Saturday, July 10, 2010

Today began by looking out our window on a beautiful view of the mountains on one side and the harbor on another. We checked in so late last night I had no idea what a beautiful view was awaiting us. It is very cool because there is a runway not far from our window so we can see the big airplanes landing. The boys have loved it.

We had a great breakfast this morning and then headed off to Hong Kong Disney. We saved $5,000 on airfare by flying out on Sunday instead of Saturday so that is why we stayed the extra day. We decided to make the best of it and see HK Disney. We met another family from Detroit today at our hotel who will be flying with us who saved the same amount by waiting also. They went to Disney today too.

HK Disney is a smaller version of Disney World. I have never been to Disneyland so I cannot compare it to that. It was very nice, incredibly hot again today (around 100 degrees and humid) though. We had a very good time. Drew knew some of the characters but not all. The boys enjoyed all the rides and we were lucky there were no lines longer than about 10 minutes. I teared up quite a few times watching Drew take in all that is Disney. He the LOVED "It's a Small World" ride. Luke's favorite was the Buz Lightyear ride. The food was interesting. Mostly Asian food with choices like dried squid and seaweed candy. We did find hot dogs, ice cream bars and spaghetti so we did not starve. We were too tired due to the heat to stay for the fireworks.

The suitcases are packed, the boys are bathed and we are ready for our 4 am wake up call. We need to be at the airport by 5 am because we do not have seat assignments (could you please pray that we get seats and that they are good ones?).

I still need time to process this whole adoption experience. It has been such an incredible one. Each adoption and each child in our family has been such a miracle. This adoption though, was such an act of obedience and faith. Older child adoption is scary. Plain and simple. We were very clearly called, and we did as God asked us, when we really and truly did not understand where we were being lead. We know many of you thought and most likely still think that we are nuts. Truly from the world's perspective we are nuts. But we are not asked to live for this world but for the Kingdom. Kingdom living is supposed to look different and with 5 children aged 6 and under and 3 adopted we certainly do look different!

We have done many things in faith before...but nothing quite like this. The storms have raged over the course of the last year, and many times we wondered if we would ever reach the day where Drew would come home. And now tomorrow is that day.

God has been faithful beyond measure in meeting our every need and indeed our desires and dreams as well. He is such a cool kid I can't wait for you all to meet him! If we had not answered God's call we would have missed out on the tremendous blessing of Drew but also the many blessings that lead up to him coming home. We have met so many friends along this path that will be friends for life. Many of you have prayed Drew home for nearly a year. Lots of people donated sacrificially to our adoption fund. Your donation made this miracle possible. Without you a little boy would not have a family, and a boy would not have the brother he had been praying for and we would not get the gift of raising him. From the bottom of our hearts...thank you.

Our journey of parenthood and as a family with Drew is just beginning. We all have much to learn about each other and I am sure that there will be some rocky days ahead. Thank you for taking this journey with us. The best days are yet to come.

Hold on handsome husband and my 3 baby girls...we are homeward bound.