Wow!

First of all, let me say that for whatever reason (I have a few suspicions...), we cannot see our blog or any comments posted to it. But we are able (allowed?) to post to our blog, luckily. So anyway, if you have any comments for us that you'd like to have us see while in China, please send them directly to us either to sltippens@gmail.com, or tktippens@yahoo.com. Thanks.

So where to start? A couple of days ago (Thursday 4/24), we had our "Gotcha Day" and it was quite an experience. It has taken awhile to recover from it, so that's why we're just now reporting in. It is so hard to describe the emotions involved. We may have to do that in person.

Thursday was the day we met Julia for the first time, and we brought her home to our hotel. It was a day full of paperwork and waiting. Lots of anticipation. Here is a shot of Shannon, Emily, and my Mom (Mamo), waiting at the Civil Affairs office before the fun began.

Then the only 2 babies to show up were the ones from Julia's orphanage. The others were delayed. So after we got to meet Julia, all the families piled back into the bus and headed back to the hotel, where the other families met their babies. It was a little chaotic on the 31st floor of our hotel for that meeting!

Below is a shot of us with the women who brought Julia to Changsha. I believe the woman on the left may be the orphanage director. [Update - she is not.]

It was a long day, but a good one. Julia has been a little sick, so we have been spending a lot of time on that. We will post more later. Baby is sleeping so we need to be sleeping.

Praise: God is amazing! He can handle anything and wants us to come to him with our struggles.

Prayer requests: Sleep

Julia to trust us and be well, that she will eat and drink more

Emily: finding food for her to eat, culture shock because so many people are bothering her because they do not see US girls

Kyle and Shannon: wisdom! understanding, to relax and let God take over, to pray more, strength and endurance, rest.

Anne: not to overdo, stay well rested, take time for herself, to have fun

More pictures of Julia later on, plus bonus pictures from the Changsha Super Wal-Mart visit (Kyle is dying to post those...)