Almost Home!!!

Faith finally got her visa today!!  We can now bring her home!!!  We had to go to the U.S. Consulate today to take our oath.  All the parents (of 50+ adoptive children) had to stand and raise their right hands while repeating after the consulate official.  It was nothing dramatic or formal, but significantly important.  At the oath ceremony (if you could call it that), we had Faith dressed in her red, white and blue.  Faith will officially be a U.S. citizen the moment we pass through Homeland Security (in San Francisco).   She will be able to keep her Chinese passport, but we were advised that it would be best used as a souvenir. Doesn't that seem like a no brainer!!!

We were told before entering the consulate that cameras and cell phones were absolutely forbidden, so we left ours on the bus.  From the street you could not have possibly known that the U.S. Consulate was in the building, so we did not even get any good outdoor photos.  We proceeded up the escalators to the fourth floor, where several Chinese officers performed the duties of diplomatic security.  You can imagine our surprise when the security officer asked us if we had a camera in our bag.  We confidently denied the charge, only to have two disposable cameras confiscated.  Christy forgot they were inside the bag!!!  The guys and gals at the checkpoint were nice about the innocent mistake.  They just kept the cameras until we were done. 

This morning we took group pictures in the lobby.  All five of the Chongqing babies (also known as "Spicy Girls" as the food in Chongqing is very hot) and their families were together.  The babies were not too excited about taking pictures.  One would cry and then it would be another.  They are such sweet and beautiful girls!  Each of them (and their families) will always have a special place in our hearts.  We hope to keep in touch, as they share an important piece of Faith's life (and ours too).

After pictures, we took a stroll through the park again.  This time with camera and Daddy in tow.  We hoped to get some special pictures of Faith, but she slept until we were almost out the gate.  We did manage to capture some of the beauty and unique ambiance in our pictures.  The time we had to spend there was way too short, but very memorable.  We took time to have a sip of tea and mingle with some locals.  If you look at our pictures you will see Faith with another Chinese girl, who is also 10 months old.  Check out the hair and the split pants with a diaper covering the opening.  I could see how that would make changing your child much easier.

Our luggage was picked up around 9:45 PM.  After our luggage was picked up, we had a very late dinner at McDonalds.  While waiting for the food, Evan was propositioned by a Chinese woman.

We are out of here at 5:45 AM!!  Due to about 24 hours of travel, we will be unable to post until we arrive home.  We plan to post homecoming pictures and other tidbits that we have learned along the way.

God Bless!!  Please continue to keep our family in your prayers as we have our long travel day.  Hope to see you in the Good Ol' USA!!

Guangzhou