Lazy Days

Ok...I have 2 days worth of our crazy life to catch you up on.  Yesterday was a day I have looked forward to for years.  Yesterday we got to see the Terra Cotta Warriors.  They date back 2200 years.  Where we are staying was the first capital of China.  The first emperor lived here.  He became emperor at age 13.  He ordered the making of the Terra Cotta warriors to be 6 feet tall.  They were made by 700,000 slaves over 40 years.  Once they were completed, he had the slaves murdered.  In 1974, a farmer was digging a well and found a head.  The head was painted to look like the soldier it was crafted after.  The farmer was sad because he thought he had disrupted a grave of a neighbor.  A few days later, he realized it was not real.  The farmer is in his 70's and we got him to sign a book for us.  I felt like I had met a celebrity!!  I love history and to meet the man that discovered this find was a bit overwhelming to me.  I know that is silly, but that is me!  I could go on and on about the tour and the history, but you would probably be as bored as my girls were:)

The tour and the ride to and from took most the day.  We did crafts and ordered room service (not good).  We watched part of The New Karate Kid and went to bed.

Today started off with the early bird waking up and wanting every one up!  We had breakfast then went to the park.  The park was free admission which we knew, but there is a kid's park in the park.....not free.  We went prancing in and got yelled at in Chinese!!!!  We figured out he was yelling cause he wanted money!  The girls played for a long time.  One got hurt and quietly cried and pulled away but quickly rejoined the party.  We learned that one girl is a daredevil and athlete.  One is nervous and wants to sit back and watch for a while.  One is loud and rambunctious while the other is quiet and reserved.  They are complete opposites and Phoebe connects them.

We had a rough afternoon trying to get one girl under control.  She likes to cry to manipulate everyone and get her way.  She is not sad or scared, just used to getting what she wants!  Nipping it in the bud!

Eden....she had a rough day yesterday.  Please please please pray for her.  I have been sick to my stomach all day.. I miss her terribly.  I want to go home so I can get her, but I know our time here is to be spent bonding with these girls and teaching them and getting some things under control before we bring them in Eden's life.  I know God put us all together and will help us grow as a family.  Eden is just so fragile and needs soooo much attention.  Lyric's condition is waaaaay worse than I expected and needs waaaay more help than I ever imagined.  Don't read anything into this...not second guessing anything nor complaining, we just have a total lifestyle change in front of us....again.

Ok....these girls are playing hide-n-seek in our hotel room and it is not even challenging for Lyric!!!!!....but they are laughing their heads off.  Tilly keeps just popping out before she is found.  They are silly silly!!!

 This is the only Terra Cotta Warrior out of an estimated 8,000 that was in one piece.  He is the Kneeling Archer.  Absolutely amazing to me!

 This sword was found covered in chromium.  No biggy you say?  The technology known as Chrome-    
                       plating,  was not developed until over 2000 years later in 1930 in Germany!!!

                                                                       Pure bronze

                                 

                                         Hey..who's that young girl playing with Tilly?????

                                                 That is my little daredevil in the red coat!

                                        Cannot wait for this sister bond to develop and grow!

Hide and seek is now over and it is time to get bathed and in bed as you wake up to pics of 3 of the most amazing girls in the world!

Before I go I want to praise Jesus for my Mother (Cynthia) feeling much better!

Praise Him for my 4 wonderful daughters.

Pray for protection for my sister and 2 nephews as they venture out a new life in New York City!!!Fun!!! That God will surround them with godly friends that can hold them accountable.  That my nephews will always remember Who's they are.

Lift up Ms. Jan. ---Healing and that her spirit will be renewed each morning and that she will feel God's presence every moment of every day.

Lift up Ms Laura---Healing

Eden---peace and calmness and rest

Ms. Vicky---Funding to bring another sweet child home!

Lift up the "R" family.  Pray that God will bless them financially this Christmas season as they have to finish paying their adoption expenses and leg braces for their son.  They are a precious family, deserving of a Christmas gift yet would never expect it.  Please ask the Father to bless them, surprise them even!

Please pray that Brandon and I can stand united.  That we can discern sadness and hurt from manipulation.  Pray we can break down walls and learn to love the way each of our daughters need us to love them.

Father, please bless all who take the time to read my words as I know they are praying for us.  I love them dearly and covet their prayers.  Thank you for those you have called to stand in the gap for our family.  Thank you for your protection.  Thank you for your love.  Thank you for your calling on our life.  Help me always remember your calling and always trust.  Help me hold tight to the joy of my salvation when my world seems to spin out of control.