The Young Family Farm »

So today is the day our trip was completely planned around—our U.S. Consulate Appointment. Our appointment was for 8:30am. And we had to get a taxi to get there and our guide told us she’d meet us in the lobby at 8:20am. So we left the hotel around 8am as it was a 15 minute drive. We gave our taxi cab driver the address–and wanting our business he let us jump right in. It wasn’t until about 30 minutes into circling the city that we realized it wasn’t that far–he was clueless–and we were most likely missing our appointment. As *I* tried to direct the cab driver and tell him we were late for a very important appointment–he continued to look…and FINALLY he started stopping occasionally asking other cab drivers if they knew where the address was.

Richard and I were both getting very stressed out. It was NOT fun. And fun day–turned to DONE day. We finally got to the U.S. Consulate with our guide shaking her head–and I was (I confess) over the TOP frustrated. I got in the elevator going up the 4th floor–and I was boiling frustrated…truly DONE. A couple jumped in the elevator just as the doors were closing with their 20 something year old daughter. They had rushed over as their daughter needed to get home for medical reasons BUT she had misplaced her passport and couldn’t get back to the US. She had reason to panic–but it was me that was done one.

She looked at me and said, “Are you a believer?”

“Ouch.” I thought. She was quite gentle–it was a shake in my moment of frustration–because acting on frustration…I wasn’t acting like one. Cool, calm Richard wasn’t worried–but I was just done. Such a different experience than our last adoption with a different agency–and I was just DONE. Missing how smooth and easy this process could be–and just frustrated–I was comparing…I wasn’t trusting…I was tired. Yet–the Lord sent this precious girl to remind me that He is with me–and I can trust Him.

This precious 20 something year old girl walked over to me–grabbed me–kissed me on the cheek as a sister would–and said, “It’s all going to be okay. He is enough. He will see you through this to the end.”

I hugged her back. And she and her parents walked us all the way to the counter for the adoption officer at the consulate just as a guide would. There I was missing how things were with our last adoption–and He provided an unexpected guide to remind me He is with me, He loves me and He is enough.

Then–we talked about where she was. Why she was here…and we connected as when I was her age–I was in her shoes. Her parents and Richard stood there in disbelief as we encouraged each other–encouraged one another in Him–and laughed at the commonalities we both had. No doubt a divine meeting. Her sweet mom came over and hugged me and encouraged me. We spent the rest of the waiting time with them–and then we exchanged contact information. It was sweet, timely and a reminder of His perfect timing.

It was also humbling. That I am a believer…but so often in the frustrating moments in life…I don’t always act like it. I worry. I get frustrated. I fear. I get overwhelmed. Oh when will I ever learn?? He is enough. Enough to send a sister on an elevator across the world at the exact time–to encourage, uplift and to remind.

No matter when institutions, countries, agencies, people, friends, family or whoever frustrate us or do things we don’t exactly understand or agree with–we can keep our eyes on Him–looking up and trusting Him.

I don’t have pictures from our day. No cameras aloud back. Normally you get pictures before you go in…but that didn’t happen today although we were all really cute in our red, white and blue for the U.S. Consulate. Now…I’m just ready to get home. Just being real. Twisting the water out of shirts and socks so we have something clean to wear is the easy part. I just need to be with my other babies…home–with all my chicks under one roof together. Sorry there are no pictures. Today momma is done…and I’m going to take a nap with my littlest–and be rested for our night ahead.

Blessings.

Andrea

Today was Sunday—and our free day fun day:). After breakfast we headed out to Shamian Island and did a little sight-seeing and shopping. I didn’t take my “real camera” with me so we’d have a lighter load for the fun–but I did grab some pictures with my iPhone to document our day.

We found some traditional outfits for Zeke and the other kiddos–as well as some sweet things for our little love to treasure. And some really fun kiddie chopsticks for the kids and their cousins. There were lots of photo shoots going on today there too–and I guess the CCTV was a little short of people to talk about the island and folks love for China for a little special they were doing…so they pulled us in and we shared our love for the country on camera:) Rico Suave had a good time today practicing his bargaining skills–and we made it home in time just in time for afternoon nap time for Zeke. The big kids always swim at the hotel during Zeke’s naps–so it’s a win-win for all:)

Shamian Island Fun Day

Don’t you love swim caps;)? They like you to wear them when you swim here–so we oblige although it’s not technically required:).

We went to an Italian restaurant tonight for dinner…and then had family movie night with a movie we bought beside the Italian restaurant. Now–it’s bedtime. Tomorrow is the BIG C/A (consulate appointment) day! Our travel days were all centered around this one appointment–and our appointment is at 8:30am so we have to leave the hotel by 8am to be at the consulate in time. That means be at breakfast by 7am because we have a slow eater that likes seconds:). Tis better to have a full tummy–lessons the fussiness of a 2 year old:)

Can’t believe we left 2 weeks ago on Wednesday. Oh this momma misses her other 2 babies. It’s been a wonderful trip—but it’s time for us to be in our home altogether now. We have 2 more FULL days here and then we fly out early Wednesday morning from Hong Kong. We get home at 7:30 on Wednesday night—but in reality it will be almost 24 hours in transit to make it there (we lose 12 hours as we circle the globe home). We will be unshowered…tired…and probably not so cute–but we will be together–and this momma is ready for Wednesday to get here:). It won’t be long now!!! And then you probably won’t hear from me for awhile because I’ll not only be jet-lagged–but I’ll be in heaven with us all together!

Blessings to y’all from China!

Andrea