Almost home

Guangzhou is a beautiful city. We've enjoyed our time here and it has been nice spending time the last few days with other families that are adopting.  However, the weather here has been pretty brutal. It is hot, humid, and has rained a lot.  I thought Atlanta was humid. The humidity here is at another level. We're definitely missing the weather we had in Kunming. 

On Saturday we took Daniel to the clinic for his medical appointment along with other families from our agency. Although there was no AC and some kicking/screaming, overall it wasn't too bad. 

We spent Sunday morning with the group shopping at a pearl, jade and jewelry mart. It was a huge indoor facility with several floors, but no AC. We had lunch at a great Chinese restaurant with another family we met here from GA that adopted a little girl about the same age as Daniel. Thankfully the restaurant was indoors and air conditioned.  

We went to the zoo on Monday morning. The kids had a great time seeing all the animals but it was very hot so we didn't stay too long (the zoo was outdoors with no AC). 

On Monday night we took a dinner cruise down the Pearl River in Guangzhou. It was a very cool way to see the city. 

On Tuesday morning we went to the US Consulate to take our oath and submit Daniel's visa documentation. Chad and McKenna enjoyed some time at the pool Tuesday afternoon. Thankfully this pool was not as cold as the one in Kunming.

While we wait for the visa, on Wednesday we will go shopping and eat lunch at Shamian Island. We will then head home late Wednesday night. I hope it's not hot, humid, or rainy in Atlanta. If so, we may just go back to Kunming. Please pray that Daniel will be like this on the flight back...

And not like this...

As this chapter of the journey comes to an end, we can't help but thank God for His mercy and grace. Thank you to our friends who prayed for us over the last year during this process. Thank you to our family who supported us and prayed for Daniel before we even knew who he was. Thank you to Jamie and everyone at Lifeline children's services for your support.  We couldn't have picked a better agency.  

We'd like to close this blog with an excerpt from Lifeline's commitment to families which echoes our heart's desire to serve:  Even through the hardships, difficulties, and sleepless nights – physical adoption is rewarding.  Spiritual adoption by our Heavenly Father is the greatest reward of all.  It is our prayer that spiritual adoption and the Gospel would be made known more than anything else through the ministry of Lifeline.

Chad and Carlyn

James 1:27