Merry Christmas!

We are over halfway home from our long journey back from China. Ellie and the boys have done great! As I have been tossing and turning in my seat I have thought about all that has happened over the last 10 days. We have welcomed a new little girl into our family who has captured our hearts. We have been able to experience many firsts with her, just in the past few days. It has been exciting to see her begin to trust us a little more each day. She is quite the little spitfire and rightfully so. We are looking forward to returning home to starting our new normal!
I am very thankful that as we all celebrate our savior's birth today, we are able to celebrate our sweet little Ellie will no longer spend her days in the orphanage. I have so many things I am thankful for today!

A quote from David Platt that I love "We care for orphans, not because we are rescuers. We care for orphans because we are the rescued."

Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love the Beckham Family






Our last meal in China! Pizza Hut!!








- We made it to LA!



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Guangzhou

It has been a busy couple of days with many different appointments. We have enjoyed being able to be outside and the weather has been great. We will be packing up to head home tomorrow!
Here are a few of our adventures!



Her first plane ride!


Shopping for pearls


At the Guangzhou zoo


In our hotel lobby


- She loved picking up the leaves!






She loves these boots!


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December 20th

Today was filled with lots of exciting things for the Beckham family! Luke turned 8 while we were here. He chose an Italian place for dinner and the hotel brought him a chocolate cake as well as a little box of chocolate goodies. It has certainly been different celebrating in China but the boys have been quite the troopers on this trip.
This morning Heath and me and Ellie headed out early for her medical appt. She did really well all things considered. They just did a general look over on her, height, weight, ear check, and so on. They also had to draw blood for TB test. The woman came and took her from me and closed the door. It happened very quick and she was ready to be done after that. We did that appt with two other Lifeline families who are here getting children. It was nice to visit with some other families.
This may seem like not that big of deal but Ellie sat in a high chair for the first time today! She has been in my lap for every meal up until now so this was huge. She also decided she might like to ride in the stroller rather than on my hip! These are huge strides for her and us today. She is still a little uneasy with Heath but she is happy to let him give her food and wipe her mouth. She is very tidy, she wants her mouth wiped pretty much after every bite!
"Thank God from who all blessings flow!"
Love,
The Beckham family




First time in a high chair!





Her medical appt!





The cake they sent Luke!


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Leaving Shanghai

We have had a busy few days here in Shanghai! Today we are headed to Guangzhou. We are continuing to learn more about Ellie each day. The past couple of days have been filled with many different appointments and a trip to the orphanage as well as her finding spot. She has been quite the trooper!
In China you are not allowed to give your child up for adoption so many of the infants are left somewhere so that they may be found. Our sweet guide brought us some of the dirt from her finding spot this morning. She said in China they believe that if you leave China you should take a piece of the earth with you and it will help you stay well in your new place.
When I think about everything that has happened in just 4 short days I am overwhelmed with emotion. We love this little girl so very much and I am so grateful God has called us to be her mom and dad and a part of our family!
She is warming up to the boys! This morning when they came to our room she just lit up! She even was willing to give up her snack to hold Luke's hand. She can say mama and dada and tries to say Luke and John Henry! She does not want to ride in the stroller but loves to push it. She is a great eater. She loves having a bow in her hair, even after her bath she wants to have her bow back in her hair. She is also quite the little helper. She loves things tidy and likes to put them back where they came from. She especially like to have her face and hands clean when she is eating. We all think it is adorable because she just turns to me even if just a speck is on her mouth and wants it wiped. We are getting more and more smiles out of her throughout the day!

"God takes me by the hand and takes me straight out of the hard place and into the beauty on the other side. He whispers for me to be thankful, that even this will be for His good." Kisses for Katie

We are seeing so much of His beauty!!
Love,
Jamey






Worn out after all our stops!












On the streets of Shanghai


Getting ready to take off!


- Leaving Shanghai!

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Some things we are learning about Ellie

Yesterday was a big day! Ellie did great all things considered. I have to keep reminding myself and the boys that she is seeing and doing some of these things for the very first time. Not to mention this family who she does not know, or look like has taken her away from all she has known. Let's not forget we don't speak the same language! She is doing well through it all!
Some things we have learned about Ellie are:
-she does not like her hands to be dirty (it just makes me laugh b/c my boys were the same way and I have a tendency to be kinda crazy about hand washing)
-she likes to have a bow in her hair
-she helps you when you are dressing her and putting her shoes on
-she still takes a bottle several times a day
-she can say "mama, dada", and tries to say John Henry and Luke
-she does not want me out of her site or really out of my arms
-she is a great eater. We ate dinner in the hotel resterant last night and she let me feed her some rice and such. Then they brought us out a plate of fruit and she used her








hand and ate one of everything! The boys just giggled!
She slept with me last night and hardly moved. Today we have to go back to the same office we went to yesterday and finish up more paperwork. Thank you for all your prayers! It has been an emotional journey for sure, but we are so grateful God has called us to be Ellie's mom and dad!

"We aren't called to save the world, we aren't even called to save one, Jesus does that. We are called to love with abandon." Kisses for Katie



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Ellie Beckham

We got her!! She was very upset when her nanny handed her to us. Thankfully it was a pretty short process! She is doing better since we have been back in the room. I think she has had her picture made before, because when I took my phone out she just gave me the biggest grin!





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Location:Fuzhou Road,,China

Today is the day!

It is 6am in China right now and I made myself stay in bed until 5! We are so tired at night but can't seem to stay in bed asleep in the mornings. In just a few short hours we are going to get Ellie! I am so excited and nervous all at the same time! It is almost hard to describe the way you feel, it is a moment you have been waiting for and praying for for so long that it is hard to believe it is really happening!
Yesterday, we got out and did some exploring of the city. Shanghai has about 25million people living in the city. The air pollution has been terrible while we have been here. People are wearing masks and there is just a dark haze that looms over the city. We enjoyed seeing the Yuyuan park, the Shanghai Museum, and we finished up at a place where they make silk! We packed a lot into one day but today will be big enough! It is supposed to rain the next few days so there will be less exploring to do.
I will update this blog as soon as I can after we get Ellie! Thank you for your prayers and support during this amazing journey!















- " I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me". Bob Goff's book Love Does

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We made it!

Well it was long but we all made it! The boys have been troopers for sure. A huge praise, all 5 pieces of luggage made it! We hope to get some rest the next 2 nights before we go get Ellie on Monday morning. I have been thinking so much about her little personality and what she will like and dislike. We will soon get to find out, and she will No Longer be an orphan!
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A piece of art in our hotel!





Still smiling after all the flights!





He was worn out before we even started our 15 hr flight.





This was us after 30plus hours of flying! A shower never felt so good!

Location:Fuzhou Road,,China

Let the journey begin!

Well it is really happening! We are headed to Shanghai to go get our sweet Ellie! I almost feel like I should pinch myself! I have been amazed by God's timing in all of this. There are so many people praying for us and those prayers have surely been felt! These past 10 days have been filled with lots of packing, shopping, school events, early birthday celebrations and many more. Honestly, sitting on the plane is kinda nice. I feel like I can actually begin to relax and think about the coming days. We have told our boys it is going to be like an alien abduction for Ellie. We are a family who loves her but we are coming to take her from everything she has ever known. That can be very scary for a 2 y/o. We have been praying that God would begin to knit our hearts together many months ago. We have also been praying for the transition that she is going to make! It does not mean that this will be easy or happen quickly. We do not even speak the same language! But we do serve a God who will not leave us or forsake us.

" Being a Christ follower means being acquainted with sorrow. We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it. After all, the murder had to take place before the resurrection." From the book Kisses for Katie
Thank you for your prayers and for coming along side us during this journey!









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Location:I-85 N,College Park,United States

Thankful!

  As I am typing this post my heart is overflowing with thankfulness at how the Lord has answered our prayers over the years!  We officially began this journey of adoption a little over a year ago and we began praying that we would travel over Christmas and the Lord has answered those prayers.  Our journey is really just beginning as we get ready to travel halfway across the world to go and get a child whose picture we have fallen in love with but yet do not truly know.  Ellie Kathryn Jiang Beckham was born in May 4th 2011.  She is in an orphanage in Shanghai.  We hope to have her in our arms on Monday December 16th!

This November  (even though I am a few days late) I am thankful for:

 1. Jesus Christ dying on the cross and that his grace and mercy are new for me each day!

 2. My Family - Heath, the boys, and the rest of our family who have been so supportive throughout this process!

 3. God calling us on this journey of adoption.

 4. Auburn Football (War Eagle!)

 5. Our Church home (Shades Mountain)

 6. My Friday morning bible study

 7. My Sisters (Anna and Mary Kathryn)

 8. Heath being a part of my life since I was 17!

 9. The friendships that I have made along the way of this adoption journey.

10. For our adoption agency Lifeline!

The list really could go on and on.  The Lord taught me many years ago to be thankful for all things.  Sometimes those things are easy and sometimes those things are not but I know that no matter the circumstances he is continually shaping me into his image.  I have been memorizing Phil 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation with prayer and petition, and with Thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

  We found out today that we got Travel Approval and so we hope to begin our long trip to Ellie next Friday December 13th!  I am new to this whole blogging thing but have loved reading about others who have gone before us.  So I am going to do my best to update this while we travel.  It will be a great way for you to pray for us as well!

Many Blessing to you and your family!  Hope you have lots to be thankful for this Christmas season!

Jamey