Last Night in Guangzhou

This morning we (us and 2 other families with our agency) took a bus to the U.S. Consulate for Maren's visa processing and an oath-taking ceremony. We arrived at a very large building which had lots of people and lots of activity going on (do you notice a pattern?).  We had to go through security, and then wait in a small room with about 10 other adoptive families.  Then someone came over the microphone: told us to all stand up, raise our right hand, and repeat after her as part of the oath taking ceremony.  Then each family had to come up and speak with someone while they processed some of our paperwork.  They did not end up asking us any questions as we had been told to be prepared for.  We were beyond relieved when it was over: NO more meetings, NO more appointments, and NO more MASS chaos! 

This afternoon after Maren's nap, we went down to a garden-like area at our hotel to get a few photos (see below).  This evening, our agency took us on a river cruise. They ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us, which we took on the boat.  It was a perfect ending to our last night here: it was quite peaceful, calm music playing in the background, and quietly riding. Maren loved it: she squealed with delight with each boat we saw and when she saw pretty lights.

We have started packing up our stuff.  We wait until Maren's visa is done at 4:30 or 5:00PM.  Then ride to the train station; the train leaves at 6:00PM. We should arrive in Hong Kong around 8:00PM and check-in to our hotel.  We then have to be at the airport around 5:30 AM the next morning. Please pray for our safety, all transportation to be on schedule so as not to delay our trip home, and for Maren to be able to tolerate these next 48 hours of travel.  We are so thankful for the many prayers that continue to be answered during our amazing journey to bring Maren home.