Thursday, January 31, 2008

Hi from Kaitlyn:

The Day we’ve all been so anxiously waiting for has come…

This is the last day in China …I can’t believe it’s come to an end. The first week, I wanted to come home, but now, I don’t want to leave. I think it’s just more the people I’ll miss than I will China . I feel like singing a sad song…Because I know that we will probably never see these Chinese children again, or the adults I have met. It’s all coming to an end right before our eyes. It’s was all worth it to meet Jacob, which we have waited for so long. We will soon fly on a long plane ride to take Jacob home tomorrow. Every other family is worried about the long plane ride too. (lol) China was great, everything was great, but we still want to go home. I don’t know what to say other than, thanks to our Guides. Maggie, Rosa, Megan…They were all wonderful to us and I’ll truly miss them, and so will everyone else. We’ve said our goodbyes, to everyone, and they will be missed! : )

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Hi from Larry, Dawn & Jacob:

Today was our last full day in China and it has been bittersweet. We finalized our adoption with a trip to the U.S. Consulate office this afternoon where we were all sworn in to be responsible & loving adoptive parents. We also received the very-important brown envelope with all of Jacob’s Visa paperwork for U.S. Customs when we arrive home, which will be by our side at all times! It was great to see so many other families finalizing their adoptions at the same time…everyone left with tissues in hand.

We concluded our day with one more trip to the local McD’s with several other families. Jacob and Avery weren’t so interested in the chicken nuggets tonight, but they stuck to the corn and french fries (of course!). However, Catherine Grace preferred the chicken over the traditional hamburger. It will be hard to not see their beautiful smiles every morning!

Tomorrow will be a very long day, to say the least. We are scheduled to leave the hotel at 8am , with our flight from Guangzhou to Beijing leaving at 11am . We should then arrive in Beijing around 2pm and we have a 5 hours layover. Our flight back leaves Beijing around 7pm and arrives in Dulles Intl’ around 7:45pm …I wish it was only a 45 min flight, but unfortunately we have to include the additional 12 hours time difference! Please keep all of us traveling in your prayers as it may be a very trying time. At least we’ll be able to share this last experience with others…there are 3 other families in our group flying back together!

Our lives in the past 2 weeks here have truly been changed forever and ALL the Glory shall be given to God! This experience is one that we will never forget! Finally, after a simple thought back in 2003, to many prayers and starting the process in 2005, to receiving our wonderful referral of Jacob in 2007 and traveling to China in 2008, our dreams have come true and Jacob is now part of our family. Throughout the entire process, it has been truly amazing to see God’s work and what he had planned for us! He has guided us throughout every step and we feel so blessed to be a part of something so wonderful. We can only pray that our experience can be a testimony to others who are considering an International adoption a nd for those who are preparing to travel in the near future! Open your hearts and minds and receive the Word of the Lord and your lives will be changed forever…trust us!

In conclusion, we pray the God’s blessing will be upon all of our friends & families as they travel home to begin the new chapter in their lives. May they be blessed and receive God’s wonderful grace & glory from this day forward! :)