So, Friday morning we woke up knowing it might possibly be a long day. Our flight was scheduled to leave Wuhan at 7:20. We were to have our luggage out at 2:00, then we would head to the Civil Affairs office to pick up passports for the kids and their final paperwork then head to the airport.
Around 12:00 there was a knock on the door and there was our guide, Echo (whom, by the way, was AMAZING!!!! Another God story that I'll add at the end). She came in and said she had not good news, :/! Apparently, for the first time in 10 years, the officer that had to sign off on our kids passports was not available. She asked why was there not a back up, someone else available in case, she was told no, this person has to sign, he's the only one, and he's not in. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! Echo told us that one parent from each family was going to go with her into the Civil Affairs office to make sure they understand how extremely urgent this is.
Now let me explain to you how extremely urgent this is, without a passport Jadyn can not get a visa, without a passport or a visa Jadyn can not come home. Our visa appointment at the consulate is at 7:40 Tuesday morning, so her passport HAS to be here before that! Echo, after many conversations and phone calls, got arrangements made to have our documents signed Monday morning and sent via 12 hour shipping to our hotel in Guangzhou. As of right now her passport is supposed to be here by 9:00 Monday night. Talk about cutting it close! We are still PRAYING that this all goes as planned, thankfully there's no weather or anything like that that could cause delay, but we are very anxious!
Anyway, we flew out of Wuhan on time Friday evening and I was TERRIFIED about the plane ride. How was she gonna handle the confinement? Were her ears gonna bother her? Were we gonna have a repeat metldown like Tuesday? Ugh, just so many things in my mind! I was worried for nothing, she did AMAZING!!! She sat in her seat for about the first half then climbed in daddy's lap and was happy the rest of the time. We landed about 9 and caught a bus to our hotel. It was a pretty long night from there. We didn't get check in til about midnight and not to sleep until 12:30. Jadyn had a scream fest for about 20 min but finally gave in and slept until 7:30 this morning.
This morning we had to be in the lobby at 9:30 to catch our bus to the visa medical check. It consisted of 24 families and 26 children getting visa photo's taken, ENT check, general screening, height/weight/temp, and a TB test. It was interesting!!!!! We made it through about the first hour great, then the attitude started emerging, it's amazing how "2 year old" knows no country lines. It translates into any culture. She is just 2, there's no way around it. She screamed the rest of the time, it was ok though cause imagine 24 other families going through the same thing, most of them toddlers... she fit right in! After the dr we made it back to the hotel in time for lunch. A Mcdonald's right across the parking lot, I THINK YES!!!! (And Jadyn loves chicken nuggets!) We made it back to our room just in time for the melt down. After no nap yesterday and not enough sleep last night, we knew it was coming. We did learn that we can tell her to lay on the couch and she will lay there, not happily but hey, we'll take what we can get! It took about 45 min but she finally gave in.
We have enjoyed being back with Dan and Michelle. Their precious girl is so sweet. It has also been cool to see all of these precious little ones interact with each other and their families. Such sweet ones, they are now forever with families that love them!
Quick story about Echo. When we were in Beijing with the Walshes they were talking about their guide the last time they were here. They spoke so highly of her and were so hoping to possibly have her again. Well, we recieved what's called our red book on Saturday evening in Beijing. In that book was an update if there was any, our general itinerary for the rest of the 2 weeks, and our guide information. Our guide, for the 5 days we would be without our friends, would be none other than the very guide they were so fond of, Echo! They were a little jealous, but I know God gave her to us as our comfort while we were away from them.
It's so crazy how He works like that! I just love it!
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