Sunday 

 

We didn't sleep well last night because we had to be up by 3:30 am to meet our guide at 4:50 to get to the airport.  The hotel packed us a breakfast to eat on the bus.  It consisted of 2 crescent rolls, a hard boiled egg, ham and either milk or yogurt.  I wasn't sure which but didn't feel up to eating/drinking that this morning.

 

Our guide Tom walked us the whole way to security and we said goodbye to him.  He has been such a huge help to us throughout our stay and we learned a lot from him. 

 

I woke up this morning feeling very emotional.  This is our last day as a family of 3.  I am scared and nervous about what's happening next.  The unknown.  So much is unknown. 

 

I was talking to one of the Bethany families about my nervousness this morning & she said she was feeling the same.  We both were teary as we talked about it.  We were the last 2 families on the bus together and when we stopped at the airport, she gave me a huge hug.  So did her mom-in-law.  I can't tell you how much I needed that in that moment.  I grabbed another hug from her at the airport.  I am so thankful to God for giving us just what we need in the moments that we need them.  And I am truly grateful for these other Bethany families and will miss them over the next few days while everyone is in their own province. 

 

Going through security took awhile.  The machine broke at the line we were in and the guy in front of us was trying to tell us what was going on.  We had to switch lines and then all 3 of us got pulled out of line & scanned.  Our backpack had to go through the scanner twice.  Something about the umbrella.  We let out an exhale when we finally all came through.

 

We got through the airport and were able to sit down at our gate at a little after 6am.  We are really looking forward to getting into the warmer weather.  It has been so cold in Beijing!  Every time we walk outside, my chest gets tight.  Some of that is the cold air and some of that is the air quality. 

 

On our bus ride out to our plane, I think we played the game "how many people can we fit on this bus?"  I didn't know buses could hold that many people. 

 

It is hard to be in a country where you don't speak the language and you can't understand what is being said.  I feel more empathy toward the millions of Americans who's first language is not English. 

 

My prayer today is not for a smooth transition but for the best transition possible.  My prayer is that I would trust Him regardless of what happens in the next day.  That I would remember without a doubt that His hand brought us here.

 

Thank God the flight is over!  There was a little more turbulence that I like on flights.  Was so glad to land in Guangzhou!  We got to our baggage and there was a lady with a sign outside of the baggage area.  She was smiling and waving at us.  Looks like this is our new guide, Cathy.  She is so very sweet.  Bethany is so organized over here!  And that makes the travel so much easier. 

 

We took a 40 minute ride to our hotel.  On the way, Cathy talked about what we will be doing in the next few days.  She told me that she talked to the Orphanage director and that Alina is doing well.  They said that she is easy to take care of and that she likes to eat everything!  haha!  Randy said she will fit in well.  :)  I also asked if she knows about us and Cathy said that they told her last week and she was excited.  Oh. My. Word!  The fear that I had melted away with those words.  I cannot wait to meet our precious daughter! 

 

We got to the China Hotel and it is nice.  We put our things in our room and met with Cathy again to make copies of paperwork we need for tomorrow.  We then walked around the block and she was showing us some good restaurants to go to.  We passed a man who was begging on the street by McDonalds.  Caylee felt so bad for him and when we came back to the hotel, she prayed for him. I love her sensitive heart!

 

Caylee was finally able to go swimming this afternoon.  And she was so happy about that!  She wanted to swim while we were in Beijing but we just didn't have the time.  It's nice enough to swim outside here even though it gets cooler at nighttime.

 

We went to MCDonalds for dinner and as soon as we walked in the door, the lady behind the counter grabbed the picture menu & said, "Americans."  It's so hard to be the minority.  My entitled American self doesn't know how to handle it.  And it makes me wish that for next time that I will know more Mandarin & can communicate better. haha..and I am joking about next time but who knows..

 

When we came out of McDonalds, the man was still there asking for money and we were able to give him some yuan (the currency).

 

It is Monday here right now and I have so much more to say but I wanted to let you know that today at 1:45, we get to leave to meet our little girl.  Prayers are appreciated!