The day began with a walk down Ancient Culture Street.
In one of the shops, this man did a painting for us
with Anna Joy's Chinese name in Chinese characters.
After our time on Ancient Culture Street,
we were taken to her finding place.
This is called the Baby Island.
It is a safe place where many Tianjin babies are abandoned.
The relative who abandons the child rings a bell
to notify the security guard.
After several minutes the baby is rescued,
giving relatives time to anonimosly slip away.
On the outside of the Baby Island,
this sign hangs.
We were told it reads something to the effect of...
"Think twice before doing this...
it is better for a child to grow up in a family."
The inside of this room is very small,
but warm and safe.
Although it was difficult to be there,
we are thankful for this place where Anna Joy
could be rescued and cared for.
I have found myself thinking of her birth mother
many times this week.
We will never know why she abandoned her little girl...
if she was forced to, or if she felt this was her only option.
But we are thankful she chose life for her baby,
and we are thankful that God
has chosen us to be this little one's forever family.
After visiting her finding place,
we were given the afternoon to rest as a family.
Then, we joined the other families for a nice dinner out.
Anna Joy was content with rice, rice and more rice!
We find ourselves falling more in love with her everyday.
She is an attentive, curious, funny and loving little girl...
and already, we can't imagine life without her!
