Hallelujuah! We finished our last bit of official adoption business today at the American Consuate in Guangzhoe. We met with about 100 families who are adopting Chinese kids and were given our children's American visas so they can get into the U.S. We were 'sworn in' together which pretty much consisted of us swearing that all the mounds of paperwork we turned in was true and accurate. We received our sealed brown envelopes with all of our official notarized Chinese adoption paperwork to hand over to the US customs when we reach San Francisco. Oh, the joy of finally getting ready to head on home!!
As soon as we give the sealed brown envelope over to US customs and we are able to cross onto 'American Soil' (leave the international security area), Jonathan will be an official U.S. Citizen. This is all very exciting.
We went out for our last group dinner last night to a Thai restaurant called the "Banana Boat". It was something out of Disneyland in that the entire restaurant looked like it was under a huge tree. The ceiling was like the underside of huge branches with green leaves. There were Christmas balls hanging from the branches. All the waiters and waitresses took time out of serving to perform 70s and 80s American songs. They were very, very good! They sung "Fame" and "Let Me Be There" by Olivia Newton John. They also danced and would grab dinerfs to dance with them. One waiter grabbed Jonathan and danced with him & a waitress grabbed me. Being bashful as I am, I hesitantly agreed :). The food was outstanding - Scott was all into the curried chicken which was the only dish I didn't eat because it was too spicy. We just had a blast.
We've all finally tired of Chinese food. Our last supper in China this evening was an 'authentic' Italian restaurant where we were blessed with a delicious bufffet. We are all itching to get home - it has been a very long but wonderful trip. I can hardly wait for Jonathan to meet his sisters! We are going to have a Merry Christmas indeed!
Please keep us in prayer as we leave tommorrow. We will be traveling for about 29 hours on four different planes: Guangzhou to Beijing, Beijing to San Francisco, San Francisco to Seattle, and Seattle to Fairbanks. We leave our hotel tomorrow morning (Dec. 19th) at 6:00 am (1:00 in the afternoon Dec. 18th in Alaska). It is a long journey home, but knowing we're coming home will make it tolerable if not enjoyable. Please pray none of our flights get cancelled and that Jonathan wouldn't get too wrestless. Of course, please keep our safety in your prayers too.
I can't wait to download pictures of Jonathan when we get home. He's so adorable, sweet, and funny. We will see or talk to you all soon!
Love in Christ,
Julie
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