Wecome to the family, James Sitong!

In the VIP room at the orphanage

Tong Tong in the lobby showing his cars to his friends.

Before we got the photo taken...He was a little queasy from the car ride!


Drawing in our hotel room

Eating fruit snacks

It has been a beautiful day. I started out the morning opening my bible to 1 Samuel 1:27-

I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. It was so amazing that it began that way.

He seemed happy at the orphanage. I think he didn't know what was going on. We started out in the "VIP" room, signing papers and such. Then little James walked in! From that point on there were lots of pictures, and we gave him a backpack filled with toys and books. As we were leaving, 20 or so of his friends came out and said goodbye to James. He held his new cars up to them and said something in Chinese. We then got into a van and went take a photo for more paperwork. In the car, he got really quiet and sweat was dripping down his face. Our guide said a lot of the kids get carsick. We went to take the photo and he was getting sad and started to cry a little. She said he said he wanted to go home. He is being so brave or trying to be strong and hold it all in. He keeps wiping his eyes and whimpering. He has not has a full out cry yet, he is extremely restrained, especially for a three year old. Every time his eyes get wet, he rubs them right away-he doesn't want anyone to see how he feels on the inside. We spent the afternoon on the bed playing and he let me rub his back most of the time. It seems to be hard for him at times...he must miss his friends.

I think he is attaching to me. When I left to go to the bathroom, he started whimpering even more.

We are calling him Tong Tong, which is his nickname, for the time being. Tong Tong is very quiet and shy, at least right now. He loved playing with the Cheerios book our friend Jackie got him. He also will repeat words after you say them, very quietly.

We are so thankful for all of your prayers. We sure do feel them and we are filled with joy today. I think it will be McD tonight to celebrate. Tomorrow is touring.

Love, all of us