Better Late - we are in China!

Praise God! We were able to fly standby on a flight from Dulles to Beijing on Monday instead of Tuesday. The flight went well although neither Jake nor Ryan slept for more than two hours. We were able to get three seats together (I was in my prime negotiating and suggesting who should give up a seat to keep as many of us together as possible). Glenn just stepped aside and pretended he did not know me.

The drivers found us outside of baggage claim while I was preparing to attempt our back-up plan for transportation. The plane actually arrived EARLY because it took off from Washington as soon as it was full. There were five seats available and we got four of them.

We spent the night at Shepherd's Field after a brief tour of one of the foster homes. We will visit up until lunch today and then head back to Beijing to visit Amazing Hands.

We had dinner at a local restaurant with Clay and Jewel and the compound's orphan dog who followed us right into the restaurant. He waiting patiently on a pile of clean tablecloths until we were done eating. He then walked home with us. It was a good dinner.

Ryan did not go with us but slept like a rock until about 12:30 am. We all got up at around 3 am and are downstairs at the Inn in the gathering room. Needless to say, we are the only ones awake.

Breakfast (after the pop tart breakfast Ryan and Jake already had) is at 7 am and we are all heading upstairs to shower and re-organize the suitcases.

We traveled light with just three big suitcases and four carry-ons. One of the big suitcases was FILLED with medicine, pjs, and other things for the kids.

Philip, if you are reading this blog, please send us an email or Skype us - we don't have your email or Skype address with us. In fact, we were so rushed, we left home without a few other things.

Since it is only October, the heat is not allowed to be turned on. Even though it was in the low 40's when we arrived, there was no heat to be found anywhere, including the car that picked us up! Apparently, heat is turned on on November 15th. It is steam heat provided/controlled by the government. This sounds like a rule my father had when we were growing up - no one was allowed to adjust the temperature and if you were cold, you were told to put on slippers over the socks you had on or put a robe on over the sweater you already had on. I am going to miss my father.....

More later! Thanks again for all the prayers and encouragement. There is NO doubt that we are following God's plan and we can't wait to see how it all unfolds.