Tokyo to Beijing

The last leg of the flight was the hardest as we were starting to really feel tired.  Katelyn ended up sleeping for the entire 3 1/2 hour flight on my lap which kind of hindered me from sleeping.  I think Josh nodded off and on.  We had shrimp w/ noodles on that flight, and that time we all had our own personal movie screen.  I watched Mulan, because everything else would have taken too much concentration to watch. 

I could feel my pulse racing as I got my first sight of the lights of China and then landed.  It was such a cool feeling to know that we are finally in the country of our daughter’s birth.  We made it through the customs just fine.  It is just absolutely amazing to be here.  As you come out of the luggage area, there are all kinds of people just lined up to welcome their family or friends.  Our driver, George, met us right away there after we got our luggage.  We had a taxi driver who really wanted our business, but we told him we had a driver.  George drives a little van which was very clean and meticulous. He loaded all of our luggage in and handed us all a bottle of water.  Katelyn and I could not find the seatbelts in the van, but I think that is just the way it is here.  George is a good driver, but I think the traffic gets a little crazy in the daytime.  (Hint:  you can all pray for safe travels!)  He helped us get checked into our hotel.  He doesn’t speak much English, so he just communicated with the hotel and got us our room.  He is very kind and kept playing with Katelyn.  She brought Curious George on this trip, so he thought it was funny that the monkey was named George too. 

That is all for now.  I think my laptop is keeping the citizens awake here!  We need some sleep as we get started with our guide Jason at 9:30 am.

Comment posted by Tracie
at 6/23/2007 8:54:18 AM

I am without words adequate to express my sheer excitement and delight for you! Several people have asked about Emma’s picture and I’ve told them a little of your story. In fact, there was a little girl named Emma in junior camp who is adopted too! Christiana befriended a little girl who was adopted from Russia when she was 6. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and reminds me a bit of Liberty Atkins. At first Christiana wasn’t too sure what to think of Katie, but by Tuesday, they were the best of friends. Somehow my daughter can sense when someone truly needs a friend. Katie gave me a big hug when she left and I almost cried thinking of you and Emma and all the precious children waiting for their forever families to come and love them. OK, its getting hard to see the screen through the tears, so I will say goodbye for now. You are on my mind and in my prayers continually, and I, too, love hearing your raw thoughts and feelings, Amy…its the next best thing to being there with you. Love to you all, Tracie

Comment posted by Sarah Rasmus
at 6/22/2007 9:31:10 PM

I am so glad you made it! You are soo much closer now!! Have fun sightseeing! Memmories you will have to later share with Emma.

Comment posted by Rhonda
at 6/22/2007 2:00:54 PM

Whew - you made it! You’re so close to Emma - closer than you’ve ever been! I like reading all your thoughts…keep it up. We wait with baited breath for your posts. I almost called your mom this afternoon to see if she had heard from you! We are thankful all flights went well - we’ll pray the same thing for traffic (Amy with no seat belt?! KATELYN with no seat belt?!! I didn’t know that was possible…)

Comment posted by Sara
at 6/22/2007 12:45:03 PM

I’m so glad to see you made it! I have been checking your blog at least… oh… I’d say 30 times a day since you left (what? No, of course I don’t need internet coupons to manage my time! Me?)

I am so happy for you- give Emma an extra hug for us!!