Hi Everyone!
We haven't blogged in a few days...just been focused on our girl and our time in China with her!
We have been so thankful for each day with our precious girl...
We are thankful for her brave heart and the bonding that has taken place with us already!
We are thankful for her brave heart and the bonding that has taken place with us already!
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| Sweet Isla is very cautious when we are out, but is blossoming so much with us when we are back at our hotel room and it is quiet! Lots of smiles! |
Last Friday night, the 17th, we arrived in Guangzhou. We are here to complete the adoption process with the U.S. Consulate.
We loved being in Kunming (Isla's city) but were also excited to be moving ahead in process and making our way to head home to the States, soon.
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| Guangzhou, China |
On Saturday morning, we had to bring Isla to her U.S. Consulate medical appointment...not a fun appointment, but has to be done! This medical appointment gives Isla the "all clear" to obtain her visa to travel to the United States.
On early Sunday morning, Jeremy and Sarah headed back home to their kiddos! We were so very thankful to have them with us for the first half of the trip! They were a huge help and a great support! It was so great to get to share the journey in Isla's city with them!
Thank you, Jeremy and Sarah, for all your help and making sacrifices to go on this trip with us! We are forever grateful! Thank you to everyone that helped out their family to make this trip work!
We appreciate each of you!
We appreciate each of you!
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| "Team Isla" such an awesome support! |
On Sunday, our guide took our group of adoptive families to visit the Chen Family Dynasty and a few markets for shopping.
On Monday, we went to the Guangzhou Zoo! Our favorite part of the adventure was feeding the giraffes!
On Monday, we went to the Guangzhou Zoo! Our favorite part of the adventure was feeding the giraffes!
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| Little miss Isla has had a lot of Ergo carrier time! So good for bonding with Mama and Baba! |
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| wide eyed...so much to see! |
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| Ha! lookin' right at ya! |
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| We love the Red Pandas! |
On Tuesday we had Isla's U.S. Consulate appointment.
This appointment is to bring all of our adoption paperwork to gain Isla's visa to travel to the U.S. and become a citizen!
We were so excited for this appointment...as it was the LAST step in China for Isla's adoption process!
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| U.S.A - here comes Isla!
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On Tuesday night, our guide took our group of adoptive families (6 families) on a "dinner cruise" on the pearl river here in Guangzhou, China. They fed everyone a Chinese dinner and the lights of the city were beautiful!
     ________________________________ Today, we adoptive families, started out on another journey in the city with our guide. He received a phone call that our visas, which were going to be ready on Friday, were done earlier...today! He suggested we call our adoption travel agent and just see if there would be any way for us to head home earlier. We loved the idea of getting home earlier (we really miss our Zeke!!!) but we also knew trying to find flights during Thanksgiving and the probable extra cost would most likely mean we would have to keep our flights for this coming Saturday... We called Adoption Airfare and within a half hour, our agent had found flight for us AT NO EXTRA COST! We were floored and praising the Lord at the gift to get home! We leave in about 7 hours from now to journey home! We will arrive to Minnesota (Zeke is there with family!) on THANKSGIVING!!!! We are in awe and say that our kiddos are "holiday babies" We arrived home with Zeke on Christmas Eve (almost 3 years ago!) and now will arrive home with Isla on Thanksgiving! We have MUCH to be thankful for... God is amazing and writes the best stories. Praise Him Please continue to pray for us as we enter LONG flights... the journey is not easy while traveling, but also, the journey to "home" for Isla will mean a lot more transition. She has a beautiful, joyful heart...we are so excited to introduce her to our home and to our family as a whole. We have a lot to process...these last 8 months (since beginning this adoption journey) have flown by and have been so full. God has taught us much and continues to show us His faithfulness. We love you all and will keep you updated States-side!  |
I am so happy for you all. Welcome little Isla!
ReplyDeleteIsla is so beautiful! I'm fervently praying for God to heal her body in the name of Jesus! God bless you for taking this little bundle into your arms. I'm sure she's a blessing to you. She is adorable, and I'm praying with so many that her life will be long, rich and full of all good things in Christ Jesus. May she stand upright and run with joy!
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