Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Update from Karli!

Day 1- arrival in Beijing

We are here in Beijing! Our flight was wonderful- truly the most comfortable and friendly a international flight I've ever taken. Our upgrade to premium economy bought us more leg room and less passengers, giving Dad, Matt and I each our own row complete with three pillows and three travel blankets! We could stretch out to sleep which made all the difference. Each seat was complete with a touchscreen tv system loaded with movies, tv shows, audiobooks, games, etc. I watched so many- it made the time go so quickly! There was also a map showing us where we were in our flight pattern- complete with current altitude and external temperature- at one time, it was -71 degrees F outside! The flight attendants were so nice and came around with water and tea/coffee every half hour or so. Every meal had a western choice and an Asian choice- my lunch of chinese five spice chicken was actually phenomenal!

Beijing boasts a new airport since I've been here- its massive and breathtakingly beautiful, clean, and easy to navigate. Immigration was a breeze, baggage came quickly, and before we knew it, we were hugging Angela and putting our bags in our van! After a pleasant (and enlightening- traffic and driving is so thrilling here) drive into the city, we are here at the Asia Pacific Garden Hotel, which might be one of the nicest hotels I've seen. Matt and I decided to go exploring- naturally I wanted to find the pool/sauna/steam room, so we ventured down to the basement level, where all signs indicated that these were located. Once we stepped out of the elevator, we quickly realized that this area was completely under construction- empty pools, paint cans and tarps lying everywhere. Coincidentally, the hotel must also have been fixing the elevator buttons, which were broken, and wouldn't let us call for another elevator to come back down to the basement to bring us up. After a bought of nervous laughter as we realized that every sign was written exclusively in mandarin, we let off through a maze of would-be spa halls to finally find the sketchiest set of stairs possible that brought us to a corner of the main lobby. I honestly thought we might be stuck down there until some other explorative soul tried to come down for a dip in the pool. ...

Hesitant to set out again, Matt and I decided to stay in our room and do some yoga, with hopes of easing jet lag and keeping ourselves occupied. This basically consisted of me doing spinal twists and shoulder stands while Matt sat in classic preschool "butterfly pose" and then quickly retired to savasana (you know, when you fall asleep at the end?) okay, he threw in a few upward dogs, I will give him that. But while it didn't keep him awake, it was definitely entertaining for me.

It's about 7pm here, and we are hopefully going to have dinner soon and then go to bed! We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow- the Great Wall, tianamen square, the forbidden city, and a Chinese acrobat show, all before we board an overnight train to Zhengzhou tomorrow. Maybe we will find time to breathe in there somewhere...

UPDATE.... Last night we took an overnight sleeper train to Zhengzhou and we are here at the Holiday Inn Express enjoying fresh espresso and comfy couches in the breakfast area. Gotcha time for Elijah is in two hours! We are all anxious for his arrival and thankful for a good nights rest in the train. Yesterday we went sightseeing (including a Hunger Strike/Willet great wall photoshoot) and concluded the evening with a Chinese Acrobat show. I don't even know where to begin to describe it- the things that they were doing we're unbelievable. At one point, there were six motorcycles riding in a steel spherical cage. Matt had to hold my hand because he was nervous :)

Angela took us to the 'big bowl' restaurant for lunch yesterday where we had REAL Kung pao chicken, crispy fried beef, and Matt and dad ordered donkey ribs! Apparently donkey is a delicacy here- the Chinese saying is 'in heaven, dragon meat- but on earth, donkey meat'! I was not a fan, but they thought it was pretty good. We also had our new favorite, mum flower tea- yes, mums, as in what your mom grows in her front yard- its delicious and traditionally served with large crystals of rock sugar. We want it all the time!

Now that we are in zhengzhou we can start to relax a bit- we will be here for at least a few days. The breakfast spread is great and the hotel is clean and friendly. We are all thankful for good coffee, too! I think I am on my third americano- I might regret those later....

Off to our room now! More updates in a bit when Elijah is here!!

Love, Karli

Sent with AGAPE LOVE from my iPad!

Mini-update

Update on the traveling trio--
skyped last night and everyone was gearing up for a full day of touring BeiJing.
As of 9 am (10 pm BJ time)this morning they will be traveling the overnight train to Zhengzhou to receive Elijah at the hotel as we sleep tonight.  I am unsure of the timing as they haved to contact the SWI to set a time after arrival. Gonna try to set up skype after they have him!  Photos from Beijing and "gotcha" will be posted to my blog tomorrow. We covet your prayers as Elijah's life is about to drastically change from everything he knows and loves.

GOTTA LOVE MODERN TECHNOLOGY----SKYPE!!

Monday, February 27, 2012

In. The. Air!

suitcases--- check.
passports-- check.
money----- check.
paperwork-check
camera----- check
tide ------- check
toys ------  check
toilet paper-check
wipes/dipes-check

you get the picture...
All three of my travelers were dropped off safely at Dulles airport this morning.  They said security was a breeze and they were at the gate two and a half hours early.  They even met another Christian family adopting from the same province on their flight.....how cool is that?

Its now 6:42pm and they have been flying about 6 hours.....8 to go!
Thanks so much for your prayers- here's some photos of the kiss off! :)



Bill, Matt and Karli will be met at the airport by my Chinese sister, Angela.  She will be with them the entire trip....what a huge blessing.
They will stay at a hotel tonight and then they will have a SUPER full day of touring.  They only have one day in Beijing so they are packing it in.
First the GREAT WALL, then Tian en men Square and  the Forbidden City...then the acrobat show in the evening.....topping it all off with a 10:00pm train to Zhengzhou.   They are gonna be wiped out to say the least!
Stay tuned for tales of the trio.....

from the homefront,
Kelly  (who would give her left arm to be with them)


Sunday, February 26, 2012

Ready? SET? GOOOO!!!

Its Sunday evening and I(Kelly) am getting ready to turn in.
The bags are packed and the travelers are about as ready as they can be.

Who's going?  
My hubby--- pastor of New Hope Fellowship church and Physical Education teacher
at Friendship Valley Elementary.  (wonderful hubby of 25 years)
Our oldest daughter, Karli --  graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and event coordinator/field agent for "The Hunger Strike".
Karli's husband, Matthew--- graduate of Palm Beach University and programs cultivator/field agent for "The Hunger Strike".

We will be heading to Dulles airport in the early am so they can catch their United flight direct to Beijing around noon.  They will be sitting in economy plus which is the extra 6 inches of legroom.....it is also deserted and all of them are hoping to get a row to sleep in!  There are about 40 rows and only 20 passengers in that section.
Well worth the extra bucks in my opinion.
They will arrive in BeiJing around 3:30 pm on TUESDAY.

SO-- this leg of the journey begins.........we are so very excited to have you along for the journey.  We covet your prayers for our boys who are getting ready to have their world turned upside down.  Bill and I know it is better for them to have a family but all they know is what they have now and it is everything.

 Also, my bestest buddy and sister-in-Christ, Angela, will be guiding and representing us at our appointments.  I am saddest that I will not be able to see her.....it breaks my heart after how much she has done for our family.  I am praying I get to go see her sometime before 2012 is out.

So, I leave you with this verse....as the week begins and our lives will be forever changed by the addition of Elijah, this week and Jack, next week!!
 

Hebrews 12:1-3    New International Version (NIV)

 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.