Strolling around Shamian Island with red threads

OK, some updates to earlier posts and other assorted tidbits---

** Yes, she did get in trouble for that, I am certainly not hot (see prior photo evidence) but the wife sure is... check her out here:

** I seriously don't know what most of that food from 6/2 and 6/3 was, just that it was indeed tasty.  I think the big round things are called green tea cakes;  there were lots of mushrooms -- big, fleshy, meaty mushrooms, and some thin crispy fried mushrooms; a beef stew soup; fried oysters; there was some cabbage and some bean curd (not yummy); some tofu and some sprouts; some sort of root w/ a jelly sauce; some pumpkin thing in there; there was some rice of course, and yes, we were drinking mango juice.

** They are pronounced "Shay-yahn" and "Guahn-joh" and "Guy-ess-kee"

** Some in our tour group have wondered how this blog has gotten along almost two weeks without one mention of the ever-present "squatty potties."  Well, this is a family blog, and some things are better left to the imagination.  I will say they are real, and they are very common, in almost every public place.  But no need to explain in detail what an a Squatty Potty is now, is there?  

** Yes, Skype is free to download safely, easy to use anywhere, and all you need is a computer w/ camera, mic & speakers, or purchase an accessory camera with microphone built-in to do video calls.  (I think we bought ours at CompUSA).  International phone calls, with video, for free.  

Monday, June 7:  Today, we visited Shamian Island in Guangzhou, and our first stop: we verified the excellent results of yesterday's medical clinic tests!   This tourist area on the Pearl River is normally very busy, but it is all under extreme reconstruction now in preparation for the 2010 Asian Games later this year-- so we had most of the downtown area to ourselves for a nice, carefree stroll (with a "friend" you see).  I think the lack of customers also made for some good bargains/negotiating with the local merchants.  Of course, we all visited the famous White Swan Hotel, and somehow managed to get all the adopted children in our group to pose for a special picture on "the red couch."   

The hotel is immaculate, and certainly lives up to it's well-known reputation... it is right next to the American consulate office, and I can imagine a time when these rooms were filled with families from all over the world, finalizing their China adoptions and creating wonderful families for so many orphans in this country.  Sadly, the number of orphans in China has not decreased, but the number of international adoptions has dipped dramatically.  Much research, debate, speculation, and investigation has been done in the last few years as to why this program is shrinking so noticeably-- all I want to comment is that there are so many children, in every single country, that just want someone to love them.   When I saw all these kids together today on the couch, just themselves with none of the parents or siblings... it's hard not to be moved.  Such beautiful baby girls and boys.  And the older children who certainly over the years watched as their friends left the orphanages for good, and they may have wondered how many times "when is it my turn?  Is someone ever coming for me?"   Our sweet Betty is so kind, affectionate, smart, and generous... I am sure her classmates miss her terribly.  

I wish I had more eloquent words to describe what it is like to be here, with these families, and these children, and hearing their stories...  And knowing that while we cannot understand, or even have to like, all that happens in this world, and why certain things happen, and situations arise... it is just overwhelming to know that God-- in His indescribable wisdom-- has mapped out specific plans for each of these children, and those plans are converging right before my eyes on a daily basis here in China.   There is an ancient Chinese proverb (popular among adoptive families) that proclaims there is an invisible red thread of destiny that connects one person to another, regardless of time, place, or circumstances; this cord may tangle or stretch, but will never break.  I will admit that years ago I was not completely convinced about the meaning of this legend.

However...

As our journey has unfolded in this long process to bring Cui Yue home, I have come to believe in this invisible red thread.  It is like we have known each other from the beginning, and it has just taken a long time to meld our physical presence with that feeling out there for each other all along.  

And I can see it with our friends from Iowa; with the family from Texas; in the families from Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, and all over the world that are here in China now, just like us, connecting the thread.  To Him be the glory.

"Be glad for all God is planning for you.  Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.  When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out."  Romans 12:12-13