I sit here typing our first update at 1 a.m. Hong Kong time; not because I haven’t gone to sleep yet, but because I am awake now. I will update and then try to go back to bed for a few hours. Ashleigh is also awake; we have asked her to try to sleep until 3 a.m.
I should start by saying that we are here safely, all of our luggage is here PTL! and that is what matters the most.
All that said…
Things got off to a bumpy start for us on Saturday as we attempted to leave Springfield. Our original flight was cancelled. No explanation. United was able to get us on an American flight that arrived in Chicago at about the same time as our original flight. NOT SURE WHY they would then bump us to a later Hong Kong flight – but that is indeed what they did.
The Springfield/Chicago flight was so s m o o t h!
After waiting for what seemed like forever we boarded the biggest stinkin’ plane I have ever seen! OH dear! (for those who don’t know me well – I really rank flying as one of my least favorite activitiess – next to having a root canal – sorry RJ) About two hours into the flight I pretty much decided that I was done. I am told by others who have traveled far more than I that the flight wasn’t bumpy at all; I beg to differ. None-the-less, I did not break open my bottle of “happy pills” – I just kept reciting Philippians 4:6-7 (the don’t be anxious verse that also speaks of God’s peace). I think it helped, but I will NEVER admit that I even came close to enjoying that airplane ride. Can’t imagine what it will be like with a 2 year old!
The kids, however, did fabulous! A very SPECIAL thanks to the Jr and Sr High YAC leaders for providing gifts for the kids to open on the flight! It really did help break up an excruciating 16 hours… A thought for next time: maybe Tami needs presents to open every hour…
Touching down in Hong Kong brought such a rush of emotions (pure joy for finally being on the ground, for one). But seriously.
We have been on this journey to our daughter for what seems like an eternity. And when we landed, it was as if I could finally exhale. In 37 hours we will be holding our daughter Amy-Hui for the very first time! There were so many days that we all thought this day would never come; and now it’s happening!
Another note – we are visiting Yangjiang on Thursday. That is only a little over a day after we get Amy. It will be a long ride – 4 hours one way – but we know that it is the best thing for Amy long term to go. It will offer her and the nannies and her little friends the closure that they all need; whether they realize it now or not.
Well – off to Guangzhou in just about 11 hours!
We do “get” Amy on Tuesday at 2:30. That is 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Kansas. Please pray if God awakes you. It will be such a hard time; mostly for Amy, but it may be very hard for Ashleigh and Austin to experience.
----- for Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Jordan's classes... We flew over the North Pole and Siberia on our way to Hong Kong! The temperature outside was -74 degrees!
