Sunday, June 5, 2011

Look what I can do!

I gotta start with the best news from today (Sunday 6/5 here in China), and a photo (or several) says it best: 

These are my cups.  I didn't know what to do with them a week ago, but now they're pretty cool.
Oh...did you notice I'm sitting up?  I couldn't do this a week ago, either.

Excuse me a moment.  Gotta arrange my cups.
Yeah, I'm still sitting.  And I'm pretty darn proud of myself!
And then the weeble wobbled, and did fall down.  And then giggled.  'Cause falling down is hilarious!  That last photo?  That smile?  Makes it all worth it.  Amazing, the difference one week and a whole lot of prayer make in the life of an orphan-no-longer. 

On a less poignant note...we went to the jade and pearl markets this afternoon.  Talk about overwhelming.  Stall after stall, corridor after corridor, of exactly the same, mostly green, stuff.  And we Americans, not even knowing if we're being swindled.  Not my idea of a good time.  
Vince is pretty sure SARS originated in this very alley.
The "pearl market" was actually an indoor mall.  Five (maybe six?) floors with nothing but beads and jewelry.  Insane.  We didn't even make it past the first floor. 
Beads, pearls, crystals, jewelry.  Every. Single. Store.  I swear.
This is a marathon post, so I'll just keep going.  I took a lot of photos today.  The rest are of Shamian Island. 
Outside a Chinese restaurant.  Do you pick out your meal before going in?  I don't know, and I don't want to know.
 
Some of these buildings are businesses; some are residential. 
View of "off the island"--the rest of Guangzhou, a city of about 14 million
 
Christ Church.  We had hoped to attend a service, but didn't make it in time.
Apartments, I think?
 

11 comments:

Emilie said...

I LOVE IT!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!! He's so adorable! Way to go, Jiushu - sitting up - awesome! And that smile! Melts my heart - little goosebumps too. What a difference in a week.

Kelly said...

With tears in my eyes!!!! Wow! Those first few photos of your beautiful son took my breath away! Amazing evidence of the power of prayer and the love of a mama and daddy!!! PRASIE GOD!!!

JESF....... said...

WOW, I'm enjoying your photos and reading your amazing blog! Your son is so precious!! Praying for everything to go smoothly for you and your famly!!

Janice
Holt

Grummons Family said...

That is so wonderful J is doing much better already. I know it relieves some of your stress.I cannot wait to go get our son in Hunan. I enjoy reading this blog for tips for our China visit soon.

Krissy said...

awesome awesome awesome!!!! little guy is gonna learn the fun of play and the joy of sitting, then moving and groovin'!!!!!! so awesome j and v , so very awesome...

and those beads... im sure ive bought some off ebay... they all come from china...

rocket.p.grenade said...

"Excuse me a moment. Gotta arrange my cups." I can hear you saying this in your "hey, guys..." voice. I love it!!! Baby J, you are AMAZING!! Can't wait to have all 3 of you home!!!

Unknown said...

Oh, look at that smile!!!! Great pics! And, I confess -- I actually enjoyed that pearl and jade market. :) I found some goodies there.
Kelly

Rita and John said...

What a difference a week makes! LOVE that smile! :)

asian~treasures said...

HOORAY!!!!!!! J having his very own forever family is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G & opening up worlds of possibility to him!! Such a FUN post. : )

Beth G said...

Praise the Lord! Praying for you guys! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! May you see new milestones being reached every day!

Nicole Renée said...

JERUSHA!!!! Oh my what a difference! The picture of him sitting up AND smiling ... wow, I sure can see God working here. Amazing. So happy to see things are going well!