Day 6- playing in a children's indoor play area

Luke and Craig had a fun time at this play area.  We were suppose to do a zoo and outdoor tour this morning- but it was extremely cold and Luke needs to somewhere to run and play, we opted for a children's indoor play area at a local mall.

He was a bit overwhelmed and didn't know what to do first- "baba" daddy was eager to show him. 

The animals that Luke, and our guide Melody, are sitting on turn on if you pay- and children can ride them around this floor of the mall.... Of course, he sat on it with her, and enjoyed it just as much!  She's a lovely young lady with lots of spunk and energy. Yesterday at the museum Craig taught her how to two-step....  She loves Craig and his spunk.  Today has been a better day, getting Luke out to play and having sunshine has helped.  

Luke was introduced to the yummy Oreo... He preferred having it in his little tub the hotel provided for adoptive families!

We have laughed quite a bit today about how desperate we've become to entertain our little kiddo- Craig is trying to engage him with Chinese cartoons.. Desperate measures=desperate actions- T.V.!!!!!

While they enjoyed cartoons I completed reviewing all necessary documents to leave Luke's province Friday morning.  Tomorrow afternoon we will receive Luke's Chinese passport (which is what we've had to be here for all week) and we leave for airport Friday am at 9:00- and should arrive in Guangzhou late Friday afternoon!

Please be praying for our flights- they were rough from Beijing here, and Luke is going to have so much going on that's so unfamiliar...  

My verse for today- I CAN do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.. Trusting Him today 😊

Love to you all!! 

Day 5-sightseeing in Lanzhou, Gansu

 

Museum tour- 

It's in the 40's here.... 

The Silk Road runs through Gansu province- the people here are very proud of this!

The Water-wheel is beside the Yellow River, pictures behind us!  

Craig showing our guide, Melody, a mallard duck and explaining hunting in USA!!

Now, it's time for a nap- for everyone!

Pleas keep us in your prayers- as we have two more days here (it's getting tough) and fly to Guangzhou!  Love to you all!!

Day 4- Adoption Day!!!

GOOD MORNING perry girls and family and friends!!!!

Civil Affairs office waiting for our appointment

Introducing officially- Luke O'Neil Perry

This is right outside the affairs office, right after appt. It went really well. The building behind us is an old famous temple, no longer open, but important to the people here in Lanzhou.

We are heading to the police station in this picture for our final appt in his province. The rest of the week will be 1/2 day tours and waiting for his paperwork and passport to be processed. We should have all documents by Thursday and leaving for our last part of the trip Friday!

Heading to lunch- FINALLY after 5 days, I get to eat American good- veggie pizza at a Pizza Hut. This picture is taken at a local shopping area on ou way to lunch- pigeons were everywhere, Luke was amazed, Craig wanted his gun;)

After two VERY long days for this sweet, little guy, he's out! 

Love to you all- looking forward to being home again, but trying hard to soak in the culture and to be patient- which will only happen through The Lord!  He's taught and stretched Craig and I greatly in the past two days, but also shown us Himself in a mighty way! We could not do any of this without our Father- He sustains, comforts, gives joy, strength and love- praising God for today- a good day!

Day 3- Gotcha Day!!!!

We started with an early morning getting up at 4:45 and preparing for our flight to Gansu province. We did not actually get to our hotel with our guide until around 1:00 pm. We were told Luke would be there by 2:30- but due to an accident in route they had to travel a different way and it took them 8+ hours!! 

We were told they would bring him to our room- we were expecting to get him and be able to spend time with him and to get pictures- no! It was totally business-like. We were told to ask necessary questions of orphanage director and nanny and that we had to leave instantly for his passport photo (which allows us to leave his province Friday morning). 

It was amazing, but hectic. Luke did not cry one time he just played with Craig with the balloons we had blown up for him. 

We fed him a banana after his passport appt and grocery shopping.  He loves bananas!

Having a snack and resting before more paperwork! 

Finally, our very long day for all is ending.  We gave him his first bath- he loved it!

After his bath and before bed- we came down to the lobby to email/blog all of you amazing people.. But no luck yesterday!

He is much smaller than we thought his 24 mos pj's are huge!  

Perry girlies, meet your baby brother!!!

Mommy and Daddy love you girls like crazy!❤️

Day 2

We started the day with meeting our guide, Jade, in the lobby of our hotel.  She is a delightful, beautiful young lady. 

Our first tour was to Tianamen Square. Jade told us that October is a wonderful time of year in Beijing because of the beautiful gardens at the square.

We went into the Forbidden City.  This is an incredible series of buildings and walls that circle- with the inner one being sacred to the Chinese people.  No one is allowed to go into the inner one- hence Forbidden City.  

Our lunch was at the Jade Factory.  This is a popular shopping and eating place to many adoptive families.  I've heard of the Jade Factory, but pictures just do not do the justice for the unique sculptures and art there.  We enjoyed our first authentic Chinese meal in Beijing today. 

Lastly, we toured the magnificent Great Wall of China.  We are posting a few pictures from the wall, but I must take this time to brag on my hubby.  We, together, made it to the 2nd tower.  I pushed on until I got dizzy, but Craig made it to the final tower that's open- on that side of the wall!!!! Our guide said he's the first adoptive dad that she's met who actually completed that side! Wooohoooo Craig- where there's an adventure- he's going to try it!

He made it!  One incredible day of adventures and experiences of China.  It's amazing to see the beauty that God has created here. As we walked and looked at these mountains and the different people we were so amazed how big our God is... That all of this He created!  What a mighty God we serve!  

Good night from Beijing! We will leave at 7:00 am to catch our flight to Gansu province, to finally after 22 months, meet our baby Luke!!

We've made it to Beijing!

We had two great flights and have finally made it to Beijing, China!  We left Memphis at 8:20, 10/10 and because of the direction of flight, the sun continues to shine brightly! We missed night time.  As I'm writing it's 4:18 pm and we just got settled into our hotel.  Our guide met us at the airport and got us to our hotel. She is a magnificent lady and will give us a tour tomorrow of the Forbidden City/Tianemn Square, and the Great Wall, ending our day with a duck dinner (Craig is looking forward to this)! 

We were able to share testimony of The Lord with a couple who lives outside Toronto.  It was a sweet opportunity. 

We are ending our day quite early! Thank you once again to all of you who are praying, supporting, caring for our 3 sweet girls, and journeying with us.  Friends and family you all have overwhelmed us with your words and encouragement. In less than 48 hours we will be with our son!!!! Praise be to the Father!  Love to you all from us tonight!

(This was our view sometime during the trip, thinking maybe as we were over Alaska)... what a reminder the Son is what all of this is about, God's Son who redeemed us and gave us a new name and legacy in Him- how thankful we will be able to do the same for our son, Luke!

The girls enjoying an authentic northern Chinese lunch with our friend, Zhang Yu. Since the girls will not be able to go with us to China to get their brother, she decided to give them "a taste of China!"

Teaching the appropriate way to hold chopsticks.

This was delicious!

Alaina was the fortunate one to get the shrimp in their shared bread dish (not the correct Chinese name, obviously)!

Alaina showing that she got the hidden shrimp!