Stops along the Journey: Oh bother...

There is a facilities emergency at the US consulate visa center in Guangzhou so it closed today, and we believe tomorrow as well - possibly Thursday. Our interview appointment is tomorrow or was tomorrow I should say. The visa was to be picked up and our flight leaves Friday morning. There is absolutely nothing we can do but wait and pray. We must have our consulate interview. We must receive Grace's visa - she can't leave the country without it and we ain't leaving without her. The consulate is typically closed Friday and over the weekend.

We could be delayed until next week.

Lord have mercy.

Jack asked us today if we would all stay if we were delayed - "Um, yes, All for one and one for all."

At the moment, we just don't know what will happen next. We might not know more tomorrow. We might not know on Thursday either. There are 40 other families waiting to be processed and interviewed and itching to get home. We all kind of share a "You've got to be kidding me" look.

I do know nothing is impossible with God.

The day we left for China, someone posted one of those "keep calm" pictures on facebook and it said "Keep Calm and watch God Move". I have thought of that a hundred times while we've been in China. This has been one wild ride. From airline woes, to oxygen machine drama, to allergic reactions and hospital visits -- and now delayed with no plan B, C or D - just wait and prey. We are pretty calm, disappointed for sure - but eager to watch God move.

In the meantime, I'm not feeling well. The stuffy nose and cough returned and I started a different (tried and true) antibiotic. There's ear pain, sinus pressure, and a nasty cough...ain't nobody got...oh nevermind.

So today we had no where to be until 3:30. It rained on and off all day. Maddie and Grace snuggled after breakfast and fell asleep so the rest of us took advantage of a nap as well. Jack picked us up and took us to Shamian Island. This is a place where the US consulate used to be and for many years all the adoptive families stayed at the White Swan Hotel on the island. The White Swan is closed for renovations but the island's many shops, restaurants and parks are open.

It was rainy most of the time we were there - but that didn't stop us from some retail therapy and a delicious dinner. Pigeon does taste like chicken.

Once we got home it was time for a very brief fashion show. Brace yourselves for cuteness...

Grace has her very first Chinese silk. Maddie and I each got robes. Robert and Jake passed on silks.

She is so worth every single delay, dollar, scare...etc.

Guess what? There was a silver lining to today. Grace was awake for all nebulizer treatments and she didn't cry. She fussed a bit - but then just took it. We stood, we sang, we bounced, and it worked.

It worked. She was awake.

Amazing.

(Diaper changes are also now tearless. Hallelujah!!)