Thursday April 19- Day 7

Today was our first free day . It was wonderful to catch up on some sleep and skype with 'Big Sis' and her family. Ivy showed off her outgoing personality for them and some of her new English words, such as, "I love you". She continues to blossom and thoroughly enjoy coloring, playing play-dough, dolls, and teasing big sisters.  She already responds to her American name and repeats things we say like a little parrot. She soaks up love, attention, praise, and food! Tomorrow we get her passport and then we are off to Guangzhou. This is  in the southern part of the country and where the US Consulate is located. Here we will complete more paperwork, have Ivy's medical examination, our Oath Taking Ceremony, and receive her Visa. We will also meet up again with the families in our travel group. We have had  a cultural experience here in Anhui which we will never forget. I asked the girls their memories of this province and they responded...pollution, crazy drivers who actually don't get mad, beautiful countryside, warm hospitality, friendly people, fast pace, unique food flavors, washing our clothes in the bathtub, Dad trying to speak Chinese and getting "hello" mixed up with "I love you" when he greeted people! Dan said that the city of Hefei is like New York City on steroids, except the people are respectful and don't get angry. We are anxious to get to Guangzhou, but it's bittersweet leaving the province of Ivy's birth. Tonight we took a stroll through a local park by our hotel.

  God makes a home for the lonely  Psalm 68:6