Aunts and Uncles

We've had so many visitors over the last few weeks since we've been home. It's been fun to watch our Chinese friends hold Sam, because most of them have never held a baby so little, and many have never held a foreigner's baby. It's been even more fun to watch folks who have lifted us up for years and years (to have a child) hold him. It seems to be a huge reward for their Thoughts and Intercession on our behalf; to be able to hold a gift from Father that they actively lifted up. Wow!

One person who has been instrumental in our lives is Rob. When we finally get our adopted little girl, she will be named for him (not Rob, don't worry). Here he is holding Sam.

When a family lives overseas, their lives are automatically separated from their families back in the States. Because of that, many families over here choose to have their children call fellow Americans Aunt and Uncle. We are still struggling with this norm, because we don't want to minimize the real aunts and uncles and their roles. However, Rob is definitely going to be an uncle to our children here. So, Uncle Rob, you've got a big responsibility ahead of you!


This is a picture of Jenny, a Chinese friend, who came to visit Sam. He really loves the Chinese and their black hair. Apparently, he loves dark colors, so any Chinese person is automatically a friend to him.

He has been smiling more and more lately. This morning our friend Josh came over and as soon as Sam saw him, Sam gave him a huge grin. It was very sweet.

The evening all my girlfriends came over to visit Sam, he stayed up WAY past his bedtime to play with them. He did great, despite not feeling well that day, and smiled and watched his new friends. They just gathered around him and oo-ed and ahh-ed at everything he did. What a blessing to have so many friends!