Catching up

Let's see... I think I missed out updating our last two or three days in Nanning, and if not, it's so nice you'll get to read it twice.  In case you're wondering, the crew is napping and I'm lamenting my choice to partake of the caramel macchiato from Starbuck's..not really, it was so worth it!  :-)  

On Wednesday, we got to take a trip to Green Mountain, a local natural park. There was a georgeous view of the city skyline, beautiful gardens and sculptures of the Chinese zodiac animals.  Scarlett made it her mission to have her picture taken with each and every one, while the rest of us opted for a pic with our particular animal, and it only took me 3 tries to climp up on the horse (pic to be posted at a later date).  For a smooth year, you were supposed to touch the nose on the dragon ball, so we all did that, even Saylor....hmmmm, don,t think she believes in such things, especially when it,s time to take her medication.  Smooth is not the word i'd use to describe that time and eventually, i'm typing this days later, we gave up the practice all together as she was making herself sick and spitting it all back out (we actually heard her shout a few words at this time and we are convinced she was swearing at us in Chinese.)

Lunch was served picnic style on the floor of our hotel room and included regional delicacies from the nearby market: wasabi peas, lemon tea flavored chips (pretty spectacular, I must admit), assorted dried fruits, and onion flavored crackers.  Saylor ate little bits of everything as she no longer has any interest in what was supposed to be the staples of an orphanage diet (congee and formula).  She prefers water and is no longer drinking juice, probably because we tried to get her to take her medicine with that...apparently she has a good memory.  She also decided to feed mommy bits of her cracker, which was nothing but precious and heartbreaking at the same time as I envisioned her doing that for other little ones in the orphanage.  I may have mentioned this already, but she was in an entirely special needs orphanage and we were told more than once that she most likely received very little attention since her needs weren't as severe.  Regardless, she's a little problem solver.  When she couldn't break the cracker with her hands, she decided to bite it into pieces in order to feed me.  

Erik and Scarlett (looked so cute in their bathing caps, which are required wear in this province)  went swimming this afternoon while Saylor napped in my arms by the side of the pool. Afterwards, it was snack time back in the room and then Scarlett was out for the rest of the evening.  Swimming makes her so tired. 

The next morning, we ventured to the countryside, Yiling Village, with Jane, our Holt guide.  She was delightful...could tell she really cared about the children and she was especially fond of Scarlett (who wouldn't be?)  And gave her lots of attention.  I think she said she was 10 or 13 years younger than her brother and she used to teach middle school, so we had that in common.  Scarlett liked her so much so that she decided to name her new jade puppy figurine after her. 

Anyway, the countryside was so peaceful and lovely, with the mountains in the distance. We saw water buffalo and I had to restrain myself from breaking into song, "everybody wants a water buffalo, mine is fast, but yours is slow" (gotta love Veggie Tales).  We also got to visit a local family, a grandmother and her 4 year old granddaughter (seeing any similarities).  She was such a gracious host, answered our questions and offered us fresh cut sugar cane even though they had so very little.  Her face was beautiful with age and a glowing smile and the little girl was  just adorable.  Jane told us that Saylor's village would be similar... in the countryside, but with even poorer living conditions.  Guiping is a farming community and nearly all of the younger generations have moved to the city.  The family of Saylor's best bud got to visit the area not the orphnage, though) and is going to share their videos/pics, so that will be so nice to show our little one through the years.  Oh...almost forgot to mention that Scarlett left her mark on the community as well...got to "water" a tree...nice little photo opportunity. :-)  

That afternoon we ventured to an idyllic nearby park with gorgeous trees and a rather large lake....got some great pics and then headed back to the hotel to pack up for our departure (little did we know what was in store for tomorrow's agenda...probably a good thing, too).  All in all, it was nice to be able to visit Nanning, the capitol of our gal's province...hope to be able to bring her back one day to see where God's plan for her life began.  We met a couple of heritage tour families doing that very thing, so it was great to be able to chat with them... they didn't have much advice to offer...not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing or that I'm going through advice withdrawal being away from mama and pap for so long :-).   

So, that along with the earlier travel day post brings us up to today, Sunday...not much on the schedule, just dinner with the Holt families tonight.  I received a kind email from a new friend, one I haven't even met saying she was praying for me...just what I needed to hear as the last two days have been a bit more rough settling in to our new kind of normal.. and thanks to all y'all for doing the same.  I can't tell you how much it means to us to know that you care.  :-)  Any way,  I was telling her that I'm always with a smile on my face and try to have an optimistic view on everying so its difficult for me to admit when things are tough and to ask for help, even when Erik is more than willing to lend a hand.  This journey has definitely strengthened my prayer life as I continue to ask God for His strength, peace, kindness, love and energy... and He has more than provided... just need to remember to ask when I'm feeling overwhelmed.