Things are happening fast and furiously now. This week we received our Visas, in-country travel itinerary and appointment notice for our travel group meeting. And, I'm going for refingerprinting No. 6 tomorrow at 9 a.m.--they've assured me this will be the last time so that lessens the sting a bit.
We've cleaned out every drawer, closet and room and have the majority of our household items out on the driveway for a two-day yard sale. We're making room for Caroline. Just a few more things to do in her room and then the major packing begins.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Saturday, January 14, 2006
It's been a busy couple of weeks as we try to redo some of the adoption paperwork that's set to expire, begin to think--and slowly gather--some of the items that we'll need for the trip and paint and clean out every square inch of the house in preparation for Caroline's arrival. The last task is a self-inflicted--and probably an unnecessary--torture as Darrin often reminds me. It's madness I also imposed on myself before Drew was born. I think they call it nesting and I've got it bad this time around.
To bring everyone up to date. Our paperwork is all on track. Our homestudy has been updated, we've been refingerprinted (No. 3 for Darrin and No. 5 for me--we must just have that criminal look about us) and our Passport with Visa is on its way from Houston. The biggest news of the week: we received approval from China to enter the country, received our consulate apppointment and booked our flights. We'll be gone for 15 days and Drew will be staying with a combination of brave family members.
Here's our itinerary:
Feb. 9: Leave Orlando at 7:30 a.m. (should be interesting for us nightowls)
Feb. 10: Arrive in Beijing at 3 p.m.
Feb. 11: Beijing tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace
Feb. 12: Church service, Great Wall and duck dinner
Feb. 13: Fly to Wuhan (capital of Hubei) to meet Caroline for the first time!!!
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day in China! Civil Affairs and Notary appointments (these are similar to judges in the U.S.)
Feb. 15-17: shopping, sight-seeing and the flight to Guangzhou
Feb. 18: Caroline's medical exam
Feb. 19: Paperwork
Feb. 20: More paperwork
Feb. 21: Consulate appointment
Feb. 22: Pick up Caroline's visa
Feb. 23: Flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong and more sight-seeing
Feb. 24: Flight from China to U.S.--arriving at Orlando at 7:15 p.m.
We are so grateful for those of you who have come alongside of us in our journey in so many ways. It's been awesome to know that others have been thinking about this little girl before her tiny feet even touch U.S. soil. Please continue to pray for the following: that Rhonda's mom would continue to improve and feel strong enough to make the trip to meet her first granddaughter upon our return, that the remainder of our funds would come together, that Rhonda can meet her writing deadlines, that Drew would not stress about 2 weeks without us (and us without him) and that Caroline would take to us like she's always been a part of us. Mighty big prayers, huh? But God has been faithful every step of this crazy journey and so we expect no less as it nears the end..or beginning, depending on how you look at it.
To bring everyone up to date. Our paperwork is all on track. Our homestudy has been updated, we've been refingerprinted (No. 3 for Darrin and No. 5 for me--we must just have that criminal look about us) and our Passport with Visa is on its way from Houston. The biggest news of the week: we received approval from China to enter the country, received our consulate apppointment and booked our flights. We'll be gone for 15 days and Drew will be staying with a combination of brave family members.
Here's our itinerary:
Feb. 9: Leave Orlando at 7:30 a.m. (should be interesting for us nightowls)
Feb. 10: Arrive in Beijing at 3 p.m.
Feb. 11: Beijing tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace
Feb. 12: Church service, Great Wall and duck dinner
Feb. 13: Fly to Wuhan (capital of Hubei) to meet Caroline for the first time!!!
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day in China! Civil Affairs and Notary appointments (these are similar to judges in the U.S.)
Feb. 15-17: shopping, sight-seeing and the flight to Guangzhou
Feb. 18: Caroline's medical exam
Feb. 19: Paperwork
Feb. 20: More paperwork
Feb. 21: Consulate appointment
Feb. 22: Pick up Caroline's visa
Feb. 23: Flight from Guangzhou to Hong Kong and more sight-seeing
Feb. 24: Flight from China to U.S.--arriving at Orlando at 7:15 p.m.
We are so grateful for those of you who have come alongside of us in our journey in so many ways. It's been awesome to know that others have been thinking about this little girl before her tiny feet even touch U.S. soil. Please continue to pray for the following: that Rhonda's mom would continue to improve and feel strong enough to make the trip to meet her first granddaughter upon our return, that the remainder of our funds would come together, that Rhonda can meet her writing deadlines, that Drew would not stress about 2 weeks without us (and us without him) and that Caroline would take to us like she's always been a part of us. Mighty big prayers, huh? But God has been faithful every step of this crazy journey and so we expect no less as it nears the end..or beginning, depending on how you look at it.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Angela Fox, one of my talented friends, has graciously offered to make a special quilt for Caroline to use now and to have as a keepsake to remind her of all those who loved and prayed for her. She asked me to post this message:
"100 Good Wishes Quilt" for Caroline
To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the family and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation. We ask that you please participate in this project.
HERE IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO: 1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be from a piece of clothing or from a fabric store. It just needs to have a design and color that you like. 2. Cut two (2) 7" squares from the fabric (one square for the quilt and one square for a memory album. The square for the album can be smaller if necessary.) 3. On a 4x6 index card or decorative paper, write your "good wish note" for Caroline. Please include why you chose the fabric and your name and address. If possible, please send a photo of you/your family as well.
IDEAS FOR SELECTING FABRIC SQUARES: * Select a fabric that is meaningful to you. 100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears better. If there are several members in your family, please feel free to send more than one good wish note and pieces of fabric. In China, these quilts were originally made from the garments of family and friends surrounding the child with luck and good wishes.
IDEAS FOR GOOD WISHES NOTE: A meaningful Scripture verse, a prayer for Caroline, general wishes for good health, perseverance, compassion, love, a sense of humor, etc.
Please send the fabric and notes as soon as possible so the quilt can be completed as close to Caroline's arrival as possible. If you would like to participate, please e-mail me at rsholar@cfl.rr.com and I will send you mailing info.
Thank you!
"100 Good Wishes Quilt" for Caroline
To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in the northern part of China to make a Bai Jia Bei, or "100 Good Wishes Quilt." It is a custom to invite 100 people to contribute a single square patch of cloth. The 100 patches are sewn together into a quilt that contains the luck, energy, and good wishes from all the family and friends who contributed a piece of fabric. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation. We ask that you please participate in this project.
HERE IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO: 1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be from a piece of clothing or from a fabric store. It just needs to have a design and color that you like. 2. Cut two (2) 7" squares from the fabric (one square for the quilt and one square for a memory album. The square for the album can be smaller if necessary.) 3. On a 4x6 index card or decorative paper, write your "good wish note" for Caroline. Please include why you chose the fabric and your name and address. If possible, please send a photo of you/your family as well.
IDEAS FOR SELECTING FABRIC SQUARES: * Select a fabric that is meaningful to you. 100% cotton fabric is best, as it washes and wears better. If there are several members in your family, please feel free to send more than one good wish note and pieces of fabric. In China, these quilts were originally made from the garments of family and friends surrounding the child with luck and good wishes.
IDEAS FOR GOOD WISHES NOTE: A meaningful Scripture verse, a prayer for Caroline, general wishes for good health, perseverance, compassion, love, a sense of humor, etc.
Please send the fabric and notes as soon as possible so the quilt can be completed as close to Caroline's arrival as possible. If you would like to participate, please e-mail me at rsholar@cfl.rr.com and I will send you mailing info.
Thank you!
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