cpk1z6f89V1HkeIDrNonBQ8-tEvDSKyurDMU_NeOkNa_q8wfI0FWcJB1jA/s1600/DSC04545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9H8LYPBaB13ifSeVmbZVBj09Zc1P68bC102yBCaqN6Tg_UlEh9cW-eiY_xUhQeYlImau6SgszIzdH9RaW1cpk1z6f89V1HkeIDrNonBQ8-tEvDSKyurDMU_NeOkNa_q8wfI0FWcJB1jA/s320/DSC04545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyGpm83JjQrN1IPt_et-M9U9uXTZFQrrQfztWt_D7R4VB-EZ7k9Iwqc9iTF7FQWdQY_eeW-veWc1fzXLBqHAw3gUwitjAiviHQ4CcTFJ8yhcMb41Np-uPHe8XMIaT_FA0eR8VgzdXoD0J/s1600/DSC04546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyGpm83JjQrN1IPt_et-M9U9uXTZFQrrQfztWt_D7R4VB-EZ7k9Iwqc9iTF7FQWdQY_eeW-veWc1fzXLBqHAw3gUwitjAiviHQ4CcTFJ8yhcMb41Np-uPHe8XMIaT_FA0eR8VgzdXoD0J/s320/DSC04546.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_DRtqf9kfI25lyxYyLlBSZgOtMGOvc6UtvrLLS8zbW24BlAL7FuMHNCMXe6WrCkBfnP6HKRoVt9CIbn7eGoLFrqnWZyMvBqs4hiqB6jdVTSsPAAvZK7YPgtfwSS90f2lfBT5KWYfayS/s1600/DSC04548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKg_DRtqf9kfI25lyxYyLlBSZgOtMGOvc6UtvrLLS8zbW24BlAL7FuMHNCMXe6WrCkBfnP6HKRoVt9CIbn7eGoLFrqnWZyMvBqs4hiqB6jdVTSsPAAvZK7YPgtfwSS90f2lfBT5KWYfayS/s320/DSC04548.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> First smiles and laughs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0mDcQ6WcOobw1BlKGkEIGT6-U7DaKg6NFtl5pYIkazlEEEd2PkVZLXL5XIVWF_b1tQiV2bY0kml6xLvAlAYTHkMDx5CpdGBTI2II1Yx_7bVOFMDeXwXcMCC5u9YndFZxFK3B3Ch91kT2/s1600/DSC04560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0mDcQ6WcOobw1BlKGkEIGT6-U7DaKg6NFtl5pYIkazlEEEd2PkVZLXL5XIVWF_b1tQiV2bY0kml6xLvAlAYTHkMDx5CpdGBTI2II1Yx_7bVOFMDeXwXcMCC5u9YndFZxFK3B3Ch91kT2/s320/DSC04560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRcQ3c11q3_rKPKBH3D1AuxNl2gSwaygKIVj03Uc9alKYmCm_0heDYFoKHH1LVJdJHwZ4YeKLCOG46-XFp3Q8JwbKF9NLWU6nrPqQTH5dQXcCcQ7IyX3lt024g9XMhc86FMTuSxZaohSL/s1600/DSC04561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRcQ3c11q3_rKPKBH3D1AuxNl2gSwaygKIVj03Uc9alKYmCm_0heDYFoKHH1LVJdJHwZ4YeKLCOG46-XFp3Q8JwbKF9NLWU6nrPqQTH5dQXcCcQ7IyX3lt024g9XMhc86FMTuSxZaohSL/s320/DSC04561.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yms_kTaRQOQ0V43RsG4FWK4yrZQ3bdiCxG5DY6ELXuCZGSz-1HuNhyphenhyphenX-36fJ4is5UwX5H_ki9Ud20AR8FESIZZPWMYUwaHzsE7R5trgB-d1ajzD7d22CUY7pfbly4xevt8CWSOIsbXVU/s1600/DSC04572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yms_kTaRQOQ0V43RsG4FWK4yrZQ3bdiCxG5DY6ELXuCZGSz-1HuNhyphenhyphenX-36fJ4is5UwX5H_ki9Ud20AR8FESIZZPWMYUwaHzsE7R5trgB-d1ajzD7d22CUY7pfbly4xevt8CWSOIsbXVU/s320/DSC04572.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Cindy and Orphanage Directors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWPIfPEDKm9LWY7H2c4FKfdLqXkXV8AgNfMe0ete87xosAq2CWbBsfeleg41OYKYhTHnNEk96s7Ejw8UJCdp1bw4BmEqOVlAytRH7zOVGgFwf-f6A_WLfJqJk7tuGSe6UgCUW58aIEcGN/s1600/DSC04574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWPIfPEDKm9LWY7H2c4FKfdLqXkXV8AgNfMe0ete87xosAq2CWbBsfeleg41OYKYhTHnNEk96s7Ejw8UJCdp1bw4BmEqOVlAytRH7zOVGgFwf-f6A_WLfJqJk7tuGSe6UgCUW58aIEcGN/s320/DSC04574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> All of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemDqO9qrEDQSuEWDsx7MDqq4-Lpia-Gq7ZSsCLKRmPsLOCNK_GA10uoYkt9TTLBwVvHeR1ygJt9hpda8FGSEf0EpuTXiZvHD5Zk9fKWl-j2Bj7JSTetT0x-UrZXmMWDfmYtVGngGN-xfT/s1600/DSC04581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemDqO9qrEDQSuEWDsx7MDqq4-Lpia-Gq7ZSsCLKRmPsLOCNK_GA10uoYkt9TTLBwVvHeR1ygJt9hpda8FGSEf0EpuTXiZvHD5Zk9fKWl-j2Bj7JSTetT0x-UrZXmMWDfmYtVGngGN-xfT/s320/DSC04581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mr. Fu and Todd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgLKvdAybsmzXE5XCqXMAlY_xQjJ2ePpnumg0ITnaaBCmSisYmV8_CyAik_VFtrqYkjFyhSbfEkKKxsZm1EmK5CcNLZJw5OuTacVMoNsq50cuR-cMjaqQn2fT0GbKtQWqIu9Hg37li_7u/s1600/DSC04592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgLKvdAybsmzXE5XCqXMAlY_xQjJ2ePpnumg0ITnaaBCmSisYmV8_CyAik_VFtrqYkjFyhSbfEkKKxsZm1EmK5CcNLZJw5OuTacVMoNsq50cuR-cMjaqQn2fT0GbKtQWqIu9Hg37li_7u/s320/DSC04592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVeNhcq2ssswE5GiG7XWCAZuCLX1mkqG_7nC1E3_DtU669T-REUzTKY5pNaSUWgZPdTN92J5xY9fBc2nXrzZWkbpCPilVaTNsL9SmEmXEmVngWDbKT4PVt2NO0FjCCg7booxnb1CdoTL9/s1600/DSC04596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVeNhcq2ssswE5GiG7XWCAZuCLX1mkqG_7nC1E3_DtU669T-REUzTKY5pNaSUWgZPdTN92J5xY9fBc2nXrzZWkbpCPilVaTNsL9SmEmXEmVngWDbKT4PVt2NO0FjCCg7booxnb1CdoTL9/s320/DSC04596.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaFwBJGkJz7mIfV3uLmxrg9Ky7GVQeC15dVF8PrcRObtCwC_AWrM-zp-tRryxfOhyp8eMqA96i-zmmhRWQVbZRoF5Xf6rPGtQU3rGuczt4_140TtcE28bibmfWEnk2JMRqlpTc7Fd5R1B/s1600/DSC04599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaFwBJGkJz7mIfV3uLmxrg9Ky7GVQeC15dVF8PrcRObtCwC_AWrM-zp-tRryxfOhyp8eMqA96i-zmmhRWQVbZRoF5Xf6rPGtQU3rGuczt4_140TtcE28bibmfWEnk2JMRqlpTc7Fd5R1B/s320/DSC04599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mr. Fu, Cindy and the girls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljo9C8Q5eEVFzRVC_LvZ31453-mGgOrpNk3I1MZ15_gerDDUNdUTGPRrEc98HpB1eewpFNyiaLegZBrqnMv7svFu2JqVMl6dylUlsUhVYMFBRRTtuqEMVIWsTvUBaHgfqO6xDr3VZ32Rx/s1600/DSC04607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljo9C8Q5eEVFzRVC_LvZ31453-mGgOrpNk3I1MZ15_gerDDUNdUTGPRrEc98HpB1eewpFNyiaLegZBrqnMv7svFu2JqVMl6dylUlsUhVYMFBRRTtuqEMVIWsTvUBaHgfqO6xDr3VZ32Rx/s320/DSC04607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lindquist Girls. </div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-37777200541324714052011-12-19T08:09:00.000-06:002011-12-19T08:09:35.430-06:00Gotcha Day! ~ December 19God is good. He had a plan for the Lindquists which included a little girl born in Nanning on July 12, 2009. Today, He brought us all together......forever. Paul talks in Romans 8 about the wonders of God's plan for His children; how He brings His children into His family. Near the end of the chapter are some remarkable verses about His love for us. <br />
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32)<br />
We have such a great God who will supply all we need as we follow Him in obedience. We are so dependent on Him as we step forward with Elsa. <br />
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Cindy met us this morning and Mr. Fu drove us all to the Civil Affairs office in Nanning City. There we waited nervously for Elsa to arrive with the orphanage director. Let's just say that she was not all hugs and kisses. In her defense, she is grieving for her foster family. We will have patience to wait for her to turn to us. We held her, tried to coax her with toys, food, and stuffed animals. In her bag that they brought with her was the well used photo album we had sent in August. She knows us in photos, but the real thing is going to take a little more time. We were able to take her adoption photo in a moment without tears and then went outside to a small park. Annika tried to entertain her by playing on some of the equipment. She only wanted 'Baba' (Daddy) to hold her. It was so cute. Cindy was so helpful to remind us that it is a good thing that she grieves. She has loved deeply and has attached to her foster family, so we wait and pray for the time when she will transfer that love to her forever family. <br />
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As the day progressed, Elsa needed to be entertained in order to remain content. This meant that we walked the block, shopped at the mall down the street, and encountered many stares. That's ok. In the midst of the day, God sent two special families to encourage us. We met Patty and her kids in Walmart. While her husband teaches English at the local university, Patty is home with their three kids. Noah helped us find things around the store. We hope to connect with them in the coming days. The second family we met while walking in the mall. They are Americans living and working in Shanghai with two adopted daughters from Nanning. They encouraged us that their youngest was two when she was adopted and that the transition was not always easy. God has definitely watched over us today and we are so grateful for that.<br />
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We can feel the prayers of so many family and friends as we go through today. We knew this wouldn't be easy. Our hearts break for her and we wish there was something we could do to let her know we love her so completely. As we hit the pillow tonight, we are thankful for how far God has brought us and looking forward to how He will continue to answer our prayers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1B45S6XNoa6qJk6wX6hbEzLPU2asz34gnItHN1QpJuIMkgaWBP7xSFXtnpIGsAV1ZQ_bAVJtNUsbCvAp2Nnd2F7Nb6RuHyhLOcls-n8XCWfMhtztEIJMwgqjuCpZ7biiExOkqMesPuae/s1600/DSC04457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1B45S6XNoa6qJk6wX6hbEzLPU2asz34gnItHN1QpJuIMkgaWBP7xSFXtnpIGsAV1ZQ_bAVJtNUsbCvAp2Nnd2F7Nb6RuHyhLOcls-n8XCWfMhtztEIJMwgqjuCpZ7biiExOkqMesPuae/s320/DSC04457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On our way to the Civil Affairs office.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9fHua1puSqvTdLWs5YIBicDT_INI0Eq_0a6QihPcuzAOe5D0ihnhxf95DNOFs0qJHUWouSWKfhWZ8cqwre9Ze32gawcgPxT3g4ilGdUrHTHzHonz-MDVOXh2DRPnB5W9XUhpxQHKHNII/s1600/DSC04464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9fHua1puSqvTdLWs5YIBicDT_INI0Eq_0a6QihPcuzAOe5D0ihnhxf95DNOFs0qJHUWouSWKfhWZ8cqwre9Ze32gawcgPxT3g4ilGdUrHTHzHonz-MDVOXh2DRPnB5W9XUhpxQHKHNII/s320/DSC04464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSYktsYSzER9mwFf7Ij9lmXyQwmBRslDWMFh0lGMbZ713OpF6QNDTmu9UnZzJSQN-pE_gxBgEiJ9q_OhZgPI5TK1GLc1gVWhWY9CzrIL08XUtGg4AqAG-pRz41pSHn0PpsTPNBs8_51SR/s1600/DSC04469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSYktsYSzER9mwFf7Ij9lmXyQwmBRslDWMFh0lGMbZ713OpF6QNDTmu9UnZzJSQN-pE_gxBgEiJ9q_OhZgPI5TK1GLc1gVWhWY9CzrIL08XUtGg4AqAG-pRz41pSHn0PpsTPNBs8_51SR/s320/DSC04469.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Gotcha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvZoDMzx5lpxwIaeRN3S00c-sOTtaQNFpZOHX4ykRxeXmuS-dUoc0Gv44fMoem2GIjIIdc7o1nqd8Y15-DbvMl7mCO4jp_2NmCHkA3zgVkcQNdkR6ihVt9jj1NyoW9h-3fS5efCmvzn3/s1600/DSC04474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjvZoDMzx5lpxwIaeRN3S00c-sOTtaQNFpZOHX4ykRxeXmuS-dUoc0Gv44fMoem2GIjIIdc7o1nqd8Y15-DbvMl7mCO4jp_2NmCHkA3zgVkcQNdkR6ihVt9jj1NyoW9h-3fS5efCmvzn3/s320/DSC04474.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Getting to know each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklyiPRevcXIHTijfWuoEaztVYFBjO54yBlWkssyp4Rqz3giIKj4nNlmvK8eWboNRgB6yu3HONSz4_s7Q2T6Od6L2kvknjKWskpnt6Uw2VhOPqip9Ke3RoO_fgVZAsd4ORsyBh_MqO3P61/s1600/DSC04498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklyiPRevcXIHTijfWuoEaztVYFBjO54yBlWkssyp4Rqz3giIKj4nNlmvK8eWboNRgB6yu3HONSz4_s7Q2T6Od6L2kvknjKWskpnt6Uw2VhOPqip9Ke3RoO_fgVZAsd4ORsyBh_MqO3P61/s320/DSC04498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> First semi-family picture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jVsNZot7PAiFUrtvH0pk3jDqze1cmEpfivVMeK7dSOBd9S4iY9MZueYDdsIBfzxfjrqI2a9gjZGsfz4tIyc4WHiZ8cbZBRHyW3T4tPz6n8hYWUyNHWW9CKZI5ze9PnxHSlV8JVpGC2G8/s1600/DSC04500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jVsNZot7PAiFUrtvH0pk3jDqze1cmEpfivVMeK7dSOBd9S4iY9MZueYDdsIBfzxfjrqI2a9gjZGsfz4tIyc4WHiZ8cbZBRHyW3T4tPz6n8hYWUyNHWW9CKZI5ze9PnxHSlV8JVpGC2G8/s320/DSC04500.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Nap time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gfZGlJMyRuPs10rRwO2nkooeVbvk7ZpbKNylj8F-kqrBZc5c5WzGXWeofddcgo-UCjZhe2aSjlZF2nhGI_Lm8nhovlwdfYBei58L1_Q11wxaRqUhcs-jHSNBzvXPRL6wusSje8eUsBNN/s1600/DSC04504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gfZGlJMyRuPs10rRwO2nkooeVbvk7ZpbKNylj8F-kqrBZc5c5WzGXWeofddcgo-UCjZhe2aSjlZF2nhGI_Lm8nhovlwdfYBei58L1_Q11wxaRqUhcs-jHSNBzvXPRL6wusSje8eUsBNN/s320/DSC04504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE93P4pS2Os1WMGwC2dM7PTf0hkryjG2HF07_fC5VjBJIyqCbkcd0MjTlikkJ4A3pM73L0_B0dleezpACsFLRfEF-i_mcOKevER9tn_ihCEfs9jb67PBRAzwxF-OmZ9La11Ugl2lxBNUX/s1600/DSC04512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRE93P4pS2Os1WMGwC2dM7PTf0hkryjG2HF07_fC5VjBJIyqCbkcd0MjTlikkJ4A3pM73L0_B0dleezpACsFLRfEF-i_mcOKevER9tn_ihCEfs9jb67PBRAzwxF-OmZ9La11Ugl2lxBNUX/s320/DSC04512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Making it official.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7KU65hTbP0WaOOFjAWsbKZ9SuJ3DrrdP2D89ufJnj7MT1FGh7atEYlIVAezk2zcw2CwB3WoT1V-izAFUyv-MlBWYR6MtVVYpvAxtfRKTFE_OxnUzo_9mwHuVUm7Ln29oHuKeEmqMSax0/s1600/DSC04516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7KU65hTbP0WaOOFjAWsbKZ9SuJ3DrrdP2D89ufJnj7MT1FGh7atEYlIVAezk2zcw2CwB3WoT1V-izAFUyv-MlBWYR6MtVVYpvAxtfRKTFE_OxnUzo_9mwHuVUm7Ln29oHuKeEmqMSax0/s320/DSC04516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq9PE69MfMtn9XaY5ds3YKIbiPJOqxurzqwPwTrgqiWheYF0dbX9sEek-GG0MK1D1ZHPAgnnChN4pEsK652ZCi8Q9dEfetmsMfprMs3ZtbspiIzzMM_A9DxJEP_aWRtmYl5mhsnD4NTuk/s1600/DSC04520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq9PE69MfMtn9XaY5ds3YKIbiPJOqxurzqwPwTrgqiWheYF0dbX9sEek-GG0MK1D1ZHPAgnnChN4pEsK652ZCi8Q9dEfetmsMfprMs3ZtbspiIzzMM_A9DxJEP_aWRtmYl5mhsnD4NTuk/s320/DSC04520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Annika is a big sister!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWL3hxaqh9VAFtBrJkhypZL_9p5HcVuubLEb5iNmdKbXrDYpa4iqdPgGsVIuJTUOUuqcUmZGUZoxE0w_GzSnY0HrFp2mxGom9NAioO5vpOuYBmPiAR2YyEYJa3_Z0XEBb2Xd5mheoGgKY/s1600/DSC04522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWL3hxaqh9VAFtBrJkhypZL_9p5HcVuubLEb5iNmdKbXrDYpa4iqdPgGsVIuJTUOUuqcUmZGUZoxE0w_GzSnY0HrFp2mxGom9NAioO5vpOuYBmPiAR2YyEYJa3_Z0XEBb2Xd5mheoGgKY/s320/DSC04522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Daddy with the little girls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvNpZP_X5uKlzb-Kb-IqKj8P2eY-V9GJCFbt-K5gSaaAHhlg2beM0M2m4uI8kg0tab0KNsbO8hH3bX56VpbzcPS16hAEIPculKTHdmhSU3OPe3H8vu4n-eFndD0hBKDNZYzlCCTubStsA/s1600/DSC04523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvNpZP_X5uKlzb-Kb-IqKj8P2eY-V9GJCFbt-K5gSaaAHhlg2beM0M2m4uI8kg0tab0KNsbO8hH3bX56VpbzcPS16hAEIPculKTHdmhSU3OPe3H8vu4n-eFndD0hBKDNZYzlCCTubStsA/s320/DSC04523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's a great Dad.</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-91325296995397770592011-12-18T09:11:00.001-06:002011-12-18T17:26:16.062-06:00Hong Kong to Nanning-December 18"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on the earth, Your saving power among all the nations." (Psalm 67:1-2) We are so thankful that God has blessed us beyond measure in Christ in order to be a blessing to the nations. That's the message of Christmas! We think about that as we travel here. May His name be known and praised.<br />
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We have had a pretty quiet day. Waking up after a refreshing night's sleep, we swam in the pool and found some food. Then we were back at the airport for our plane to Nanning. Annika made a couple of friends while we waited for the plane. Once we boarded, Todd tried out our "Jibbigo" app on his seatmates, asking them questions about Nanning. I noticed Mari's head above all the rest when I went to the back of the plane. We definitely stick out here! Arriving in Nanning, we went through customs and were met by our wonderful guide, Cindy. As we drove into the city, she told us all the wonderful things about Nanning. After settling in, we ventured out to find some food on our own. The doorman pointed us to an area around the block from the hotel and we started on our adventure. The restaurant we chose had dumplings on the menu which sounded great to our hungry stomachs. It was clear from the moment we walked in that they do not serve many foreigners! Our server tried her best to communicate with us and we all laughed a lot! The food was great and we were stuffed. Mari also noticed that a few cell phones were surreptitiously taking pictures of us. Too funny.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfFuHO9HNdBXfTr6zsav4hPlKhtk_eryb_Fe2Xy5oRq2Y-UqlsnFlHqbpXZOBXKYzybTe8PnKCBeEqugee6wBlvNXTXhs8X-WDYdAVGibVWUJWrf31NqW2DJc3_MUE-12Z8QBDPO_XYHk/s1600/DSC04368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfFuHO9HNdBXfTr6zsav4hPlKhtk_eryb_Fe2Xy5oRq2Y-UqlsnFlHqbpXZOBXKYzybTe8PnKCBeEqugee6wBlvNXTXhs8X-WDYdAVGibVWUJWrf31NqW2DJc3_MUE-12Z8QBDPO_XYHk/s320/DSC04368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlxoheipxGse4cICbl5E-nhY-mn5n6DV0vbSrBfBuLj0bCScd5cdC-D-VZqdw_Nyd9Sl4HlnX_SeQ_BhbK4cTTI3868kIGusQYnF56gr3rbEk2D8xAWFkVrWZy4bzM_HrfdbKm6ggnoVm/s1600/DSC04374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlxoheipxGse4cICbl5E-nhY-mn5n6DV0vbSrBfBuLj0bCScd5cdC-D-VZqdw_Nyd9Sl4HlnX_SeQ_BhbK4cTTI3868kIGusQYnF56gr3rbEk2D8xAWFkVrWZy4bzM_HrfdbKm6ggnoVm/s320/DSC04374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPuNmmXX1WPfzl26Ohir64bgpjl_Mhl5KK6Rwjg3gKCIqvs_eZrJqfCu51ZV5uDzA0su0gnVajNsvJA-QkV49CTbfQiiHC7eXsW5tPVDYbGUbUDd0WAaTsuppbfZbWKTE8FqPaWSRBUfS/s1600/DSC04382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPuNmmXX1WPfzl26Ohir64bgpjl_Mhl5KK6Rwjg3gKCIqvs_eZrJqfCu51ZV5uDzA0su0gnVajNsvJA-QkV49CTbfQiiHC7eXsW5tPVDYbGUbUDd0WAaTsuppbfZbWKTE8FqPaWSRBUfS/s320/DSC04382.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FN7pl0RWjP5N3Z7lrXlYdX_l_5A98_JwAql18PqujZoUqnUjHUJEZQ9F27sto3RjdPhfJ0Udl88QnAFztpCvT3pVzU69iosFY_KJGIMla_6ZxQEfbMOhX7Fa_W7UV8Ycg0bhKulfBK8_/s1600/DSC04393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FN7pl0RWjP5N3Z7lrXlYdX_l_5A98_JwAql18PqujZoUqnUjHUJEZQ9F27sto3RjdPhfJ0Udl88QnAFztpCvT3pVzU69iosFY_KJGIMla_6ZxQEfbMOhX7Fa_W7UV8Ycg0bhKulfBK8_/s320/DSC04393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Can you find Annika in this picture?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tPGgA6GHTOoTrD4kIKPX3eRXnELqu8qDK7oll_wDdCLz8qqHuC4LD6e5ENAhlECpvyWDrt3G3eQEJt9grJf0FVLh5wLd74Hij7Kzz5ZhaEC4SsfoMO52B8kZgaq7Epi9ksa3QGhINz85/s1600/DSC04394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tPGgA6GHTOoTrD4kIKPX3eRXnELqu8qDK7oll_wDdCLz8qqHuC4LD6e5ENAhlECpvyWDrt3G3eQEJt9grJf0FVLh5wLd74Hij7Kzz5ZhaEC4SsfoMO52B8kZgaq7Epi9ksa3QGhINz85/s320/DSC04394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Did you guess right? There she is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu9j2ApouJQH_uV90x6wmsqDj5bTua9eyQI2JZu-weZlaUKFltJB5ML1VrA1Te5MiPcytHlf9Hv4rbR4-BSmfhlfVJ9y-qrilMod7ozXn-3to5cevhwrQKSA5Y4TZUtr093zZ8eMqF1VN/s1600/DSC04400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu9j2ApouJQH_uV90x6wmsqDj5bTua9eyQI2JZu-weZlaUKFltJB5ML1VrA1Te5MiPcytHlf9Hv4rbR4-BSmfhlfVJ9y-qrilMod7ozXn-3to5cevhwrQKSA5Y4TZUtr093zZ8eMqF1VN/s320/DSC04400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU61Bf0X_RQZXkMOReLAIejnnH6VmiBzjzHm9DYNu1qMkj8JhqZT1BFgMhC8GkuO3Ad2TeM52tazGiXZvThUvy_JqWOzcs5nQnW0CSB7lBsUEm1aFG8qeo6Bv1f-GVGLzvwQMzBSdObp2S/s1600/DSC04404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU61Bf0X_RQZXkMOReLAIejnnH6VmiBzjzHm9DYNu1qMkj8JhqZT1BFgMhC8GkuO3Ad2TeM52tazGiXZvThUvy_JqWOzcs5nQnW0CSB7lBsUEm1aFG8qeo6Bv1f-GVGLzvwQMzBSdObp2S/s320/DSC04404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Now can you find Mari in this picture?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrv-JjVgVVm1SxXGGOcTGnhWHMV0l-8rgEnodOLqiRAacVUaf6VbKfZNut99PW4o2luMd2spsbYyskzNyxy1wo0OudTSYmNYOwTA8BVkNEsCVo0OrBsH_DH4qeWMi-gBLlUrG0K9xkN1L/s1600/DSC04408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrv-JjVgVVm1SxXGGOcTGnhWHMV0l-8rgEnodOLqiRAacVUaf6VbKfZNut99PW4o2luMd2spsbYyskzNyxy1wo0OudTSYmNYOwTA8BVkNEsCVo0OrBsH_DH4qeWMi-gBLlUrG0K9xkN1L/s320/DSC04408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> With our wonderful guide Cindy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcgEdnL9IXQkpZXfXaXYdSJyHjkPrtwGvMfaIOPLOwcXagUk3lnLu9RwmlsLuvoeRVgO4NtLuMX_RL0qDHIcJGyXdA8hXTDb4zYw5R-fIsTMjpf7EyLjvSvDZWOrEuGK2kiH0llV9S-cI/s1600/DSC04414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcgEdnL9IXQkpZXfXaXYdSJyHjkPrtwGvMfaIOPLOwcXagUk3lnLu9RwmlsLuvoeRVgO4NtLuMX_RL0qDHIcJGyXdA8hXTDb4zYw5R-fIsTMjpf7EyLjvSvDZWOrEuGK2kiH0llV9S-cI/s320/DSC04414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Todd wasn't sure what he had ordered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47xVJ-iPCF1YQsj-xTewi00mU_H04kVdpHH4IZZs89YjVkgjEwnjaKGAfd_Fq0DYmuyOg0dO70MuqHOIZn6Up9qec1z9UXVzbk3C5rEu-AN8xFdz_aV478xLTC9GtNxo9KjMrN5oTRdgo/s1600/DSC04417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47xVJ-iPCF1YQsj-xTewi00mU_H04kVdpHH4IZZs89YjVkgjEwnjaKGAfd_Fq0DYmuyOg0dO70MuqHOIZn6Up9qec1z9UXVzbk3C5rEu-AN8xFdz_aV478xLTC9GtNxo9KjMrN5oTRdgo/s320/DSC04417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkc_Qu6QTkpYZp7E1LoG4HTiDgJh6zGZZGWFWjKcYNFT6eoqiHRrLWkc49aCcpVQQLqIV1VckxgU-yJCif7uC8yzFGBzd3Ad7C5Js2CKdOB6A9lW6zfANn06Z-oYPjWoPXq3vLgCPe_oU/s1600/DSC04419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkc_Qu6QTkpYZp7E1LoG4HTiDgJh6zGZZGWFWjKcYNFT6eoqiHRrLWkc49aCcpVQQLqIV1VckxgU-yJCif7uC8yzFGBzd3Ad7C5Js2CKdOB6A9lW6zfANn06Z-oYPjWoPXq3vLgCPe_oU/s320/DSC04419.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbjBp2WG7YUzqnr8VwX4Dbn_P9oazFR6_RJmVdwHGJL9aJvWpxonyspqe-FZ4mITqbf1BQCAhEMVp1-FqkB3XVMrsPlwjbfkoE0ZJPR6MUATXIgeXwl6Qpt0AWrDnwrQR0A2tl-Jw_3Ed/s1600/DSC04428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbjBp2WG7YUzqnr8VwX4Dbn_P9oazFR6_RJmVdwHGJL9aJvWpxonyspqe-FZ4mITqbf1BQCAhEMVp1-FqkB3XVMrsPlwjbfkoE0ZJPR6MUATXIgeXwl6Qpt0AWrDnwrQR0A2tl-Jw_3Ed/s320/DSC04428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> With our server who spoke zero English.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dyvbE7Ly6xet_xp07T68ppfgsltdg0OjovzWvOFjqnwTCkazQqMW75SYQHQ65pTSm_22aegPIeLju72HSdJLu_SpbR8YpPY74cyaSTO0WdIb1dR9wexXk9s7h65BAmeiLGCtFnM6v4I0/s1600/DSC04442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dyvbE7Ly6xet_xp07T68ppfgsltdg0OjovzWvOFjqnwTCkazQqMW75SYQHQ65pTSm_22aegPIeLju72HSdJLu_SpbR8YpPY74cyaSTO0WdIb1dR9wexXk9s7h65BAmeiLGCtFnM6v4I0/s320/DSC04442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well, we are heading to bed and preparing for our big day tomorrow. Cindy said we will meet Elsa at 10:30am at the Civil Affairs office. There is one other family that she knows of who will also be adopting a little girl tomorrow. Pray with us for a good first day. Her foster family wrote a little note on the bottom of an update Cindy gave us tonight saying that they wanted Elsa to be in a loving forever home and that they would love updates about her. Clearly she was well cared for and loved. We praise God for His provision in that way.Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-1270175585416529342011-12-17T21:01:00.000-06:002011-12-17T21:01:13.392-06:00Travel DaySomeone has said that a theme to Psalm 27 could be that we are not alone and that we are not in charge. Initially, it seems that through difficulties, David cannot see God's greatness. As he ends the psalm, however, he asks God to teach him His way and to lead him. I especially like the last verse. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14) We are taking that verse literally as we wait to see Elsa on Monday. Like David, we know for certain that we are not alone and that we are not in charge! God is good and faithful as we walk this adoption journey to Elsa.<br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our first leg of the trip brought us to Seattle. Annika and Kirstin were seated next to a wonderful woman who was interested in all we were going to be doing in the next two weeks. She showed us pictures of her grandchildren, spoke of the faithfulness of God in her life, and when we parted ways, gave Annika a small gift. Oh, the sweetness of the body of Christ! While waiting for our next plane, we had some Starbucks and saw Santa and one of his elves! We also had a chance to Skype with Aunt Ingrid and Heidi & Ellie Lee.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Flying from Seattle to Tokyo is long! It seems longer when you are sandwiched in the middle seats of an Airbus 330. We passed the time by sleeping, eating and watching movies. With one more flight left for this part of our journey, we knew we needed to pace ourselves with sleep, although we all felt pretty groggy. Annika was a trooper and only woke Dad up three times to ask him to help her with the Smurf movie. From Tokyo we boarded the last plane of the day for Hong Kong. Everything has gone so smoothly for this first part of our journey. Our luggage was spinning around on the carousel when we arrived there, the immigration line was relatively short, and the walk to the airport hotel was a breeze. Praise the Lord!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are now in Hong Kong awaiting our afternoon flight to Nanning. It is Sunday morning here and we are sad to be missing our normal routine of worship. We are also thankful that our worship is not dependent on meeting with a group of believers, as important as that is, but that we can worship Him wherever we are. More importantly, we worship Him with our lives. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Leaving later today for Nanning, Elsa is on our minds and hearts more intensely than ever. Pray with us for Gotcha Day tomorrow. We are so excited to begin this new life together with her as a part of our family. We are so looking forward to the ways in which God’s hand will be evident. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwNd67MkGNXzJ_r4RiILrz7mKnGM4_T48iVVMIOK2-MxFv6Qlo_AMOpqH75otChGsN5_j9zrOE43MEme4_BFCA7ZxSllVyDj8omg55JSOQBMG7T3KJ1i4lvk4h8_r3WBIgpcNXN7fpeI9/s1600/DSC04345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwNd67MkGNXzJ_r4RiILrz7mKnGM4_T48iVVMIOK2-MxFv6Qlo_AMOpqH75otChGsN5_j9zrOE43MEme4_BFCA7ZxSllVyDj8omg55JSOQBMG7T3KJ1i4lvk4h8_r3WBIgpcNXN7fpeI9/s320/DSC04345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the airplane ready to go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GVZTbDkBxzS-x8aiqxjft3N56UosueV4f_7HVx8SlX0tMVoYHkfykjWD_1ma0_6wHpT2nRCGQjaYSEe5Lc4FCXKTaHosQd5He3fbmOuigdCyc9FHlr4PGEObkLLmfffYWj1BJ2tDLF8t/s1600/DSC04347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GVZTbDkBxzS-x8aiqxjft3N56UosueV4f_7HVx8SlX0tMVoYHkfykjWD_1ma0_6wHpT2nRCGQjaYSEe5Lc4FCXKTaHosQd5He3fbmOuigdCyc9FHlr4PGEObkLLmfffYWj1BJ2tDLF8t/s320/DSC04347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELPwEZ1UqoHjtgqUi9ooLM9vK0jJmjnR5R1Q6LipA6Fqit4nN9K8pwp8OHh5SQm61YKXhKjBCsJvM2ryk__V2o8kigisQR0RhbB9djn1CbPcSRB1Pjisykt35geubu54Z-LWZ1_6iKYOR/s1600/DSC04348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELPwEZ1UqoHjtgqUi9ooLM9vK0jJmjnR5R1Q6LipA6Fqit4nN9K8pwp8OHh5SQm61YKXhKjBCsJvM2ryk__V2o8kigisQR0RhbB9djn1CbPcSRB1Pjisykt35geubu54Z-LWZ1_6iKYOR/s320/DSC04348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Seattle Airport.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynnNFDuYSwFmF4qdiPZprUpPsBqtQ4oKPzGi-k9x-4L0J5oD5gWDTYuLM_UvFOB-Y1La38A6JBEkND97QPk6QW3d22kWjj1QFngctUNQrSGlT8fVktjJIX0VroAuVkvIFTgtiycSi4StC/s1600/DSC04349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynnNFDuYSwFmF4qdiPZprUpPsBqtQ4oKPzGi-k9x-4L0J5oD5gWDTYuLM_UvFOB-Y1La38A6JBEkND97QPk6QW3d22kWjj1QFngctUNQrSGlT8fVktjJIX0VroAuVkvIFTgtiycSi4StC/s320/DSC04349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucjWBrTP2zlpiSwNEUoNcE6eiT3-KulUOUzu2rD8tOdSKmADbOp9s5wdxD0-CIXBZEZfQXaL2-9P0XVfNf7P78yRgYI9CampbGCYc3uotLSkSY1JTmW2VlA9tArnOtkHAyBCw2in12qXT/s1600/DSC04350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucjWBrTP2zlpiSwNEUoNcE6eiT3-KulUOUzu2rD8tOdSKmADbOp9s5wdxD0-CIXBZEZfQXaL2-9P0XVfNf7P78yRgYI9CampbGCYc3uotLSkSY1JTmW2VlA9tArnOtkHAyBCw2in12qXT/s320/DSC04350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVCIAIxISWTmPqm3hz08UI1KtzC4TE9xmURgkB4KwpoIa5A02KIaslmGHX6h0o-5whoBaUmsojneeZHwaJN0VxndVl2_KHoCbxeAbr8i6p6eGVE3Z78NEL5shJ-a16yvlPo4hIKEzqiKT/s1600/DSC04352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVCIAIxISWTmPqm3hz08UI1KtzC4TE9xmURgkB4KwpoIa5A02KIaslmGHX6h0o-5whoBaUmsojneeZHwaJN0VxndVl2_KHoCbxeAbr8i6p6eGVE3Z78NEL5shJ-a16yvlPo4hIKEzqiKT/s320/DSC04352.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Dad's still as strong as ever! We are waiting to add the top tier (Elsa) to this tower!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxemlGFe7slS4pve2CQbjqxFdog_L9numfT6WW1cAkl_wmh8lSqAqJQn5kAruEj2OOT5PvY9dpFHsP63Xlg3xvW_DhcqA_KKYQL3VoMIsiwgwlT5Guw2tQUh1ZHVjebR4wPVCVuAkSuVK/s1600/DSC04356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxemlGFe7slS4pve2CQbjqxFdog_L9numfT6WW1cAkl_wmh8lSqAqJQn5kAruEj2OOT5PvY9dpFHsP63Xlg3xvW_DhcqA_KKYQL3VoMIsiwgwlT5Guw2tQUh1ZHVjebR4wPVCVuAkSuVK/s320/DSC04356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We passed on Chinese food waiting for the authentic food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYOZDxbYzBsK7br_CC7QZuJa65GnUxP2KmqCL5JRB7Fy-qML9ctxNPnXm1-YCVDZOcSThyFJleEXSRAb0yNgoMsPfKWaq1bRbrq-t8pUXJduTe2L_i19I6xWMCQFbwqp1bk1Bbkjkvl9S/s1600/DSC04358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYOZDxbYzBsK7br_CC7QZuJa65GnUxP2KmqCL5JRB7Fy-qML9ctxNPnXm1-YCVDZOcSThyFJleEXSRAb0yNgoMsPfKWaq1bRbrq-t8pUXJduTe2L_i19I6xWMCQFbwqp1bk1Bbkjkvl9S/s320/DSC04358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> During our three hour layover, we could have passed the time caroling with these guys!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGJ3CnRzQieKFi_AjyQ6POctajeFlY-rOdxUf21xBuJ0KLwg7COy7OWhB2i0y94cBLeuUz3qHCXHKRkmUfBD8_zky_eTOUJNF56l-iYdZWJHuSI3FB0BM4sxZA6vV5dtrW9ac-QLGK_Yp/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGJ3CnRzQieKFi_AjyQ6POctajeFlY-rOdxUf21xBuJ0KLwg7COy7OWhB2i0y94cBLeuUz3qHCXHKRkmUfBD8_zky_eTOUJNF56l-iYdZWJHuSI3FB0BM4sxZA6vV5dtrW9ac-QLGK_Yp/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Met Santa and his elf in the airport. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxRAgJAo1a7kkbNwtgkzlcPaMgWRaJPd9GufeLx1vVXOaHo8OhU8KXFWhYvhjGR6auEeJTep9HVV95OR2QO__aBE-HiBfjhzruq5ZOIfh6xwbFIgsI051SIjzo9P8-_wciwwxtpYNh511/s1600/DSC04360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxRAgJAo1a7kkbNwtgkzlcPaMgWRaJPd9GufeLx1vVXOaHo8OhU8KXFWhYvhjGR6auEeJTep9HVV95OR2QO__aBE-HiBfjhzruq5ZOIfh6xwbFIgsI051SIjzo9P8-_wciwwxtpYNh511/s320/DSC04360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Christmas in Hong Kong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYhaIH6Dpep76gnW-FhrHcwQIPh-GfoZpyLxG4U4MryQenjPPFjyaR8AwnKmtwZKhoUT7vB0z_TQe-XEZ3CkIML8YVbek4QQWG0w_YQH9jiDP07t0GHLpwpqUqxurxJ3FOM6jGj2Eom5B/s1600/DSC04362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYhaIH6Dpep76gnW-FhrHcwQIPh-GfoZpyLxG4U4MryQenjPPFjyaR8AwnKmtwZKhoUT7vB0z_TQe-XEZ3CkIML8YVbek4QQWG0w_YQH9jiDP07t0GHLpwpqUqxurxJ3FOM6jGj2Eom5B/s320/DSC04362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hotel lobby all decorated. </div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-87678844360220337712011-12-09T10:39:00.000-06:002011-12-09T10:39:51.513-06:00Preparations - of rooms, luggage and hearts<div>We are in the advanced stages of prep around here. It's amazing to think that in week we'll be on our way to Elsa. God is amazing in all that He is pulling together for us. We are so grateful and blessed. I know that I am probably taking some major theological leaps in what I share next, but my excuse is that I am not a theologian! I had to smile today as I read my Bible. "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you." (Isaiah 43:5) I know the context has absolutely nothing to do with the Lindquist family adopting a daughter from China, but still I smiled. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The piles have begun. Piles of papers, clothes, airplane activities, diapers, wipes...... You name it, it's probably in a pile somewhere around here. Those piles correspond to lists, lots of lists! I take solace in the fact that if we are missing something, there are stores where we're headed. Except the paperwork! I can't leave a piece of that behind. Our wonderful agency sent us a checklist, which I have checked and rechecked. </div><div><br />
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</div><div><br />
</div><div>Our itinerary is set. We leave on Friday, December 16th and arrive in Hong Kong on December 17th. That's a LONG trip. Then we fly to Nanning on Sunday, December 18th. After settling into the hotel, we are off and running on Monday, December 19th to meet Elsa! She officially becomes a Lindquist that day. GOTCHA!!! After a few more days of paperwork and sightseeing, we leave Nanning for Guangzhou on Friday, December 23rd. Staying on Shiaman Island this time, we are excited to meet the many other adoptive families that will be there. Christmas in China will be spectacular! Elsa's first Christmas with us. Wow, what a gift. There is also lots more paperwork and waiting while in Guangzhou before we can fly home on Friday, December 30th. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This whole process has brought me so many gifts from God. He has revealed Himself in new ways as His Spirit has guided, comforted and taught us about our Heavenly Father. One thing that struck me the other day as I stared at our manger scene (insert above-mentioned theologian disclaimer here!) was that Jesus was adopted too. While born of Mary, He was not Joseph's biological son. This wonderful man willingly became Christ's earthly father, raising Him as God intended. That makes me smile. </div><div><br />
</div><div>He is preparing our hearts as we prepare our home for this new, little one. I'm not sure she'll ever fully understand how much she was loved even before we actually set eyes on her. We trust and pray that He is preparing her to be who she was born to be, Elsa Mei Yue Lindquist. We know there will be major adjustments all around as we get to know each other. Language, food, smells, sounds. Everything completely foreign to this little one. God, grant us all patience, peace and immeasurable, unconditional love as we begin our new family life half-way around the globe. He is faithful. He will do it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you" Isaiah 42:6</div><div>"I am the Lord; that is My name; My glory I give to no other." Isaiah 42:8</div><div><br />
</div><div>Our prayer is that we will hold tightly to the hand of the One who is faithful and true. He has set this in motion and He will accomplish His plan. We pray that His name is glorified and lifted up. None of this is done in our own strength. We are not foolish enough to believe that we could do any of this without Him. Resting our hope in God, we look forward with great anticipation for what He will do in the three short weeks ahead as we go out as six and return as seven. Praise His holy name!</div><div><br />
</div>Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-68096089890396604852011-11-09T14:33:00.000-06:002011-11-09T14:33:08.932-06:00We Have TAGod is so good!! His mercies are from everlasting to everlasting and GREAT is His faithfulness!!! The author of Lamentations puts it this way; "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23)<br />
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My phone vibrated against my ankle while at Bible study this morning, so at our break I took a look at it, noticing a voicemail from somewhere out east. My curiosity got the better of me and I slipped away from the other women to listen. Hearing Sara's sweet voice on the other end, my knees began to feel a little weak. She was calling with good news! Madison had received our Travel Approval (TA) that morning! Quickly, I called her back and we talked over setting up a Consulate Appointment (CA) of our choosing. So excited, I returned to my small group with the phone still in my hand and a silly grin on my face. What a time of rejoicing with these precious ladies who have been praying for God's will in all of this! It was very sweet of the Lord to time it in such a way for them to be a part of this good news.<br />
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So, Elsa is coming home. We could not be more excited and I am simply vibrating with energy! We will know more specifics about our dates for travel and "gotcha day" in the near future. For now we praise the One who has put all of this in motion and stand in awe of how He works.<br />
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Amen and amen!Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-53778679823278229212011-11-07T14:51:00.000-06:002011-11-07T14:51:12.928-06:00An "A-ha" MomentAnything we do these days usually involves some imaginative play. Annika is just at that age when every other sentence begins "Ok. Pretend that...." The last few weeks the end to that sentence has usually had something to do with Elsa. Most of the time we pretend she is with us where ever we are going. I like this game too. The other day I asked Annika what she was looking forward to teaching her new little sister. Oh, did she have ideas! Topping the list was soccer and basketball along with spitting her toothpaste in the sink. All essential skills in Annika's mind. Then I told her she was also going to have the job of teaching her little sister how to be a Lindquist. That's when I realized I had stumbled upon yet another picture of a believer's adoption into God's family. <br />
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When God awaked my heart to see my sin, my need for Him and the grace offered through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, I responded in faith and gratitude, humbly trusting in this gift for my salvation. I was adopted into God's family, a true child of the King! Paul explains it beautifully in his letter to the Ephesians 1:3-10. As a new child of God, I walk in obedience to His plan for me. Though once I was far from Him (Ephesians 2:13), but now I am saved by His grace to do those "good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) I need to learn how to live as His child and how to reflect my Father in heaven. This can only come, through the Spirit's help, by humbly being obedient to His word and allowing Him to work in me for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13) I need to be taught how to be a child of the King.<br />
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I am thankful that He has saved me and is daily chipping away at the parts of me that are not very Christ-like. It is a slow process and I am grateful for His tender patience with me! As we teach Elsa what it means to be a Lindquist, we will also show her what it means to be loved by the One who set this whole crazy adoption in motion. "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:16) We are even now praying for her heart to be ready and open to hear of this loving Father who gently draws His children to Himself, awakening dead hearts to walk in new life. His awesome love and grace brings me to my knees in worship. What an amazing God who thinks of crazy ways to gather His children to Himself and gather the Lindquist family from the far corners of the earth. <br />
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Praise His Holy name!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoD2nYWPZGfBWH5259Kh945EQrYk4tTgwPjgbdyy9GzZ_vrqEbedirj7BjtyS6J59MBJ1GW25hGCqaNcttI_zZgvsaH3JaYma2pj3Mr3xolq7y0aJLFVpbnbiPzqHsWsLmETmLH8zY8c-/s1600/Elsa+2+year+old+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoD2nYWPZGfBWH5259Kh945EQrYk4tTgwPjgbdyy9GzZ_vrqEbedirj7BjtyS6J59MBJ1GW25hGCqaNcttI_zZgvsaH3JaYma2pj3Mr3xolq7y0aJLFVpbnbiPzqHsWsLmETmLH8zY8c-/s320/Elsa+2+year+old+pic.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This is not a new photo, but I wanted to refresh everyone's memory on just how cute the newest Lindquist is. Love her to pieces!Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-51991211421015944092011-10-31T11:00:00.000-05:002011-10-31T11:00:18.574-05:00God's GraceHe has done it again!! He has placed another wonderful child in her family. We are so excited to follow our friends the Lees as they bring Ellie home. Today was Ellie's "Gotcha Day" and I read, prayed and cried as I followed their blog entry. (www.elliesjourneyhome.com) It is amazing to me how God works in our hearts, nudging us to follow Him in obedience so He can display His glory. Seeing Ellie sitting on Heidi's lap, snuggling with her new sister Ava, and smiling over a KFC meal, all I can do is worship. He has done this wonderful thing! Praise His holy name!<br />
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In other Elsa news, I learned this morning that our Article 5 was picked up from the American consulate in Guangzhou and will be delivered to the CCAA in Beijing either today or tomorrow. This means that we are now about two weeks away from our Travel Approval (TA), Lord willing! This is wonderful news as we pray about when we could possibly travel to bring Elsa home! I wish I had new pictures or other Elsa updates for you, but I don't. God is allowing us a bit of blindness at this point which is stretching for this mama! His sovereignty remains steadfast and He will bring us through. <br />
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Pray with us as we are on the final stretch of waiting. Pray for peace, travel planning, timing, transitions, schedules, shopping trips and anything else you can think of! Pray for Elsa that she is being prepared for this transition into family, for her heart to be open to us, and for God's peace to reign in her. We know that He is faithful and He will do it.<br />
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"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Phil. 2:13)<br />
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We look forward to His work in our lives as He brings us to Elsa soon!<br />
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Amen.....Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-60852850768285436592011-10-04T07:11:00.000-05:002011-10-04T07:11:26.539-05:00A Sea of Acronyms and InitialsEverywhere you turn in the adoption world there are more letters thrown at you. There's being LID when your papers are "logged in" over in China. Then there's the PA and LOA which bring you closer to seeing your new little one. Yesterday we received via USPS our PA for our I-800 from the USCIS. Alphabet soup, right??? Well, we love those letters in this house! God is good and continues to open the doors to bringing Elsa home in His time. Yesterday's mail is simply one more hoop before Elsa has immigration status here and can be released from China. So exciting!<br />
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We continue to pray, dream, prepare and pray some more. Each of us is anticipating the newest Lindquist every day. Annika especially can't wait for her sister and playmate. In fact, most days we buckle an imaginary Elsa into her car seat and talk to her about all we are doing as we run errands. Annika's little heart is full as she asks the God of the universe to look after her sister until we can get there.<br />
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I wish I had more pictures or information about Elsa to share, but my attempts to ask for more from the orphanage were not successful. We simply wait, trust and pray for her. <br />
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"God settles the solitary in a home" Psalm 68:6 Elsa's home awaits. God is good and true to His word. ALWAYS. Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111901069472301319.post-85654302352479791962011-09-07T19:32:00.000-05:002011-09-08T20:08:03.388-05:00LOA Is HereGod's timing is wonderful. I can't wait to someday look at my life from His perspective and see even more clearly how He is working His plan. We were marking our 60th day of waiting for our Letter of Approval when the phone rang late in the day. Some adoptive parents who are waiting know when the DHL truck makes scheduled deliveries to our adoption agency. I'm sorry, but I can't remember what I went in the pantry for let alone remember that type of information!! Hence, we were not expecting any call from Madison when the phone rang. I heard Aleda's voice on the answering machine begin talking about some great news she had for us. Up to this moment I was casually looking for the phone, but when the words "good news" and "LOA" came out of the answering machine's speaker, I went from casual to frantic!!! "Where's the phone?????", I yelled to no one in particular. And no one jumped up to help! :) Anyhow, I found it all on my own and answered it just in time to hear the wonderful news that our LOA had shown up unexpectedly at their office door sometime this afternoon. What a wonderful surprise! We were told to expect to wait 60-90 days for this precious piece of paper from China. We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the God who has all of this in His care and timing. Such fun! Now we have a few more hoops to jump through before we can get that all important TA (travel approval) and begin packing our bags. Each step closer gets us that much more excited to see Elsa face to face.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvBN7Yy7HM2XOLxHCzclGbz-rHE7CEu8Sfc5YvkS9eIF7T9A4Avg-XQPr9YvN_IYC792JvniUv_Oy7QeGQ8jKJOweWvdhOsFY_1xoKwg_VW7ogd4jgEAgjYOo6UW9nz2YoBI8YjC6y02N/s1600/IMG_4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvBN7Yy7HM2XOLxHCzclGbz-rHE7CEu8Sfc5YvkS9eIF7T9A4Avg-XQPr9YvN_IYC792JvniUv_Oy7QeGQ8jKJOweWvdhOsFY_1xoKwg_VW7ogd4jgEAgjYOo6UW9nz2YoBI8YjC6y02N/s320/IMG_4024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While we have been waiting, we have not been completely idle. With some time before we get to bring Elsa home, we decided to send her a care package. The picture above shows the contents of that package. There is a wonderful service in China that will receive a package and send it securely to the orphanage. We carefully packed a box with some clothes, toys, a photo album of us, and a recordable book of Mommy and Daddy reading to her. Then we shipped it all off on the slow boat to China. Literally! It seemed to take forever to arrive in Guangzhou. But Ann at Red Thread took it, translated all our papers and photo album labels and sent it to our sweet Elsa. <br />
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"Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men." Psalm 66:5Todd and Kirstinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09306855522458166446noreply@blogger.com0