Day 14 Tuesday, April 24

We've had numerous thunder and lightning storms the past couple of days. There has been tons of rain, so we decided to spend most of the day inside. I (Blair) think we are all shopped-out anyway (I'm sure we've seen every store on the island...twice). I get the feeling that all of us would like to get home soon to start the transition back to the states. The Gonsoulins have had some health problems (Both Christian and Hope had fevers, and Hope actually visited the hospital emergency room last night for an IV.....poor Cordelia, after spending 12 hours with Ralph and I, she had to get up in the middle of the night to translate at the ER......she's a real trooper, Faith. Please keep her!).

We only had one appointment today, the cursory medical check and Visa photo. The medical examination is pretty funny, to be honest. We saw two different doctors, and I think they just wanted to see that Allie had two arms, two legs, and one nose. I'm proud to say that Allie weighed in at 22 pounds (she really is a 'chunk'), and measured just under 30 inches. Both doctors thought she looked healthy, and Tami and I have to agree.

Back at the room, Cordelia walked us through the filling out of some paperwork for the U.S. Consulate appointment tomorrow. Funny thing is, Tami and I don't have to be present---Cordelia will walk the paperwork in for us, and work her Chinese magic. We are just expected to be by the phone in the hotel room in case there are any problems.

Cordelia was able to move up our last two appointments by a day. After tomorrow's consulate meeting, we will go to a "swearing-in" ceremony on Thursday, and then pick up Allie's chinese passport at 5 pm. Then we will check out and leave Friday morning....we will be taking the train to Hong Kong (a 2-3 hour ride), then taxis to the airport. Our flight from Hong Kong to Seoul will then leave at midnight Friday night/Sat morning. We figured out that we will be spending 48 hours travelling from Guangzhou to Seattle (including the 13 hour layover in Seoul). We covet any prayers you offer on our behalf!! :)

Again, both couples/families are very tired, and we can't wait to get home. I truly loved China and the two weeks we have been here, but I can honestly say that I think we are all anxious to start the next chapter in Allie's life.