Re-Entry

Today we’re packing and leaving Guangzhou, and the PRC for Hong Kong.  We will depart tomorrow morning (China Standard Time) for Newark NJ and then home.  It has been quite an adventure here, and while I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz longing to leave a strange place for the comforts of the familiar and everyday, I have made so many memories with Lisa and our daughter. 

The days ahead will be difficult as we adjust to a 12-Hour time difference, new surroundings and routines for Maisey, and my re-entry into work, and weeks of unanswered emails.  We will have our family disrupted from what was normal to what is new.  We still rely on God and the prayers of friends and family as we make this transition.  I pray especially for our boys who long to see their sister, but who will soon realize that things will be a bit different. 

I look back on this adventure and have to pinch myself.  We stood in the “Forbidden City, the Great Wall, took trips to the remote countryside and saw places, and ate things that many travelers to China may never experience.  We’ve met some of the most wonderful, courageous, and caring families during our visits to 3 provinces.  These families have taken on children with all sorts of special needs and some who have even come back to do it again.  Most of all we were able to add most beautiful little girl in all of China to our family.  We are so blessed to be able to bring our little Maisey home.  After all the stress and paperwork, what seemed like an insurmountable task beforehand, seems afterwards like we simply came to China and claimed a prize. 

I can’t wait for all of you to get to know her like we have.  We’ve only known Maisey for 13 days, and already we can’t imagine our lives without her.  We hope she blesses all of you too.  Thanks for the many prayers and words of encouragement, thanks for the well wishes and blog comments, thanks for the meals I’m told are coming, and thank you Lord Jesus for the continuous blessing in our lives.