I've been asked the question, "What will you do in China for two weeks?" so many times over the past several months, so I thought I'd answer it here, as well, since I'm sure so many of you are on the edge of your seat wanting to know...LOL! : ) Our basic itinerary for being in China goes something like this...
Friday, November 8th--leave for airport late in the evening for 1 AM South Korean flight to Seoul (15+ hours); 2+ hour layover in Seoul followed by a 4+ hour flight to Guangzhou, China
Sunday, November 10th--arrive in Guangzhou, China at 12:05 PM local time (China is 12 hours ahead of Georgia time, so it will be midnight on Saturday in Georgia when we arrive in China on Sunday)
Monday, November 11th--"Gotcha Day," the day we will finally meet Jenna face-to-face!!! This will take place at a Civil Affairs Office government building.
Tuesday, November 12th--"Adoption Day," the day we go back to the Civil Affairs Office to finalize our adoption of He Tong (Jenna Jean Preston)!!!
Wednesday, November 13th--This day is to spend time as a family in the hotel (we'll be staying at The Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, a VERY nice place from what I've seen and been told) as well as do some shopping with our guide and other families in our travel group. I am looking SO forward to meeting other families from around the country that I've gotten to know through our agency's Facebook page...it'll be so awesome to share this special time with them and their new children!
Thursday, November 14th--This day is bound to be more difficult, as we will drive a little ways north from Guangzhou to Heyuan City to Jenna's orphanage. As hard and emotional as this will be, it is important for us to make this trip so that we can one day share pictures and stories with Jenna about where she lived for the first two years of her life. I hope we will be shown Jenna's "finding spot," the location where she was found when she was a week old. I am looking forward to meeting Jenna's nannies and showering them with some gifts and the love of Christ!
Friday, November 15th--More time to spend as a family bonding with our new daughter. Jason will travel by van or train (yet to be determined) that evening to Hong Kong so he can fly out at 1 AM back to Atlanta.
Saturday, November 16th--Jason arrives in Atlanta at 9:30 AM (local ATL time). Meanwhile, Jenna will be having her medical appointment on Saturday in China.
Sunday, November 17th and Monday, November 18th--These days are spent shopping and sightseeing with our travel group. Our agency wants us to experience Jenna's culture while we are in China and they have several tours planned for us to enjoy on these days.
Tuesday, November 19th--"Consulate Appointment," the day that our guide will take necessary paperwork to the U.S. Consulate in order to finalize Jenna's visa to return to the U.S. as an American Citizen.
Wednesday, November 20th--We will go with our guide to the U.S. Consulate to pick up Jenna's visa so she can fly home to America!
Thursday, November 21st--Time to enjoy our final day in China and pack up to head home!
Friday, November 22nd--Shelby, Jenna and I leave Guangzhou at 9:20 AM (local time) and fly to Seoul (3 hour flight). We have a 5+ hour layover before boarding our 13+ hour flight from Seoul to Atlanta at 7:15 PM, with a scheduled arrival time in Atlanta of 6:50 PM (local time).
Then the journey of being a family of SIX really begins!!!
How exciting!!! Know of our prayers!
ReplyDelete