God's Grace Is Sufficient

We made it through a few milestones since we last posted an update.  We left Kunming behind and with it our super sweet guide and driver.  They were awesome and so helpful while we were there.  At the same time, this journey feels like it has 4 parts.  Long travel to get here (done), provincial paperwork and gathering as much information about Charlotte's home town as we can (done), and then the US Consulate side of things in Guangzhou, and then the LONG trip home.  So, to have 2 of the 4 things complete, we were ready to climb aboard our 2 hour flight from Kunming to Guangzhou.

As God has continually done time after time (after time), He provided a path and a way from Kunming to here.  There were thunderstorms on the ground in both places, as well as high clouds and turbulence along the way.  Despite Maran's great progress in the area of flying, it wasn't a great day to fly.  Plus, we had no idea how Charlotte would react to her first time in a jet.  However, God graciously answered our prayers (sometimes desperate pleas), as we were allowed to take off from Kunming despite the weather, and we were the 2nd to last flight allowed in to Guangzhou before the airport was shut down for weather.  A few families told us this morning that they circled for more than an hour over the airport waiting on the storm to pass.  Thank the Lord for our timely and safe arrival.  Also, Charlotte was, as she has proven to be this whole trip, a trooper.  She was a little restless, but eventually fell asleep and only awoke when she smelled other folks eating their box lunches/snacks.  She and Margaret will get along famously in their love for snacks/samples/foods of all types!

Once here, we were struck by how much more modern and orderly Guangzhou feels.  Perhaps that is the influence of being a former British colony, or maybe being a more modern city as compared to Kunming, but we are glad to be here and one step closer to coming home.

Charlotte had her physical examination this morning, and passed with flying colors.  However, she was not a fan of having a tongue depressor stuck in her mouth, or being prodded by a strange doctor.  In other words, she is a normal kid!

Our suite here at the Garden Hotel is lovely, and we are enjoying the room to spread out and rest.  Today is more paperwork for me (Wade), and a nap and rest for Charlotte and Maran.  Charlotte and Maran continue to be thick as thieves, and I get more attention now when food or candy is involved.  But all in all, now that we are beginning to meet other families and hear of their stories/experiences- -we feel blessed and lucky with how agreeable and sweet Charlotte is.  As long as we don't push meal time to far, and we get her in the crib at the right times- she will put up with just about anything else we have to do.  Such a great blessing and answer to prayer.

Tomorrow (Sunday for us) will be some sight seeing and maybe some shopping.  I hope to watch a little US Open coverage tonight if the internet connection holds.

Have a great weekend.
Love,
Wade and Maran