Saturday, February 27, 2010
30 hours, but who is counting?
Update: The "Gotcha" time for Sienna was moved back a few hours and will now be at 3:00 China time (which is 1 am Central time). Di hopes to send photos by about 6 a.m. Monday:) So check back!! Keep the prayers coming. Diana and family are so grateful for them.
Since it is 3:48am and Ainsley and I are wide awake, I thought I would share a few more pictures from our fun morning exploring the area around our hotel yesterday. We don't meet up with our guide and the four other families we are traveling with until "Gotcha Sienna" morning, so we are on this adventure solo until then. It really is amazing to be the minority in every way here. Unlike Beijing or Guangzhou where you will fine many people who speak English, this is a mandarin only speaking town. Smiling and head nods seem to go a long way. Honestly, it is hard not to enjoy the harmless attention if you let yourself! Just imagine the stares we will get when Sienna mixes it up!
So, it is Sunday morning (almost 4am now in China.) The rest of you are winding down your Saturday's and getting ready for dinner. Jeff is sleeping, Ainsley is playing a game, and I am catching up with all of you. On a side note, if you received an email from me, with a lovely advertisement for Viagra my apologies! Some hacker obviously got a hold of my address list. I have now changed my password and it will hopefully solve the issue. UGH!
Thank you for your specific prayers for our family. It is a very big day for Sienna tomorrow. She will be up early, and on her way for the three hour drive into the city with staff from the Hengshan Social Welfare Institute. How does a four year old begin to understand what is ahead for her? We are praying for God's peace beyond all understanding for Sienna Grace. That her heart will sense that we are here to love her and protect her forever... That in some ways she will not look back, but forward to the path that has been chosen for her. We will do our best to meet her where she is, and to love her through it all. I know many of you understand the enormity of it all, and the thoughts and prayers of this mother's heart!
I have been blessed with some mighty prayer warriors in my life. You have all taught me so much about trusting our Heavenly Father to be the one in control! I have chosen this verse to cling to:
"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:9
To me, this means, I will be there in that Civil Affairs office, I will be there in your hotel room, I will be there for Sienna Grace. So do not worry Mom! Thank you Lord for your comforting reminders and truth!
Blessings from China!
Diana
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35 comments:
Well, at least Jeff is sleeping;) I cannot believe someone hacked into your account and is sending those e-mails. I wonder if the hotel connection is safe. Don't do any on-line shopping in the middle of the night while you can't sleep!
These photos are really really beautiful! I love seeing China through your lens.
Really though, we cannot wait to see Miss Sienna on here!!! 29 hours now?
Love,
Kim
Beautiful photos! I cant wait for Sienna Gotcha Day!
I know your heart is about to burst!!!
Love the pictures....she will too one day!!!
Really beautiful pictures, I was already fan of the pictures of your beautiful daughters, your pictures from China are just amazing !
Rosita from Spain ( mam of Sofia and Alexandre from China)
I'm loving all your pictures, just beautiful. Praying for little Sienna :)
I almost forgot how colorful China is. I also loved how on any given day, you can see people dancing in the parks. I love that! I also love the picture of the man practicing his writing. I have a picture kind of like that myself. I miss China!
I can't wait to see and hear even more the next week!
Welcome back to China! Glad you hear you arrived safe and sound and are enjoying yourselves! I'll be praying that you have a wonderful meeting with Sienna tomorrow! :)
Beautiful pictures! I have also been praying specifically that Sienna (and you) has the peace that passes all understanding. Hugs to you 3!
Great pictures -- I miss China already.
I'll be praying for you all and will be checking email late tonight to see the new pictures.
Your photos are so beautiful Diana! Even though we have only been home for 2 months....I am missing China terribly.....I am not sure my heart will ever not long for that place! You will certainly be in my thoughts as the clock ticks down to Sienna! I for one can't wait to see the moment from this side of the ocean....
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday in Changsha!
oh my that little baby is gorgeous!!!! I was completely in awe of all the pictures! Imagine....wearing heels w/a cute purse and pushing a cart of oranges!!! Wow!!!!! I love the pic of the older man/woman dancing!!!prumr
You got some GORGEOUS pictures, Diana!!
I can't imagine WHY you aren't sleeping!?!?!?!
You are SO right, God will be WITH you, He will be invading Sienna Grace's little heart!! Count on that to be OUR prayers - that God would supernaturally comfort her and give her a peace & understanding!
I pray that God is preparing her and her foster family RIGHT NOW. Maybe they are up too - maybe they can't sleep as well... My heart broke to imagine Mya's foster families' countdown - so very different than ours.
May God be with them as well.
Big Hugs from the frozen tundra!
FABULOUS pictures! You do such a great job capturing the "lifestyle" element!! LOVE the one of Ainsley and Jeff (aka Mr. Handsome, by Ruby's friend, Lucy - or so she told me). She continues to make us laugh...my cheeks hurt! She is so funny! We will be praying HARD over the next 24 hours, my friends! Love you guys!
Just AWESOME photos, Diana! Love them! Makes my trigger finger itch for another trip to China!!Can't wait for photos of Sienna!
Oh, I am SO excited for you guys, Di!!!
You are so close to at last holding your precious Seinna!!
We are out of power here in New England, but at least I can follow along on my iPhone :)
Praying for you and Seinna... He has brought you this far, I know He will continue to carry you!!!
BIG HUGS from here to there!!
Now the wait is only in hours!!! You guys will continue to be in my prayers and I just can't wait to see you with your third daughter! The Lord will be with you all as you become a family of 5!
Blessings and Joy, Ashley
We are loving the photos and can't wait to see your first "Sienna Post" :-))
These photos are beautiful! Blessings as you get ready to meet your darling new daughter. Love your cling-to verse.
I am on pins and needles for you, and completely remembering the feelings of panic the day before we met Ellie. Hopefully, having been through this once is giving you peace, and our thoughts and prayers are with you, Jeff, Ainsley, and especially sweet Sienna. Blessings to you all, and can't wait for your next all-important update!
Oh yeah, GORGEOUS photos!!!
I LOVE these pictures. They are wonderful. I love that old man with the pink shoe laces...how funny!! I'm praying you get a full night's sleep tonight.
23 hours now!!
Love,
Jennifer
I am so excited for you and your family! I am sending many many prayers for Sienna, that she may experience peace in her heart and be able to openly receive the love that you will most definitely be pouring into her.
I can hardly stand the anticipation of you meeting Sienna. I can only imagine the emotions you are going through.
I love the pictures, they are great.
Love the pictures! Makes me want to go back to China! Can't believe it is getting so close to Sienna day. (I did get those e mails and was worried.) I don't think that I will be able to sleep tonight. Sending lots of prayers for you and Sienna~
Oh Diana,
I just read in it's entirety the story of Sienna. Thank you for your faithfulness, obedience and for your transparency in sharing the heartbreak and joy of what the Lord has done. God is so very good.
We are praying for you all here. Love the pictures, but most importantly love the reason you are there and what the Lord is about to do in uniting your family.
Be blessed my friend. What a special, special time in your lives.
Our love,
Rob, Heather,Emily and Hannah
Such beautiful pictures....it makes me want to go back!
I am so excited for you.
Praying that all will go well.
Robin
Beautiful pics Diana! Praying for you all as you count down to Sienna!
I have been introduced to your blog awhile ago through 3 Peanuts and I love it! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your trip. Our neighbors are also in China with you to bring home their son. I love seeing the experience through your eyes. I hope all goes well with you and your family.
What does Anisley think about this all? Is she loving China?
It's now Sunday here so I think you're now down to about 12 hours until you meet Sienna. Wow.
so close, so close.
Awesome photos! I love the man with the pink shoe strings, heck I think he can get his leg higher than I can, and bet he is 30 years old...dang, what a slacker I am.
ha ha
I hope you have a wonderful nights sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to love on #3!!
Norah
What wonderful photos!! Thinking of you all today and praying for Sienna Grace as she gets ready to meet her forever family!
Your pictures are great!! (The lens paid off:) I so wish we were there with you!I can't wait to go back one of these days. your pictures make me want to be there right now! Anyway I hope you are sleeping right now! Counting down the hours until we see you with your daughter!
Love -
B
Wishing you all the best as you bring Sienna into your lives!
Lovin all the photos!! Can't wait until you have her in your arms! I will be checking all night, lol! Our God is an AMAZING GOD! You have all our prayers!
These are fabulous pictures. I know the next time I check in you'll have Miss Sienna! How exciting. Will be wonderful to see Sienna in her mama's forever arms.
Felicia
Can't wait to see those photos of your precious Sienna....
Sending lots of prayers your way!!!!