Travel

We survived our brutal days of travel and are in Nanchang. I am tired but want to get down my thoughts on travel so I don't forget. We left GSP at 7:55 Sunday morning and landed in Chicago. We had a short layover there but it was not too long and just enough time to allow us to get to where we needed to go. We then flew from Chicago to Shanghai. The flight was long but no major turbulence or discomfort. I didn't sleep much but Allen slept some. I spent my time watching movies and it was not that bad of a flight. The last 4 hours seemed the longest as it appeared our plane sat on the same place of the map and didn't move. We arrived in Shanghai and had a LONG 7 hour layover. This by far was the hardest part of the trip here. We were both exhausted and had no idea where to go and it was a bit crowded. We finally found our right ticket booth and sat on a bench near it and people watched. We got 2 bottle waters and ate some snacks we packed. Neither of us were hungry and decided we wouldn't risk eating something before another flight. We decided to try and check in early for our flight and discovered that lines don't really exist in Shanghai airport. You can stand in one but someone may decide to bypass the line and walk right up to the counter in front of everyone. Interesting! : ) After being told to come back at 8:30 we went and found a bench and sat. We dozed a little and then started to hear announcements that we couldn't understand so decided just to check on our flight. Well....they were announcing that all flights were on delay or cancelled because of a typhoon!! Let's just say I was about ready for a full meltdown at this point but decided not too panic. We knew we still had a while for our flight so we sat and waited. Well.. while we waited I prayed like crazy for the Lord to get us on that plane and to Nanchang! I knew He can move mountains and we would be able to move that Typhoon!!! Well, bless the Lord, it worked! We went back and our flight was fine and not delayed! We proceeded to wait until take off at 9:55 and boarded our last flight. This was 9:55 pm Monday night, We had been travelling since Sunday. I slept the whole hour and 10 min. flight and then prayed that when we landed our guide would be there. Because I don't know how much more I could take! Thankfully, our guide was waiting and we jumped in a van and made it to our hotel! We then slept from around 1:30am to 7:30. We got to Skype with the kids which was good and bad. Hearing Madison say could my mom drive her to us was a little heartbreaking! We went with our guide to buy some bottled water and drinks this morning. We also went to the breakfast buffet. We both had a croissant with jelly and dry cornflakes. *Brad Kinard-Allen said you would have had a field day at the buffet with the interesting items to try! Fried sponge, anyone?
 We did find out we get Lucy today! It is 10:45 in the morning on Tuesday now and we should meet Lucy at 3 this afternoon! WOW! Allen is sleeping and I couldn't so thought I would get all this down. I am mainly journaling so I will remember all these things so it may be long and boring to you but I don't want to forget a single thing! Here are a few observations from what I have seen so far:

• A family of four and their groceries can fit on a moped and fly down the street in the dark with no headlights!
• Mo-peds do not need to pay attention to red lights-they are merely a suggestion. Just blow your horn and drive on through.
• We observed a side street park today and I notice how loving and peacefully the people seemed to one another. They were dancing and doing different activities on the side street. A real picture of the culture of China. However, when you return to the street there is lots of horn blowing! : )

No pics now. Nothing to see but to tired and weary travellers and that isn't pretty! Next post will be pics of Lucy! Please pray for her as she is about to have her whole world changed!

Test for China

Travel Plans

We fly to get Lucy next Sunday! Here is our itinerary:


Day ACTIVITY
Morning Afternoon

1. (Aug. 28) Go to Province

2. (Aug. 29) meet your child, legal process

3. (Aug. 30)

4. (Aug. 31) orphanage visit

5. (Sept. 1)

6. (Sept. 2) obtain legal doc

7. (Sept 3.)

8. (Sept 4.) obtain legal doc go to Guangzhou

9. (Sept. 5.) medical

10. (Sept 6) Consulate appointment 10:00am

11. (Sept. 7.) obtain visa

12. (Sept. 8) go home!
 

We will meet Lucy on the 29th! We can't wait to have her in our arms!

Travel Approval!

I got a phone call today at 11:45. We have travel approval! We don't have exact dates yet but were told to expect to travel within the next 2 to 3 weeks! Can't believe it is almost here!

Fundraising is Fun!

We had a fundraiser on July 21st at Pizza Inn. We had a great group of friends come out and help us work. It was really a lot of fun! We are blessed with such wonderful friends!

Our name in lights!

Rhonda, me and Katie- these girls were awesome drink fillers! :  )

My hubby-hard at work!

These guys weren't old enough to work so they just came and hung out!

Amy worked hard while Heath had baby duty!

D kept baby Daniel so Brad could help serve!

Kelli provided service with a smile!

My brother thinking, " What did I get myself into?"

Elizabeth working hard!

Valerie filling up drinks!

Allison scooping the ice!

These three girls had a blast raiding the tattoo machine while we worked. I think Mary may have a future in the tattoo business!

My mom and dad! Mom helped serve and dad kept up with Madison for us!

JB hard at work!

I don't even want to know what Randall is saying in this photo!

Melanie showing off her tray skills!

Me, Allen and Brad

Everybody working hard!

Two tired ladies and one tired baby after a long night of serving!

So Much Support!

I wanted to share some pictures of some of the people who came out to support us at our fundraiser. We were so busy it was hard to get many pictures. We raised over $1,200.00! Most of that was in tips! It was a great turn out and we are so appreciative to everyone who came out!

The Crosby Family

Sabrina,  Lynn, and the Foreman's

The Oates and Proper clan

Connor and Reese

Melanie and her wonderful family!

My in-laws

The Dale's and Moore's

Kim our SS teacher!

The Johnson family!

Mollie and her mom and uncle!

Official Waiting on Travel

Another step closer!!
Referral and Letter of Acceptance Received-completed February 2012
Hague Home Study -Completed March 2012
File for I-800A with USCIS-March 2012
I-800A Approval-May 21, 2012
I-800 Provisional Approval Received-Received June 18, 2012
Receipt from National Visa Center-Received June 27,2012
Consulate Package sent to China-Mailed to China June 29,2012
Article 5 letter issues by Consulate -Dropped off June 18, 2012
Travel Approval Received-Waiting