The Bullet

April 18, 2010: The bullet ride was a great experience.  The luggage was a problem, but one of the ladies traveling with us from the children's home found a porter with a cart that you could pay to take the bags.  We got to go in a different door and it made the process much easier than pushing through the crowd with three children, one baby, two adults and luggage.  Once on the train they let us leave the bags on the floor and not lift them into the overhead racks.  The train was very clean.  As we were boarding the train every car was being washed externally.  During our three hour ride, the floor of our car was wet mopped three times and broom swept three times.  The girls played cards, made paper flowers and decorated Helen's crutches with stickers.   Today, we learned that Helen is very relieved that we are keeping the name Helen.  She was afraid we were going to change it and she really likes it.  In fact she prefers to be called Helen rather than Ling Ling.  She would however, like us to change her birthday.   She told Molli she would like it to be May 29.  But in a family that picks birthdays as it is, she can't have that one.  It is already taken by Johnie!   She has a very gentle spirit and is concerned about other's comfort.  Two other children and one adult traveled with us from the children's home.  The first was an older girl/young lady about 20 who has Down's syndrome.  Helen was conscious to include her in conversation.  The other was a 3-month-old CP baby with a gastro-nasal tube.   Both Molli and Helen got to carry the baby.  Molli had to carry the baby a long way through the train station because the other adult had to help with our suitcases.   The blanket was so thick around the baby that Molli said it was hard to even know where the baby was in the blanket.  I bet the baby weighed about 6lbs.   Molli and I are now safely in our hotel.  Helen is at the Children's home in Taiyuan.  Tomorrow we will meet her at the Civil Affairs office where they will officially give her to us for a 24 hours bonding time.  The following day we will report back to the Civil Affairs office and accept her.  The adoption will then be processed.   Tyler and Sharon:  It is your wedding day.  We are praying for you.  Lauren: today is your first baby shower.  I have been praying for you.