Update, itinerary, and prayer requests

We leave for Ch*na tomorrow!!!  There is still so much to do.  We will try to blog each day while we travel.  We are not confident of our internet access, but as we are able we will update the blog so stay tuned each day for updates.

We will be 14 hours ahead of CST so if you are confused by the timing of posts or the days I am talking about take that into consideration.

M will not be going with us to Ch*na.  He will be staying with 3 sets of dear friends and family and we know he will be greatly cared for and loved while we are gone.  We are going to miss him so much and we imagine he will miss us too.  We do feel for many reasons that we made the right choice having him stay here while we travel.

Basic Itinerary:
1/18 Leave America
1/19 Arrive in Nanchang
1/20 Receive our daughter!
1/21 Civil affairs office
1/22 tour Nanchang
1/23 tour Nanchang
1/24 Hopefully visit T's SWI / area where she lived while waiting for us
1/25 Pick up passport and fly to Guangzhou
1/26 T's medical exam
1/27 tour Guangzhou
1/28 Visa interview and Oath ceremony!
1/29 Pick up visa
1/30 Lonnnnng day flying HOME!!!!

Prayer Requests:

 Sweet T:
She will most likely feel that we are kidnapping her when we swoop in and take her away from the only world she has ever known and into a world of different sounds, smells, tastes and ways of doing things.
Please pray for:
good initial bonding
healthy greiving
good sleep
good eating and BM's (seriously, this is something babies can control and if they don't know it leads to misery)
a soft heart to mommy and daddy's affection

Big Brother M:
Good health, eating, sleeping, BM's,
Joy while he misses us
Willingness to be loved by others
Obedience to those who care for him
Understanding of the situation and the fact that we are coming back.
God would prepare him to be a big brother
God would allow him to not harbor bitterness towards Brandon and I for leaving him
Look to God when he feels lonely, afraid or sad
He would make great memories with those who care for him

M's caregivers:
Praise God for them
They would have grace and mercy for our wounded son
They would have wisdom as they parent him
Joy as they care for M
They (and their families) would stay healthy

Brandon and Shelly:
Health overall
Shelly finding safe foods to eat and no cross contamination
Brandon not developing another blood clot
Let go of things at home (M) that we can't control
Wisdom on how to love and parent T
Quick adjustment to time change
Good plane and hotel sleeping
Delighting in the Lord each hour each day as He directs our steps

Adoption Stuff:
Every appointment and exam will go smoothly and we will be able to obtain her passport and visa when scheduled.
We will have the opportunity to visit the area where T lived while she waited

Flights: 
That we will make every connection safely ... and that our luggage will too!
Specifically pray for our flight home connections (times are converted to CST)
At 7:50pm on January 29th we fly from Guanghzou to Hong Kong.  We are scheduled to arrive at 8:55 in Hong Kong. We only have 55 minutes in Hong Kong to go through security and take a train to another terminal.  Please pray that we make this connection as this is our flight to Chicago and missing it will greatly mess up our travel home.  PLEASE put these times in your phone and pray for us to be on the plane for Chicago when it takes off at 9:50.   We have been told that the HK airport has free wi-fi so if we don't make our connection I will update the blog with our plan and prayer requests. Once in Chicago we have a little over 2 hours to get through customs and to another terminal to make our last connection.  Please pray that we will be in our final destination city at 3:20 on the 30th!
Also pray that we will receive a  bassinet seat so we don't have to hold T on the 14.5 hour flight.

The next time I write, Lord willing, will be from Ch*na.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  We are incredibly blessed by your prayers.  Through all the emotions of this last week we have treasured each prayer and we can feel God's hand at work.  Thank you for battling with us in prayer while we travel.  The attacks are real, but Jesus is victorious!!!