First day in Chongqing (CQ) on 10/10/10

After we checked out of the hotel in HK, we contemplated taking the train to the Central District in the city, but realized that we would be too daring for our family and did not want to risk being late for our plane that evening.  So we hung out in the lobby and at the airport for the afternoon.  It was a pretty low key day for us and one that the kids were to have done.

We arrived in CQ late last night and met our lovely guide, Sophie, at the airport.  As she led us to our hotel, she informed us that she has known WeiWei (which is what she called her already) for over six months.  We learned a lot about WeiWei that we were not aware of based on the history we were provided.

It turns out that she has been in a foster home with another little girl for many months.  We were pleased that she was living in this environment, with another foster sister and a little boy that was a biological son of this mother.  Sophie mentioned that when she saw WeiWei months ago, she was not talking very much and shy.  When she last visited her two weeks ago (when her foster sister was adopted), she mentioned that WeiWei was much more lively and very talkative.  So this foster-home experience has been very positive for her, and it will help her transition to us tomorrow.   Apparently when were informed that the girls from these three provinces were “spicy”, Sophie mentioned that WeiWei was exactly that – full of personality and lively!  YAY!!!

WeiWei was very close with her foster sister, JJ.  She was very upset two weeks ago when JJ was taken home by her forever mama.  She wanted to go with Sophie when JJ left.  But Sophie promised that her "forever mama and baba" would be back in two weeks to meet her, and that made her excited to know that she will be adopted very soon.  When asked if she was ready to go, she answered that she was.  Double YAY!!!

Sophie was a peach today and took us all around Chongqing today.   I was not aware of the history this city holds.  We learned so much about its role in WWII, as well as today’s part in China’s local economy.  I know after 5 hours of riding the monorail, walking many miles and riding a bus, the kids were not at the point of taking it all in (like most of us were at that age). But we hope they were able to at least digest the sights, sounds and smells (lots of smells!!) of it all today.  They may never get to experience this again….or it may lead to a lifetime of experiencing this.  We will not know, but it is seeds placed in their hearts for a different group of people across the globe.  (Luke and Lauren were troopers as people just grabbed them and took many pictures with them.  They were little celebrities!)

It is difficult to imagine that in close to 16 hours, we will have our little sister with us.  The kids are so excited – even though they are completely zonked out now.  I know that the anxiety is rising for mom and dad as reality is hitting of our forever-family change in the next few hours.  But this is what we were led to do, and I would not trade one part of this for anything in the world.

Next time you hear from us, we will be a family of six!!!

Many of you have told us of your requests that you are lifting up, and we want you to know that we feel each and every one of them – more than you know.  Please continue to ask our Father for His hand to cover us.