Zoo

This tiger is even trying to hide his face from the sun!

Yesterday we visited the Guangzhou Zoo.  What can I say about the experience?  It was hot!!!!!!  I hate that I keep bringing up the heat but it is the thing that pushes our every move.  It is like walking out the door directly into a sauna.  Throughout the day today we kept trying to find animals that were hiding near shade, breezes and drink places. 
I did get some good pictures of Mary along with some animals.  I think she had a great time.  She really loves big animals.  Elephants, giraffes, hippos, and the zebra'.  All in all, it was a good day because we got to share it with some excellent families who love these kids.  It has been nice having other families with me this week.

Selfie at the ZOO.  Yes, I know, her face looks worse.  I am on it.  I promise.  The Dr. said it would take 48 hours to improve.

Even sweet Mary had to protest the heat of the day!

We are told at the beginning of our trip not to venture out very far on our own.  In China you do things as a group because it is simply not that safe to be on your own in this big city.  "I should remember this next time I decide to take a taxi to Shaiman Island."
A couple of days ago when we were on Shaiman Island, I gave a shop owner directions on what I wanted for a painting with Mary's name on it.  We have gotten these paintings from the same man for all of our girls.  He told me it would be ready the next day.  Not listening to my statement about traveling in groups, Me and Mary girl grabbed a taxi and off we went to pick it up.   I was quite confident in my ability to venture out alone.  I was an old pro!!!  No problem!!!! Been there, done that!!!!  Most of you know that I live in the country where if you see a taxi it is either lost or on a rollback!!!!  I told the cab driver I would be in and out quickly.   It took me all of 5 minutes.   When I returned to the taxi he told me he couldn't take me back because his shift just ended.   No problem I thought.  How hard can this be?  Chinese do this everyday.  Hold your hand up and scream TAXI!!!!!!  They say something else but you get my drift.  After one hour and probably 40 taxi's that sped right passed I was getting just a tad bit worried.  Earlier in the day I realized that I had put Miko's phone number in my phone wrong.  Not an option!!!  What to do next??  I decided to take my phone off of airplane mode, spend a few more American dollars and see who I could find.  Isn't that what we do when we need something.  Scroll through our contacts and see who can possibly help.  As I turned my phone on, the first thing that showed was a text from my sister Julie that they were awake and praying for quick healing for Mary's infection.  I chuckled to myself, and replied back to her.  "You might want to pray for a Taxi in the islands. Mary and I may be living on the streets tonight!!!!"  I hit send, looked up, saw a green cab, and yelled taxi with my hand up really high and you got it, he stopped!!!  I looked up and said loudly, thank you Jesus!!!! (And Julie).
Today we traveled to the American consulate building and I was sworn in to keep my Mary Just like that,  she officially became ours!!!!  Tomorrow around 5pm we will begin our quest back home.  What a wonderful time I have had with my Mary but I sure do miss my other 6 kiddos and my dear Jennifer.  I am so looking forward to seeing them in Charlotte on Friday morning.  Maybe one more post before we board our flight tomorrow or maybe not.  Check in to see.  I will definitely send one final thought out this coming weekend.  Take care.  Bobby and Mary

Back to the hotel to cool off and have some lunch!

Mary's personality is beginning to unveil itself.  Here she is copying my lion roar!!!