This past weekend, we were very blessed to be able to attend the Philip Hayden Foundation Reunion at sponsored by Salem Church of God in Clayton, OH. It was the midway point and reason for my whole road trip. Troy flew up on Friday and we met him at the hotel LATE Friday night.
On Saturday, the church hosted a picnic and playtime for the kids. There were fun jumps, water games, snowcones, casting/fishing, etc! What a WONDERFUL time we all had finally getting to meet people that we had emailed and chatted online with!
Tim Baker and ShuangShuang
The PHF crew--We finally got to meet people in person who were very important on our journey to Shuangshuang--especially Leah!
The girls are making cross and bead necklaces!
Too cool to watch Shuangshuang stringing beads!
Baba and his 2 princesses eating snowcones--daddy's just AWESOME!
Our family and Tim's family (minus a couple).
Thank you, Tim and Pam Baker, for all that you do to care for the orphans!
Everyone who attended the reunion--families, PHF staff and volunteers, and the amazing volunteers from Salem Church of God!
Hanging out before church
Oh my word, this was more than any of us could bear, to be there when Chris and Jocelyn thanked Salem Church for raising the funds to allow Elijah to have his heart surgery!!
Even better was to hear Elijah take the mic and thank them himself!
This is what started the waterworks!
This was one of the most awesome experiences--to gather as a group of PHF families to be prayed over and to sing "He Knows My Name" while watching a slideshow of PHF children! There was not a dry eye in the crowd!
Notice me sopping up my tears in the center of the picture--Heather, thanks for warning me to bring tissue!
2 comments:
So cool!!! Glad you were able to go. Sounds like you've had an amazing trip all in all. That's great that Troy was able to join you for the reunion. I've missed you online. Can't wait to catch-up. (Side note - Sara woke up from her nap and looked at my computer. She saw the pic of your girls and Troy and said, "oh, that's me. Is that Daddy? Wait, no, but that's me!" It was Shaoey. What a crack up. I guess she still sees herself when she sees Chinese girls. :-)
These are wonderful pictures! I am so glad you guys got to go.
Keri
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