THURSDAY
I really wanted to meet the foster family but understand that is not allowed here so I decided to go on an adventure and at least take pictures for Ariana of what her life was like, even if we didn't find the family that cared for her.  We decided not to take her as we didn't want to add any trauma again to seeing where she may have been and then leaving again.  Aaron and I set off Thursday morning while the rest of the family enjoyed down time.

It was a gorgeous drive into the country.  It was completely a God thing that we found the villages.  The directions we had were not correct but the driver luckily just so happen to know someone who just so happen to know where this village was.  It was the first miracle of the day.... finding it.  When we arrived, we decided to look around and take pictures.

Well lets just say God is so faithful!  The person we decided to knock on their door out of 5 villiages and hundreds of foster families, just so happened to be the foster family Qiutian had when she was 6mos to a year.  AND they knew what village she grew up in as well!  Thank you Lord!!  2nd miracle! 

It was an amazing time.  We had tea and pears.  They invited us to lunch but we didn't want to get them in trouble, since we were just visiting on our own.  It is important they get the orphanage permission so we were just going there to get an idea of what village life is like.  Farm land and very rural.  But so beautiful!  Very sweet family and very warm.  They let us take pictures but I will not post to protect them.  They told us of a family visiting without the orphanage permission and this foster family got cut off from the Govt. funding and any future kids.  We would never want that to happen to this wonderful family!!

Then we went to the town that Qiutian spent her last 2 years.  We could not locate the actual village, but we took pictures of the town life.  And this town is marked to be demolished in a year, and they are going to build factories there!  So miracle #3, we were able to take pictures and see it before it was not longer there, and had we waited, it would have been gone!!

What an amazing day, taking it all in.  And my guide was so moved by the experience that he is going to go back and visit the villages and help the kids!!!!!!  WOW!!!!!!!  So thankful.  Just my heart is so full of thankfulness!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I forgot to mention the very first miracle was actually going.  The guide was not going to take us and it was a no up until the very last minute!!!!  I will never forget this day and I am so thankful that the door was opened for us to gather information for my daughter!  SOOOO important to us adoptees!!

So thankful!!!  Praising our Father!!!

Asking directions..... lol 

Transporation?

Farming

One of the village homes

Outside the village

Village gate

Qiutian's township

Town Rules

Town Market

Duck Anyone?

Live food?

Cute girl

more live food

possible living place

On way home, countryside