Today I am home finishing up the packing, cleaning, etc. I'm also having some very long conversations with God today. I'm not a very courageous person, and this trip requires courage that only He can grant. It will be quite difficult for me to walk out of my house in the darkness of the early morning tomorrow. Leaving behind four children and traveling without them to the other side of the planet is not easy for me. In fact, it has been my greatest struggle during this preparation. I'm at peace with however Mia may react to us and I'm at peace with the fact that my little family dynamic is about to change dramatically. However, as a mother, I'm struggling with the thoughts of kissing my kids goodbye tomorrow morning and not seeing their sweet faces until February 12. So, please do pray for me. I could use it about now.
Also pray in the days ahead for this journey.... Here's our itinerary....
Thursday 1-28
Fly from Charlotte (6:40am) to Newark, Newark to Beijing, and Beijing to Xi'an. Arrive in Xi'an late Friday night China time. (Mid-morning on Friday for you.)
Saturday 1-30 - Free Day (trying to recover from Jeg Lag and get settled in )
Sunday 1-31 - Meet Mia in the afternoon. She will be with us from this point on.
Monday 2 -1 Adoption registration
Tuesday 2-2 - Thursday 2-4 Sightseeing in Xi'an
Friday 2-5 Recieve Mia's passport and final paperwork. Fly to Guangzhou.
Saturday 2-6 Medical Exam and TB skin test. Pray she passes the TB test or we have to do a chest xray. It is common for them to fail the test. I've read why but I can't remember right now.
Sunday 2-7 Sightseeing in Guangzhou
Monday 2-8 Receive TB test result Fill out forms for Visa application for Mia
Tuesday 2-9 Free day
Wednesday 2-10 Swearing in Ceremony at the Consulate
Thursday 2-11 Pick up Mia's visa
Friday 2-12 - Fly from Guangzhou to Shanghai, Shanghai to Newark and Newark to home!!!!!
Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. Please continue to leave comments on the blog. Blogger is blocked in China and my niece Katie will be updating it for us as I email her info and pics. Your comments do come directly to our e-mail which we can access in China. We love to hear from you!
Join our family as we live out our lives to the fullest with God as our guide. It is crazy and it is chaos, but it is more abundant and full than we ever imagined!
14 comments:
I just wanted to let you know that your entire family will be in my prayers. I am a friend of Jan's and I have been been keeping up with your journey! I was very homesick for my husband and children when we traveled for Cate, and I already anticipate that same feeling when we travel for Cai. However, we can trust and rest in God's provision for us and look forward to the moment at the airport when our entire family will be together. Love, Kim
OH, Jennifer...I've been thinking and praying for you for days now. But as I read your blog today my heart just melted for you...I will say some extra prayers and ask God to place peace upon your anxious heart...I love you and will be thinking of you all!!
Praying...
Safe travels my friend!
Oh Jennifer, just looking at your blog brings tears to my eyes. This is such a wonderful thing you and Bobby are doing!!!! I can't imagine how hard it is for you to leave your family behind, but as you know, they will be fine. I am praying for all of you (I know how much you like to fly), but I am also praying for Mia...this has to be scary and difficult for her too. But it wont' take her long at all to realize what a blessing she is receiving. In return, I know she will bless your family as well. Lots of love to all of you!!!!
Praying and thinking of you all the time!!! We love you and your precious family and look forward to watching it grow. In less than 4 days you will be a family of 7!
We haven't met, but are friends of the Hortons and live in Charlotte. We just accepted a referral for a 5 1/2 yr old and when we travel will leave our 4 kids behind..so we have much in common. I will be following your travels and praying daily for you all. Have a blessed trip.
Praying for you on the flight that you'll be relaxed and peaceful. Praying for God to prepare Mia's heart. Praying for good results on the TB test. Praying for you, your kids, and your families while you are away.
Just said a prayer for you. I am guessing you are on an airplane to Beijing. Praying for safety, peace as you leave your children, and wonderful journey to your daughter. I can't wait to see her become part of your family!
We are praying for you and your family - Katherine and Susannah are so excited that you will be in China so soon!!! Sue says she wanted to go too and why didn't you take her? We can't wait to see pictures!!
Hey guys. We are so excited and can't wait for you to bring Mia home. I'm so proud of you and will be praying for you daily. The kids looked fine at the ballgame tonight so don't worry about them. Just be safe and hurry home with your precious new gift from God. I love you both.
Kerri Fraley
Words cannot express how excited I am to meet my new cousin Mia. I have already lifted up your prayer requests to our Lord and Savior and I know He will be with you, Bobby, Trey, Jillian, Will, Lainie and Mia during this time. I love you guys!
- Jodi Brown
So excited for you guys..in my thoughts a prayers.
Many prayers for you and your family as you embark on this new chapter in your life. God will work it all out to His glory.
Gary and Ruth Veazey
(Gary Veazey's Parents)
Thinking of you!
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