Hall

Hey guys! Just watched one of the most amazing testimonies out there. Literally brought tears to my eyes; and not the kind that people do to get attention from other people, but the real, genuine, praising God for who He is and what He can do through someone who'll let Him tears. I'm putting the links down here so yall can see it, too:

Part one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8QO5oib-sM

Part two:

Saturday
Mark and I took Meeka Hope to the adoption medical clinic. Its a requirement before getting the US Visa. She had to see 4 diff "doctors". Ran into a couple that were adopting that recognized Mark. Felt a bit weird. Feel fairly "Crowns removed" on this side of the world.

On Sunday, we were able to visit a local Chinese Christian Church. Shamian
Christ Church.

A lot of people have asked if there really are Christian churches in China.
There definitely are. Sweet believers singing worship songs to God, sharing
testimonies, and a preacher preaching from God's word.

The service was in Chinese, but most of it was translated into English.

Sweet Hope was in church for the first time in her little life. I was a
little emotional realizing that she was able to hear her people worshiping
God in her native tongue. So sweet.

Last Thursday before we left Nanjing, we visited the place where Hope was abandoned. She was left outside the emergency room of a children's hospital when she was 2days old.

It was sobering for a moment to sit in the place where she was left and imagine how the person must have felt that left her. It is a very very busy place and they took great risk to leave her there in the middle of the day like they did. I'm sure they were very concerned for her life because she was a very sick little girl.

Last Friday we left Nanjing. Hope said goodbye to her city and got on an airplane for the first time.

She actually did well with flying and wasn't afraid at all. We were blessed with First Class seats. Very thankful although the flight was supposed to be only 2hrs.(We ended up leaving an hour late.)

Last Friday we left Nanjing. Hope said goodbye to her city and got on an airplane for the first time. She actually did well with flying and wasn't afraid at all. We were blessed with First Class seats. Very thankful although the flight was supposed to be only 2hrs.(We ended up leaving an hour late.) They brought us a meal in 1st Class style on porcelin. So much food. Our little China Doll had never seen so much food in front of her. (Pic to follow). This was the day she began to feel more comfortable around us and her 2yr old antics kicked in. Great timing, on a plane.

Wednesday was a sightseeing day for us. We saw all of the major things that Nanjing is known for.

We visited the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum. Its a very well done Museum in honor of the sacrifice, heroism, and great loss experienced in the events that happened in Nanjing years ago.

As many of you know, Mark and Melanie took their family to China this week to get their new daughter Hope.  Their good friend Mary Beth Chapman made the trip with them and used this opportunity to show them around China a little bit.  She also was able to take them to show Hope's Maria's Big House of Hope.  She has written a wonderful blog about the entire trip here.  Check it out!

Today was our Appointment at the Civil Affairs Office. I was a little nervous about how Hope would do with us going back to the same place we were yesterday. I knew that there would be people there from the orphanage again, and I was afraid that it would upset her again.

Today's meeting was to sign the Adoption Decree.