James and the Girls

James has been really busy taking care of Haiyan and Elizabeth, so he hasn't had time to write much. I've been able to talk to them a couple times a day on Skype, and things seem to be going really well. Haiyan seems really comfortable now and has been really happy. They say that she's very kind and sharing, but that she is also very determined and stubborn. She talks a lot and is copying English words really well. They say that she watches Elizabeth and copies what she does. And it seems that Elizabeth was copying Haiyan too, because Shelley said that once when she was walking, Elizabeth was turning her foot and limping like Haiyan.
Haiyan is able to walk around really well. She has a make-shift prosthetic on her bad foot, that allows her to wear a shoe. Every time I've seen them on Skype, she seems to walk around without a problem.
James says that he thinks Haiyan was in a really great foster home, where she was 1 of 15 girls. She came to James straight from the foster home, which is a huge answer to prayer, because most children are moved to an orphanage a few weeks before their families come to get them. She had the same caretakers the entire time she was there, and they made a big scrapbook for her. It has baby photos in it and lots of writing about her life so far, and even Bible verses (so unusual for China!). This is a such a blessing, because most orphans in China don't bring any kind of history with them. There are photos of the home she was in, with verses written on some walls. So, we're so grateful that our prayers were answered and it looks like she has been in a great home with people who were truly watching out for her and loved her.
Tomorrow they fly to Guangzhou to finalize the adoption, have a medical exam, and do a lot of paperwork. We only have one more week before they fly home! I'm so anxious to see them. I think Haiyan is getting used to seeing me on Skype. She says Momma and smiles and waves whenever I see her!
-Amy