Visa Appointment

Today we had scheduled appointments at the U S Consulate to obtain US visas for our children to enter the US on their Chinese passports.  The appointment was at 8:30am and we  were to meet in the hotel lobby at 7:40am to catch the bus.  That of course meant we had to get up at 6am in order to have breakfast before going.  Normally this would be just little bit annoying but last night Joyah was quite stubborn and kept us wake from 1:30 to 5:15am.  So, yes we were tired and she was not happy when we woke her at 645am for breakfast.  She is currently napping and has been for 3 hours.

We all gathered in the lobby waiting for our bus but at nearly 8am it had not arrived.  Our guide found a van getting ready to leave to take 1 family to the Consulate amd piled us tightly in to go with them.  There was no room for our guide so we were at the mercy of the new driver and guide.  Our guide said she would meet us there.  So off we went in the rain that had never stopped to our appointment.  We quickly found out why our bus was late.  A huge traffic jam and of course we were late for our appointment.  Thankfully the Consulate allowed us in as both guides called to plead our case because of traffic and weather. We could only take a few needed items in a plastic bag and had to trustfully leave bags and purses on the van.

We walked in the rain to the building, went through security with our clear plastic bags and had to leave umbrellas with the guide outside.  After getting through security we walked quickly to another building without umbrellas and eventually found the right place.  We took numbers and waited our turn to complete visa paperwork after saying an oath promising to take care of our child and that all info was correct.

Tomorrow we are supposed to receive the visa  for Joyah and will take a 3 to 4 hour van ride to Hong Kong airport at 4:30pm.   We will sleep at the airport hotel and will fly to Tokyo at 8:20am Wednesday, China time, arriving 4 hours later. We have a 3 plus hour layover before boarding a 9 hour flight to Seattle.  We have a short layover to get through customs before boarding another 4 hour flight to KC.  Scheduled arrival is 4pm Wednesday in KC. Please pray with us for smooth travel and an agreeable daughter.

We do not have new pics from today because cameras were not allowed.  We will share a picture of the "squatty potty" that all of us girls are tired of and some familiar American snacks.