After breakfast Shae Rose had her picture taken on the infamous White Swan "Red Couch," along with the other 2 babies in our group and with the family. Once again, Jared and John became the celebrities -- before we knew it, there was a crowd of Chinese people to my left snapping away as Jared and John sat on the couch with Shae Rose, Emma, and Anita. Apparently, the boys looked fascinating. Jeffrey and I went for a second foot massage; I used my birthday as an excuse to be pampered one more time. After that we took the bus to the U.S. Consulate, where we signed yet another piece of paper and then took the group oath with our right hand raised (Jared, too). When Shae Rose steps off the plane in Newark, NJ on Friday, 5/21st, she will officially be a U.S. citizen. On the way back to the hotel our facilitator sang China's national anthem and then everyone else sang the USA national anthem. We all clapped, and Shae got a kick out of that. Once again we went back to Lucy’s for dinner, but this time to celebrate my birthday (because tomorrow evening we will be packing). Here is God at work: A woman from New Hampshire approached me half way through dinner as I was taking Shae to go "pee pee." She stopped me to tell me that she had been praying for Shae for over a year -- that she would get a family soon. She knew she came from Starfish and that her name was Rose. This same woman is in Guangzhou adopting her own Chinese child and she spotted Shae back on Sunday or Monday at the White Swan and recognized her from the Starfish website or blog. She was so happy to see Shae with a family. Coincidence? No, God-incidence. After dinner, we came back to our room to find a room service table with a birthday cake and a single red rose on it. We had birthday cake with our group and then said our "good-byes" to John and his family. Jared was/is very sad to say good-bye to his new friend. It feels like we have known them forever. Luckily they live in a neighboring state and we hope to see them again in the future. John and Jared are talking about skyping down the road. We pray that they will have a safe flight home back to Tennessee. Well, one more full day left in China and then the long trek home to Georgia. Bye for now.
We miss you!!!!!! Talked to the sisters today and heard about their "experience"! ouch!! Angie JUST arrived home as her flight was diverted to Memphis and she had to spend the night in Atlanta last night. Apparently weather issues. Hope you are H O M E and enjoying your beautiful family and getting some much deserved rest. Hope we can get the boys together again.
ReplyDeleteOur wake up call at the White Swan was 4:45 am on Thurs. but we didn't leave China until after 9 pm that night. Our flights both out of GZ and Beijing were delayed. One of the babies on our long flight from BJ to DC screamed much of the flight. Felt very sorry for the mom and dad!! Xie Xie :) for being such great travel companions and we look can't wait to see you again!! Bet you can't wait to try out a recipe for deep fried scorpions... Wonder if they are sold 'fresh for frying' here in the good ole USA?