Shaiman Island

Went to Shaiman Island today and it was wonderful!  It reminds me of what I would think Savannah looks like.  Our guide says the buildings are meant to look more western, it reminds me of the old south look and feel with cobbled streets and trees growing together over the streets.  There are lots of shops up and down each street.  They cater more to westerners with Chinese traditional gifts and dress.  There was a store our guide recommended called A Gift from China.  It was a charity gift shop where all the proceeds go toward helping orphans in ?China.  We loved everything they had!  They even had stuff with Bible verses in Chinese and the translation.  Then we found a couple other stores that had been recommended by friends.  They also had cute stuff.  Needless to say, we got our souvenir shopping done today.  I wish I had pictures :(.  Well, we do, but they are on our camera, so we can't upload until we get back home.  

Tomorrow morning is our consulate appointment.  This is the culmination of 15 months worth of work all wrapped up into one appointment.  It is the authorization we need for Fishers visa, to come home.  All of the paperwork we have been getting over this past week and a half: passport, medical clearance, adoption certificate, abandonment certificate...all of that goes into a clear folder and is submitted to the US consulate tomorrow.  Lord willing, they will issue Fisher his visa, and then we can leave the country 48 hours later, which will be Friday morning here, Thursday night at home.  Please pray with us for a smooth appointment and visa approval.  Please also begin to pray for our 26 hour trip home.  We are trying hard not to dread it, although we know it will be harder than our trip over with the 2 little ones.  What am I saying, it's a hard trip no matter how old you are!  

We are so looking forward to getting home to see everyone.  I know we will be really jetlagged for the first few days, but after that we will be so anxious to have visitors :).  I know my sweet friends at NCBC have meals planned and we are already so looking forward to seeing each of you, giving you a big hug and chewing down on that good home cooking!  What a blessing.  Love to all!