Sorry it has taken so long to post since I have been home I have been going non stop, and have written this in pieces so I am sorry that it is scattered and I am sure full of grammatical errors.

Well our last day in China was a full day of going to the Great Wall of China climbing some huge stairs to get to the wall and then the half of the group that made it up first went on and climbed until we couldn’t climb anymore and I do not think I have ever sweated so much in my life then I did that day. It was crazy we all just looked like we had gotten out of the shower, but I assure you we did not smell like we had. It was crazy all of the uneven steps and the steep slopes to climb. It amazes me that people built this, I just do not get how! The whole point to going to this part of the Great Wall was so we could do the slide down! We saw that there was a long line and our guide said he thought we would just take the cable car (ski lift) down, because we were already off our schedule timing wise. I was the only one down there with him at that point and I told him that everyone would be really mad if we didn’t get to go down the slide because that was why we had toured that part, and why we had driven 3 hours to get to it. So he let in and we got our tickets. We sat on these little sleds and pushed the lever forwards to go and pulled backwards for the brake. This was our way down from the wall and let me tell you it was WAYYYYY more fun than climbing up those treacherous stairs to get to the wall.

One of the last days we were there, a little girl we called Ella, was in the elevator with some of us with a lady and a man. We didn’t think much of it, but later we found out that she was being adopted by them! She would stay in Chenzhou with the couple that adopted her! Ella was Steve’s (our guide) favorite baby! He said he liked her big round eyes.

I was ready to leave only because we were not with the kids anymore, and that was my purpose those kids, nannies, and that orphanage. So without that I kind of felt lost. So I was ready to come back. But after just a week I was ready to go back to china, I missed it, even though I was hot and sweaty all of the time, it was worth it to make the people in that orphanage be able to have a little more. A little more clothes, toys, but most of all, LOVE and not only our love but God’s love and affection. Some people may think that since we did not build anything or that we didn’t do a VBS for the kids, that we didn’t do anything that will help them. But I believe we gave them all that they desire, love, attention, and FUN.

So many people have asked how was your trip, was it everything you expected? Etc. I didn’t go into this trip having expectations, I went into it curious, and anxious to experience it. People ask “did you bring one back in your suitcase? I bet you wanted to”. I just don’t think people get it. These children are not some souvenir. They are real, human beings, and people do not take me seriously when I say, I want to adopt Emerson. If it weren’t for the laws that I have to be at least 30 and married for at least 5 years than I would have, even though I am only 19 years old. Even though I am still in college.

Things since China have been… busy. I have constantly had things to do; work, babysit, find everything for my apartment. But there has not been a day that I have gone without thinking about Chenzhou. Replaying memories from our time there, wondering what they are doing, worrying that they will be okay.

Updates: The heart babies Charlotte and Sarah are going to Beijing to get their surgery!!!! Also, with the help of Joan Mitchell, we have been able to get Smile Train to contact the director in Chenzhou and my baby girl Emerson is going to get her cleft lip and cleft palate surgery! Also Amy’s tiny baby Angelina is getting her surgery for her cleft lip and palate. I could not be any more excited for how God is working in that place. There are so many things that he is doing, and I am honestly a bit overwhelmed with excitement, and gratitude. I am so happy the heart babies Sarah and Charlotte will get the surgery needed in order to survive, and I am so happy that Emerson and Angelina will get the surgery for their cleft palates and cleft lips, while they are still healthy enough to do so, I am hoping that eating becomes an easier task for both of them so they can grow strong.

The life I always pictured may not be a reality for me anymore. I want more I want to do more, and I don’t know if what I pictured myself doing is right for me. This trip has opened my eyes up to a whole new world, and God may have different plans for my life then what I thought.

Going on this trip put a lot of things into perspective, like…. I have way too much stuff. I am very blessed and maybe a little bit spoiled. I have a lot of support from family and friends and could not be more grateful for that. There are so many more things, but I honestly do not think that you will understand where I am coming from unless you GO and see for yourself. People have so much to give, whether you think you do or not, there is always something you can do. Find a cause and support it, whether it is adoption, sending money to support a family or child, or going and serving. God calls us to do these things, he expects us to serve the broken, the weak, the widowed, orphaned and the hungry. But we all too often let life and business get in the way of what really matters.

I know my girls are supposed to be getting their cleft surgeries but I have not heard anything for a few weeks but when I do I will post about it. I could not be more excited for them and happy the orphanage is so willing to help them.

Moving into my first apartment, thoughts of worrying about money, trying to get a job, worrying about school and dance team are consuming my time. But not a day goes by that I do not think about Chenzhou and the work we did there and the things I saw and the people I loved, still love through the distance. I know God is working on his plans for my life and I will try to patiently wait to understand just what they are, but I have an idea that His glorious plan has to do with those kids, those people, because China will forever have my heart.