China . . . the land of surprises and loads of fun :)

My goodness . . . it has been a crazy week since I last blogged.  I guess that most of you probably saw my Mom’s post on her blog a few days back that she flew all the way to China to surprise me and Tanner.  How cool is that?  We haven’t seen her since Christmas time!  I had absolutely NO IDEA that she was coming . . . it was a total surprise.  We went with our host here in China, Rob, to supposedly pick up some suitcases of donations for the foster home and much to my surprise my Mom came walking through the airport!  We were able to spend Mother’s day together, and even though her card was in the mail on its way to America, we still had a wonderful time together.

 

 Not only did we receive an awesome surprise in having my Mom visit, but we were also able to welcome some family friends to China and do a bit of in-country travel before heading to Nanjing, China to watch them welcome their new daughter through the miracle of adoption.  My Mom has lots of photos posted on her blog of that amazing moment in which an orphan became a daughter!  Woah . . . I still get a little teary-eyed just thinking about it.  Other than Shaoey’s adoption, this was the only adoption I have watched take place.  As I watched the nannies hand our friends their precious daughter, I was once again overwhelmed and overjoyed to know that I too have been adopted into a heavenly family. 

 

 

  It was a whirlwind trip around China, but Tanner and I are back in Beijing now and will head down to Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang on Friday, May 14^th.  My Mom left this morning to head back to America and get ready for the big Cinderella event that Show Hope is hosting.  Please check out www.showhope.org for more information!  It is going to be a spectacular event on Friday, May 14^th and Tanner and I are bummed we are going to miss out.  We taught pre-school this morning and had an absolute blast!  I have posted some photos for you all to see what kind of pre-school day we had today.  We started class off by all dressing up and doing a scavenger hunt! We had a blast.  Then, we had snack and lesson time and learned about animals J  After coloring for a bit, we then decided to make kitty cat masks which was hilarious.  All the kids were running around with their masks scaring Tanner and I and making cat noises.  To be honest . . . I left pre-school this morning feeling really special to have spent those few hours laughing with those kiddos.  And, I have to brag on my husband.  I have always said that he is better teaching kids than I am.  He just really has the ability to get on a kid’s level and teach them in a way that is fun and beneficial.  He has been a total hit with all the pre-school kiddos!  All of the kids know his name now, and so we will be walking down the hall and hear “Tanner Laoshi” which means “Teacher Tanner.”  Some of the kids even call him “big brother” and when they see me without him their first question is always, “Where is Tanner?”  He has been doing a bit of gymnastics with the kids because that is his background.  No, no, no . . . we haven’t been doing flips or anything like that but just simple stretches and such on the floor in the pre-school.  The kids LOVE getting the exercise and they pay great attention to Tan.  Honestly, I am really thankful for how hard Tanner has worked and how much effort he has put into this pre-school time.  Some might see it as a small thing, just four or five kids in a pre-school with a wife who knows little about teaching, but I believe he is really making a difference even by just laughing with these kids and affirming them in their talents and gifts.  Wow . . . I just have to say that I am one tremendously blessed woman J 

 

 

 

 

 Like I said earlier, we head to Maria’s Big House of Hope on Friday and I think there are quite a few projects for us to be working on there especially as it relates to setting up the preschool there for the kiddos!  We will continue to post photos J  Thanks once again for all your thoughts and prayers.

Comments

[Amy]

Emily...
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing adventure and photos with us. I am awe struck by what you and Tanner and your whole family do for so many. May God continue to guide you on this incredible (and I'm sure sometimes crazy) journey and may you continue to take us with you.

So glad you were able to see your mom...talk about amazing...your mom is the epitome of amazing. I'm so looking forward to her book this fall. I know that May is a tough month (they are all tough buy May especially) and I will be praying for you all as Maria's birthday and her going to heaven anniversary are upon you.

Keep doing what your doing...keep making a difference!

Blessings,
Amy

PS - are you guys headed back to Ireland or are you done?

[-t-]

Emily,

Thank you for sharing. He is glorified :}

In Him alone,
-t-

[Vanessa (from Nebraska)]

Emily,

Great to hear from you & enjoy your photos & stories! Praying for you that God will continue to move in mighty ways through your efforts with these children. :o)

In Christ,
Vanessa:)

[fan]

I don't think I have to tell you that you have the GREATEST Mom in the world! God so carefully orchestrated the timing of all this just for you! Perhaps he is preparing you for the adoption of your little one one day! :) It is so fun tto watch you and Tanner continue to grow in the Lord. Please keep posting! This looks like such a fun job!
Chinamom

[Sandy Barnard]

Thanks for posting the pictures.
You and Tanner are such an encouragement to us.
We'll continue praying and catching any news that you post.
Have a safe trip back down to MBHOH.

[NiHaoMa - Da'Shotaz]

How COOL is this!!!! :oD
(Love the wig Tanner..)So cute, way cool guys!!

[Rebecca]

Emily, it's so great to see your posts :-) Even though we don't "know" you, we hear and SEE so clearly what treasures you and Tanner are. We are so proud of you both and challenged by your God-serving hearts!

[eathoy]

hi emily,I am Chinese girl just about become a new mum,I was keen on adoption too,found your story on youtube,its touched me deep in heart.I want you know that how I want thank you and your great family on behalf of the chinese people,you and your great family has given so much love to someone you never met before,you have a such generous heart and such a beautiful family,thank you.dear emily,if anything I can help,please let me know,may god bless you.love all your family:)
eathoy@hotmail.com