Hunan

Tuesday July 27, 2010:
Today the adoption is official! Charis is now a Weldon! We went to the Civil Affairs building for all the paperwork! She is connecting with Debby and I amazingly. She is a little bashful, but as each day goes on we see more of her personality. Charis is a Hunan Girl – which the local people call them the spicy girls! Hunan is known for its spicy food. She is our little girl now – she is now in her forever family, we feel so blessed!

Wednesday July 28, 2010:
We went to the Hunan Providence Museum to learn more about her culture and background. This would be the equivalent of a state museum. It was very interesting; the highlight of the museum was a well preserved 2000 year old corpse. It was interesting, I have pictures! Our guide Mamie has helped us learn more about Charis’ culture. We spent the afternoon playing in the playroom of the hotel. We are watching Charis change each day right in front of us. She is becoming more and more comfortable with us and she is talking with us and laughing! She is so precious.

Thursday July 29, 2010:
Today we strolled through the local park! It is hot here in China! Like 100 plus! Everywhere we go people want to practice their English with us. We kind of stand out here in China! We walked through the park and watched dancers & singers and watched the children feed thousands of gold fish. We finally tried the local food! Spicy is an understatement – it is hot!! As Debby and I ate lunch people stared and laughed at us as sweat poured from our foreheads. It was very funny! We spent the evening on a boat ride up the river. Debby, Charis, Mamie and I at the buffet on the boat before it launched. Every meal this week we have prayed, “Dear Lord, please do not let this food make us sick!” We have actually enjoyed trying new things! The city of Changsha is huge; I believe there are over 7 million that live in this city. It was amazing to see the sun set and the city lights at night from the river. Charis is doing great! We definitely see her personality now! We leave tomorrow for Guangzhou! We are ready to get home! One more week!

Skpe pictures

Got to skype with Mom and Dad last night! Charis is absolutely adorable! She LOVES her toys and kisses from Daddy!

- Cassady

Today we were reminded of God’s never failing promises! The day we thought would never come is here! We left Beijing at 5:00am and traveled to Changsha and Charis traveled to meet us at the Hunan Adoption Service Office. We met baby Charis at 3:30 today. It is amazing to know that she is now with her forever family. Debby and I feel so blessed to be able to experience this miracle. We walked into the room and she was asleep with the orphanage workers. We have spent the first few hours getting to know each other and letting her know that we are her Mommy and Daddy! God is so faithful and Charis is a little doll, she is so precious! Tuesday we have two appointments for paper work and then we spend the next few days here in Changsha before heading to the next destination to finalize the adoption. Thank you for praying! We have sensed God's peace in our lives each day during this journey.

Touring Beijing

We have spent the last two days in Beijing! It is hot 100 plus temperatures. We have met some amazing people. There are 23 total families on this trip. We are anxiously waiting to meet Charis on Monday afternoon. We toured several places here in Beijing. Saturday: Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing. Sherry is our guide and I have to say as a tour guide Debby finally met her match! They love to have us shop – our shopping has included: Freshwater Pearl Factory, The silk museum and Factory , flowed by today the Jade factory. The visit to the Summer Palace was incredible. We are trying to absorb everything we can to learn more about the culture. Sunday began with worship at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship, Then off to The Great Wall! It was amazing and hot again! We will definitely have our fill of Chinese Food! Deb and I will be at our bus at 5:00am to fly with 3 other families to Changsha in the Hunan Province. We are tired but very excited to meet Charis on Monday which will probably in the middle of the night in the US. Here are a few pictures of our journey. Please pray all goes well!

Arrived In China

We arrived in Beijing, China at midnight China time (Saturday Morning). We arrived at our airport at 1:30. We were able to get a few hours sleep and we are up and off to sightsee with the group today. We are having phone issues hopefully we can resolve those today. There were five families on the flight from Seattle to Beijing; it was great to hear their stories. There are a total of 28 families traveling in our group. We are tired and exhausted but we are trying to adjust to China time – I think we understand the meaning of jet lag!

Boarding the Plane!!

Here at the airport ready to board. Hopefully we haven't forgotten anything.

Charis has been prepared for, packed for, and prayed for. Baby Charis will be in our arms in just a few days!

Tomorrow we leave!!

We are packing and doing last minute errands. Almost ready to get on the plane and go to China. Grandmama and Grandaddy are here to take care of the kiddos (I hope not to overwhelmed) and hold things together. God continues to amaze me that we have been given such a wonderful gift - the gift of another child to love and spend our lives with.

Off to do more packing!!

The Story of our Journey

Our journey to Charis started about 8 years ago. Our oldest, Cassady, came to Chris and I asking us to pray about adopting a little sister from China. She had heard Stephen Curtis Chapman's story about how his family had adopted from China, and it had formed an even greater desire for a little sister. So as Chris and I began praying, we realized that God was actually calling us to adopt a little girl from China. And in 2005 we mage the decision to adopt. But by the time God began pushing us to begin the adoption process, He had also started calling us to move from our home in Thomaston, GA, to Snoqualmie, WA, to start a new church plant. Even still, God continually had His hand on our lengthy adoption process. On April 27, 2010, we recieved a referral and saw the face of our beautiful new addition to the Weldon family. We are traveling to China to finalize the adoption on July 22 and on August 6 we will be bringing our baby home. :)