It is hard to believe we have been back a week!  It seems to have gone so fast and yet China is becoming more of a memory everyday!

The trip back home was fairly uneventful.  The night before we left China, Madison received a lovely flower from one of the families that we met at the reception The Garden Hotel had for adoptive families.

Thursday morning it was up at 4:30am so that we could make our first flight out to Beijing!  Everyone seemed pretty awake by the time we left Beijing for New York City.

Sadly, all the issues we had on the way home were in Newark!  It took FOREVER to clear immigration.  Then, after rechecking our bags, we had to go back through security.  During that process they pulled Madison off to the side because she had a wheelchair.  She had a United representative pushing her and as the rest of us cleared security we waited to see where they had taken her!  After awhile I went back up to see where she was and they were holding her behind the security gate and had not cleared her yet.  I felt awful that she had been sitting there by herself wondering where we were!  A “Home Alone” moment, but not as funny.  I was pretty irritated with the security staff who refused to take any responsibility for the situation and instead chose to make us feel like bad parents because we had left her there.

But, we got home late Thursday night and spent the first night in our own beds!

Several of the girls set up a nice “welcome home” presentation on our bed utilizing origami and Hershey’s Kisses.  That is not a bad gift!

The morning after coming home is always a special time.  I continue to be amazed at how the kids here at the house rally behind the new additions and make them feel right at home.  They love on them and bring out games and books in an effort to make them feel a part of the family right away.

EVERYONE has to help out for things to work smoothly.

And there is an opportunity to show those that were on the trip how much they were missed.

Since then it has been a whirlwind getting things back to normal and preparing for Thanksgiving!  The required puzzle was started …

.. and the food has been eaten.

The girls had the opportunity to spend some time with MOST of their cousins on Thanksgiving night …

… playing cards …

… and schooling their Aunt’s in Memory!

Ok … maybe not “schooling” them, but their time is coming.

There truly is so much to be thankful for, not the least of which is having this adoption completed in time to spend time with family on this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend!  Soon enough the doctors and dentists appointments will begin, the physical therapists will start developing a plan, and our medical deductible will again be eaten into.  But for now, we get to enjoy each other and get to know each other a little bit better.  We are blessed.

Cameron

It has been a great trip but we are ready to go home!

Last night we went to dinner with another mom, Tina, and her young son, Nathan.  The busy streets are starting to become our home-away-from-home here!

So happy that the pollution level was light yesterday.

I am sure we have all lost a few years off our life this trip!

We had asked the concierge here how to get to the Banana Leaf restaurant, a place that had been recommended.  He was not overly complimentary and instead suggested we head down to Soi 5, not too far from the Garden Hotel.

The food was truly wonderful and the price was reasonable.  If we would have only found this place a few days earlier in the week so that we could have enjoyed it more!

On the way back up to our room, Peyton took over the elevator controls for our family.

This morning we took Tina and Nathan up to our favorite park since it was their last day also.

We again enjoyed a little singing in the park …

It is always nice to get a helping hand from your jie jie.

The one thing I give China lot of credit for is the amount of money they spend on their park system.  Every city that we have ever visited here has had beautiful parks and they are always well used by their citizens.

Everyone STILL seems to be all smiles … well, except maybe Jessie!

Those of you who know us well know that we are not Starbucks people.

However, finding the Oolong Peach Iced Tea there early this week might have killed the adoption budget.  Finding it on the last day was just an added treat!

Because you can’t have too much of a good thing, we went by Soi 5 again for lunch!

A little mint water for your refreshment.

Various Thai dishes (which were attacked so quickly that I could not get a picture of the fresh plates).

In the end, this really says it all!

We just received both girls VISAs, so we are clear to head out!  The hotel is having a little reception this evening for all the adopting families and then we hit the road at 5:15 am tomorrow morning!  First stop is Beijing, then Newark, then home tomorrow evening!  We leave Beijing at 5:00 PM and arrive in Newark at 5:40 PM.  That is a SHORT international flight!

Cameron

Today and today only … two blogs for the price of one!  Downside is that it is LONG!  Maybe walk away from your computer for a few minutes right now and let everything load.

Yesterday we went to the Chime.Long Safari Park and Circus.  We have been to the Park five times now (once per trip) and I think this is the third time to the circus, but it is a great way to fill a down day!

As is usual, Riley has been working very hard as our part-time translator and she has been honing those skills quite well.  Not only that, she is our crises manger.  On Sunday night we went to dinner with some other families at a local Irish pub.

We enjoyed a nice walk back to the hotel together.

Once back at the hotel, we had a pretty large group so we all split into separate elevators.  Riley, Jessie, and Peyton went in an elevator ahead of us.  But, when we got to our room, there were no girls!  For some reason one of the other key cards would not let them on our floor and they were stuck!  I rode the elevator back down to find Jessie and Peyton patiently waiting in the first floor lobby and I asked about Riley.  She had taken one of other boy who was also stranded and she was trying to convince them to issue her new room cards … using my name!  On the way back up to our rooms, she told Jessie, “You see?  You don’t need to get all nervous and scared when things go wrong.  You just have to use your head and think!”  I have few concerns about this girl.

The Safari Park starts with a safari ride!  Which, was a little challenging for Madison due to her spine issues.  Kelly was able to adapt things so that she could still see.

I have posted plenty of animal pictures in the past blogs from here, so I will not bore you.  But everyone likes a kangaroo!

It isn’t easy being a bear …

When the ride was over, the wheel chair was no where to be found!  I had to run up the road and grab it and run it back to Kelly before her arms fell off!

We then went and walked through the rest of the zoo, Riley exceptionally happy she brought her FitBit and Jessie lamenting the fact that she does not have one yet.

This may have been the prettiest exhibit of the day!

It’s always fun to watch the monkeys!

And even the zoo animals!

It can be challenging for Madison to see everything, even more so than Leah, but we worked to try and make the experience enjoyable!

Peyton kept up pretty well for a little girl.

Kelly has been holding up well also, but we think she is nearing the end of her rope!  Thankfully we leave in just two days.

She even has a namesake at the zoo who is trying to keep up with her family size!

Riley and Peyton spend a lot of time together, most likely because of how much time they spent together in the orphanage.  Here they are trying to catch up!

Peyton drove the safari truck right into the tiger exhibit!

Tiger’s do not scare her!

When the terrain is not too challenging, Peyton likes to be a helpful little sister and man Madison’s wheelchair.

Here are all my little beauties (at least the ones on this trip minus their equally beautiful mother).

Peyton was concerned that one of the Kuala’s was drooling!

This is one of Peyton’s new favorite modes of travel!

After the Safari Park, our driver took us over to the Chime.Long Hotel for a little dinner.

A little fried rice …

…dumplings …

… and spring rolls!

It was a really nice break.  The past several years our driver has picked us up at the Safari Park, hot and sweaty, and drove us straight to the Circus where we would have to wait for a couple of hours.  This allowed us a little time to sit in the air conditioning and get some rest.  We were ready to go!

In addition to translator and crises manager, Riley has also taken on the role of the family photographer.

On our way in to find seats.

There was a handicapped section in the auditorium, but it was way up at the top and we thought it would be better for Madison to be a little closer to the action, so we loaded her up and headed down to better seating.

And … yes … in our advanced age we have become THOSE parents.  After resisting the urge for how many adoptions, we caved and bought the girls souvenirs.

There are plenty of pictures of the circus on last years blogs, and even some video, but I will share a few of Riley’s pictures.

Peyton loved the elephants.  She even danced an elephant dance for us the other day.

This act was one we had not seen before.

I tend to like the opening and the closing the best.

This morning it was up and out relatively early for our consulate appointment.  Since we would be spending a little time on U.S. soil, I figured I would iron my shirt!  What a cute little iron.  And cordless to boot!

We are all smiles at the Consulate, the final hurdle in getting the girls home on Thursday.

Everything went just fine at the appointment (unlike the craziness last year when Ashley’s birthday was wrong on her Chinese passport and we were thinking someone was staying in country with her and she was worried she was going to be sent back to her orphanage!).  We went back to the hotel, had lunch, and went for a walk.  The overhead walkways in the eighth largest city in the world do make things a little challenging, but we make do.

Another day … another park …

… another exercise area.

I’m not sure you are using that correctly!

Even Riley pumped some iron, even though it didn’t get her steps on her FitBit.

The girls get by with a little help from their sisters.

Exercising is TIRING!

A really big turning point in our China trips.  Kelly used a squat toilet!  One trip to Vietnam and five trips to China over nine years and she has finally adapted to the local customs!

Peyton’s OTHER new favorite mode of travel.

This guy has a lot of skill carrying this long ladder all by himself!

In case any of you did not think that Kelly was superwoman already, here she is manning the wheelchair in one hand and Peyton in the other.  She is amazing!

So … let’s have a little conversation about ice cream.

If you have never been to a country like China or India, you probably can’t appreciate how certain things make you feel a little closer to home.  You are in a place where the culture is very different, everyone speaks a language that is VERY different to yours, and sometimes it feels like you are 6,000 miles from home.  Because you are.

And then you have ice cream.  Not the popcorn flavored ice cream that McDonald’s is trying to peddle over here.  But good old vanilla ice cream.  Sometimes even a cone in each hand.

For some reason it makes things a little better.

So on a 31 degree Celsius day,  we choose to follow the Charlie Rule and feel a little closer to home.

It makes everyone smile …

… even if it disappears a little too quickly.

The day is coming to a close.  Madison has been a trooper putting up with Peyton in her wheelchair, even with her knees digging into Madison’s arm!

Finally … back to our room!

Cameron

Today was a down day since it was Sunday, so most families went out to Shamian Island for the day.  But we stayed on the island the first two trips to China and, while we enjoyed it, we were ready to see something different.  So, Helen, our guide for the day, took us to Liu Hua Hu Park.  It was a very beautiful park set around a lake and was full of people enjoying the warm November day!  I believe Helen fashions herself a little bit of a photographer, so we went over the top as tourists and she took pictures of us everywhere!

And here …

And here …

And I have more but I will save you from them!  The park was a great place for people to get together and play Chinese Checkers.

Or sing a song or two.

Maybe just sit and talk with friends.

There were fish in the lake that the girls enjoyed people feeding.

The girls also enjoyed watching a group of young boys put on a Karate exhibition with their Sense.

Riley took Peyton across the stepping stones, although they were not that challenging without the water to surround them!

We came to an open area where maybe a couple of hundred people were crowded around to sing along with the accompaniment of a small ensemble.

This sweet little lady was truly enjoying the music!

Riley worked double duty manning Peyton AND Madison for much of the day.

There was an area of the park that had playgrounds and a small amusement park.  We tried to get Madison to enjoy some of the activities but she said it was for little kids.  Teenagers!

Peyton was not so sure about going on any of the actual rides, so I had to warm her up a little bit.

Then she was willing to step up the excitement a little bit with mom.

Brave a water ride.

And get a little more daring with Jessie along for support.

They had a huge exercise area with equipment that was donated by a large life insurance company that is located in Guangzhou.

Ok … maybe one more family picture.

I am including this picture only because I risked certain imprisonment by standing on the grass to obtain it.

Peyton started to get a little tired with all the walking around!

In honor of Charlie, we decided to institute his ice cream rule from the last trip.  He declared (because he is the little boss) that any day the temperature was above 27 Celsius, we would get ice cream.  And we pretty much stuck to that.  Today it above 27, so …

Tomorrow we head to the zoo and the circus!  We are looking forward to the day, but we will not be back until very late so I am not sure when the blog will get updated.  Might be a day delayed!

Cameron

This morning we woke to an entirely new breakfast buffet!  You start to feel like “Groundhog Day” when you are here because every morning is the same breakfast over and over.  But, since we are in a new city, the buffet is (relatively) new!

I do have to admit that you cannot complain about noodles…

… and a sugar donut with chocolate and strawberry sauce to start the day!

Might probably gain all the weight back that I lost last week.

Kelly put her beautician skill set to the test this morning and did some fancy work with Madison’s hair.

And it is a good thing because we got to meet Aleda Madison, the fonder of our adoption agency, and Ming, the China-based advocate for Madison Adoption.

Aleda is in the back and Ming is in the forefront.  Any of you that have prayed through the challenges we have had getting some of these children out of China will recognize Ming’s name.  She has been extremely instrumental in breaking through the red tape in China to make sure orphans find a home.  We have several girls that might not be here if it was not for Ming’s loving and yet determined efforts on their behalf.  What a great honor to finally get to meet such a wonderful woman.

Waiting in the lobby, Riley took a quick picture of Peyton and I.  I am once again amazed at how quickly these kids bond to complete strangers and love and trust us so completely when their entire world is turning upside down.  We have done this thing enough times to know that the emotions can bubble up later and have to be dealt with, but these girls have been just wonderful.

All the Madison families loaded up on the bus for the trip over the International Medical Office so the kids could get their physicals and any outstanding immunizations that are required before they immigrate into the United States.

Up first are the pictures that will be used by the US Government to process their VISA.  Of course, it isn’t as easy as you would think with a little girl confined to a wheelchair!  Sometimes momma has to step in and explain to people how to get the shot done!

Peyton jumped up, had the picture completed, and jumped down before I had a chance to take my own shot!

After the photos, it is up to the clinic.

First are the vision check and a test to check for color blindness.

Peyton went first!

Then it is off to the ENT exam.

It was then Madison’s turn.  For some reason I have video but not a picture of Kelly explaining to them that they were not going to be able to weight Madison the way that they planned.  They wanted to lay her on a baby scale, but she was going to be too big.  After getting Riley involved, they finally agreed to weight Kelly first and then weight her with Madison and subtract the difference.  It isn’t rocket science, but it took them awhile to warm up to the idea.

In the end, Madison had to do the same colorblind test …

… the same vision screening …

… and see the same ENT!

Peyton got a little break while Madison had her physical exam.

But it wasn’t long before she was in the room also.

The girls had to have a TB test done.

Peyton didn’t have to have any immunizations, but Madison had to have two.

It was not TOO long of a morning, but some children did get a little bored.

In all, the visit went as well as could be expected and everyone loaded on the bus for the trip back to the hotel.

We made a stop at the local grocery store to pick up a few odds and ends … mainly water!  You can’t drink from the tap here.

And no trip to the store is complete without buying candy.  Sometimes it is hard to decide what candy you want!

We went back to the hotel for a few minutes to get some things done and Riley again took control of my camera.

We ran up the street to our favorite Chinese food place.  That’s funny. Chinese food place … in China.

Then back to the supermarket to get ice cream!

On the way two high school girls asked Kelly if they could do a video interview with her for their homework assignment.

Kelly represented the United States VERY well!

Surprisingly, Madison had never had ice cream before, so this was her first experience!

Peyton, however, was an old pro!

It had been a long afternoon for a six-year old little girl and she took a little nap on the way back to the hotel.

Tomorrow is a down day for everyone so we decided to spend the morning at a local park.  We will see what the day holds for us.  For now, we are blowing bubbles …

… and resting up in the hotel (OK, Peyton is riding our exercise bike, but everyone else is resting)

Cameron

Today we traveled from Hefei to Guangzhou, where the US Consulates off is located.  We will finish off the adoption process here and head home this next Thursday.

We had to say goodby to Taylor this morning!  We all went downstairs to wait on her driver.

We have so enjoyed her being here and were so sad to see her go!

They orphanage that Jessie, Riley and Peyton are from were sending a little baby back with Taylor so that she could receive medical treatment at New Day.

We then boarded our own bus not too many hours later to make or trek to the airport.  Sometimes it is EXHAUSTING to travel this much!

We received a FULL SIZED bus today!  If Kelly could figure out how to put this baby in our garage it might be our next vehicle.

I believe we exemplified “active loading and unloading”!

Madison enjoyed the warm sun!

And then, like the VonTrapps over the alps, we were off.

Waiting for the plane, the girls wanted a little snack.  This thing is the equivalent of a baloney  stick.  I didn’t have the stomach to try it, but all the kids love them, especially Katelynn at home!

The difficulty in getting the wrapper off should be your first clue that you should not be eating it.

First flight for Madison …

… and Peyton!

Jessie and Riley have really done a good job befriending these girls, especially Madison.  They seem to becoming fast friends.  Although these two are hard to separate!

My little luggage buddy.

It is always nice to meet up with people who you have enjoyed on previous visits.  This week, our guide is Grace, who was our guide back in 2011 when we adopted Ali.  Her smiling face is always a joy.

We got settled at our hotel, The Garden Hotel, in a suite that is short on beds but large on rooms.  I’m currently typing this blog in the office/exercise room!  Seriously.  We have our own exercise bike.

It was nice to see a little bonding before bed between Madison and Peyton.  Maybe they are already starting to see each other as sisters?

And don’t judge me for our dinner tonight.  We eat McDonald’s maybe once a year, but this is sort of tradition.  It is right across the street and every time we have come to this hotel we eat McDonald’s on the first night.  I’m sure there are better traditions out there.

Tomorrow morning are medical exams for both of the girls.  Thankfully, they are NOT bright and early but rather we leave at 10:30.  Sleep in a little, eat breakfast, and go see the doctor!  Kelly always enjoys the ridiculous questions that get asked, and I am sure that tomorrow will be no exception!

Cameron

Last night we “splurged” a little and went to Pizza Hut!

This was the first American food since we arrived in China and it was a nice change of pace.

After diner, Madison and Peyton had their first exposure to a hair dryer!

Sometimes it is a little scary how much Peyton looks like Mia.

On the way to Madison’s orphanage this morning, everyone seemed like they were in good spirits!

Madison had told us last night that she hoped that she could go to sleep because she was so excited to take us to where she grew up!

We arrived to a bright colored playground …

… and Madison’s china mom raising down the ramp to meet us!

She insisted that she push Madison up the ramp to the orphanage.

We went up and saw the room that Madison shared with many other children.  While Madison does not have any mental deficits, everyone else in the room did.  We realized that was because the other children went to school, but Madison could not so she stayed with the others who were unable to attend school.

She was pretty happy to show us “her” bed!

And maybe pose for a little glamour shot!

Madison was a favorite at the orphanage, both with the children and the staff.  One person told us that if a child had cake or candy, they would not share with anyone except Madison.  The staff was extremely happy to have her back for a visit!

They took us to the activity room to show us much of the projects and activities she had been involved in over the last several years.

The orphanage director, who has been here an impressive 19 years, spent time showing us Madison’s school accomplishments.

He seemed pretty happy with her progress!

But we already knew she was a smart girl!  She just needs a little more challenge!  That will come soon enough, little girl!

Her china mom had a several opportunities to have some private conversations with Madison, I would assume around how much she loved her and how great the opportunity was she was facing.  Her china mom has been preparing her for the day that her forever family would arrive.

There was a lot of joy and laughter in the room today with teachers, administrators, and moms, both the caregiver type and the permanent type!

Some, however, were a little bored.

This one stayed pretty engaged!

Our guide, Michael, has done a nice job supporting us this week.

It’s nice to see the relationship between Madison and those tasked with caring for her!

The orphanage director was determined to carry her down to her wheelchair!  It was kind of like your grandpa wanting to do something and no one being able to tell him “no” but panicked just the same!  You can see the hand on the right reaching out to steady him!

Thankfully, he made it down just fine!!

The orphanage provided lunch for us and it was amazing!  The best meal we have had to date in China.  And they just kept bringing more and more food!

Riley kept the staff laughing with her witty comments.

And Jess added her own thoughts to the conversation.

It has been really, really nice to have Taylor with us, and not just because she manned one of the cameras for me!  She is a lot of fun all the time.  So glad to have her with us on another adoption!

Madison told us that this is how they ate every night!  Riley had a hard time believing that!

We all posed for a picture with the director, the manager, and Madison’s china mom.

On the way home, this little stinkpot started winding up!  She talked the entire two hours home, spending time kissing everyone and keeping Riley pretty engaged in conversation!  She also started learning a few English phrases, mastering “thank you” and “you’re welcome”!

Tomorrow we will get the girls passports and then fly to Guangzhou in the afternoon to finalize the girls adoptions next week!  We are getting close to “hump day” with a little light at the end of the tunnel!

At the end of today’s post I am putting pictures of children that may be considered by some to be more challenging to adopt.  But they, just like the pictures I have shared this week already, deserve a forever family to love and care for them!

Cameron

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27

Here is the video from yesterday’s orphanage visit.  Took the slow internet a good 12+ hours to upload it to YouTube!  Sorry for the delay.

Jessie told Kelly this yesterday after our visit to Huainan:

“I understand now. They just love differently here.  We look at what’s on the inside and they look at what’s on the outside!” 

Sounds like she gets it!

Cameron

This morning we loaded up the bus and moved to Beverly!  Huainan that is.  Orphanages and China Moms!

There was a lot of anticipation as we pulled into the Huainan orphanage after a two-hour bus ride.  Some China Mom’s were not going to be available and some were not sure if they would be able to show up or not!  Riley was nervous as we started to turn into the courtyard.

Things had not changed much since the last time we were here in 2013.  Maybe a little older and worn, but life seemed to be moving along at the same pace.

Jessie helped Peyton distribute candy to the kids that were there, although I am not sure that Peyton needed any help.  She seemed like a little girl with a mission!  Get as many suckers into as many little hands as quickly as possible!

She could be considered the China Doll version of Santa Claus!

It was just a few short years ago that we took this picture of Peyton with Brittany!

Riley, on the other hand, had many social visits to make!  And, as would be expected, everyone was happy to see her!!

We came to our room last night and everyone was exhausted!  Early to bed!  And the girls room looks like a mass of beds!

As wonderful as this process of adoption is, it is still so very difficult on these kids to leave everything they know behind and start anew.  They are so very brave, but sometimes you see the cracks.  Peyton had more than a few tears and somewhat of a restless start to her night.  The warm arms of a caring mom helped her  go to sleep.

However, she woke up happy this morning and ready to go to the government center to finish off the adoption process!

Finalizing the adoption was a rather brief event, mainly because Madison had already signed her adoption paperwork before she arrived.  Kelly and I had to sign a few things and Peyton had to give her hand print.

Michael, the guide helping us, had a few challenges with the ink.

But was able to get it done as needed!

Then Michael made a short presentation and gave us their adoption paperwork with a  flourish!

And a hand shake!

While this little cutie just looked on…

One final adoption picture in front of the big red wall.  Not sure we will ever been in this room again, but it has brought us a lot of joy!

A short ride home and we headed out to the park to chew up a little time.  It was cold out today, probably in the high 40’s, but the air was clean which was a welcome change!

I won’t lie.  It is kind of nice to have a “little one” again!  Even if she IS six years old.

Someone you can hold.

Who will lay their head on your shoulder.

Or ride on those same shoulders!  And Madison certainly did not mind the extra blankets to keep her warm, especially since Jessie has a tendency to drive fast!  That girl is NOT getting her drivers license anytime soon!

Taylor didn’t think the family picture in front of the red wall was all that impressive.  So, as the family photog for the trip, she suggested another family picture in the park.

We took another swing by the bread lady while Madison and Petyon wanted chicken wings on a stick.  They were all cooked and ready to go, but apparently when you buy them they still have to spend another ten minutes warming them up for you!  So … we stood there and waited.

Tay tried her best to keep Peyton warm!

Madison has told us that she doesn’t like to go fast in her wheelchair, but that was before Jessie took control today.  Now, we think she may have the need for speed!

This afternoon, John from Love Without Boundaries, took us to their healing home here.  Between two sites they take care of around twenty children from orphanages around Anhui.  Children with medical needs that that need specialized care … personalized care.  If you are in an orphanage here and need surgery, you are taken to the hospital and left.  When you are ready to come home, someone comes and gets you.  But wonderful ministries like Love Without Boundaries (and New Day were Taylor is working) takes these kids to the hospital, stays with them while they are there, and provides care for them until they are ready to return to their orphanage.

With that premise in mind, we pulled into a modest apartment complex not far from our home. Identical buildings surrounding a central courtyard with playground equipment providing a place for children to be occupied.

A door through which we passed along with children in need of care.

One with, thankfully, a wheelchair accessible ramp!

Through a somewhat dingy hall, at least by our American standards.

And onto an old elevator we traveled.

To be ushered into a modern, clean, really quite beautiful apartment spread over two floors!  It was both joyful and sad to see these children who are being taken such good care of by the staff, and yet in so need of a home and a family to love them!

Taylor was SUPPOSED to be taking picture, but putting Kelly and her into this environment is like pouring gas on a fire!!

I will leave you today with the faces of those children we saw today.  What a blessing to have staff like John and the nannies who work tirelessly to give these little orphans what they need!  And a special thank you to the administrators like Amy Eldridge, who took a dream and made this a reality, and the board members of Love Without Boundaries, like Tony McQuinn, who intercede for those less fortunate on a continual basis.

Cameron

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27