Goodbye Guangzhou

We have a busy journey ahead. Scott, Grace, and I will soon be leaving the White Swan to get Grace's visa. We then head to the train station, choo choo it to Hong Kong, and fly out at 12:30 am. We'll land in San Francisco around 10 pm Thursday night. From there, we fly to Houston and finally to Birmingham, arriving at 10:04 am on Friday morning. We're counting down every minute. 

Even so, we're sentimental about leaving China. I've teared up several times today as I've realized how near we are to closing this very special chapter in Grace's story.  We can't wait to reach home, hold our little boy, and begin life as a family of four. But I also find it very emotional to be taking our daughter from all that is familiar to her. Her language, her people, her culture, her food.  I was comforted last night when I reread one adoptive mom's blog post from a couple of years ago. She said that while our children were destined to be born in this country, it is also God's perfect will for them to find their forever family and home in America.  He has already written every page of Virginia Grace's story and ordained it, and He knew as He knit her in her mother's womb what would be best for her life.  He foresaw the hard but redeeming path his precious child would walk.  And we feel privileged to play a role in His plan for her future.  She has blessed us so much in just two weeks.

Our next post probably won't be until Friday afternoon or evening.  Please keep us in your prayers. Our journey isn't over. In fact, it's really just beginning. 

And sweet Carter, we're so proud of you. You've been such a big boy while we've been gone. We're coming home!

All our love,