Home

Well, we are now safely home. The trip home was not perfectly smooth but Lisa was counting up praises as we went. We got to the Guangzhou airport and there were no problems getting from Guangzhou to Shanghai. From there it got a little bumpy but as I said Lisa kept count of praises. First there was an 8 hour layover and really no place to sit. We could not check in until 3 hours prior to departure so we just wandered until we found a restaurant. There we ate and made the meal last for several hours. Then we realized we needed power for our various electronic toys for the flight home but there were no outlets. Lisa talked to the wait staff and they found us one table with a power right next to it. (Praise One) After that I wandered everywhere I could find in that airport and checked all the stores they had wasting time. Every now and then I would check the board for the status of our flight and waited for check in. Pretty soon a line started forming in front of our check in counter but it was 90 minutes to check in time. I went to get Lisa and Daiyu so we could get in line before it got too long. We got to the line and it was already 30 people or more long. But then there was the business class line and the first class line. There were maybe 2 couples in the business class line and no one in the first class line. After a quick sign study we determined my travel status with American qualified us for the first class line. (Praise Two) Then there was the concern about Daiyu's passport. But we still had an hour at least before the ticket counters even opened. We sat around and talked for an hour and then they opened the counters. Then came the dreaded announcement. The flight was probably cancelled due to our incoming aircraft being diverted to Beijing. We spent the next hour waiting for updates and looking for a hotel in Shanghai. Then came the announcement the flight was cancelled. We were not excited but we found a Hilton near the airport and I started making arrangements. Then, another announcement. They were bringing the plane to us but there would be a 4 hour delay. At least we were getting to Chicago. (Praise Three) Then there was the issue of Daiyu's passport. Could we get checked in and through security without any issues. We got checked in no problem and they gave even gave me business class which I turned down to sit with my family (that was a temporary loss of sanity - Lisa counts it as a praise). OK, so they also gave me two passes to the executive lounge so we could enjoy the next 4 or 5 hours in style. Just one problem -- there were three of us. Well we got through security and not once did Daiyu's passport get questioned. (Praise Four) Lisa then said I should take Daiyu to the lounge while she wandered through the stores. We decided to at least try to get us all in. I went up to the desk and handed her the passes but she immediately said we did not have enough passes for three people. Lisa then explained we just adopted Daiyu and asked if they could just make an exception for us. Guess what, that's right (Praise Five). Just this once she said and in we went. Free food for all. We really enjoyed the time in the lounge and definitely needed it. Now it is flight time. The last time we were at this airport we had to take a long bus ride in bad weather and walk up the old fashion stairs to the jet. Not this time. There was a jet bridge. (Praise Six) When we realized there was no way we could make our connection in Chicago I called and found there was a Hilton right there at the airport. We didn't even need a taxi. (Praise Seven). The flight home was uneventful and we got to Chicago with plenty of time to spare. After that it was time for a good nights sleep and we got just that. No issues getting to bed and we are already re-adjusted to our old time zone. (Praise Eight). We took a taxi home and here we are. So this ends the blog. It is the end of the adoption journey for Daiyu. It's just the beginning of a new life, new friends, a new family but it is her family and we love her like she has been with us from day one. Who know's where life's journey will ultimately lead Daiyu but I suspect it will be an exciting and fulfilling journey and we look forward to being part of it. Thanks for joining us for this small part of Daiyu's long journey through life.

Last Evening

It has been a long two weeks but we finally got to the end. We are packed and ready to go. Dinner is done and we are winding down to get a good nights rest before we start that long trek home. We get up early and the van picks us up at 5:45 AM. We will head to the Gangzhou airport and make a short 2 hour hop to Shanghai. From there we have about 8 hours to wait and then we head for home. Unless we have problems getting on board in Shanghai this will be the next to the last post. Our last post will be when we arrive home and get settled. We thank you all and will see you soon. Good night for now.

36 Hours And Counting

We got the Daiyu's VISA and all the final adoption paperwork today. It's 36 hours to take off from Gangzhou and if all goes well we get to Dallas at 9:30 PM Sunday night. Today we enjoyed a little more shopping and pretty much a lazy fun day. I think we have tried just about every restaurant we dare and all kinds of new food. We ended the day doing what Daiyu loves the most here at the hotel, feeding the fish. We buy day old bread every evening so we have it for the next day and end every day feeding the fish in the garden. Everybody is doing great and this is ending up better than any of us could have imaginged. Still, we will be glad to get home and start re-adusting to our old time zone. It's going to be a close connection in Chicago with all the immigration and customs stuff we have to go through but even if we miss that flight it will be no problemo. There are more than a few flights from Chicago to Dallas and even a night in Chicago would be fine with us. Once home it is right back to work for me and Lisa has a million things to get accomplished starting with vision appointments for Jeannie and Daiyu to getting Daiyu enrolled in school. 36 hours and counting. We are ready.

Up, Down, Up Down, Up, Down, Up

What a rollercoaster ride. One minute everything is ok, the next minute we can't leave, then we can, then we can't. So yesterday just after I posted we were good with the passport we got a call from our guide who was told by the consulate that while they would issue the VISA even though her passport had less than six months left they told her we may not be able to leave China because the Chinese authorities may not allow it. Our choice was to send away to Changsha for a new passport and postpone leaving or take our chances in Shanghai where we were to board our flight home. If we could not board we would have to fly to Changsha and get a new passport then re-book our flights home and the delay would be even longer. After discussing the situation with the adoption agency in Washington State and then checking airline schedules we decided to take our chances in Shanghai. We also decided to talk with the officials at the US Consulate. In the meantime we worked out Plan B which was for Lisa to go home without me and I would stay with Daiyu and make sure we got her passport taken care of if worst came to worst. We went to the consulate and took our oath (that we were truthful in our application) then I went to talk with the adoption officer. She already knew all about our case. We were making headlines at the consulate. She finally said she would have the consulate officer on duty when we arrived in Shanghai briefed and ready to get us on the plane if there were any issues. Just as I went to sit down our name was called to hand in our paperwork and we headed up to the window. The staff member assisting us quickly recognized our situation and again warned us we may not get out of China (give me a break and make up your minds). Since it was his boss that told us we would get out we are counting on that happening. If not, Plan B remains viable. Regardless, we will have her passport and VISA delivered to us tomorrow afternoon and we will be ready to leave for Shanghai Sunday AM. After the consulate visit we took a quick side trip to have our pictures taken near some landmarks that I cannot pronounce and then headed back to the hotel for an early night. Today we went shopping (sound familiar). I am starting to get worried we won't be able to get all these gifts and merchandise back to the US with us but we will certainly try. I'm pretty sure there is something for everyone. We are getting closer everyday and as several of you have said "He is in control". With that I will quit worrying for today. Good night for now. Tomorrow will bring a whole new set of adventures.

Getting Close

We are almost done. Yesterday Daiyu had a very good call with her foster family and then we headed off to the zoo. We got to see some interesting animals we would not normally see in the US. Of course there were a lot of similarities but Daiyu had a great time. It's not everyday you see a red Panda (I think that is what it was called). Looks like a big red raccoon. We saw an elephant but not what we are used to and some Chinese alligators. They were small but certainly looked like they had some sharp teeth. And then there were the various lizards and snakes and turtles and lions and so on. After that we went for a long and I do mean long walk around the city of Guangzhou. Since I was leading it was not long before we were off into the locals living areas near downtown and both Lisa and Daiyu were not so sure we could find our way back. In the end there was no problem. We kept circling until we eventually zeroed in on the hotel. It did take a while though. I knew the worst case scenario would be to flag a taxi and as we said in Vietnam "Take me to the Hilton" only in this case it would be "The Garden". After the walk we fed the fish, ate a nice relaxing dinner and watched as Daiyu was collapsed and asleep by 8PM. We on the other hand had a restless although not a bad night. Today we go to the US Consulate and complete the work to get her VISA and take an oath of some sort that all the documents we submitted are true and correct to the best of our knowledge. The US government had a temporary lapse in bureacratic red tape and decided she does not really need a new passport since it still has several months left and it only needs to be valid long enough to reach the US. After today we should be done with all the official paperwork and will have one more day with our guide and then a few days to ourselves to relax and enjoy the sights. Sunday morning at 5:45 AM we are off to the airport to go home. That will be Saturday night for most of you and sometime around 9:30 PM on Sunday night we will arrive home in the US. What a relief that will be. Again, thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. We look forward to seeing many of you when we return home soon.

Bureaucracy At Work

Another great day for us here. We were told by our guide that Daiyu will need another passport in order leave so we got her passport picture and the application is going to Changsha today. We will see what happens when we get to the US Consulate Wednesday. There seems to be no logic in the world of bureaucrats. One way or another we'll get it done. After the passport work was done we visited a local park and tried our hand at exercise. I need some work. Yesterday a thousand stairs and today exercise equipment. At least I gave the locals something to laugh about. Daiyu on the other hand has energy to spare. If only I could borrow some. After the exercise we made our way to a familiar place - Starbucks. They are everywhere. Then a quick run down the street to 7-11 and then the pharmacy. Tonight we thought we would head up to the 30th floor and eat at the buffet restaurant that overlooks the city. This has been a really great time. In the morning we will call Ohio and talk with her foster family via skype. Amazingly it works pretty well here and its free. After that we have another day of city tours and wearing out the parents. I've posted a few pictures of our day today. Hopefully us parents will still be walking by the time we get home.

Almost Done With Sunday - Another Successful Day

We just finished a successful day of sightseeing and shopping topped off by a great lunch. I just thought we bought a lot at the last market. Today we visited the arts and crafts market and even I could not hold back. It was time to buy gifts for friends, supporters and ourselves. And we did just that. After about 30 minutes in the store I knew we were quickly running out of cash and had to check to see if we could could use AMEX at this store. Guess what, they take all major credit cards. Not sure if that was a blessing or a curse but in any event we left armed with gifts a plenty. We visited a temple and probably climbed 1000 stairs. Daiyu counted and each section was 32 steps. There were a lot of steps. We came back to the hotel and completed all the paperwork already for our appointment with the US Consulate so we are good there with one small exception. While I don't think it is an issue, our guide was concerned because Daiyu does not have six months left on her passport. She said they usually require a full six months and this might delay our departure. I doubt it will be an issue since she will become a citizen when she arrives in the US and her Chinese passport will no longer be valid. But with the government bureaucracies who knows? I know I will put up a fight. Regardless we will figure it out. Something interesting came about as our guide was looking at her passport and noticed there was no stamp showing she left the US. Then she looked at our passports and could not find where the US stamped us as leaving our country. I asked her why that was an issue and she asked "don't they care if you leave?". Then it hit me. We are live in a country where we can come and go as we please. She cannot. When I told her our government does not care if we leave and go somewhere else she was absolutely shocked. "You mean you can just leave without permission?". I just took it for granted. Of course we can. It's a free country. We can go or stay as we want. I guess I knew this was not true in other countries but it really hit home as we talked. We take way too much for granted. Anyway, we finished the Consulate paperwork and our guide left. We went on to lunch. During our trip Daiyu had made a couple of comments that we did not think much of at the time but during lunch it became very clear. She said a couple of times that she knew she had no future. Some boys she knew told her that. We made the comment during lunch about what a bright and wonderful future she had and she could make it what she wanted. She clearly did not believe us and I know her foster family has been very supportive in this area. We said, "your a very beautiful girl, why would you think you don't have a future?" She said she knows she is not beautiful. I asked if it was because of the scars on her face and she said yes. We were quick to tell her that is simply not true and she should never, ever let anybody tell her otherwise. She is a very beautiful girl with a sweet and loving personality to complete the package. She has a bright future and she has no idea how God may use her and bless her. Please pray that seed along with Jesus will be planted firmly in her heart so she can start focusing on how He will use her and just how much beauty she will bring to this world in her liftetime. Now we are back in our hotel room resting up since we promised another evening of fish feeding. Again, I can't thank you all enough for your support and we look forward to getting home and settling back into a normal routine (if there is such a thing).

God Bless and we will talk again later.