Lobby of our Hotel.
Today was the day that the rest of this trip has been planned around...our Consulate Appointment. This morning, instead of being able to send our paperwork to the Consulate Office with our guide, David had to go too. One of our forms was not correct and had to be redone there.
Today was the day that the rest of this trip has been planned around...our Consulate Appointment. This morning, instead of being able to send our paperwork to the Consulate Office with our guide, David had to go too. One of our forms was not correct and had to be redone there.
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While David was away taking care of this, Dawn & I took the kids swimming. This was a first for Eva. She enjoys a bath, so I thought she would enjoy the pool and she did! She had to warm up to it at first, but with Noah holding her, she had a great time!!
We left the hotel by bus at 2:15 for a 40 minute ride to the Consulate Office. We were there along with 100 other families. It was really amazing to look around the room at all the families that have been formed in the past week. To think that we all came together with the same purpose and to know that these children were being given the chance at a better life was very uplifting and for some of us, nothing short of a miracle! 
The Consulate Officer spoke for a moment and told us that this office handles all of the American adoptions out of China, about 3,000 a year with 57% being special needs and 43% non-special needs. After giving us a few other details about our paperwork, everyone in the room stood and raised their right hand. We took an oath that the paperwork we completed and submitted to the Consulate Office was correct to the best of our knowledge. Now, when Eva lands on American soil, which will be in Detroit, she will automatically become an American citizen!!
Now we wait for her Visa to be completed, which should be on Friday. Tomorrow we have another free day and we are thinking about going to the Pearl Market with a few of the other families. My goal has been to buy 16 things from China and to give Eva one gift each year on her "Forever Family" day until she is 18. I have two things left to get so I am hoping to get that finished at the market.
Thank you Mrs. Joyce for another beautiful dress! It was perfect for the occassion!!
We left the hotel by bus at 2:15 for a 40 minute ride to the Consulate Office. We were there along with 100 other families. It was really amazing to look around the room at all the families that have been formed in the past week. To think that we all came together with the same purpose and to know that these children were being given the chance at a better life was very uplifting and for some of us, nothing short of a miracle! The Consulate Officer spoke for a moment and told us that this office handles all of the American adoptions out of China, about 3,000 a year with 57% being special needs and 43% non-special needs. After giving us a few other details about our paperwork, everyone in the room stood and raised their right hand. We took an oath that the paperwork we completed and submitted to the Consulate Office was correct to the best of our knowledge. Now, when Eva lands on American soil, which will be in Detroit, she will automatically become an American citizen!!Now we wait for her Visa to be completed, which should be on Friday. Tomorrow we have another free day and we are thinking about going to the Pearl Market with a few of the other families. My goal has been to buy 16 things from China and to give Eva one gift each year on her "Forever Family" day until she is 18. I have two things left to get so I am hoping to get that finished at the market.Thank you Mrs. Joyce for another beautiful dress! It was perfect for the occassion!!
How fantastic!!! Congrats - One more hurdle crossed.
ReplyDeleteThat little American girl is too pretty! We praise Jesus for your appointment being done and getting you one step closer to home. Have fun tomorrow! The 3 water ducks looked right at home in the pool :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
www.ourchinagiftfromgod.blogspot.com/
Congratulations, you are almost DONE! Eva looks so cute in the little Red, White and Blue outfit! What a great idea to give one item for each year on forever family day! Our boys had fun at the pearl market, and ofcourse, for us, we DID get pearls for Selah for later in life. Been enjoying following your journey!
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