May 26, 2004

We had an emotional day today. We visited Fengcheng City where Alaina was born. First, we had lunch with the director and his staff of the FengCheng Social Welfare Institute (Orphanage). After lunch, we visited the orphanage where Alaina spent one night--the day she was born. There are 12 babies in our group and 10 of the babies were in foster homes. We got to talk to the director that supervises the foster families. She made visits to the homes every month. She knew all about Alaina's foster family. Most of us have gotten pictures back from the cameras we sent last month. Joel just took ours to get them developed and we will have those to show you tomorrow. The foster mom took all the pictures on both cameras. What a blessing. Those that have seen their pics, have great pics of the foster moms and where they live (the cinder block buildings with concrete floors, etc.).

Almost all the couples went to the orphanage. One parent stayed on the bus with their baby while the other went in to see the orphanage. I went in first and then Joel. The babies in the orphanage are all in walkers, all under the age of 1 year. There was one little girl that was around two. There were about 12 babies there but they have 100 babies in foster homes directed out of the orphanage. Some of the nannies live in apartments just next door to the orphanage. Keep in mind that it is really hot and humid here. All the babies were in walkers outside on the balconies all day. There little rod iron beds were so cute. I can't explain the sweet little faces without parents. You can tell the nannies love the babies very much and do the best that they can. They would make them laugh and comfort them when they would cry. All the babies had split pants without diapers. Many of us cried some tears when we had to leave. You couldn't help but want to take an extra baby home.

Our group donated over a thousand dollars extra to the orphanage (not including the $3000 orphanage donation fee from each parents). I am happy Alaina was in a foster home. I'm sure that her living conditions were not much better than the orphanage. We did find out that the foster family that had Alaina has been a foster family for many years. We know that she was loved and cared for greatly. She came to us very clean, healthy and beautiful. I kept her outfit and sweet little shoes and socks.

Next, the bus driver drove us to all of the finding spots of each baby. We were able to get out, take photos and video all of the surroundings. Alaina was found on April 1, 2003 at the gate of the hospital, all bundled up, with a note that told the Chinese authorities about her birthday. While standing there in the streets of FengCheng City, we could only imagine what it must have been like for this mother to release her child. We know she must have stood at a distance, as she took one last glance at her beautiful baby girl. We pray that Alaina's birth parents know that she is happy, healthy and loved.

After we got back to Nanchang today, James took us to China Town Restaurant for a dinner and a show. Lots of great food and singing and dancing. Alaina moved her little head like she was dancing. She would laugh out loud when she would drop stuff on the floor. She was so tired from such a long day, she held my necklace and sucked her thumb.

So much more to share. We are in love. Continue to pray that Alaina wants Joel more; my arms are so very tired. We have two more days here until we move on to our next destination. We visit the U.S. Consulate and then home we come. We should be home by June 4. By the way, so many of you have asked how big she is. She is about 20 lbs. so the 12 months clothes are fitting nicely. The 12 months onesies that I brought are a little snug. She will be in 18 months very soon. She looks so cute in hats and she allows me to put them on her. Amazing.

More later. It's o.k. to write back to us. We have free internet all day in our room. E-mail anytime, we'll get it.

Next Day...

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