A Few Hours and Counting

It is now nearly noon in Guangzhou, China (or anywhere else in China).  We expect by mid-afternoon to see our Abby for the first time.  She is either here in Guangzhou or will be arriving shortly.  We are so incredibly excited!

This morning at breakfast, we set outside by a beautiful man-made waterfall in the warm, humid air-joyfully discussing Ephesians 1:3-11.  We may not understand what God is up to, the challenges of living in a fallen world or many questions of why.  However,  we do know that God is in control, predestined us for adoption and is working all things for His glory.  What a beautiful way to start March 1-the day Abby comes home!

Beijing Day 2

On the way to the Great Wall, we had the chance to drive past the "Birds Nest" and the "Bubble" from the Beijing Olympics.  It was unbelievable to see in person some of the buildings that mesmerized us so recently.  All the ladies in the mini-bus recounted, in amazing detail, about Michael Phelps (not once was "gold medal" mentioned or the amount of medals!). 

The section of the Great Wall that was  chosen for us did not have gondola rides, escalators or elevators.  It was conquered by human power.  It was breathtaking and breathtakingly cold!  Jennifer and I made it up to the second tower after many rests.  Even my mother was a trooper-she made it to the first tower.  It is hard to describe how steep the steps are or how mountainous the area is. 

We then headed to an old part of town where we were taken by a rickshaw into old Beijing.  We were not expecting much beyond a pre-packaged "how wonderful everything is" tour.  We were wrong.  We all had a chance to visit with a retired artist who was proud of his work and family.  It was a really nice chance to visit with an older gentleman about Beijing.  It felt odd however sitting in his home without sharing Christ.  Thankfully God gives us prayer so the three of us all prayed silently for the man that he would know The Artist!

We also had a chance to visit a jade factory and visit a "unique" acrobatic show.  We are exhausted but having fun.

Tomorrow we leave for Guangzhou.

Here's a few prayer requests we would appreciate you lifting up...

1) Safe travel to Guangzhou
2) Our hearts and minds would be prepared for meeting Abby on Monday!
3) A lady in our group named Elizabeth is feeling very ill (she ingested some water).  She is not adopting a daughter but is here with her sister who is.

Olympic Venues

The Great Wall

Beijing Day 1

We spent the day touring Beijing with two other Gladney couples.  One couple is from Cincinnati and the other is from far south Louisiana.  Sweet people with similar stories.  We are becoming tight quickly. 

We went to Tian An Men Square , the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and ended the day with a Kung Fu show.  It was busy but helpful to fight jet lag.  

I think Jennifer and I enjoyed the Forbidden City the most.  It just goes on and on and on.  Each gate crossed seems to open a whole new vista of buildings.  The place is even surrounded by a moat.  The moat was frozen but it is a real moat.  The Temple of Heaven was beautiful.  Sad due to the misdirection but still interesting.  It is round and built without one nail.  Wow.  Tian An Men Square was interesting because of the historical settings.  Who could forget the man stopping the tank?  When there, you have a chance to see the crystal coffin of Chairman Mao.  An elderly lady was openly weeping in line.  

Beijing is an interesting city that is teeming with over 17 million residents and growing all the time.  Not as crowded as I expected, very clean (not the air) and the traffic isn't too bad. 

Today, we go see the Great Wall amongst the snowflakes and rain.  We are all wearing long johns and still expecting to freeze.  My Texan blood just doesn't run that thick.  Plus we get to drive by several of the Olympic venues and see an acrobatic show.  Should be another fun day.  Best of all, it means we are one day closer to Abby!

Hello Beijing!

We and our luggage arrived yesterday afternoon in Beijing!  God was gracious to us.

Our ride to the airport happened after the sun had set but we could easily much neon and a bustling city.  One thing that struck us was the lack of churches.  As you drive anywhere in the US, you see numerous steeples everywhere.  Here-none at all.  We are not in Beijing even 24 hours and this has already begun to burden the three of us.  Yet we know that God is at work here in amazing ways.  We need to continue to pray for China.

Today we visit several of the major cultural sites that Beijing has to offer-including the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, etc.  Tomorrow we go to see the Great Wall and will pass by many of the Olympic venues from 2008.

Jennifer and I discussed several times about how our life is about to be excitingly different.  As we left DFW we commented that we leave as two but will return as three.  As we flew over Gnome, Alaska late yesterday, it was fun to comment that the next time we see the US (even from the plane) our family will be different.

We are excited to see Beijing but ready to get Guangzhou.  

Aaron

The Journey Has Begun!

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!  And let all the people say, 'Amen!'  Praise the Lord!"  Ps 106:48

Abby's Room-ready to go

Psalms 105

One week from today we have Abby!  Jennifer and I stand amazed at what God is doing in our lives.

Thankfully I was raised in a home where the Bible was lived out and taught.  Sometimes though the amazing stories in Genesis become more like fairy tales.  It is wonderful when one of the stories come to life even though I am now 40 and rapidly graying.

Recently I read Psalms 105 in my devotional time.  The Psalmist talks about how even though Joseph was sold into slavery-God had a plan.  Years later, that same Joseph was 2nd in command in Egypt, was given the wisdom to collect grain during the good times, was able to provide food for his family during the promised famine and then provide a place for them to live and flourish.  During all of this God was faithful.  I knew the story but don't don't think I had ever put together the pieces like this.

What I learned is that God was faithful, is faithful and will be faithful!  Joseph may not have seen it while in the bottom of the dry well or sitting in jail after being falsely accused.  Yet God was faithful.

Jennifer and I do not understand what could lead to Abby being placed on the steps of an orphanage or why we were not able to have children.  And yes, we are scared out of our minds and so excited that we are barely sleeping.  Yet we know that God is moving and bringing us together.  We know that God is in control and can't wait for the next few days to go by so we can get our daughter.

Please keep us in your prayers.  Even more important-please pray for Abby.  She is about to go through some crazy transitions.

The Joy of the Checklist

Yesterday the checklist goal was to get the furniture delivered, setup and filled.  Mission accomplished!  The room is looking like it is ready to be occupied.  The poor dog is so confused.  Her room has now been painted green with an overlay of daisies and tulips (or TULIP depending on your view of things), lady bugs, butterflies and dragonflies.  Now it has furniture and toys that are not available to her.  Does she understand the major changes coming her way?  Do we?

Today the checklist said it was time to meet Abby's pediatrician for the first time.  It was 45 minutes of learning and getting ready for an incoming two year old.  We are thankful that God led us to her.  She has a great amount of experience working with adopted Asian children.  I have never been in an office so brightly painted.  Wish my doctor would do the same thing!  It would make those long waits much more visually interesting.

Ready to go NOW but waiting, waiting, waiting!

Travel Itinerary

Late yesterday, unexpectedly our travel itinerary came in via email!  We were hoping to receive it Friday but most likely next Monday.  In the adoption journey, you learn to rejoice over every victory.  It was great to learn about the touring opportunities, the hotels and to see that it looks like we get to meet Abby on March 1.

The days are counting down fast-but not fast enough!

Travel Information

Over the weekend, several people have asked what our travel schedule currently looks like.  Thanks!  If you are ready for the crazy ride, here we go.

On February 24, Jennifer, my mother and I leave early morning (one last chance to get caught in a traffic jam for old times sake) from DFW on American and fly to Seattle.  We have a several hour layover where we can stretch our legs, eat one more American meal and then catch a mid-afternoon flight from Seattle to Beijing on Hainan Airlines.  The planes are all new Airbus 330s but they have a wild paint scheme on the outside.

After a few days in Beijing to tour, climb the Great Wall and adjust to China and its 14 hour time difference, we will fly to Guangzhou.  We will spend the rest of our time in Guangzhou until we depart for home. We think March 1 is the big day where we finally get to meet Abby!

The week of March 1 is dedicated to working our way through the Chinese government side of things.  The next week is spent working our way through the American government side of things.

Then on March 11th we take a train to Hong Kong and spend the night.  The next morning we fly out to Newark on Continental.  Spend a few hours going through immigration and customs and then head to Dallas late that night.

Yes, Abby's first exposure of the USA will be New Jersey.  Hopefully this will not lead to years of counseling down the road.  :)

If you think through all of this, it will not be hard to figure out when we return to DFW.  We are clearly asking that you respect our privacy when we return and not meet us at the airport.  We will all be exhausted and Abby will simply be overwhelmed and exhausted.  Exhausted two year olds tend not to be tons o' fun.  As we get acquainted with Abby, maybe we can change this.

As promised, a crazy ride indeed.  Again, thanks for asking!

We are crazy excited.  We covet your prayers.

Travel Authority and Other General Information

Now that I have posted my first ever blog post, I can start posting more updates.  So...

Today, we received our Travel Authority (permission to travel to China to pick up Abby) and our passports with our China visa (meaning we are allowed in the country).  This is the last step before we board the airplane and go to China.

We first go to Beijing and then to Guangzhou (Canton).  Our time in Beijing is designed to give us some cultural insights.  It will also help with cultural adjustments (food, smells, sights, etc.).  Then we go to Guangzhou and the real fun starts!

We are excited about the opportunity to tour Beijing, climb the Great Wall and trying to find creative ways to stay warm.  After we are done in Beijing, we will travel to Guangzhou to start the process of getting Abby.  From our understanding, we should get Abby three weeks from today and then start the process of completing paperwork-both for the Chinese government and the US government.

The road to Abby has been interesting.  We continue to enjoy the journey.

1st Ever Blog Post

Three weeks from today we expect to be holding Abby for the first time!  Just the thought of this is making me tear up!

We can't believe that after two years that God is moving in such amazing ways.  As usual, He is moving in ways that only He can get credit for it.  Jennifer and I would not want it any other way.

We plan to use this blog as our primary way of communicating with you while we are in China.  Each day something has to be accomplished.  Short time requirements (in theory) but we can't proceed until we get it done.  We continue to need God daily in all of the details.

We will try to update as we have a chance.  Hopefully we can post everyday.  Maybe with pictures. Maybe even some short video (the updated version of the dreaded slide show).

Please keep praying for us.  We are excited about our upcoming journey down Abby Road.