We're Going to China!

Flights are booked!  We are headed to China on the 24th!  We got our Travel Approval on Monday the 8th, and our Consulate Appointment date the next day.  Flights were booked yesterday with the help of the fabulous Katie at Adoption Airfare.  And now we're working with our agency's in-China rep on hotels and in-country travel.  We're on our way!

We had planned to be leaving the first week of July, and Samuel had it written on his calendar that he would meet us in Guangzhou on July 6.  So it was very fun to celebrate with him last night the news that we will instead meet him in Guangzhou on June 29!  He is very excited, and so are we.  While we were Skyping, we showed him the room and bunkbed he will share with Justin.  He had a big grin on his face the whole time.

We will fly to Beijing on the 24th and spend a couple of days there visiting the Great Wall and other touristy sites.  Then we'll fly to Guangzhou on the 28th and meet Samuel the next day.  We've had fun talking to him about all the things we will do there.  He is especially happy to know that we can go swimming at the hotel every day!

Please pray for all of us as we get ready for this journey.  The adoption "process" is almost over and the real journey is about to begin.  Pray for Samuel's heart as he leaves everything he knows and comes to a place that is so different.  Pray for him as he becomes family with us, and grows to understand what it means to have parents and siblings.  Pray for our other children, that they would have much grace with their new brother, especially in the early days of newness, tiredness, and language issues.  And please pray for Jim and I, that we would stay attuned to God as He leads us in this new adventure.  Thank you, friends.