Our dreams have finally come true! We waited for so long, and she is finally here! It is so fun to watch her as she walks around singing pretty loudly. At first it was sort of hard to believe she was here, but now it feels like she's been a part of the family all of her life. It was so cute to see her opening her gifts and then playing contently with only a few for hours. I am so glad we were able to get her before Christmas!
She is a very happy little girl and we see her beautiful smile a lot! It makes me smile when I hear her beautiful laugh.She has opened up so quickly to us; she loves all the attention and spoiling that she gets from us. Our prayers for her preparation for us were answered. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us next!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
All I really want for Christmas
Brooke made Debbi a Christmas CD and it was playing in the background as our children played with their newly opened presents. I sat watching AnGrace play with her new toys and plates pretending to cook a feast and in the background I heard this song playing and tears began to stream down my cheeks. It was the very same song I heard two years ago on the day we were told that we would be able to adopt. Now almost two years to the day playing on the ground with a smile on her face was AnGrace, God's God's gracious gift to our family.
All I really want by Steven Curtis Chapman
All I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose, shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for, but there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas is a family
All I really want for Christmas is someone who'll be here
To sing me happy birthday for the next 100 years
And it's okay if they're not perfect or even if they're a little broken
That's all right, 'cause so am I
'Cause all I really want for Christmas is someone to tuck me in
Tell me I'll never be alone, someone who's love will never end
Of all that I could ask for well, there's just one thing I need
All I want for Christmas is a family.
Merry Christmas AnGrace! Welcome to your forever family.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
From a Sister's Point of View (Cassie)
It has been amazing to see this sweet, beautiful little girl open up more and more each day. She loves to laugh and play with all of her family. I don't think I could count how many times she has shown us that gorgeous smile! I think we all three agree that the time we spent missing mom and dad will be well repaid with so many happy memories. I look forward to seeing her grow in the grace of God with an extremely kind and caring church family.
Friday, December 14, 2007
From a baby to a toddler
It has been amazing to see this little girl begin to transform before our very eyes. When we first met her she was solemn and rocked back and forth to soothe herself. We did get a little smile but not much after that. She did not really know how to chew and would not feed herself. Now she is feeding herself and likes most everything. She has begun to play by herself and imagine and play games with us. The last day in China she began to hum and talk to herself. This little girl has blossomed in just 10 days. I cannot wait to see her continue to open up as she feels safe and loved by us. I look forward to the day she returns our kisses and can say daddy and mommy.
We will continue to keep you posted on AnGrace and God's grace and peace poured out on each of us in the coming months. I am encouraging the girls to join the blogging and share the adoption from their experience.
We will continue to keep you posted on AnGrace and God's grace and peace poured out on each of us in the coming months. I am encouraging the girls to join the blogging and share the adoption from their experience.
Home Sweet Home
Almost 30 hours ago we woke up to begin our journey home. AnGrace traveled amazingly well only crying once. She laughed and slept and played. As we went through immigration a kind customs officer walked us through the process. Since AnGrace was still a Chinese citizen we had to go through the foreign line. He told us the process to complete her paperwork can take as much as an hour or two and we only had an hour and a half before our flight to Raleigh (that was assuming our plane would be on time which it wasn't). He left his station and walked us through the process in five minutes and directed us to where we needed to go. We then went to customs and they just waived us through without a second glance.
We did have a 2 hour delay for our flight to Raleigh but it gave AnGrace and me time to play on the ground while Debbi took a cat nap. The jet lag was starting to kick in full force.
We touched down in Raleigh and were greeted by friendly faces of friends and family sharing in a joyous occasion. People were so concerned for us that we were tired but I cannot tell you how much joy I had being with all my friends and sharing this moment with them. Thank you for meeting us at the airport!!! It was wonderful.
We arrived home and sat down on the floor to play with AnGrace and to let her get to know her sisters. She has slowly begun to laugh but is still slowly warming up to them. They are being great with her.
I hope to post some more pictures over the next few days.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Slow Pace of life
The days are going by slowly as we anticipate the return home. Yesterday we went to a beautiful botanical garden. Afterward our guide, Rebecca, took us to a Chinese only restaurant located on the fifth floor of a building, no elevators. We arrived and some of her friends asked what she was doing bringing us there. She replied, no problem, these are my friends. The food was incredible and inexpensive. We could have never found it or ordered ourselves. There were no menus you just told them what you wanted to eat.
Today we went to the zoo with a different guide, David. We were discussing restaurants on the island and we told him that was our favorite and he began to laugh. He could not believe Rebecca brought us there. We have truly enjoyed our new friendship with Rebecca.
We also went to a toy market but it was more like a wholesale dollar tree. Not very exciting. The rest of the day we just hung out. I went to Starbuck's and ordered a muffin just so I could sit outside in their nice seating and read. Yesterday I spent time by the river reading but all the benches were taken today. It is amazing the number of people who just sit by the river all day playing cards or a form of chess. Rob, Jeff, and Anthony, I think you would be challenged by some of these men here.
Tomorrow we will go to the consulate to swear an oath that we will care for AnGrace and everything becomes final from the US side. We will leave bright and early Friday morning and arrive about 30 hours later. Keep us in your prayers as we fly.
Today we went to the zoo with a different guide, David. We were discussing restaurants on the island and we told him that was our favorite and he began to laugh. He could not believe Rebecca brought us there. We have truly enjoyed our new friendship with Rebecca.
We also went to a toy market but it was more like a wholesale dollar tree. Not very exciting. The rest of the day we just hung out. I went to Starbuck's and ordered a muffin just so I could sit outside in their nice seating and read. Yesterday I spent time by the river reading but all the benches were taken today. It is amazing the number of people who just sit by the river all day playing cards or a form of chess. Rob, Jeff, and Anthony, I think you would be challenged by some of these men here.
Tomorrow we will go to the consulate to swear an oath that we will care for AnGrace and everything becomes final from the US side. We will leave bright and early Friday morning and arrive about 30 hours later. Keep us in your prayers as we fly.
Marketing Experts
The people here on Shamian Island have never been to Harvard business school but they are great marketers. Right now I am blogging from a store that contributes to a charity and offers free internet. So my wife is buying souvenirs as I use the free internet. They also do a great job of learning your name and playing with your children. How can you not buy something from these warm friendly people who know you by name. It also makes it hard to bargain with them, at least for me.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Monday
Hey everyone! I was able to use another person's computer to post a few pictures. I hope you enjoy them. We will post more when we get home.
We have had a great relaxing day walking around town. Tonight we will go on a dinner cruise with two other couples and our guide. We continue to look forward to coming back home and introducing AnGrace to all of you.
We can't wait to see some friendly faces at the airport on Friday
We have had a great relaxing day walking around town. Tonight we will go on a dinner cruise with two other couples and our guide. We continue to look forward to coming back home and introducing AnGrace to all of you.
We can't wait to see some friendly faces at the airport on Friday
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sunday
It has been a couple of days since I was able to blog. It is hard to remember what I have blogged and what I wrote in my journal. For some reason I can post to the blog but I cannot access the blog to read it.
The past few days have been like a bud beginning to flower and open up. Quiet, stoic AnGrace finally has begun to laugh and smile and smirk at us. She has the cutest little dimple when she gives a full smile. The other night as we were putting her to bed she began to cry a very sad cry and we encouraged her to cry and let it out. We really believe she was missing her Aunties (nannies) and the other children with whom she had spent all her life.
Yesterday as Debbi was filling out paperwork, AnGrace and I were hanging out in the room and she fully came out of her shell. She was laughing and climbing and acting like a little 2 year old. We were playing the old cover your face with a blanket and say where is daddy? and she actually mimiced daddy. When I put it on her head and would say Ta Da when she would pull it off she would mimic Ta Da - which I actualy have on tape.
A whole new world is beginning to open up for her. She just soaks it all in. She had not had any solid food before and now she is tasting all sorts of new foods. Last night we taught her to feed herself with a spoon. She loved feeding herself and did a great job this morning at breakfast as well. We also had to teach her to put food in her hand and put it to her mouth. She is now accomplished and loves banana bread. She is still working on the art of eating a lollipop. She just chews the stick and lets the juice drool out of her mouth.
Today AnGrace went to her first church service. It was a packed service. The pastor preached on Numbers 21 - Israel's rebellion and the Brazen serpent that delivered the people from their sin. He tied it to John 3 where Jesus will be lifted up on the cross for our sins. He preached the Gospel loud and clear to this packed church. This would not have happened twenty years ago.
We have enjoyed our leisurely Sunday. We spoke to our girls this morning and it was great to hear their voices. We miss them very much and wish we could board the airplane today.
We miss all of you and can't wait to introduce you to AnGrace. More later....
The past few days have been like a bud beginning to flower and open up. Quiet, stoic AnGrace finally has begun to laugh and smile and smirk at us. She has the cutest little dimple when she gives a full smile. The other night as we were putting her to bed she began to cry a very sad cry and we encouraged her to cry and let it out. We really believe she was missing her Aunties (nannies) and the other children with whom she had spent all her life.
Yesterday as Debbi was filling out paperwork, AnGrace and I were hanging out in the room and she fully came out of her shell. She was laughing and climbing and acting like a little 2 year old. We were playing the old cover your face with a blanket and say where is daddy? and she actually mimiced daddy. When I put it on her head and would say Ta Da when she would pull it off she would mimic Ta Da - which I actualy have on tape.
A whole new world is beginning to open up for her. She just soaks it all in. She had not had any solid food before and now she is tasting all sorts of new foods. Last night we taught her to feed herself with a spoon. She loved feeding herself and did a great job this morning at breakfast as well. We also had to teach her to put food in her hand and put it to her mouth. She is now accomplished and loves banana bread. She is still working on the art of eating a lollipop. She just chews the stick and lets the juice drool out of her mouth.
Today AnGrace went to her first church service. It was a packed service. The pastor preached on Numbers 21 - Israel's rebellion and the Brazen serpent that delivered the people from their sin. He tied it to John 3 where Jesus will be lifted up on the cross for our sins. He preached the Gospel loud and clear to this packed church. This would not have happened twenty years ago.
We have enjoyed our leisurely Sunday. We spoke to our girls this morning and it was great to hear their voices. We miss them very much and wish we could board the airplane today.
We miss all of you and can't wait to introduce you to AnGrace. More later....
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Gotcha Day plus1 & 2
GD plus 1
Yesterday we finished all the paperwork and our adoption is official on the Chinese end of things. Once again we were the only people in the adoption affairs building, a very unusual circumstance. Our two interviews lasted all of 60 seconds. We then went back for lunch and then a nap. We went to the police station to file for her passport. We were in line behind some people from Holland whom we ran into this evening and had a great visit for about a half hour. It is a five year process for adoption in Holland.
AnGrace has been very stoic and stone faced. You can tell she is sad and unsure of what is exactly going on. Last night while Debbi was in the bathroom washing and I was out of the room, AnGrace began to play in the crib, talk to herself and play with her toys. Prior to that she has said nothing. In fact she is trying to not show any emotion. She would not cry when Debbi washed her hair even though you could tell she wanted to. She also would fight back some smiles when going down a slide.
In the middle of the night last night she woke up and she sweetly called out twice. That was the first time we had heard her voice.
Gotcha Day plus 2
Today we went sight seeing with Rebecca, one of our facilitators. She is very joyful and a great guide. She also loves children and has been great with AnGrace. Today she has been more relaxed. She loves to walk. She smiled some more tonight when I would pick her up after she slid down the slide and toss her in the air. Still no words even when locals speak to her. The Dutch family was experiencing much the same transition with their daughter who is about the same age.
Tomorrow we will do some shopping and then have the afternoon free to walk around Shaiman island and continue to get to know AnGrace and build trust with her.
Tonight we ate at a Shanghai style restaurant. I am not sure Americans go there often, they did not speak any English. My limited Chinese was able to get us through and we had a great meal!! Very spicey bbq and sizzling garlic eggplant.
Keep praying for AnGrace to warm up to us and trust us. More later....
Yesterday we finished all the paperwork and our adoption is official on the Chinese end of things. Once again we were the only people in the adoption affairs building, a very unusual circumstance. Our two interviews lasted all of 60 seconds. We then went back for lunch and then a nap. We went to the police station to file for her passport. We were in line behind some people from Holland whom we ran into this evening and had a great visit for about a half hour. It is a five year process for adoption in Holland.
AnGrace has been very stoic and stone faced. You can tell she is sad and unsure of what is exactly going on. Last night while Debbi was in the bathroom washing and I was out of the room, AnGrace began to play in the crib, talk to herself and play with her toys. Prior to that she has said nothing. In fact she is trying to not show any emotion. She would not cry when Debbi washed her hair even though you could tell she wanted to. She also would fight back some smiles when going down a slide.
In the middle of the night last night she woke up and she sweetly called out twice. That was the first time we had heard her voice.
Gotcha Day plus 2
Today we went sight seeing with Rebecca, one of our facilitators. She is very joyful and a great guide. She also loves children and has been great with AnGrace. Today she has been more relaxed. She loves to walk. She smiled some more tonight when I would pick her up after she slid down the slide and toss her in the air. Still no words even when locals speak to her. The Dutch family was experiencing much the same transition with their daughter who is about the same age.
Tomorrow we will do some shopping and then have the afternoon free to walk around Shaiman island and continue to get to know AnGrace and build trust with her.
Tonight we ate at a Shanghai style restaurant. I am not sure Americans go there often, they did not speak any English. My limited Chinese was able to get us through and we had a great meal!! Very spicey bbq and sizzling garlic eggplant.
Keep praying for AnGrace to warm up to us and trust us. More later....
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Gotcha Day
Last night, Rebecca, our guide met us at the airport. We arrived in Guangzhou around 10 pm and checked in at the White Swan, a beautiful hotel. We went for a late night walk down what must be the Chinese lover's lane as couples were sitting on the benches by the river holding hands.
This morning we had a leisurely morning as we awaited our 2:30 appointment to meet AnGrace. Rebecca came at 1:30 pm and helped us get some paperwork in order and then we headed to meet AnGrace.
The moment was nothing like we expected. We arrived at the office and we were the only people there in a large waiting room filled with pictures of adopted children. We sat down on the couch and Rebecca handed them our paperwork. While we were sitting on the couch we saw two ladies walking in the door with a little girl dressed in a pink corduroy coat with a white fuzzy collar and Minnie Mouse on the left chest. There was AnGrace literally just out of the car. They walked towards us and I fumbled for the camera and took the world's worst video. Oh, well. I did get a good picture of Debbi holding her. I wish we could post it but you will have to wait until we get back home.
AnGrace did not do very well on the 5 hour ride to Guangzhou. She threw up 4 or 5 times and felt very poorly. She also had not napped and was very tired.
Debbi held her first and gave her a great big kiss. I then held her and she rested her head on my shoulder and tears ran down my cheeks. The culmination of two years of planning had come to fruition. Of course, it is only just the beginning of the great adventure with AnGrace.
We had a long time to sit with the nannies and ask all sorts of questions. We asked what made her mad and the nannies said strangers. She always cries and screams with strangers. They were amazed she was not screaming when she met us. In fact she was in my lap and I was playing with her and tickling her. She would tilt her head down and look away trying to keep me from seeing her smile. She then began to giggle and we both laughed. Since then she has been a little more reserved but we did see a smile and a laugh.
We returned to the apartment and made a bottle for her of rice cereal and formula. In the orphanage she ate 7 times a day. She was with the little babies as well so when ever they had a bottle she wanted a bottle and would cry for them. We will be cutting back on meals. AnGrace and I played on the bed as Debbi filled out more paperwork for tomorrow.
She is beautiful. Dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a light complexion. She makes the cutest face, pursing her lips to the side.
Debbi fed her a bottle and she stared into Debbi's eyes making wonderful eye contact. She is now sleeping and snoring a little (much like Brooke did when she was a baby). I have slipped out of the room to post this blog to share the event with you.
We prayed that God would prepare her heart for us and us for her. I know it is too early to really tell how she will do but the hand off from the nannies to us was more than we could of asked for or imagined. We had extended time with the nannies and she seemed to know we were not strangers.
Tomorrow we go to the police station and to a notary to fill out more paper work. We will have a couple of more appointments through out the week but most of the time we will be able to take walks with AnGrace or explore the huge hotel. There is a waterfall in the hotel and a play room for kids.
On a different note - thanks for the comments everyone has been leaving. They have been fun to read.
This morning we had a leisurely morning as we awaited our 2:30 appointment to meet AnGrace. Rebecca came at 1:30 pm and helped us get some paperwork in order and then we headed to meet AnGrace.
The moment was nothing like we expected. We arrived at the office and we were the only people there in a large waiting room filled with pictures of adopted children. We sat down on the couch and Rebecca handed them our paperwork. While we were sitting on the couch we saw two ladies walking in the door with a little girl dressed in a pink corduroy coat with a white fuzzy collar and Minnie Mouse on the left chest. There was AnGrace literally just out of the car. They walked towards us and I fumbled for the camera and took the world's worst video. Oh, well. I did get a good picture of Debbi holding her. I wish we could post it but you will have to wait until we get back home.
AnGrace did not do very well on the 5 hour ride to Guangzhou. She threw up 4 or 5 times and felt very poorly. She also had not napped and was very tired.
Debbi held her first and gave her a great big kiss. I then held her and she rested her head on my shoulder and tears ran down my cheeks. The culmination of two years of planning had come to fruition. Of course, it is only just the beginning of the great adventure with AnGrace.
We had a long time to sit with the nannies and ask all sorts of questions. We asked what made her mad and the nannies said strangers. She always cries and screams with strangers. They were amazed she was not screaming when she met us. In fact she was in my lap and I was playing with her and tickling her. She would tilt her head down and look away trying to keep me from seeing her smile. She then began to giggle and we both laughed. Since then she has been a little more reserved but we did see a smile and a laugh.
We returned to the apartment and made a bottle for her of rice cereal and formula. In the orphanage she ate 7 times a day. She was with the little babies as well so when ever they had a bottle she wanted a bottle and would cry for them. We will be cutting back on meals. AnGrace and I played on the bed as Debbi filled out more paperwork for tomorrow.
She is beautiful. Dark black hair, beautiful brown eyes, and a light complexion. She makes the cutest face, pursing her lips to the side.
Debbi fed her a bottle and she stared into Debbi's eyes making wonderful eye contact. She is now sleeping and snoring a little (much like Brooke did when she was a baby). I have slipped out of the room to post this blog to share the event with you.
We prayed that God would prepare her heart for us and us for her. I know it is too early to really tell how she will do but the hand off from the nannies to us was more than we could of asked for or imagined. We had extended time with the nannies and she seemed to know we were not strangers.
Tomorrow we go to the police station and to a notary to fill out more paper work. We will have a couple of more appointments through out the week but most of the time we will be able to take walks with AnGrace or explore the huge hotel. There is a waterfall in the hotel and a play room for kids.
On a different note - thanks for the comments everyone has been leaving. They have been fun to read.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Gotcha Day Eve
It is Monday morning and we are in Kunming visiting friends from college days at JMU. We arrived yesterday and were able to catch up on the amazing things that God has been doing in their lives and in their work for our Father. I cannot wait to share some of the amazing stories when we return.
We had a great afternoon on Saturday with a young lady working with English Language Institute in China. We have mutual friends from Raleigh. She too is here working for the Father. I also look forward to sharing more about her work. Unfortunately I cannot go into much detail here on the blog.
Our friends in Kunming have three boys the exact ages of our girls so we are talking about match making....just kidding girls... but they actually did bring it up.
Kunming is a much different city than Beijing. It is smaller, only 3 million people, but older feeling and not as progressive. We went out to a local Chinese restaurant and the food was amazing. One of the best dishes was the root of a locust flower. We also had calamari (squid) and Debbi actually tried it.
We were able to participate in a progressive Christmas party with my friends' cell group. It was great to meet his partners in the work here. We also went Christmas caroling to some other Americans and to a couple of his Chinese neighbors. The doors came flying open to listen to the Americans sing.
Tonight we will fly to Guangzhou and then tomorrow we will meet AnGrace. Girls, remember we will call you at 6:45 Tuesday evening and share what happened on Gotcha day.
It is still hard to believe that after almost 2 years we will meet this little girl that God has set apart for us. Needless to say we are anxious for tomorrow and know that a new season of life will begin.
I have been meditating on Psalm 33 every morning and reminding myself how God-dependent and God-confident I need to be. It is so easy to be self-reliant and self-confident at home in our comfort zones. Being put in a different culture has reminded me of my tendency to trust in my own strength, wisdom, experience etc. instead of the Lord. Psalm 33 is a great antidote to my self-reliance and self-confidence. I am sure I will need to soak my soul in this as we all adjust to life with a new family member.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share our experience.
We had a great afternoon on Saturday with a young lady working with English Language Institute in China. We have mutual friends from Raleigh. She too is here working for the Father. I also look forward to sharing more about her work. Unfortunately I cannot go into much detail here on the blog.
Our friends in Kunming have three boys the exact ages of our girls so we are talking about match making....just kidding girls... but they actually did bring it up.
Kunming is a much different city than Beijing. It is smaller, only 3 million people, but older feeling and not as progressive. We went out to a local Chinese restaurant and the food was amazing. One of the best dishes was the root of a locust flower. We also had calamari (squid) and Debbi actually tried it.
We were able to participate in a progressive Christmas party with my friends' cell group. It was great to meet his partners in the work here. We also went Christmas caroling to some other Americans and to a couple of his Chinese neighbors. The doors came flying open to listen to the Americans sing.
Tonight we will fly to Guangzhou and then tomorrow we will meet AnGrace. Girls, remember we will call you at 6:45 Tuesday evening and share what happened on Gotcha day.
It is still hard to believe that after almost 2 years we will meet this little girl that God has set apart for us. Needless to say we are anxious for tomorrow and know that a new season of life will begin.
I have been meditating on Psalm 33 every morning and reminding myself how God-dependent and God-confident I need to be. It is so easy to be self-reliant and self-confident at home in our comfort zones. Being put in a different culture has reminded me of my tendency to trust in my own strength, wisdom, experience etc. instead of the Lord. Psalm 33 is a great antidote to my self-reliance and self-confidence. I am sure I will need to soak my soul in this as we all adjust to life with a new family member.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share our experience.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Saturday Morning
We awoke early about 5 am and unable to go back to sleep. Our bodies are still adjusting to the time change. I had about 4-5 hours sleep. Our travel agent worked everything out (we'll know for sure at the airline). Apparently Delta never sent the confirmation codes to the various airlines. We are now in their computers and ready to fly.
In a short while we will meet our friend and go to lunch and visit down town Beijing.
Not much else to share since last night. Keep us in your prayers.
We spoke to the girls today and they are doing well. Thanks again to the many people caring for our children and pets.
In a short while we will meet our friend and go to lunch and visit down town Beijing.
Not much else to share since last night. Keep us in your prayers.
We spoke to the girls today and they are doing well. Thanks again to the many people caring for our children and pets.
Great Wall
I have had trouble getting on this site to post but finally go through. I need to type fast since it is not cheap to be on the internet at this hotel.
The flight went well from LAX to Beijing. We were able to sleep for part of the trip. It really was not a bad flight.
We arrived in Beijing at 6 am and were picked up by our guide Ben. He gave us an hour and half to "have bath and then go to Wall" "No sleep for you." He was a great guide and spoke wonderful English, a lot better than my broken phrases in chinese, though I would get polite laughs and then corrections on my tones.
The Great Wall was amazing. 20 yuears ago when I was on it I told Debbi I wanted to go back with her one day and we did. It was very cold, but as we walked we shed some layers and enjoyed the day. We also went to a jade factory, a silk store, where we got to stretch some silk fibers - whcih four ladies made look easy and made me look silly. We all laughed very much. We also went to a Cloisonae (I spelled that wrong) store and we saw how they made this amazing art.
We had a great lunch of Chinese fried dumplings and what we woudl call Kung Pao chicken - the best I have ever had.
We must some interesting travelers from America who sat near us at lunch and swapped some stories.
I am still up at almost midnight our time. I did fall asleep for about an hour. There have been some glitches that came up as we tried to confirm our flights in and out of China. Our wonderful travel agent is working on it as we speak. I am able to write so mcuh because I am waiting for her to let me know everything is ok.
We were very tired tonight - Debbi fell asleep quickly hours ago and is asleep as I type.
We made contact with our new friend, a former student from NC who is teaching English in China. We will meet tomorrow and visit and see more of Beijing.
Keep praying for our travel problems to work out so we can see our friend in Kunming.
We'll try to post again from Kunming. Just a few days until we meet AnGrace.
The flight went well from LAX to Beijing. We were able to sleep for part of the trip. It really was not a bad flight.
We arrived in Beijing at 6 am and were picked up by our guide Ben. He gave us an hour and half to "have bath and then go to Wall" "No sleep for you." He was a great guide and spoke wonderful English, a lot better than my broken phrases in chinese, though I would get polite laughs and then corrections on my tones.
The Great Wall was amazing. 20 yuears ago when I was on it I told Debbi I wanted to go back with her one day and we did. It was very cold, but as we walked we shed some layers and enjoyed the day. We also went to a jade factory, a silk store, where we got to stretch some silk fibers - whcih four ladies made look easy and made me look silly. We all laughed very much. We also went to a Cloisonae (I spelled that wrong) store and we saw how they made this amazing art.
We had a great lunch of Chinese fried dumplings and what we woudl call Kung Pao chicken - the best I have ever had.
We must some interesting travelers from America who sat near us at lunch and swapped some stories.
I am still up at almost midnight our time. I did fall asleep for about an hour. There have been some glitches that came up as we tried to confirm our flights in and out of China. Our wonderful travel agent is working on it as we speak. I am able to write so mcuh because I am waiting for her to let me know everything is ok.
We were very tired tonight - Debbi fell asleep quickly hours ago and is asleep as I type.
We made contact with our new friend, a former student from NC who is teaching English in China. We will meet tomorrow and visit and see more of Beijing.
Keep praying for our travel problems to work out so we can see our friend in Kunming.
We'll try to post again from Kunming. Just a few days until we meet AnGrace.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Travel Trauma
Today has been eventful but all in all things have gone well. Since we were such a rush ticket order there has been som confusion on each leg. The biggest snafu was that we were not confirmed on our trip from LAX to China. Even though we booked the flight yesterday we were still supposed to call 72 hours ahead of time to confirm the trip. HMMMM? Thankfully the flight was not full tonight. We are tired but plan to stay awake until a couple of hours into the flight. On Friday afternoon we are scheduled to see the Great Wall.
Please continue to pray that our travel goes smoother.
That is al for now. We are a bit weary and this machine in the airport is difficult to type on thus the spelling errors..
Please continue to pray that our travel goes smoother.
That is al for now. We are a bit weary and this machine in the airport is difficult to type on thus the spelling errors..
Departure Day
The good news is we should both be tired so we can sleep on some of the flights. We were up late making sure we had everything we could think of covered and it was not the most sound sleep ever. I imagined myself running through the airport like OJ of old trying to make all our connections. I am not sure why I thought that when we have an 8 hour lay over in Los Angeles. We could crawl on our hands and knees and make it in time.
As we send off the girls to school one by one the reality that we will not see them for over 2 weeks is setting in on my heart. I know they will be fine. But I know there will be times of sadness and that they will miss us and I will not be able to do anything to comfort them, but I can and I will be praying for them.
We are hoping that a life long friend of Debbi's can meet us at LAX for a brief visit before we head around the world. We will arrive in China 5:20 am their time. From the time we leave our home to the time we hit the ground in Beijing (assuming all flights are on time :) ) we will have been traveling for over 30 hours. It feels sort of like the Amazing Race but no fun detours, we hope.
As we send off the girls to school one by one the reality that we will not see them for over 2 weeks is setting in on my heart. I know they will be fine. But I know there will be times of sadness and that they will miss us and I will not be able to do anything to comfort them, but I can and I will be praying for them.
We are hoping that a life long friend of Debbi's can meet us at LAX for a brief visit before we head around the world. We will arrive in China 5:20 am their time. From the time we leave our home to the time we hit the ground in Beijing (assuming all flights are on time :) ) we will have been traveling for over 30 hours. It feels sort of like the Amazing Race but no fun detours, we hope.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Happy Birthday AnGrace
Thanks to our good friend Shirley Tucker, we had a birthday cake to celebrate AnGrace's second birthday. We will be with her in one week. I doubt any cake will be left but we may just have to bake another one and let her have her first birthday cake.
All Systems Go!!
The last 12 hours have been crazier than Mr. Toad's wild ride. All the pieces have been falling into place for us to leave on Thursday morning for China. We found out this morning that the tickets had increased by $1000 per person. Before we could become discouraged our fearless travel agent found us another flight for around what we had budgeted......but we leave tomorrow. We have been scurrying around all day trying to get things in order for us to take off. Ready or not we will be leaving tomorrow. We will be able to connect with our friend in Beijing and our friends in Kunming and see what life is like for them.
Debbi and I are both excited, overwhelmed, and sad. The first two are obvious but we are sad, since this is the longest we will have been away from our girls (2 1/2 weeks). We know we leave them in good hands and that they will have fun while we are away. Keep us and them in your prayers during our absence. Pray that we would all know the peace of God which transcends all understanding.
We will post as we are able in China.
Debbi and I are both excited, overwhelmed, and sad. The first two are obvious but we are sad, since this is the longest we will have been away from our girls (2 1/2 weeks). We know we leave them in good hands and that they will have fun while we are away. Keep us and them in your prayers during our absence. Pray that we would all know the peace of God which transcends all understanding.
We will post as we are able in China.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Travel Date - Thursday?
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. At times it seems overwhelming but we are working hard to make it possible for us to leave for China this Thursday. In order for that to happen several things must fall into place. First, we must get our appointment at the American Consulate in Guangzhou. We cannot book our flights until that happens. Once that happens we will work on booking our flights. Pray that there would be tickets available and that they would not be exorbitant. We also need to have our "Travel Approval" document in our hands.
We are very thankful for the many people who have offered to help with watching our girls, our dog, our rabbit, and doing anything else we need. Be assured we will call you if and when we need something.
We will give you an update tomorrow.
We are very thankful for the many people who have offered to help with watching our girls, our dog, our rabbit, and doing anything else we need. Be assured we will call you if and when we need something.
We will give you an update tomorrow.
Thanksgiving with Family
Over Thanksgiving Dan's side of the family meets at Rockbridge, a Young Life camp.
You can see from the picture why we meet at a camp. This year over 50 people gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family. Yes, that is immediate family. All his brothers and sisters were there this year. Unfortunately, Dan's dad was sick and in the hospital this year so he and Joanne were unable to make it.
You can see the incredible number of children in the picture. AnGrace will be their 38th grandchild.
You can see from the picture why we meet at a camp. This year over 50 people gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family. Yes, that is immediate family. All his brothers and sisters were there this year. Unfortunately, Dan's dad was sick and in the hospital this year so he and Joanne were unable to make it. You can see the incredible number of children in the picture. AnGrace will be their 38th grandchild.
Thanksgiving
We have much to be thankful for this year. In January of 2006 we began our journey to adopt a little girl from China. In just a few days we will leave to meet our new daughter AnGrace in person. An in Chinese means peace. Grace and peace are two words used by the apostle Paul to summarize God's amazing work of salvation where God adopts us as his sons and daughters.
AnGrace is 12 months in this picture. She will turn two on November 27, 2007.
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