What a day we had yesterday!! A little different then we had planned. Michael actually had business meetings planned for the morning- so Lindsay and I took the kids to breakfast and the pool. Then we came back up to the rooms to get dressed and head out for an adventure when the phone rang. It was Carrie from New Day Creations. We had planned a visit to New Day for awhile, but I had thought it was Friday. Well, somewhere the lines got crossed and the driver had been waiting on us! Fast change of plans and we were on our Way to New Day.

I am sad that Michael couldn't come- but he had a great visit with two companies here in Beijing and we were able to tell him about our day and show him a few photos too. I am really praying we get a chance to come back and visit again.

My niece Lindsay who came on this adventure with us worked at New Day a couple summers ago, so coming back was so fun for her! We drove through a pretty desolate countryside and came to the gates of New Day. Carrie welcomed us so warmly- and showed us around. Oh. This home is amazing. Truly. The children there are so sweet, and so loved. We got to see the tiny babies, but couldn't hold them as a new little one had come in with scabies and most of the babies had them. But we got to gaze into their little eyes. Sweet sweet babies.

One little guy, Judah, Lindsay remembered. He is still very sick. BUT- he is a miracle. When Lindsay met him 2 summers ago, he was TINY and blue all the time due to his special needs. Doctors were not optimistic for him. He needs surgery, but it is risky. But he had grown huge amounts and was sitting and eating at a table with his nanny. He smiled and waved at Jack. A miracle indeed.

We got to visit the pre-school and we were bombarded with hugs. : ) I also had brought a little gift for a little guy named Samuel who a friend of mine is sponsoring. Well my heart is now a little smaller because of the piece of it that Samuel took. This little bundle of pure joy reached out to me from his sweet Nanny's lap and I got to snuggle his neck for a long while. He loved his tiger hat and gloves that were from Heather. And I could have just held him all day, he is amazing. As are all the kids we got a chance to love on that day. Seriously.

We then took a walk to the village outside of New Day. Such a dichotomy from the Tiffany and Company opulent mall that we passed on the way, to a typical village in China. One with no running water, and public toilets for the residents to use. It really was amazing. Lindsay took us all over her former home and told us of the little shops, the food stands and the people that she fell in love with. I can see why. And my children, who have never seen anything like this amazed me. They all had looks of amazement on their faces. They fell in love with the kids at New Day and I can tell started falling in love with China. God is so good.

Today, we have a day off. We may go visit the Birds Nest- and also try and find some video games. :) I promise now with Michael with us, there will be photos with the next post! Thank you all for your sweet guestbook comments! We LOVE them!!! And thank you for all your prayers. We feel them for sure! We are blessed.

From Sammy:

Hi Mrs. Anderson and friends,

Today was AWESOME. I love it here in China. The kids at New Day were SO cute. One little guy, his name was Timothy, he came a hugged my legs. He was cute. The babies were funny! We got to eat at New Day too. I tried some Chinese fried chicken and I really liked it. I told my mom that I really would like to come back to New Day and live there. I love it here. Mom and I walked to Pizza Hut last night to get Pizza for everyone to eat. It was great! But they have some funny things on the menu! They have snails! And fish pizza. And they make fancy things there. It was fun. I hope you all had a great time at Colonial Days. I missed being there for sure!! Talk to you tomorrow!!!

From Katie:

Hi Miss White and friends,

I got to ride in cool cars and it smells like smoke in China. We got to visit New Day and we gave them the book and the clothes are coming in a package!! They will send some photos of the kids later. It was fun. I went swimming too. We have 3 days until we get Lauren! I am so excited. I miss you all!!