Consulate Appointment and Traditional Group Photos

Today is Wednesday in China and we had our Consulate appointment/interview early this morning. The U.S. Consulate looks over the adoption paperwork from Henan and issues Laura her visa and citizenship to the United States. When we land in our port city on early Friday morning, the United States Immigration will put two stamps on her passport and she will officially be an American citizen. We will then have to do several other paperwork/legal things in the U.S. to get her social security card and an American birth certificate (just to make it easier on her when she needs to apply for a driver's license, etc.)

This morning's interview was not without drama, unfortunately. The notary official in Henan forgot to put a seal on our Adoption Certificate. The Consulate's first reaction was that we would have to stay in China until this problem had been resolved. I nearly lost it at that point! I am so ready to see my family and so close...all I could think was "no! I can't go back to Henan!" However, it turns out that every member of our large travel group is missing the same seal. The notary just forgot it that day (!) So, given that all our children were missing the same thing, the Consulate graciously decided to make an exception. They got on the phone with the officials in Henan and had them confirm that these adoptions are legal and legitimate. Also, the Henan notary is flying the new, correct certificates to the consulate this afternoon.

I am now breathing again! It looks like we will be leaving on time...barring any more paperwork issues. We should have Laura's visa by tomorrow afternoon. (Thursday.)

I got Laura Cate all dressed in her red, white, and blue for Consulate day. But, after our appointment she was all done (and so was I!) and not in the mood for photos. But, here is my girl in her patriotic dress, munching on rice cookies in the hotel room. 

We took the traditional Chinese dress photos this morning after the Consulate appointment. We have three groups combined here in Guangzhou. 19 families adopting 22 children! What a privilege to be here as 22 orphans become sons and daughters.

We are leaving in the middle of the night on Thursday/Friday. Our bus leaves the hotel at 9:00 p.m. and our flight takes off from Guangzhou at 1:40 a.m. 16 hours in the air. Then a short lay over at JFK where we will clear immigration/customs, Laura will become a citizen, and we will board a flight to Tampa. Somehow, after 24 hours of travel, it will still just be Friday morning when we arrive. Please pray for on time flights, a sleepy baby, and smooth travel! I cannot wait to hug my husband and babies, to just sit at home with them and soak up being around them! I am also ready for an ice cold drink, a hot shower in which I don't have to worry about water getting in my mouth, and some good home food. Oh, and a washing machine. Funny the things you miss. Can't wait to be home!

Pearl Market (Tuesday)

I am feeling much better! But, the smell of the breakfast buffet now causes my stomach to turn over, so I am avoiding it for the rest of the trip.

Tuesday is another waiting day. For families who are adopting children over the age of 2, they had to wait on TB test results. We filled the day with shopping for our family! We had a good time going to the pearl market and then shopping a little market across from our hotel.

The pearl market has pearls for about 1/5-1/4 of what they cost in the United States. I bought two pearl necklaces, one for each daughter. We will save them and give them to Rachel and Laura for high school graduation. I also bought Christmas presents for family...no details since they might be reading this blog. ;)

Here is a picture of the lady stringing Rachel and Laura's pearls:

Last night, we had a great time eating as a group at a local Cantonese restaurant. Laura loves to eat! She was happy munching on the fried rice, pork, and veggies. 

Medical Exam and Hotel Park

This morning we went for Laura's medical exam (required by the U.S. Consulate for the issuance of her visa/citizenship.) We took a bus for about half and hour to a medical clinic where she went through a physical exam and they looked over her records from the orphanage. It was a long morning. Laura was cranky (because all babies hate the doctor, let's be real.) And, I was not feeling well (I think I ate something wrong), so that made the morning seem even longer...especially the motion of the bus ride! But, we made it through and we checked that off our to-do list. We got our medical clearance and official forms to forward on to the Consulate for our interview and visa application. Laura took a long nap this afternoon and I laid next to her reading and just enjoying the quiet.

This afternoon we explored our hotel a little and even ventured outside the hotel for a quick trip to the convenience store for some extra bottled water and to a little local market where I found a silk dress for Laura's traditional photo at the end of this trip for only $7. (On the last day in China all the families get their children together for a family photo and the children are dressed in traditional Chinese silk.) I also got a great deal on a couple of souvenirs for people back at home. I have to say, the market was fun. I might have to go back before I leave.

Some pictures of us at the hotel park this afternoon...

Guangzhou City Tour Part 2: Chen House

The second stop on our city tour was the Old Chen House, also called Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. The Chen family is the largest family in the Guangdong province. During the 1800's and early 1900's, many prominent families built ancestral houses where they would meet to worship their ancestors. They also used these homes for schools for their children and a place for their children to study for and take their imperial exams. (The imperial exams were used by the government as a way of assigning posts/jobs to people.)

The Chen Clan House was started in 1888 and finished in 1893. It has many beautiful decorative features. The government took over the house in 1959 and now uses it to house a museum of various arts.

Guangzhou City Tour Part 1: Buddhist Temple

Yesterday (Saturday) was a LONG day of travel! We took a bus from our hotel in Zhengzhou to the airport, flew to Guangzhou and then another bus to the hotel in Guangzhou. Laura was not a fan of the flying and she let everyone know. It was a long flight. But, after we landed in Guangzhou, we were welcomed with blue skies, sunshine, flowers, and warm humid air. I was so glad to get here! Our hotel is fabulous and has several parks and restaurants within walking distance. We won't be here long (we leave Thursday night), but I am happy for the change!

Today (Sunday), we have some paperwork and prep to get ready for our interview at the Consulate. But, since that won't take all day, we spent the morning going on a tour of some of Guangzhou's historical marks. I'll do the tour in multiple posts because I took a lot of pictures...

The first stop was a Buddhist temple, originally built about 1400 years ago. Honestly, the place made me sad and my Spirit was just stirred with grief for these people who are enslaved to the rituals of this religion. Many people were there worshipping the idols. They lit incense to "call on the spirits of the Buddas". There were several alters within the temple where people would petition for their needs to be met. Is it weird that I started singing "Jesus Loves Me" to Laura as we walked through? We were told the rules to their religion as we walked. How they believed they could earn a better after life. How we were receiving 7 points toward a better life by saving the lives of these adopted children.

I wish now that I had plopped down with those sweet people and prayed over them. That they would know the truth of Jesus and that they would be set free from the bondage of earning ones salvation. For it is by the grace of God that I was born into a family who taught me the truth and it is by His grace alone that I look forward to eternity with Him. I did pray as I walked through that the Lord would send His people to witness to these people in China. Our guide told us there are 1.3 billion people in this country. The majority "have no religion. We believe nothing exists except the government." I prayed as I walked, that if He would send us, we would be brave enough to go. And I am thankful He gave us Laura and that she will have the hope of salvation in her life.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? An dhow shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" -Romans 10:14-15

View of Guangzhou from our room...hooray for sun!

Incense burning at the temple

The Chinese characters under the statue mean "Seven Banyan Trees" (the name of this temple)

Offering table in front of the god of good health

The main tower in the temple is under renovation/preservation

Alter for the goddess of fertility

Friday in Zhengzhou

Today is our last day in Zhengzhou. Yesterday all of our notarized documents arrived and today we will receive Laura's passport. Tomorrow we leave early for the airport and then fly to Guangzhou. Today marks the half way point for the trip. By this time next week, we'll be home with our family!

Someone asked me if I would do this again. This trip, this process, has been trying and long and hard. However, it has been a blessing and a joy and an amazing life changing process. And, now I have sitting in my lap this darling baby girl who is learning what a Mommy is for the first time. So, yes, I would do it again in a heart beat. Will we ever do it again? I don't know. We said "no more kids" after Andrew and again after Jacob so we don't say that anymore. :) We will see what God has in store for us.

The hardest part of the trip itself has just been the loneliness without my husband and family. The rest of it has really been an honor to witness and experience. On Monday, I saw these sweet children be placed in the arms of their families. All of them were scared, shocked, grieving. Today, I can see the healing is just getting started. And all of these sweet babies have ahead of them a lifetime of hope and joy and love with their families. A future they didn't have before Monday. Truly, it is an experience that is hard to put into words. I have heard people say "Adoption does not change the world. But it does change the world for that one child." That is truth. I am thankful and honored to be here and I am so thrilled to have Laura sleeping in my lap!

Today we will pack up and get ready to move on to Guangzhou. I am excited for the new city! I am hoping for sunshine and have heard the next city is an easier place to walk around and explore, so I am eager for some freedom to do that.

Some picture of our Thursday night dinner...this girl loves to eat!

Meanwhile back at home...

While I am in China with Laura, Robert is home with our other four little loves. He is doing an amazing job being Daddy and Mommy for two weeks! He is cooking and cleaning and toting to school and back. Doing all the grocery shopping...keeping everything running smoothly. Memaw is there helping Robert and we are so grateful for her! An extra set of hands makes everything easier.

Every time I speak with the boys, they are happy. Their lives are normal and running the same as always (minus mommy) because Daddy is doing such a great job. Although this trip is hard alone, I have great peace knowing my family at home is doing well. Otherwise, I couldn't be doing what I am doing here.

Some photos Robert has sent me over the last week...can't wait to hug and kiss all these sweet faces!!

Dinner at 5 Guys

Robert took William to the doctor on Monday and there was a black out! This is the boys using the stairs to get out! Never a dull moment! 

New Lovies on Gotcha Day (from their new sister)

Andrew lost a tooth! 

Lego boys

Sand box fun

Daddy and Rachel at Picnic Island Park. Robert says he is growing a "rally beard" until I am home. :) 

Building sand castles with Memaw

Awesome Daddy dinner!