Chinglish, the Consulate and the Pearl

Most of the newly adopted children are well on their way to understanding several English phrases, but they will still happily chatter away in Mandarin, especially with each other! Allie often overhears the little ones talking to each other and it can really be hilarious! This evening, MeiLi was holding a pop bottle up for her friend to drink from. The friend didn't grab hold of the bottle, so it spilled down her front. The two little girls dabbed at the spill, then MeiLi held up the bottle for her to drink again. The other little girl again didn't grab hold of the bottle, and Allie heard MeiLi say, in Mandarin, "We spilled last time. Don't you have hands!?"

In English, MeiLi has learned to say, "One, two, sree, foe, five!", "Allie, Jenna, Emmi". It's so cute - it's like when any new child says their first words and you discover the sound of their voice! We're not pushing very hard with English yet. We just say something in Mandarin, then repeat it in English.

On the other side of things, I've learned to say: ni hao, xie xie, bu ke qi, wo ai ni, lai ba, zhen gui, hao le, tai hao le, yi, er, san, si, wu . . . wu ga, hao bu hao? zai na li, zhi ga . . .It's been fun to learn on the fly!

So this morning, we were up quite early for a bus ride to the U.S. Consulate. This is the appointment all our dates revolved around. We went through security, had our passports checked, then up to the room where all our hard work in terms of paperwork was reviewed. All of the adoptive parents in the room (about 8 sets of parents) stood up and recited an oath that essentially promised that all our paperwork was true. A couple interesting stories of parents in that room: one of the dads is deaf, and he, his wife and 2 children had come to China to adopt a little boy beginning of July, and 2 weeks into the process were offered another little boy who was deaf. Very unusual, but cool! Another mom was in our hotel yesterday, tripped and broke her foot. She was at the consulate in a wheelchair. She and her husband had also brought 3 children from home, then had the little girl they'd just adopted. She carried the 2 youngest around in the wheelchair. They thought it was great fun. Anyway, one final signature, and we now have the permission of the United States to bring MeiLi home! We all high-fived and congratulated each other. Big moments in life. By the way, by simple chance of how we booked our flight home, MeiLi's "port of entry" is Chicago, meaning that is where she officially becomes a U.S. citizen.

Speaking of citizenship, we may have mentioned that she was disappointed to not be going to America last week. We drew her a picture of 5 beds and 3 airplanes and told her when she has crossed them all out, she will be home in America. (Credit for this idea goes to Michelle - it's working AWESOME!) She is so excited every morning to cross out one of the beds!

Speaking of crossing out beds, we are very sad to be on our last day in China. If it weren't for our dear friends in Kansas City, (oh, and a dose of reality) we'd love to stay on. Personally, I have really loved Guangzhou! Believe it or not, I love the heat! It feels so full of life, because the people are out in it all day. They just deal with it and move on. The vegetation is stunning too - every chance for a garden or some kind of artistic display of greenery is fully taken advantage of. The freeways are lined with POTS of flowers that hold their own sprinkler system. Flowers and vines and branches and leaves everywhere. We walked along the Pearl River (3rd longest in China) in the hottest part of the day today. There were very poor men fishing next to businessmen playing cards. Some people were practicing Tai chi, many just sitting talking. (Always stopping to stare at us, though!)  Delightful!

Speaking of the Pearl River, our final group activity was a Dragon Boat cruise at sundown. Very beautiful. The Asian Games were hosted here in Guangzhou last fall, and this boat led a parade of boats from every Asian nation (43??) down the River. Famous boat anyway. Fun time - the little ones loved it! We dressed up in some of the clothes we'd gotten recently shopping here.

Speaking of shopping, if you ever get bit by the shopping bug, come to China. The venders are very motivated to sell. As you walk away, they'll say, "Hello! How 'bout I sell you 100 yuan, take it?" Then, "Hello! 80 yuan, take it?" "Hello! 65 yuan, yes?" "Hello! I give you for 50 yuan - 50 YUAN - just for you!" And you're thinking, SERIOUSLY? You would have had me pay 100? Actually, the Christian venders we have found here, we don't ask for a lower price. Trust me, we have much much more than they do.

Speaking of Chinese Christians, they are so awesome. The Chinese treat everyone with much respect and dignity, but the Christians are so gentle and kind and happy. They love their churches and know that they are very blessed. God has done some amazing amazing things with people we have met. We are so thankful to all the missionaries who have loved and prayed and worked so hard in China. The fruit is growing by the day!!!

So now we've spent our Tuesday and it's time for bed, as you all wake up in anticipation of how you'll spend your Tuesday. Doug will be up earlier than the rest of us tomorrow morning to post more photos.

Can't believe we'll be home Thursday. Please pray that the flights will be good.