We Made It!

 WE MADE IT!!!!

     Feb. 28 was an incredibly long day.  I went to bed at 2:00 am. (the guys way before me.)  We got up at 3:00 am -- we were woke up by JM -- because mommy forgot to set the alarm.  He couldn't believe that we weren't up :)  He helped us get the last of everything in the bags and out to nanny and pa's car.  We said our last good-byes' to the kids and left at 3:45 am.

     We arrived in GR at 5:00 am, checked our luggage in, went through security and immediately got on the plane.  WOW!!  Our flight left at 6:10 am.  It was a bumpy flight with a terrible landing BUT we made it!!!  We picked-up Starbucks and hiked across the entire airport and arrived at out gate 3 1/2 hours early.  Yep, that's amazing for me!!!  We chilled, had breakfast, FBed, used our cellphones, and walked around.  FINALLY, at 9:15 am we started loading the plane.  We were all in and ready ON TIME!  We took off at 10:20 am.  AMAZING!!! Matt and I looked at each other and said, "Finally, here we go again!"

     The flight started very rocky.  It was incredibly bumpy and wavey for about 2 1/2 hours.  Our lunch bumped around.  I was praying constantly that God would hold us safely AND calmly in His hands.  Thankfully, about 1:00 pm our flight settled off and was very calm the rest of the 11 1/2 hours.  

    I had a window seat -- the views were amazing.  I did lots of sleeping and reading.  The boys -- well, they didn't sleep much.  They watched some movies, read a bit AND talked LOTS.  Yes, Matt met some great people to talk with and spent lots of time chatting in the back of the airplane.  He now has so much planned for us in the next couple days!!  YIKES!!!!  Although, he has found out about some AWESOME shopping and fabric markets -- I'm actually so excited!

Landing in Shanghai

     We landed, went through customs, got luggage and met our guide in what I consider record time.  The drive to our hotel was about 1 hour.  Our guide, Cindy is fabulous.  She gave us lots of history and information.  Shanghai is such a neat looking city.  It is humid, foggy and rainy right now.  BUT that's really ok.  

 Me going through VISA check.

 Driving to the City!

     We got to our room -- slept for about 3 or 4 hours and then decided to get some dinner -- a bit late for China but really early for USA.  So, off to KFC -- I know, not to fancy but it was fast and actually tasted ok.  BUT they had my mango drink -- that is the best tasting thing ever!!  It's called 9 lives.  Why can't KFC in USA have this???  PLUS it's cheap!!  Yep, my blood sugar went up but don't worry INSULIN!!!

 Exchanging $$$

My 9 Lives drink at KFC! (MANGO!)

     We went to 7/11 -- they did NOT have mango oreos or mango chips --- boohoo.  BUT we still found some interesting and yummy stuff. 

 MD Checking out what is cookin at 7/11

LOVE the description on this Latte -- 'Take a magic travel finding the secret of coffee'

Hmmmmm.....wonder what that means???

     We found a great Chinese Cafe.  Some great things and some very interesting things.  A hotdog danish and paprika hotdog was very interesting --- NO I did not try.  The deserts --- YUMMY!!!  The coffee/tea ---- YUMMY!!! 

 Matt thinks we should try these -- not me!

 DELICIOUS!

     I did lots of reading on the plane.  I am reading Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis.  If you haven't read it --- oh, you have to!!  I found a quote that I want to end with ----

The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children.  And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians.  

 The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.

This is the Truth.  I have the freedom to believe it.  The freedom, the opportunity to do something about it.  The truth is tat He loves these children just as much as He loves me and now that I know, I am responsible.

WOW!!! That is my feeling exactly!

Praises:

1. We made it safely to Shanghai.
2. We have a great guide and great hotel in a great location.
3. We all feel well!
4. All our luggage made it!!

Prayer Request:

1. Our safety and health (specifically my diabetes)
2. Our children at home
3. Elizabeth -- that she is being prepared to leave the orphanage on Mar. 5
4. That all 3 of us have FUN the next few days!