Learning to Love

     We've been home a little more than a month and it's hard to believe that I was ever in China, except for the fact that I have a Chinese son.  I am slowly getting used to the idea of being a mom of six and and having a child of a different race.  I really don't think much about it unless we go out to the store, library, etc and then I notice people looking at us.  In a small rural town, there is not a lot of cultural diversity, however, everyone is very friendly.  Our days are filled with the pool and the sandbox now.  Avery is glad to have a playmate most of the time, but doesn't like the fact that Evan screams to get his point across when his Chinese is disregarded by Avery.  They argue in Chinese ( bu pung - pung ) which means don't touch - touch.  This occurs when Avery feels Evan is getting too close to his stuff or when Evan has put claim to something in the house.  There are letters and numbers on our refrigerator that Evan feels are his only.  Though I don't like the arguing, I am glad that Avery has learned chinese. 
     Evan has learned more English and understand more than he speaks.  He has said 'five more minutes." this is how we regulate the pung -bu pung arguements.  He knows the word no and has added excuse me when getting up from the table.  I am so thankful I learned the Chinese I did even though I know it's not perfect, it has made the transition easier.  Today I was reading the chinese of twinkle, twinkle... and apparently I was saying it wrong because he grabbed the book from me and started over.   He also says a prayer before meals "God is great, God is good ...."  He uses this as his prayer at bedtime also, though he follows it up at bedtime with thank you for ....and lists everyone in our family. 
     Tonight before bed we looked at the pictures we took in china and he got a little quiet when we saw the ones of gotcha day.  I'm sure it made him sad to remember the turmoil of the day.  After, he got my bible and wanted to read it along with the devotion we've been reading in the mornings.  Although he doesn't know the meaning of the words yet, I was greatly moved by hearing him read the words after me.  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind."