A New Sheriff in Town

sShari here at 5:24am....I miss you all so much! I know you understand that I have been silent on the "air waves" caring for little Missy May, but I'm so grateful that Todd has kept you abreast of photos, especially.

What an incredible last couple of days. Evidences of grace:

1. God has given us one of the brightest, smartest and most independent "daughters of China." And I'm not just saying that b/c she's my kid. LOL
2. She fits into our family like a kid glove. You will find her a little shy when you meet her, but after awhile, it'll be "no holds bar". She chatters in Chinese incessantly to us, throws her head back and cracks up and for the millionth time, I wish I could speak Chinese. 
3. She loves her baba, ge-ge, and jie-jie ( Daddy, Shane and Ellie) She will let me care for her needs~ bathing, personal hygiene, which isn't much; this kid has definitely learned how to care of herself in the orphanage. 
4. She is a girlie girl w/ a tom-boy walk. She loves dresses; by the way, size 5 dresses are too short on her. She has the longest legs!!!!! We've said at home that she's the size of Ella or Beka, NOT; she's got tiny fingers, hands, feet, but they are connected to octopus arms and legs~ not as tall as Chloe C., but all legs! B/c it's hot,  the dresses are fine for here, but I'm going to try to find some leggins for under dresses. She will be a challenge dressing her, but she is completely delighted at seeing the new dresses I pull out each day.
5. The wonder on her face as she experiences new adventures is worth all the tea in China. She LOVES talking on the phone to El/Shane in their room; she picked up the Leapster and knew exactly how to work it! I'm in complete amazement at her uncanny ability to work electronics. She literally has ALL the cameras mastered and takes excellent pictures. If you see some that don't have her in them, she took them! 
6. She won't answer to her Chinese name anymore, only Sophie. We aren't botching it, she just appears ready to make the transition already. She won't obey if we call her Xueqin; very weird. 
7. Every day she speaks more English words~ "gentle, careful, no, yes, mommy, Ellie, Shane, eat,"~ there's more but I can't recall them all right now. 

Okay, prayer requests:

I'm so grateful that God has prepared my heart for her grieving; it's not recognizable outwardly, but it's manifesting itself in her shunning me. First, let me say, I'm fine! God prepared me for the worst, and as of today, it's not nearly as bad as I would have thought it would be....evidence of God's grace.

 As I said earlier, she will allow me to care for her needs, but that is the extent of it. She isn't affectionate w/ me at ALL. She will either wiggle away or run the other way when it's time for pics w/ me. She will have been laughing, but if I'm in any picture, she will make a solemn or ridiculous face. The first day at the pool was great; the second day, she only wanted to swim w/ Ellie. I had the kids go swim at the other end of the pool so it was just the two of us; she swam w/ me (b/c I held onto her) but she disconnected~ no eye contact, whining to go w/ the kids, pretending like she wanted to jump to me, but ran on the slippery deck. I literally about had a heart attack and instinctively reached for my life guard whistle! LOL Obviously, I only fell for that trick once~ Honey, there's a new sheriff in town, now, and it isn't you! I'm giving her LOTS of space and not making a big deal about it; I just smile and move on. Ellie and Shane hate it though....so their making it up but being especially affectionate in front of her w/ me....I remind them that it's part of her figuring out this new world of which she's been thrust! I'm sending lots of time in Psalms and am being refreshed by the oasis of the Word. ( Thanks, Steve for your word on Friday night; it's proving very accurate)

The big request is wisdom for us to parent her where she is right now. She's been testing both of us; she had her first melt down yesterday b/c she wanted to eat gummy vitamins as candy. She is hoarding food, which we understand and are allowing, but there are times, like in the bathtub, that you can't take the Costco bag into the tub. She thought she would win against the mighty Baba, but alas, it was a futile attempt. After a long day in the civil affairs office, we were tempted to be frustrated  w/ her. 

As she's getting more comfortable w/ us and because she's independent to a fault, last night she sprinted from a cab, through the Marriott doors, down the 75 yard crowded lobby to the elevator doors, laughing her devilish cackle of disobedience. Ellie and I looked at each other and ran to catch her, afraid she would get in that elevator by herself! I marched her to the local deputy, the consseirrge. He explained, in Chinese, how dangerous it is for her to run from mama by herself. She seemed to understand....we'll see how it goes today. 

Today, we're headed for the Blue Zoo Aquarium~ a free day excursion w/ our travel group. Chinese papa is picking us up at 8:30am, then we may also go to Wal-Mart afterward for a stroller or toddler leash; I don't want Sophie jumping over the Great Wall on Monday.

 I have so much more to write, but I'll leave the bullet points for my memory and to whet your appetite:

• hot chili peppers
• little kids
• breast stroke 

 Thank you for your continued prayers. Todd has been reading your comments to me daily. I try to guess who wrote them before he tells me! 

Hi Grammy, Pappy, Papa and Grandma. I hope you are able to see pics and read our posts! Sophie has been looking at her picture album daily and saying your names! 

We love you all so very much~ Shari