Getting Closer to Home

Thanks to so many of you that have been praying for us and helping take care of our boys back home. We are only a day away from beginning the trip back home and although we've had a great experience here in Guangzhou we are certainly ready to get back home!

Grace continues to open up a little more each day. She's beginning to understand that if she expresses herself, even by crying, she will get some attention and have her needs met.  That's an extreme change from a week ago when we met her and she was simply content to be. Although we know she was cared for, she just didn't have very much personal attention.  

This past Friday, on our 5th day with her she finally shared a smile with us! She whipped back into serious mode as soon as she realized what she had done, but since that day she eases it out more and more. Now, you must understand, its only reserved for certain people, and Dad isn't one of those yet.  If she sees me looking when she smiles she'll narrow her eyes immediately and act as if she regrets letting me catch her. Tons of personality and a strong little will inside that tiny, quiet body.  She's developed a great bond with Amy and Grace will crane her little neck in whatever direction Amy goes if Amy needs to go to the next room or to get up from the breakfast table.

We've spent the weekend enjoying the Chinese culture as we have awaited our medical exam results and final appointments Monday. We enjoyed the city zoo, a local park, riding the subway system, and visiting a cultural museum where we saw things like a man who made skillful art by dipping the side of his hand into a plate of ink.  Everything from exchanging money to ordering pizza is an adventure!

We had our final appointment at the U.S. consulate this morning and the small paperwork glitch was worked out.  Grace's medical exam report came back ok and  now we have only to wait for the delivery of her U.S. VISA and some immigration papers that will be delivered to us at our hotel tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.  I should point out that if ever you find yourself in a foreign country and you deal with our U.S. government or military its most often the case that you are profoundly proud of and thankful for our country. The U.S. consulate was a beautiful building and we were treated wonderfully. 

After getting our final documents we will take a 4 hour van ride to Hong Kong where we will fly out on Wednesday morning at 11 am. (That would be Tuesday night at 10 pm central time)  We'll go through SF and Houston before arriving back at around 8:15 Wednesday night.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support! Please pray for a great trip home for Grace in the plane and continued grace and energy for Amy as Grace and I both prefer for her to do most of the 'mom' work.    

David