12/15 Arrived safely in Guangzhou

Kristy and I have arrived safely in Guangzhou, China. We are approximately 2 hours west of Hong Kong in the province of Guangdong. Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton city) is the ancestral home of many Chinese-Americans who immigrated to the US in the last century. This province is the home of the Cantonese people and culture. Our beautiful hotel sits right on the Pearl River which flows past us down to the sea and Zhuhai...our daughter's home on the sea.

We are so thankful for your love and prayers that have carried us thus far. One clear example of that happened on the flight from LA to Guangzhou. In the middle of the night, Kristy began to feel very ill from something she ate on the plane. Because we chose to fly a Chinese airline, our communication with the stewardesses was limited and we were riding in the economy section with mostly Chinese passengers. We felt alone and the only thing I knew was to put my hand on Kristy's shoulder and pray. And as I did so, I asked God to remember the prayers of so many of you and have compassion on her. The sickness passed and we made it safely off the plane and to our hotel. She is feeling better although has caught a cold. Hopefully that will pass as well.

How do you describe another world in a few short paragraphs?? This morning we ate breakfast at our hotel in a dining room overlooking the river. We watched other parents pass with their new children and thought about meeting our daughter in just a few short days. The whole experience is surreal...we feel like actors in a strange drama that is unfolding before us. On Monday, a child whom we have never met will walk through the door to begin her new life with us. We feel so insufficient for the task which lies before us but are certain we have been called to this. We are so excited and nervous as well.

A very nice store near our hotel is letting us post this today. We hope to post again before we meet her on Monday 12/17.