Day 12 Sunday - church!

We got up early on Sunday and went to mass as a family. There are 2 churchs on Shamian Island. One is a Christian church. It is in English and very close to the hotel. The other is a Catholic church. It is in Chinese. We passed it on the way to the medical appointment on Saturday so we knew where it was located. We got there a little early. At first I thought we were late because the congregation was already singing. However, it was just preliminary hymns. It is very exciting because I didn't think we would get to go to church while we were here. Last Sunday we were traveling so it was not an option. By the time mass started, it was very crowded. It was Palm Sunday. We could not understand a word, but followed everyone outside. That is where mass started. They passed out palms to us and started the mass. It was just slightly raining. I was lost on parts, but Erich followed well. He has 31 years more expereince of Catholic mass than I do and when it is in a different languange it is difficult. I think where I really got lost is when they did not do the creed. I kept waiting for it, but it never came. Neither did the collection plate. During the Peace, the Chinese hold their hands in prayer and bow to each other. There were 3-4 other adoptive families. For communion, it is like most Chinese lines, a free for all. We normally go pew by pew. Here the folks from the back beat the ones in front. It was like a race. When giving communion, the priest dips the host and gives it to your mouth. No drinking from the cup here.

After mass we rushed back to the hotel. Erich had a meeting at 10 AM for paperwork and we still had to get breakfast. I took the kids and went upstairs as Erich did the paperwork. We gathered the laundry and took it to Susan's. The ladies there know Logan and like teasing him. I think he likes it to as he is now use to it. They call him Shy Boy. We got the laundry back in the same day since we turned it in early in the day. Then we just played in the hotel room waiting for Daddy. Maelynn is doing better with Logan. She still fusses when he gets in her face too much. Logan is doing great as a big brother. He is testing his attitude with us though. It seems like a perpetual case of attitude adjustment. We went for a short walk and did some shopping. Then the kids and I took a nap. Erich likes this quiet time.

Once nap time was done and we were refreshed, we went shopping some more and took the kids to the playground. It seems like our days are the same to us. Play with kids, go to appointments, and shop. When we got back I took the kids to the play room while Erich did some computer stuff for a friend. However, I realized it was time for Mei Mei to eat so we crashed his quiet time. We also had to get ready for Pizza Hut. There was a play group going on down the hall so we went and joined. There were 3 couples from FTIA, one from CCAI, and one from another agency that adopted a young boy. He and Logan got to play cars together. I was talking with Joan from CCAI. Her daughter is also from Huazhou. They are going to the orphanage on Monday. At first I asked if she would provide me a copy of her video. She said there was extra space in the van if I wanted to go. Erich and I talked it over and talked with each of the coordinators. I am taking Logan and going to the orphanage on Monday! Our hope is this will force Maelynn to bond with Erich. It will also give Logan and I some special time together. Since I've been Maelynn's primary caregiver so far, I have not gotten as much Logan time. We leave at 7 AM and will cost under $100 US dollars. Please pray for a safe journey across the Chinese countryside and Erich's sanity!

We went to Pizza Hut with the Chelgren's. Several other families ended up there as well. Erich took care of Maelynn during dinner without her crying. She loves her Cheerios and did OK as long as he was feeding her. More spoon therapy. She did great! We walked around a little afterwards. It is so huge! The stores were mostly American style clothes, not the traditional Chinese clothes sold on Shamian Island. There were a lot of lingerie stores and bead/necklace stores.

Back at the room we were exhausted. Erich ran out to get the laundry while I got the kids their baths. We crahed shortly after. We all have a big day tomorrow. They expect to be on the road for 5 hours with 1 potty break. We'll get to Huazhou about noon (midnight your time), eat lunch, spend 3 hours at the orphanage, and then drive the 5 hours back. Luckily, both Logan and I sleep well in vehicles.