They made it safely to Guangzhou!
And the final leg of the trip is underway.
So much has happened and we can all hardly wait to be together.
Beck slept on the flight which was a huge praise!
The new hotel has an outdoor pool...
...which even enticed Beck!
Looks like he may be a water baby after all!
It was a smooth first day to Brodie's surprise.
Tomorrow the kids have their medical exams.
(Night night for now...)
. . . . . .
DAY 17, GUANGZHOU
Today all the Lifeline families met up together for a busy day.
There was paperwork, medical exams, more paperwork, pool time,
and a special dinner out at a Mexican restaurant.
(The lobby at the new hotel)
Brodie says there are adoptive families everywhere!
A comforting sight after a long couple of weeks solo.
Brodie taught Bea the art of making PB&J...a Brodie favorite back home.
(He was pretty excited about it...I miss my guy!)
This was the scene at the medical exams.
Beck was fine as long as he was with Daddy.
Elka was Bea's safe spot.
It's neat to see them trusting their people more and more.
(Look who changed her shoes today!!! Beck too...an amazing feat!)
(Beck was NOT a fan of this momentary separation from Daddy.)
Back to the hotel for some fun at the pool and snuggles:
(Flip flops?! Now Bea's just getting crazy!)
(What a good daddy!)
Brodie and Elka perfected their synchronized swimming:
There was more paperwork to be done.
Then they finished the night off with a special dinner out with the group.
Just a few days left! Things are going very well.
It's been neat to hear some of the stories of the other adopting families.
It's such a special journey...each so unique and full of God stories. Beautiful.
Tomorrow is souvenir day as they travel around Guangzhou and do some sightseeing.
The countdown is on to home.
“Go home to your friends and tell them how much
the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Mark 5:19
. . . . . .
DAY 18, GUANGZHOU
Today was a day full of sightseeing, souvenirs, and swimming!
(Sweet brother Brodie)
It's so encouraging to see Beck opening up and letting the kids hold him too.
(Sweet sister Elka)
Back to the hotel for more swimming:
It's official...Beck loves water!!
And Bea loves Daddy. (Beck too :))
Each new day brings more and more bonding. It's clear as I watch via Skype that Bea and Beck have become family.
To watch the progress over the weeks has been extremely encouraging and I can hardly wait for the rest of us
to start getting to know them as well. I can tell these two are going to fit right in!
. . . . . .
DAY 19, GUANGZHOU
Destination: Zoo and Harbor Dinner Cruise
Feeding the giraffes was the highlight!
(Elka's favorite)
That evening, they joined the other Lifeline families for a harbor dinner cruise.
I hear they ate some very interesting and authentic cuisine while they enjoyed
clown juggling to Livin' La Vida Loca...just your usual boat cruise type stuff. :)
Tomorrow is the consulate appointment and Shamian Island.
Just two more days until they're home!!!
. . . . . .
DAY 20, GUANGZHOU
Destination: Consulate Appointment and Shamian Island
Wellllll, the consulate appointment didn't go as planned. Although they were the first American family in their group, there was a glitch with the fingerprints and subsequently, the whole group...then the following group after theirs ended up waiting over two hours for what was expected to take 30 minutes. It all worked out in the end though (of course) and it's official! Now they wait for their visas.
After a break back at the hotel, the group took a trek over to Shamian Island.
Over the weeks, I've heard the stories about people asking take photos with the kids,
so I asked Brodie to take one for me so I could get the gist. This is what we got today. Ha!
(I guess Brodie gets to be in the pics too. Love it.)
Bea was up for the classic Shamian Island photo...
Beck wasn't.
(I can't wait to have all my ducklings home and together!)
(Listening to a band)
After a long morning, it was a redeemed day after all
with ice cream as the highlight for the little ones.
Yum!
Tomorrow is the BIG day!!! They wake and have some time at the hotel to get organized and play at the pool one last time. Then it's travel time! Beck slept on the last two hour flight...not so sure we can count on him sleeping 15 hours home, but we're definitely praying for them. Both children's hearts didn't show any signs of distress on the short flights, but that is of course a prayer request, that their oxygen will remain stable on the long flight home, also for endurance for Brodie and the big kids for their final endeavor.
We know the Lord has them all in the palm of His hand, that He has brought Bea and Beck into our family with purpose, and that He will bring to completion the plans He has for their lives. It's beautiful to get to take part in their stories, His story.
And the next chapter begins...tomorrow!
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
