For These Children I Prayed

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Thank you all for your prayers for Matthew! He is happy now and pretty silly! Getting on the bus today to go make the adoption official was a little scary for Matthew who didn't know what was going on. My parents' guide finally told him and then he felt better. Daniel is less worried about stuff like that it seems. They both are pretty trusting of Mom and Dad. Matthew is very sweet little guy and is pretty happy with everyone now!

Julia and Matthew over Skype this morning

On the bus, Daniel patted the seat next to him for my mom. Sweet boy! The guide told the boys that this paperwork would make their adoption official and the boys still did it. They each had to go through an interview and write a statement (I guess saying they wanted to be adopted). Apparently Daniel went behind the government official's desk and pointed out all the documents with his name on them and then proceeded to tell her all the ones with his brother's name before the guide told him to move. Daniel was really trying to be helpful as is characteristic of him. He cleaned up the hotel room today without being asked.

Waiting on Paperwork

This morning I got to show Daniel and Matthew their room, the dog, outside, and the lake. They smiled and didn't understand my faltering Chinese. I was trying and they were lost but that's okay because we were connecting on a very personal level. I made a series of funny faces into the camera and Matthew burst out laughing. They showed me their art and their video game. I think they like their older siblings. I hope they like us in person too!

It is hard to wrap my head around the fact that these little boys, the ones we have been praying for all these months, are really sleeping in the room with my parents and playing with my little siblings during the day. God is so good!

Both boys are much smaller than expected, so a shopping trip was in order to get right sized clothes.

Shopping for new clothes

Back in the hotel room, the boys enjoyed playing games with their new siblings. Apparently the panda bears (which all three Chinese boys have) were used in a violent panda bear battle which all the boys loved.

Sibling Time! (just can't wait until I can be part of the group)