For the past ten years sometime during the summer, we get together with some very special people. (We only missed one ~ the year Beth and Anna got married). This special treat has been labeled "Mei Mei Reunion". During this reunion we come together at various home towns of families that traveled to China together. Most of our girls are from the same orphanage. We share an incredible bond with the parents and girls. Abbey adores this time together with her "China Sisters".
This year the weekend of June 23rd, we traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to the Etter's (Dana, Paul, Lucas and Brooke).
The cranes that John sells are manufactured in Lexington, so he arranged for us to take a tour of the factory. A couple of families joined us for the tour.
That evening we had pizza at the Etter's house. Their son, Lucas, was a previous world champion of Rubics Cube. He has a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records.
The girls (and Elijah), were constantly asking him to solve cubes. He was such a good sport, he'd oblige them every time. It was amazing how quickly he could solve it. His mom said he had over 1000 algorithms in his head to solve it.
Abbey and Elijah wanted to get their picture made with him.
Elijah also loves going to these reunions. He has a very special friend, Emma, a little sister to one of Abbey's China sisters. They also share a bond, like their sisters. I really think Emma is a gift from God for Elijah. Every year they do their own thing.
Emma was doing her own gymnastics along with Elijah here.
Saturday morning we went to the Kentucky Horse park. The weather was beautiful and the place was very interesting.
There was lots of time for the girls to talk.
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| Elijah couldn't quite muster it enough to ride a horse. |
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| Look at the happiness on those precious faces. They so enjoy each other.
After the horse park, we all went swimming at the hotel pool.
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On the way to the hotel several girls rode in our car. They realized they all knew the same hand claps. It was fun to hear the laughs that ensued.
Then we went back to the hotel, took lots of photos. The girls have a tradition of watching a movie in someone's room. Since we couldn't fit everyone around the computer, we commandeered a hotel meeting room and the girls watched "Trolls"
What a crew!! I love these folks.
They can be crazy!
and make me laugh like none other!
The morning before we left, we met a Panera and shared breakfast. Although, not easy, it was time for goodbyes.
Such a gift from God!
All of us talk about how amazing it is to only see folks once a year and be able to continue as if we'd only been apart for a little while. We shared a wonderful, miraculous time in China and that bond is wonderfully, miraculously strong!
Hello Glinda and John. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, india. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well as know you and about your life in the lord Jesus and a Godly children through your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am blessed to see those beautiful pictures of your children .I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 38 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your young grown up children to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have alife changing experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends.
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