The smiles we've been waiting for...

Sunday, September 9, 3:15 p.m., Bangkok

Our morning started off with breakfast where we were joined by the Baurs. We agreed to gather a few minutes early and pray over our meeting with the children. As we prayed, the peace of God seemed to just flood our hearts.

When Mo, our case worker, arrived, she led us to a large meeting room and explained our schedule, answered questions, and gave us more detailed info about the children's daily routine. As the clock ticked closer and closer to 10:30, we could hardly pay attention to anything besides the door through which Beth and Jack would walk. Then Mo received a phone call telling her that the children would be late due to bad roads. Agh! Another 45 minutes?!

But before we knew it, we could hear little voices outside the door. And once when someone opened it for a moment, Mitch caught a glimpse of Beth peeking around to see us. Finally, they led them in, and we joined them on the floor to play.

They were very shy at first, but when the balls came out, Jack laughed and smiled and played toss with his new daddy. He even called him "dee", which means daddy in Thai! Beth took longer to warm up, but enjoyed coloring in her new coloring book with her mommy. She liked to hand out the crayons.

We all went to lunch in the hotel restaurant and then went to our separate rooms so the kids could explore where they would be staying soon. We made a quick stop to see the swimming pool, but they seemed more impressed with the fountain. As soon as they came in the room they jumped on the bed and the giggles grew. We played peek-a-boo and blew up balloons for each of the kids. Mo left us and told us to bring them back down to the lobby by 2 p.m., so we had about 20 minutes with no one else here. Beth really came out of her shell and talked up a storm! Too bad we couldn't understand what she was saying! We said goodbye for the day and gave them hugs and kisses for the road.

What else can we say but that we feel incredibly overwhelmed to be blessed with these two precious children. They are like precious jewels, handpicked by God to sparkle and shine! Their smiles and laughter today made all the waiting so worthwhile! Can't wait for tomorrow! (Shopping at the department store with Mo and Beth and Jack, followed by our visit to the foster home.)

P.S. Special note to Mitch's sister, Lisa: At lunch, Beth really liked fresh "daang gwah" (cucumbers). It was the first thing she finished on her plate.:)