Saying Goodbye

Yesterday was our last day in Guangzhou.  You have seen so many sweet pictures of our sweet little Ellie but like we have mentioned this little girl is not a fan of being changed or bath time.  We knew we had to document how bad she really thinks it is.  We are really hoping in the days to come it gets better.  We are also praying she doesn't wake the whole plane every time we need to change her diaper.  There is no where to escape in the air.

We decided to spend our last morning in China at Shamian Island.  We stayed on the island with Max and I loved our morning walks around the island. I loved watching all the Chinese people around the island doing their thing. People would be singing, dancing, exercising, swimming, playing games or just sitting together and talking.  There are so many things I love about the Chinese culture and this is just one of the many things.  They seem to slow down and truly enjoy life.

We went to the island and enjoyed a morning walk taking it all in.

Ellie had her last ride in China on her daddy's chest! 

We did some last minute shopping. 

On the way to China I told Eric we needed to stop by the statues so I could get a picture of Ellie standing by them.  Little did I know that she wouldn't even know how to put her little feet down to put weight on them.  We took pictures today by the statues.  I can't wait to look back at these pictures when she is standing and taking her first steps.

We got back to our hotel packed up and went for lunch.  We met our travel group downstairs in the lobby for pictures and goodbyes. 

We made a stop at our agency office for a picture on the red couch.  There is a huge tradition to get children's pictures taken on the red couch but the White Swan is closed on the island now.  Our agency snagged one of the couches so families still have the read couch tradition. 

Waiting for picture in the lobby with daddy. 

Here are most of the little girls from our group! 

Oh Ellie, love those eyes.  She uses that look more often as she looks at you out of the corner of her eyes! 

Our whole group together for the last time! What an amazing journey to be on with this group of people.  A group of people who will always have a special place in our heart!  Our prayers go with them as they dive into real life with their new little ones!  It is amazing to see families being formed through adoption. 

We can't wait to get home and to be together as a family of 7 but there is an ache deep in my soul to leave Ellie's birth country.  Today Ellie will leave behind even more: her culture, language, and people.  We have come to love the Chinese culture but as much as we honor her heritage, there will still be a loss.  I pray that in the years to come she will see God's hand in her life.  She will not look to her family, her culture or herself for her identity but that her true identity may be in Christ, the one who created her perfectly and has a plan for her life!

Our journey home has begun. We took a van from Guangzhou to Hong Kong and today the 24 hour marathon of travel begins.  Thank you so much for going to China with us, for all the encouragement through numerous emails, messages and blog comments.  We have been overwhelmed by the body of Christ covering us on this journey! 

Next up ..... home as a family of 7 ... I can hardly wait!