We received our Travel Approval on Monday and had been waiting for the Consulate to confirm an appointment before we could plan our travel. Well, today we received confirmation of our Consulate Appointment and we have finally been able to buy tickets!! I really can't believe it and am feeling very behind already. We leave one week from today, December 10th. out of Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport.
Our itinerary is as follows:
12/10 Leave DFW on American Airlines at 10:10am
12/11 Arrive Beijing via Tokyo at 9:30pm
12/12 Tour Beijing
12/13 Fly to Taiyuan City, Shanxi (Lillie's hometown)
12/14 GOTCHA Day- see Lillie for the first time and Christopher's Dad's Birthday! Lillie goes home to the hotel with us!!
12/15 Finalize Provincial Documentation for the Adoption- Lillie will officially be ours!!
12/16 Sight-seeing
12/17 Lillie's Chinese Passport will be ready for pick-up (can't leave for home without it)
12/18 Fly to Guangzhou
12/19 Medical Appointment/TB test/Possible Vaccinations (poor Lillie)
12/20 Sightseeing
12/21 Have Lillie's TB test read (pray it is all clear)
12/22 Consulate Appointment- fill out US paperwork
12/23 Oath at the Consulate- finalization of US documents
12/24 Pick up Lillie's US Visa after 3pm/ Take Train to Hong Kong/ Spend Christmas Eve in the Marriott Sky City at the Hong Kong Airport
12/25 Leave for home on American Airlines at 10:20am with layover in Tokyo. Arrive at 3:25pm Christmas Day in Dallas- Merry Christmas!! Lillie becomes a US citizen in Texas on Christmas Day!!! All our children will officially be Texans!!!
Collapse, open presents, eat homecooked meal, enjoy watching Lillie get to know her big brothers and part of her extended family!!! A Christmas Blessing!!
We will not be able to post to this blog easily during the trip. I am setting up a travel blog on a site that is accessible through the Great Firewall of China. When I have this all set up, I will post a link so that you all can see us through the whole journey- pictures included. Please continue to pray for us as this is very exciting and a little overwhelming right now. Also pray for the boys as they are starting to realize how long we will be gone and are a little worried- we had tears tonight about it. Please pray for my parents as they are caring for them for the 2 weeks. They will have a great time and I am sure they will be tired out by Christmas Day. We will skype while we are there so the boys can see us and Lillie and we are really hoping this will help some. And finally, please continue to pray for Lillie and her foster family. I have really been thinking about them this week. My heart breaks for them and for her. The knowledge that she only has a short time left in their care. I can't even imagine how they must feel. We do not think this will be easy and are as prepared as we can be for her to be very upset with us and very sad. We just pray that her heart is protected and that she works through this while knowing that her new family loves and cares deeply for her.
We were blessed to be invited to prayer on our behalf with our church elders on Wednesday night. It was a wonderful experience to share with them our journey and this has given me peace in the knowledge that God is in control and that our Christian brothers and sisters will be lifting us to Him during this time. With God all things are possible!!
We believe that God will watch over us during this time and we are so thankful to all of you for your prayers on our behalf. God is faithful and loving and cares for us in all things. We believe this adventure is just the beginning of our Lillie's story and we pray that it is the beginning of her steadfast love for our Lord and our Father who adopts us all as His children.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future...."
2 comments:
I am SOOOOo excited for you all ~ your baby girl will be in your arms in just a few days ~ wahooooooo!!!! I LOVE the fact that the girls names are so very close ~ that is really neat! God has blessed you with an incredible Christmas gift this year and we can't wait to follow your journey to bring Lillie HOME!! We will also pray for your boys and extended family as well as you all while you are gone. Our three boys will be staying back here as well and I already tear up when I think about; however I know beyond a shadow of a doubt this the the daughter/sister God has chosen for our family just as Lillie is for your family ~ He WILL watch over all of us and protect us as we answer His calling:) I've worried about not being able to use blogspot while in China so I'll anxiously watch to see what blog will work through China's great fire wall:) Keeping you all close in prayer:)
Fantastic news... A great Christmas present! I understand how your other children will feel abit sad too as I always love the run up to Christmas just as much as the day and would miss my parents even now!
Just thrilled for you and teary!
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