Kaylin we're coming! We are leaving Feb. 19th to fly 16 hours to Hong Kong, stay overnight to get "accustomed to the time change" (I think it's going to take a little longer than that to switch my biorythm clock 12 hours!) and then fly to Nanchang to get Kaylin. I can't wait to hold her in my arms!!
We will stay in Nanchang for about 5 nights with the rest of our travel group, and then all fly to Guangzhou for our stay at the adoption famous White Swan Hotel. We'll stay there for another 5 nights or so and then have our Consulate appointment March 3. After the oath on the 4th we wait 24 hours until we can leave the country and then are homeward bound! We will arrive back in the states on the 5th of March making our trip a full 2 weeks.
We just got the official word yesterday, so flights were just purchased. What an awesome feeling....finally!!
One of my patients asked me the other day how this whole process of adopting began, and it was kind of funny how I had to think back for a minute, because she has been in my heart for what seems like a long time now. As I began to tell her, I thought to myself "wow" what a journey it has been to Kaylin...and it all started with a lighbulb over my head...literally.
Jerry and I decided when Gregory was 3 turning four that it was time to try again. And to our surprise immediately I was pregnant and we were thrilled. It was the Summer of '03. However by the Fall things didn't seem right and unfortunately we lost the baby. We were both pretty devastated. I had felt so blessed to be pregnant and I knew that God would bless us again. But that didn't happen, and after about a year plus of infertilty, doctors and medical tests I had had enough. I'll never forget the day I was at Yale for an appointment, and I was waiting for the doctor to come in, this overwhelming feeling came over me....there has to be a better way...Michelle what are you doing?..Lord please show me the way...I laid back on the table ,I looked up with tears running down my face and there was a lightbulb in the ceiling with one word on it ...CHINA. Not Made in China, as we often see so much. Just..CHINA. And at that, a strange peace came over me, like nothing I can describe.
I know the Lord speaks in many ways, and I did feel pretty peaceful after that experience, and driving home that day I felt better than I had in awhile. But I still went back for my appoitment the next day, went in the same room, and I laid back on the table, and looked up...but the bulb didn't say anything! I got up from the table, tried to turn the light brighter...nothing. And at that point I knew..I knew I wouldn't be back next month for treatment. I asked...He answered...there was no reason to keep asking, (or keep looking for lightbulbs!)
We started the paperwork right after that in late summer '05. At that time the process for China adoptions was only 6-9 months. Shortly after our paperwork went in things started to slow down with the China government giving out adoptions, we never really knew the reasons why. They say there are more Chinese domestic adoptions, possibly the Olympics, fewer babies.
Well as the months and years went on, Gregory got older....more losses took place...diagnosis were made..finnacial status for our family changed...but I never gave up hope. I knew she was there and one day she would be home..and it was always God's timing...not mine.
And now the time has come to complete our family and finally bring her home. And what a journey it has been.
And now a new journey to begin.....Kaylin we love you so!!
