Birthday and Church in Guangzhou

When we woke yesterday (January 4th) we had an additional 14 year old! Selah celebrates her 14th birthday and every remaining birthday with her forever family. We plan to make this especially sweet to her. 

It took a little planning on our part. Jeremy took the girls down to feed the Koi fish while I stayed in the room and did a little decorating. It wasn't much but we did what we could. Jeremy ordered a cake from the hotel bakery. It was expensive. And of course, we found a bakery that afternoon outside. I'm sure it would have been much less expensive but we had already placed the order and paid for the cake.

Selah has taken to photography! She loves to take some photos. She has a great eye for things.

Notice the subject of her art.

Then she couldn't resist........

I joined Jeremy and the girls in the lobby and we walked to dinner at Tomatoes, an Italian restaurant. None of us were impressed with the meal but when we finished we walked back to this.......

 And a few gifts.

While shopping earlier that day our guide, Miko, also brought her a gift. It was a very beautiful porcelain necklace. We love Miko!!!! We also bought her a new watch of her choice.

Selah did enjoy her cake.

She had some genuine smiles.

We got her a few gifts. She was eyeing up dolls at a shop and completely missed that we bought a couple for her.

She has a terrific sense of humor. She put the dolls next to the cake to  help us eat the rest.

We bought her some gum, and mints that she loved!

And a book in Mandarin. She liked that too.

Then the girls got giddy and got showers then began to play "volleyball" with the balloons in the room. This was the first true laughter we have heard.

Selah also grabbed my camera and took a few. Oh, Jeremy is so crazy! He loves his girls and I think you can tell.

We enjoyed looking at some photos from the files in my computer. I called Selah over to see a few. She came over to me and got very close. Her leg and arm were touching me. That is a first!

Then we looked over and saw Selah looking at the photos on my camera. This is a huge step in trust.

The only time we really see Selah without that coat on is after her shower. I'm wondering if that is some comfort to her. 


She came to us with a backpack from the orphanage. That was six days ago. She has not touched it but also does not want us to do anything with it. Eventually we will have to unload it to repack it's contents.


While walking down the street last night, there was a beggar that got very close to Selah. She leaned in towards Jeremy! We are noticing the small things that are actually huge. She napped in our hotel room for 2 hours two days ago. That also shows she is comfortable enough to fall asleep around us. Poor thing really needed a nap. She was falling asleep.

As well as Becca.

And Jeremy.......

This morning our guide took us to church in Guangzhou. We met her in the hotel lobby at 9:30 then our van driver took us over to the Hilton where the Guangzhou International Fellowship Church meets.

Our guide took us up to the third floor where the conference rooms were and she told us she would be back to get us at 11:30. Locals are not permitted to attend church services. Since we have a US passport, we were allowed in with no problem. We are blessed to live in a country where we can still worship freely.

We were greeted by a super friendly American named Scott. He was perfect for that position. We were a little early and had no trouble finding seats.

It filled up fast and was standing room only by the time the service began.

And I was holding Selah's Bible. I noticed she kept looking at it then she took it from my lap and I caught this photo secretly.

I'm not sure where the translation breaks down but when Jeremy asks Selah if she has been to church she says yes. When our guide asks her she said no. We are a bit confused. Hopefully one day soon she can tell us in plain English.

It was a great day for sure. Nothing is perfect but we are definitely seeing huge progress. I no longer take for granted being called momma. Nor do I take for granted hugs. We have yet to receive those hugs. But we did catch this......

Older child adoption is one of the most humbling experiences I've ever known. This journey is a stark reminder of the neglect of a precious child. But we can see her resilience. It is a slow process. Please keep our daughter's heart in your prayer. A teenage girl is fragile in the best of circumstances.