Monuments and Miracles



Monument

 Sunday 31Oct2010

Happy Halloween! Today we went to two monument sites and to an exceptionally beautiful park. While at the first monument it seems the locals really like pictures with Michaella.



Locals want pictures with Michaella



Locals want pictures with Michaella





A Banyan Tree in the City Park

 There are also Banyan Trees all over. There trees are usually very large and it looks like a tree with a parasite that has grown over the top of it. Notice how these trees can send a "root" down from an upper branch which becomes another root for the tree.




Five Goats Monument

 

Both Spencer and Jessa were not feeling well when we got back to the hotel for lunch. Finally, Pizza from Papa John’s, Yeah! Spencer had been begging for pizza for over a week but by the time it arrived it was clear he was too ill to eat. He had fever, chills, and a headache on into the evening. Motrin helped and he just stayed in bed and slept. Jessa seemed to feel better after a nap. She was still getting over her immunizations from yesterday. Nathan stayed with Spencer while the rest of the family went shopping on the boulevard and went looking for dinner. We were all pretty tired after that and went to bed.

Five Goats marker

At midnight I discovered that Spencer was burning up with a fever. No longer a low to mid-grade fever - his temperature was extremely high and another dose of motrin did not help. I woke up Nathan and asked him to give Spencer a blessing. Back at customs several days before Nathan's oil had been pulled and we were asked what it was. I'm so glad it was not confiscated. Ten minutes after the blessing he was quite a bit cooler. Five minutes more and I could feel even less temperature. Spencer's fever was out of danger and we were all able to sleep again.

So let's take a minute to recount some of the miracles of the trip.



"Underneath the Mango Tree me honey..."



1. Spencer was healed.

2. The boys have stayed alive on breakfast buffets and rice and water for the most of the balance of the meals.

 3. Jessa already knew her name. From the first time we called her "Jessa" she has turned her head and known it was her name - we didn't need to teach her. For many months now we have prayed asking that XiYue be prepared to meet us and be able to trust us and that we love her and will always take care of her. From her transition so far this has happened. Jessa bonded quickly with me and every day her bond strengthens with other members of the family. She has made herself quite at home in the hotel rooms and she wonders from one room to the other (our rooms are connected with a door). She likes to play games and has quite a sense of humor. She is very courious. At meal times she has definate opinions about her food and will shake her head for "yes" or "no". This type of communication really helps us know what she wants. At night, when it's time to go to bed, she cries for about 10-15 minutes in her crib then just goes to sleep. This time interval keeps getting a little shorter each time.




4. Jessa's immunization record was lost and then recovered in time saving Jessa from having extra shots unnessary shots.

 5. You! This trip was possible because of the love and service of a whole host of people which continues still. Thank you for everyone's thoughts and prayers.

This list of course is not exhaustive, but is just a few of the highlights. We miss you, love you, and can't wait to come home!