We made it!

Right now, It’s 5:45AM in Phili and 5:45PM Thursday in Beijing. And, we’re feeling like we’ve been up all night. We were so thankful for that direct flight from Newark to Beijing. But, let me tell you, it was LONG. I was not so happy when I thought I had really had enough and realized we had 7 more hours to go. But, we did finally make it. We quickly realized we weren’t in Kansas anymore when we saw these signs—FOREIGNERS—and knew it was referring to us. (Right after I took this picture, we saw a sign that said no photography. Oops.)

 
Our guide Lisa took another family and us to our hotel, the King Wing Hot Spring Hotel (I can’t say that name without smiling. It sounds more like some late night club to me.). The rooms are really impressive. Even on the 12th floor, I can clearly hear the hustle and bustle of traffic outside. (We ARE in China after all!) But, it’s nice to have this comfortable room to relax in after so many hours of traveling. It’s home for a couple days at least.

We’re meeting my parents’ friends Frank and Helen for dinner tonight. I’m hoping we can both stay awake enough to actually have a conversation with them.

Love, Mama and Daddy

 

For over 5 years now, I’ve followed other families’ blogs of their trips to China. I’ve cried looking at Gotcha Day pictures and videos. I’ve marveled at the transformation of the children going from orphan to a beloved child in a day. And, now, I’m the one going. In a few days, we will meet our daughter for the first time. It’s hard to believe. I’ve had butterflies all day–not sure why exactly. I have just been overwhelmed by the magnitude of what is about to happen. And, my heart has been heavy over leaving 3 deeply loved children at home for so long (don’t worry–they will be spoiled rotten while we are gone by their grandparents. I have to keep telling myself that.).

China, here we come. Lydia, praying that God is preparing you now for the transition happening on Sunday.