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february 8:
Guangzhou Zoo
Today was the day to go to the zoo.
Nathaniel and Alexandra got a kick out of the
English translations for all the signs. "Keep
Off Glass" translated from the Chinese is
"No Slapping Glass." Marisa had a good
time today too - she seemed to open up to
us just a little bit more. We're making
progress - and having fun as you'll see in
one of our videos later.
Today was the day to go to the zoo.
Nathaniel and Alexandra got a kick out of the
English translations for all the signs. "Keep
Off Glass" translated from the Chinese is
"No Slapping Glass." Marisa had a good
time today too - she seemed to open up to
us just a little bit more. We're making
progress - and having fun as you'll see in
one of our videos later.
Marisa Mei-Lian Freeman
The Panda Zone
Yes - we saw a real live Panda. Pretty cool.
We also saw a big rat, but seeing as how the
rat is one of the Chinese zodiac animals it
made sense they have one in the zoo. Many
of the animals were similar to what we have
in the US, only a little different in some ways -
markings, body structure - almost an Asian
species from the same family.
Yes - we saw a real live Panda. Pretty cool.
We also saw a big rat, but seeing as how the
rat is one of the Chinese zodiac animals it
made sense they have one in the zoo. Many
of the animals were similar to what we have
in the US, only a little different in some ways -
markings, body structure - almost an Asian
species from the same family.
Never far from home
Having had our fill of Chinese food, we opted for the western cuisine at lunch. The bilingual menu kept us from
ordering the Reptile Lover's pizza. :-) All told, it was pretty close to what's delivered at home.
Having had our fill of Chinese food, we opted for the western cuisine at lunch. The bilingual menu kept us from
ordering the Reptile Lover's pizza. :-) All told, it was pretty close to what's delivered at home.
We're getting closer
We understand that we're getting closer to
the end of the paperwork piece. Here's
some of the fruit of our labor since we've
been in Guangzhou. One of the documents
is Marisa's Abandonment Certificate. This
told about where and when she was found
and as you can imagine pretty emotional to
read.
We understand that we're getting closer to
the end of the paperwork piece. Here's
some of the fruit of our labor since we've
been in Guangzhou. One of the documents
is Marisa's Abandonment Certificate. This
told about where and when she was found
and as you can imagine pretty emotional to
read.
A common sight
We've noticed in both cities we've been in the
massive apartment buildings everywhere.
Most are not very nice and just go to show
how crowded China is in general. Many
things are just hung over the sides of the
decks just to make room. Clothes hung out
to dry are commonplace.
We've noticed in both cities we've been in the
massive apartment buildings everywhere.
Most are not very nice and just go to show
how crowded China is in general. Many
things are just hung over the sides of the
decks just to make room. Clothes hung out
to dry are commonplace.
A new daddy
This is the husband of one of the three
couples in our group who are first time
parents. He did a great job reading to the
girls during an evening play date in one of
the family's room, but the fun only lasted
about 30 seconds as the girls reverted to
coveting each other's new toys.
This is the husband of one of the three
couples in our group who are first time
parents. He did a great job reading to the
girls during an evening play date in one of
the family's room, but the fun only lasted
about 30 seconds as the girls reverted to
coveting each other's new toys.
. . . and today's videos!
Natalie and I have been totally blessed by the number of folks following along on our site - thank you for making our
website worth the effort we're putting into it. We pray God is honored through this effort. Thank you also for the emails of
encouragement sent to us and the kids. PLEASE don't be upset if we don't respond to all of them. We have very full days,
are wiped out at the end of each one and it's taking Natalie and me about 2 or 3 hours a day to create and post this site
(mostly Internet problems).
Today reminded me of one of the most difficult issues I've had with adoption. For us to adopt means that someone else
had to give up a child. I just can't seem to get my arms around that one. In China there is a financial penalty for having
more than one child (two in some cases). If you have children - imagine that for a moment. No matter what I do with that
idea I'm reduced to tears and prayer for the parents of these children. I hope you are too. God bless you all.
website worth the effort we're putting into it. We pray God is honored through this effort. Thank you also for the emails of
encouragement sent to us and the kids. PLEASE don't be upset if we don't respond to all of them. We have very full days,
are wiped out at the end of each one and it's taking Natalie and me about 2 or 3 hours a day to create and post this site
(mostly Internet problems).
Today reminded me of one of the most difficult issues I've had with adoption. For us to adopt means that someone else
had to give up a child. I just can't seem to get my arms around that one. In China there is a financial penalty for having
more than one child (two in some cases). If you have children - imagine that for a moment. No matter what I do with that
idea I'm reduced to tears and prayer for the parents of these children. I hope you are too. God bless you all.
Plants
The flowers are beautiful here. They also
have some pretty amazing parks throughout
Guangzhou situated around lakes, etc.
The flowers are beautiful here. They also
have some pretty amazing parks throughout
Guangzhou situated around lakes, etc.
96% of Chinese are of Han descent. The other 4% are comprised of about 55 people groups. These minority groups are very
proud of their heritage and we got to watch a few of them in ritual performances today. That is on the top left. On the top right is
another step in building that bridge to Marisa's heart. I think we're making it. She's becoming full of smiles.
Bottom (both sides) is the slide show split into two parts. Doing this to troubleshoot my Internet connection which is giving me fits!
proud of their heritage and we got to watch a few of them in ritual performances today. That is on the top left. On the top right is
another step in building that bridge to Marisa's heart. I think we're making it. She's becoming full of smiles.
Bottom (both sides) is the slide show split into two parts. Doing this to troubleshoot my Internet connection which is giving me fits!