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| We finally board the plane to Zhengzhou and Madison's birthplace. Tomorrow is Gotcha Day! |
Today has been a day of travel from Beijing to Zhengzhou in the Henan Province. This is Madison's place of birth, so we are very excited to be here. We ventured out briefly with another couple to exchange money then we went to an "authentic" restaurant. Our guide went with us to explain the menu (then left). I think we were very entertaining to the staff at the restaurant - they were obviously not accustomed to Americans. We had dove, a type of spicy beef, vegetable rolls & lotus balls. However, on the menu we had choices such as turtle, chicken feet, tongue, etc. We opted out of those choices.
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| The traditional dinner in Zhengzhou. That's the Lotus Balls on the right, the dove on the left, and the spicy beef on the back right. The remaining plate was full of vegetable rolls when it arrived. |
Now for the most important information. Tomorrow is Gotcha Day, when we will go to get Madison. We are so incredibly excited to hold our daughter who has been in our hearts for such a long time. Please pray that she will feel our arms as welcoming, loving arms. This may be a very difficult day for her. We have just found out today that she has been in foster care. Ultimately, that has been the best thing for her (instead of being in the orphanage the entire time). However, it is often the case that the children who have come from foster homes have a more difficult time initially. She has been with one family who has hopefully loved and cared for her for some period of time (we are unclear at this point how long she has been with them). Tomorrow she will leave that family to come with people who look different, sound different, probably even smell different than what she has been accustomed to. Please pray that she finds peace in our arms, and please pray that Phil and I find ways to comfort her. Thanks again for all of your prayers - we really need them now.
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| Naturally, Phil managed to find a little taste of home halfway around the world. |
As much as we are enjoying our time in China and as excited as we are about getting Madison, we are also missing Seth and Taylor terribly. We know they are in great hands, but it is still difficult being away from them, on the other side of the world. However, Skype has been such a blessing. Please also remember our boys in your prayers.
I am so excited to hear from you guys. There were several posts uploaded this morning and we are now up to date. I was excited to see the green backpack. HA! I called Jay in and said, "atleast part of the Womble's went back to China". :-) You visited so many of the same places in Beijing as we did last September. It was fun to relive it all again. You will soon awake to "Madison Day". I know you are filled with many mixed emotions. As you know, foster care has its challenges. Take one day-one hour-one minute at a time. We are praying for an easy transition for sweet Madison and for strong hearts and minds for you and Phil. XOXO, Misty
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