And we are home.

Wowzeez.

What a 36 hours it was leaving China.

It started out with a trip to a Chinese doctor because of a really bad eye infection that all of us had acquired from Levi.

Then, we were off to visit Levi's orphanage.

The highlight of this visit was watching Jorie love on some precious babies.

It was working at an orphanage 17 years ago that God broke my heart for His children who are orphaned in the world and so going back to an orphanage this time, I had so hoped Jorie's heart would connect....and it did.

 

As for the rest of the visit, I am still processing it and not sure yet how much to write on here.....more later.  maybe.  it's very difficult.

 Then we had another amazing visit with some people who cared for Levi amongst his time in the orphanage.  Unfortunately, Levi had to leave his foster home and go back to his orphanage for a whole month before we got there to get him.  I do believe that this was not good for him.  argh.

Then we went back to our hotel to pack up.  No small job.

And then said goodbye to the other 9 families from Holt that were there to share this adoption journey with us.  So thankful for the three of them that live close and we are sure to see again soon!

We received Levi's visa.

Took a train to Hong Kong.....

..... where we spent the night and then flew out the next morning....

 The flight home was long but okay.

 And alas, we were home.

Thanks to our sweet family and friends who greeted us at the airport.

How sweet each of you are to us!  Thank you so much for being there!

How amazing it was to find our kitchen FULL of food and snacks and supplies that our friends had gathered to welcome us home.  Amazing.  I can't even tell you how much this means to us.  It has been SUCH a gift to us since we have been home.  Thanks to each of YOU who blessed us in this way!!!!!!!

And, I just HAVE to share this gift:  Some of our BEST friends cleaned out and organized our garage while we were gone.  Can you believe it?  I think that, next to taking care of our children for us, is one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given us!  WOW!  Thanks Andersens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the few days since we have been home, Levi has been doing great.  Best part is that he has been sleeping 13+ hours straight every night.  He has been really happy.  Seeming to enjoy everything about "home".

As for the rest of us, well....uh.....we've kinda hit the wall.

The infamous "eye infection" that we have all acquired has gone from bad to worse.

And as for sleep, well, lets just say that it is 3am right now and Jorie and Luke and I are all gathered around the computer working on this blog together, while I listen to Marcus toss and turn in bed.  

The good news is that God is sooo good.  :)

And He will somehow get us all through this transition.

And in the meantime He is keeping us fed through some generous friends at church who are bringing us meals and the food (pictured above) brought by our friends has been more than a blessing.

And so, the next chapter begins.

Thanks Beck, for encouraging me with God's word.

"This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead...

 On Him we have set our hope" 

2 Corinthians 1:9-10.