Doing Great!

Martin has had a hard time sending emails lately, so I'll give you a quick update in my (Denise's) words.  They are doing fabulous!  We are so grateful for all of the prayers, because it's unbelievable how well Sarah has adjusted and how smooth the trip has gone so far.  I have spent a lot of time talking to them and admiring Sarah on video through Skype.  We all love her so much already.  She seems to have the sweetest personality.  She is such a happy and content baby!!  Even now as she has a cold, she's still been so sweet and playful.  She has slept great for them, waking up only once in the past few nights.  She definitely likes to be held and snuggled - that's no problem for us.  Both Daddy and Kimberly are happy to oblige her.   She's so smart.  Kimberly has already taught her to sign "please"  when she wants something.  Can you believe it?  And you can tell by the way she's curious about everything that she's trying to figure it all out.  She babbles a lot, claps and giggles and reaches out her hands for hugs and to be picked up.   She waves bye bye to me on the video.  She even reaches out her hands to me!  

Yesterday, they got together with some other families from the group for a play time and also took Sarah for a swim in the indoor pool.  Kimberly said she took lots of pictures of her in her little bathing suit.  Martin said she loves the water.  He's hoping to teach her to swim before they get home (kidding).  Today, they are touring a museum in the area.  They will probably also visit the hotel nurse to check Sarah for an ear infection or sinus infection.  She's having a lot of cold symptoms and they want to make sure to treat her if she needs an antibiotic.  They'll be flying to Guanzhou on Friday, so hopefully Sarah's ears will be all clear before that.  

On my end, we are doing well.  My friend, Suzanne, came over with her kids for a fun visit to help pass the time and celebrate my birthday.  This was such a special birthday for me.  I felt very loved by my family and friends and by the Lord.  I have so much to be thankful for.  Sarah's adoption was finalized on my birthday.  What a sweet birthday present from God!  He has given me the desires of my heart in little Sarah.  And after years of praying and dreaming about her, the Lord brought it about on my birthday.  He is so good!

Please pray for one of the other families in the group.  Their baby has a severe heart problem.  She was blue in her face and all over.  They had to put her in the hospital for a while.  They called the doctors in the U.S. and were told that in her current condition she only had a 50% chance of surviving the plane ride home.  They made the decision to take her back to the orphanage today.  They might be able to come back and get her later.  In China she is not eligible for surgery until she is older.  Please pray for this little girl and for this heart broken family.  

I'll try to post more pictures if they come through from Martin.  Happy Thanksgiving!