Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Leavin' on a jet plane!

This has been such an amazing journey. The last year and a half I've witnessed God work and move in ways I never thought or imagined...His provision, His leading and direction, His peace...all of these were crucial in bringing us to this day, and to our girl! It's just unbelievable that we will be leaving tomorrow, Thanksgiving day, of all days. I don't think this is by accident...we have so much to be thankful for! He did this. He has brought us here.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3

We are overwhelmed by everyone's support and excitement about our trip to adopt Lydia Kate. We would love to invite all of you to follow our journey via Facebook and this blog. Most importantly we would love for you to join us in praying for each aspect of this trip. We cannot make it thru this trip, or really any of our days, on our own strength. We are trusting God to equip us for this journey and give us the emotional endurance to go around the world to bring our daughter home. Although adoption is exciting and wonderful for us. It was be scary and uncertain and grief filled for our girl. Would y'all pray for her heart, especially? That we would be Spirit-led in bonding and attachment, and love as her new Mama and Daddy. Pray for grace and patience and rest as we all get to know one another. Can't wait to meet her...can't wait to introduce you to her! Stay tuned...mei mei here we come!


Here is our basic itinerary for our trip. I will try to give ideas of things to pray for each day as we go along. Of course, we appreciate prayers for our boys and their grandparents each day we are gone. I will try to update this blog and Facebook as much as we are able.

11/27 Fly to China @ 7:30 a.m.
11/28 Arrive Beijing @4:30 p.m. local time.
11/29 Tour Beijing: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall
11/30 Fly to Hefei, Anhui (Lydia Kate's province)
12/1 GOTCHA DAY! (We expect to get Lydia Kate between 9-11 pm EST on Sunday night 11/30 and will update/post pictures as soon as we are able)
12/2 Go to Civil Affairs Office to finalize adoption.
12/3 Go to the Zoo!
12/4 Go tour BaoGongCi or possibly visit Lydia Kate's orphanage and finding spot.
12/5 Get Lydia Kate's passport and fly to Guangzhou @ 7:30 p.m.
12/6 Take Lydia Kate’s Visa photo, and do medical examination and TB test.
12/7 Sightseeing day! Tour Chen Clan Academy.
12/8 Check TB result, possibly Pearl River cruise in the evening
12/9 Consulate Appointment @ 10:00 a.m. We will have the oath-taking ceremony.
12/10 Get Lydia Kate’s visa and ride bullet train to spend the night in Hong Kong!
12/11 Leave Hong Kong heading for San Fransisco @ 12:30 p.m.
12/11 Arrive in San Francisco @ 8:30 a.m. PST. Due to an extremely long layover, we decided to stay the night in San Fransisco and enjoy a bonus adventure to somewhere we've always wanted to go together!
12/12 Head to Atlanta! We will arrive on UA1544 at 5:00 p.m. in Atlanta! We would love for you to meet us at the airport so you can see our sweet girl...an orphan no more!



Much love and many thanks to all of you for your thoughts, encouragement and prayers! See you in China!
Jason & Elizabeth