"The last two days have been tiring but good. For a child who has a heart condition, Hope just keeps going and going :) Also, as you can imagine, communicating with a non-English speaking six year old who has spent her entire life in an orphanage is bound to have its tough moments, and it does. Hope continues to do well, for the most part, though we typically have at least one major meltdown per day. We expected this, so we're not surprised. Hope is already learning a few English words, but "bu" ("no") is still her favorite Chinese word. Although she seems quite bright, in many ways, because of her institutionalization, we're sure, she seems developmentally/emotionally to be more like a four year old. This too, we expected, we're just letting all of you know that though the pictures we post are all smiles, Hope's moments are not all cheery. Please continue to pray for her and for us as we finish out our time here in China and as she continues to bond with us and heal from her life's emotional. Again though, we're so thankful that she seems to be attaching to both of us and that she is excited to talk with her siblings on Skype, calling them by the Mandarin names for "big brother" and "big sister". We miss home, miss the rest of our family, and look forward to getting out of hotel rooms, but we're thankful for the Lord's provision in getting us here, and for the blessing of this newest little Walker. Tomorrow we fly to Guangzhou and begin the next phase of this process so that we can actually get this little Walker out of the country and back home.

Wendy's favorite new fruit--Dragon Fruit.


Noodles and more noodles in our motel room. Blessedly, we like them.


Bathtime. Happy time.


We actually got out for a bit today and saw green! We went to a beautiful park in the Changsha.



Everywhere throughout the park, retired men and women were exercising. In this photo, the exercise was dance.


We rented a foot-paddle boat. Paddling with a six-year-old on your lap is a good thigh workout.


First ice cream!







On the way back from the park, we stopped at an embroidery factory. Hunan is known for this traditional art. The pieces were incredible. The tiger and panda are two sides of the same piece embroidered in silk. It was amazing!


Steve's having trouble finding shoes to fit his feet, though :) Thanks Shipleys, these slippers fit Hope perfectly, though!

Also, Davies family, the Chinese children's music and the "Chinese Children Learn English" DVD's have been a big hit. Thanks so much!"

For those in China,
Casey