Second Day with Maren

Today has been a harder day for Maren.  This afternoon we had to go to the police station to begin processing her passport application.  There were hundreds of people, and it seemed chaotic.  Her orphanage director was also there to assist with portions of the application.  We think this may have totally confused her.  She has cried a considerable amount of the afternoon and evening.  We cannot imagine how overwhelmed and confused she must be.  Please continue to pray for her to be comforted by our heavenly Father and her earthly parents.

After the police station, our guide took us to a large, grassy park with pigeons.  She loved the birds and kept saying "mama" over and over as she pointed to the closest one (wanting me to chase it as I carried her).  After we got back to the hotel, she was not real happy.  We actually ordered room service (not sure we have ever done that, but we knew she was not up to going to a crowded restaurant). 

This morning she was quite happy and jabbering lots of words (which we could not translate).  She also is quite a climber and is very speedy at her modified walking (she walks on her knees - tall kneeling).  She gave us kisses tonight for the first time.  We continue to shower her with unconditional love and pray she can feel and accept our love and her Father's love.

A few logistical answers to questions: we play in the hotel room a lot (Danial moved the furniture around today to give her more room to play);  we take her on walks outside - though she tends to get a dazed look on her face (imagine masses of people everywhere you go); there is a hotel pool - pools in China require swim caps, so our guide is going to try to help us find some so we can take her swimming soon; she LOVES watermelon and baked potato and is not fond of yogurt, chicken, or pizza; our guide goes with us to all our adoption meetings and helps us with the translation; so far we have seen 2 other Americans in Changchun - unlike Beijing where there was a lot of diversity of people groups.

Thank you for your continued prayer support!