Our Experiment in Nanchang.

Yesterday was an experiment of sorts.  We decided we were not going to leave our hotel room and see if that improved the girl's behavior.  At first it was excruciating because Esther was still being a little defiant but the afternoon and evening were like a charm.

We had to come up with things to do in our little room so it means we: built a fort, played MANY balloon games, painted our nails AGAIN, did each other's hair and make-up, wrestled, watched TV, ate food and our weight in chocolate, put the girls in a bubble bath, and sat around.  Esther's behavior improved steadily throughout the day with a few steps back here and there.

Meanwhile Esther's friend that I talked with the day before was having a horrible day.  I won't go into it since it isn't my story to tell except that she revealed that on the train ride up here she and Esther made a pact that they would both enjoy the city and let their new families give them a good time but that after a few days they would both ditch their families and go back home.   I guess she was upset because it seemed that Esther wasn't keeping her end of the bargain because she seemed happy with her family when we saw each other.  Wow - that's pretty crazy, isn't it?  It explains a lot though about Esther's behavior around this friend and after they hang out.  I think these girls didn't always intend to ditch their families but the fear on the way here was too overwhelming and it seemed to ease it to have a plan like that.  And I think our saving grace for Esther is Pearl.

Pearl is adorable and sweet and hilarious and she adores her new big sister Esther.  Esther had an unexpected wrench in her plan because in order to ditch her new parents she'd have to ditch her new sister too.  We're grateful for that and for the gift of prayer and the spirit.  We are grateful for your support - we know these things have been blessing our family here and back in the states.  We also know that Esther kinda liked us too - especially when we were hanging out here.  So, we plan on staying in today as well.  We are going to add in some swimming since we had to take it away because of the girl's disobedience   That should eat up a few hours.

Tomorrow we may try going out again - we could visit come historical sites right by our hotel.  If not, it will be our last day in Nanchang before we fly to Guangzhou.  I have a feeling that a lot of things will improve there.

See you then!