Shantou Evening of May 12 and May 13

After our visit to the orphanage, Li Ying was able to come spend the evening and night with us.  Here are some pictures from our evening.

Li Ying put a ponytail in Gianna's hair.

Beautiful!!

Dinner by Mui

Cheers!!!

Li Ying wearing her necklace from our family.  We hope she thinks of us each time she wears it.  She is such a special lady.  She grew up at the orphanage and now works as a teacher there.  She is amazing, and Gianna loves her so much!!

Li Ying reads a beautiful letter from Amy Eldridge, Executive Director of Love Without Boundaries

Yellow Tail Shiraz - Yum!!

May 13 was another busy day!  We went to lunch with Mui's friend, Sue, who is trained to teach English and who went to school with Mui. Then, we went to visit the house where Mui's dad was born.  It has been in the family since the 1800s.  From there, we went to pick Portia up at her kindergarten.

Gianna enjoying her lunch

Sue and Mui

Mui fixing Kung Fu tea

Kung Fu tea is very special in Shantou.

Entrance to Mui's dad's family's house

Mui's grandparents

Mui in the room where her dad was born

Drawing water from the well

Got it!

The family house was built in the Beijing style

Gianna, Mui, and Mui's aunt who lives in the house

Mui's uncle who lives in the house and Mui

Gianna drinking Kung Fu tea

Somehow, this tells the date of the construction of the house - something about the dynasty

First peek of Portia at her kindergarten

Gianna was invited to the front of the class.  She even sang a song for the children.

Portia

Cheese!!!

Gianna being a guest student

Portia and Auntie Brycie

The class

"This is my bed!!"  Until September, Portia attends a boarding school.

"My drawer!!!"

Friends - so sweet!

Us with the director of the kindergarten

Long Distance Rosary

Brycie and Jim have been talking for a long, long time about teaching Mui how to pray the Rosary.  Mui is such a wonderful Christian woman, and the Rosary is such a powerful prayer.  Tonight, Jim, in Oklahoma, and Brycie and Mui, in Shantou, China, prayed the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.  Wow!  What an incredible blessing.  Brycie and Gianna leave in a few hours to fly back to Guangzhou for the final week.  They will have lots to do, which will keep them busy.  Here are some pictures Jim took of the computer screen as he and Brycie and Mui "skyped."  Enjoy!

Two Angels

Four Angels and one photographer

Brycie and Mui with their Rosaries

Last minute visit before Brycie heads back to Guangzhou

Sisters

Our AMAZING Visit to the Shantou Social Welfare Institute

On May 12, we had an amazing visit to the Shantou SWI where both Clare and Gianna spent part of their lives.  The staff, nannies, and directors love Gianna so much!!  I brought some pictures of Clare, and they were excited to hear about how Clare is doing and amazed at how much she has grown.  The family of one of Gianna's friends who was recently adopted and now lives in New York (Shanna) sent pictures and a letter to the staff.  The vice-director wrote a letter to Shanna and to Clare, and Mui translated them for me.  I am anxious to send the letter to Shanna's family.

Another one of Gianna's friends, Xiang, will soon come to America with her new family.  Xiang's family sent a t-shirt and a recordable with me to give to Xiang.  Xiang was thrilled!!

It was wonderful to see familiar faces from when we visited with Clare in 2008.  They are so thankful to families who give homes to their children.  What a blessing!!
 

Gianna with her auntie.  She was Clare's auntie as well.

Gianna and Mami, supervisor of the school in the SWI

Gianna gave her Auntie a sweet little Willow Tree figurine from Gianna and Clare

Gianna and a favorite Auntie

Sweet Xiang and precious Mui

This sweet little guy captured my heart.  He was so happy to receive the box of cookies from Gianna!

Xiang and Gianna perform for their class

I hear that this precious little guy's file is be prepared for international adoption.  Isn't he a cutie!?!?

Gianna is thrilled to see her favorite ge ge (big brother) from the SWI.

So sweet!

Gianna hugs one of the teachers after giving her a gift.

Gianna bows to Clare's former teacher before giving her a gift.

Gianna receives a giant hug from her teacher, Li Ying.

Mui calls this "Three Generations."  Mui taught Li Ying and the other teacher who, in turn, taught Gianna.

Gianna and her Chinese Mami

Xiang and Brycie

Section Chief of the Children's Department, Yang Qi, and Gianna

"Smiling Auntie" and Gianna

Mui reads Shanna's letter to Xiang.

Mui shows Shanna's pictures to Xiang.

Gianna with the Vice Director of the SWI, Ms. Yao

Gianna with an auntie from the office

Director Yao, Gianna, Xiang & Brycie

Xiang is so strong!!  : )

Director Yao, Gianna, & Xiang look at Clare's and Shanna's pictures.

Remember the happy little guy above?  I noticed that he was standing at the door crying.  I asked why.  I was told that he was sad  because Gianna now has a family but he does not.  Let me tell you, I just wanted to scoop him up and bring him home too!!  I'm praying for you, little guy!!

Ms. Kwok, Gianna, Xiang, & Brycie

Xiang is so proud to show the recordable book her parents sent her!

Just look at that happy face!  Her parents also sent a t-shirt with a family picture.

Director Yao and Ms. Kwok took us to the same restaurant where we went with Clare.  The food is interesting to say the least!!

Ms. Kwok, Mui, Director Yao, Gianna & Brycie - a perfect ending to a perfect day!