10-10-10 Gotcha Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just heard from Kim and Greg.  They just arrived and are settled in their hotel.  Their new guide informed them that they will be meeting their new daughter (Ruthey) at 4:30 PM today, which will be 3:30 AM CST!  Their hotel room came equipped with a crib, so they are getting everything ready for her arrival!!   They are beside themselves with excitement!  I will post more soon!

Ruthey's Province

Today is our travel day to Jiangxi Province... Ruthey's Province!!!  Needless to say, we are all up early.   I forgot to tell you all about stopping by Pizza Hut.  We were thrilled when we saw it.  Our guide laughed.  He helped us order a pepperoni pizza and ham/pineapple.  Fortunately, they had pictures and we just pointed to what we wanted.  Our guide is Chinese too and he didn't even understand pepperoni, ham or pineapple.  We all devoured the pizzas.  We all LOVE Chinese food. (or so we thought).  Let's just say, American Chinese food is alot different from authentic Chinese food.  If any of you have any suggestions on great Chinese dishes here, please let us know ASAP.  The cliff bars and peanut butter and crackers are running out quickly.  My family is thanking me now for them :).  We also bought lots of hersheys chocolate to give as part of our gifts to the consulate and other offices we have to attend.  Not sure they'll make it into the gift bags. Greg says those are in extreme jeopardy as I type. 

Not sure when we will blog again.  Hopefully, next time Ruthey will have joined us.

"We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."    Hebrews 6:11-12

The Great Wall of China

Today we traveled to see the Great Wall of China.  Let's just say... lots of walking and it's very steep.  We made it through with my cell phone camera, the video camera and what little was left of the battery on Kailey's camera.  Fortunately, we have a great guide and he found a camera shop for us this evening.  We did get another charger for Kailey's camera and bought me a cheap camera to get me through the trip.  I haven't seen my camera since our move from VA.  I will say, Chinese customer service is awesome.  They helped us so much and were super friendly.  Thank you all for praying! 

We travel tomorrow to Ruthey's province.  We all are just beside ourselves in anticipation.  According to our adoption agency, we will meet Ruthey on Monday and she will be handed over to us at that same time.  This is called our "gotcha day".  Recently, two people that have adopted from China, have informed me that we could possibly get her early (i.e.- Sunday).  We hope this happens and IF it does, we'll share ASAP. 

Thank you all for your prayers!!!

Day 1 of Sightseeing

Today was a long day filled with lots of sightseeing.  Our guide (from the adoption agency) picked us up at 8:15 am and we didn't stop until 9:00 last night. 

From seeing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace , Birds Nest... 2008 Olympic Stadium, to flying acrobats last night, we were worn out. Did I mention that we did all this while jet lagged?  It truly was neat seeing so much history.  I think our favorite was the Forbidden City.  China is rich in history and as most of you know... we all love history.  We did also visit a pearl outlet store and learned a little about cultured pearls here in China.  Kailey and I loved it... not so sure about the boys.  :) 

Something funny for the day was when we were at the Birds Nest.  Some Chinese teenagers grabbed Kailey and Brady for a picture.  They wanted them to jump while the picture was taken.  I'm attaching that picture, as you can see... Brady wasn't thrilled about it.  I think the girls thought he was a cutie.  :)  One of them asked if he could have his picure taken with only Kailey. 

From 7:15 to 8:15, we attended a Flying Acrobat show.  We all kept falling asleep in the show.  It was great... from what we saw. 

Today, we are off to the Great Wall!!  One big prayer request we have for all of you.... Our camera charger is dead.  It was supposed to be dual voltage, but evidently not.  It is fried!  So, we are a little concerned as to how we will take good pictures while here.  Hopefully, our guide can take us to a store to purchase a new charger or a "cheap" camera.  We will be able to take pictures with my cell and the video camera, but will not be able to upload them onto the laptop.  So... that means no pictures of Ruthey to send back home to all of you (for the blog).  Needless to say, we are frustrated.  Please pray for this situation. 

Two more days until we meet Ruthey!!!! 

Love,

Greg, Kim, Kailey and Brady

Reflecting over the past few years, I'm reminded of a verse my dear friend Ruthi gave me in the midst of waiting and on a day of discouragement: 

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Job 42:2

We've Arrived

We are here in Beijing. We are completely exhausted.  Hoping to get some rest tonight.  

We walked around tonight.  The culture is so different here.  We had dinner and no one in the restaurant spoke English; it was quite an experience.  We really didn't even know what we were ordering.  We just laughed and took our chances :).  I finally was able to communicate enough to get a fork.  Greg, Kailey and Brady are much better with chopsticks than I am.  I'm sure they thought I was crazy.  Oh well...

We'll be in Beijing for three days and then go to Ruthey's province.  Our guide will pick us up at 8:30 in the morning to take us around for sightseeing. 

On our way

God is Faithful.  We are humbled of this undertaking of rescuing an orphan.  Praise Him that this adoption journey is coming to completion very soon. 
"God has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us."  Ephesians 2:10

in our arms!

This time next week, Ruthey will be united with us!  We are so excited and praise God for HIS faithfulness as we finish this adoption journey and begin our life with this precious gift.