Another Hurdle Passed

Each day brings us closer to bringing Ming home. This morning we had to make sure that we had someone in the room and available to answer the phone. Our guide, Rosa, spent the morning at the U.S. Consulate. This is a very critical appointment. This is when Ming's new country, the United States of America, looks over all of his paperwork...makes sure that all the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted...makes sure that everything is in perfect order...and issues him a visa to enter the U.S. as a new citizen. Rosa delivers all of this on our behalf, and simply asks that we stay by the phone in case she has any questions, or runs into any obstacles. And praise be to God, the phone never rang. No problems whatsoever. Another hurdle passed. Now all that is left is to go to the Consulate ourselves tomorrow for the swearing in ceremony. We raise our right hand, and swear to always love Ming, always care for him, and never abandon him. That we can and will do.

And in case you were wondering precisely where it was we were waiting this morning, it was on the 34th floor of the Asia International Hotel, right in the heart of Guanzhou. Here's the view...


It gets a little mind numbing when you consider the vast size of this city. It is one high rise apartment building after another for mile after mile after mile. And here we are because of our love for one little boy named Ming in this sea of people. It's pretty amazing. And even more so when we consider that God loves each and every one of us that much...and went to unthinkable measures to come to this earth and adopt us into His forever family.

The rest of our day was filled with a little more sightseeing, shopping and eating.

First we visited the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum.


We then went back out onto what is called "the island" for a little more shopping. Ming and I bought matching "Beijing 2008 Olympic Hats" which we are showing off in front of the famed White Swan Hotel.


We then went out to dinner at a place called "The Banana Leaf"...which is a place we ate at when we were here 3.5 years ago adopting Jamae...



Ming seems to be enjoying the water!

And we polished off the day with an ice cream cone with our friend Ronald McDonald...


It's always best enjoyed when you let it drip down off the tip of your chin!

That's all for today. Tomorrow we make Ming's citizenship official...and then it's off to Hong Kong the day after. Thanks for checking in on us...and we'll update again tomorrow night before falling exhaustedly into bed.