Day 7 with the boys

Wow tomorrow will be one week. We're half way through our trip if everything goes exactly as we're praying! Please please pray for everything to fall into place with no hiccups.  The first specific thing we need you to intercede with us for is a NEGATIVE TB test for Isaiah. At the medical on Saturday, any child over 2 has to have a blood TB drawn.  If it's positive there is a chance we could be delayed in leaving China.  Personally I CANNOT think about this.  I'm choosing to trust that God is working all this out, every specific detail, & will move His hand to protect the schedule & logistics that need to fall into place. Please pray in faith with us!!! I need to know others are there trusting God with us!

Got to talk to the girls today & the are doing great! Having fun & being completely spoiled by Mimi & Pop! It did my heart good to hear there sweet voices & see their precious little faces.  I almost lost it though when Abygail asked about 3 times when we were coming home & adelynn asked how our new home was.  So thankful that despite the distance they completely trust our love for them & are secure in sharing us with their new brothers right now.  They are such big, loving, & understanding sweethearts. Cannot wait to give them HUGE hugs!

Today was spent sightseeing.  We went to a jewelry market where there must have been over 100 stores all selling pearls, jade, amber, crystals, silver, & any color bead you can imagine!  It was fun to look around but felt rushed. We did get something special to give the girls & our future daughter in laws on their wedding day.  After that we went to a museum where local artist were painting with there hands & pretty porcelain that's unique to Guangdong. It was nice & the wood carvings were pretty. I didn't see too much as the boys mainly ran in the courtyard. 

I'm struggling to know what is just testing & control of a typical 2 year old & what is fear & complete insecurity from my son.  We want to deal in wisdom, love, & trust building.  It's so difficult & counter intuitive to give into a child whining.  Some of it completely does just feel like trying to battle for control, but really wanting to let go of that need to control & trust someone else.  I would say the majority of time now that both boys are completely engaged & playing & loving on us appropriately. This is amazing really! God is good.  I know there are some habits I just can't start here because there is no way I'll be able to continue them at home. This is hard because the last thing I want is to create a lack of trust! Please pray that in all the moments we can we establish really positive, loving, encouragement by  hugging, touching, kissing, holding, praising them.  Right now if I hold Elijah at all while we're out of our room Isaiah starts getting really upset. This is difficult because it's keeping me from bonding with Elijah & also I know it's not realistic that I won't need to hold Elijah, Abygail or adelynn at times too.  Even if I reassure him & try to hold his hand or touch him while holding Elijah he won't calm down nor will he let Matt hold him.  This happened 2 times today & both times I had to just try my best while holding Elijah & him crying because Matt couldn't hold Elijah. Please pray for me to have wisdom & insight into his fears.  It's hard.

Matt got some yummy dinner tonight. After seeing those snakes, turtles, & eels for sale he thought why not live on the wild side.  We're in china ya know.  This completely grossed me out!!