Monday was a Zoo

Our travel group headed by air-conditioned bus over to the zoo this morning.  We loved it.  We could've stayed all day.  Actually, if we had been in Atlanta, we probably would've stayed all day, but GZ is hotter than Atlanta in August and a couple hours is about all some of the children can handle.

We began our zoo trip with a tour of the park by tram.  The zoo here is so beautiful.  We enjoyed the ride through on the tram and afterward spent an hour or so walking through the exhibits.  I say walking but it really more like sprinting.  Riley was obsessed with making sure we saw every animal on his map, and Wyatt was either sitting in the stroller or running.  It wasn't exactly a leisurely stroll through the park. You can tell in this picture below that Riley was rearing to go!

There was a baby pool area where many children splashed around completely naked trying to catch minnows.  No safety swim diapers or plastic pants here.  We skipped the splash pool.  Fortunately Wyatt was running too fast to notice the splashing.  He loves some splashing!!

The photo op spots were a big hit with my kids.  They love to pose for the camera and most always have to try something that looks dangerous or against the rules.

I love this picture of my friend Melissa and her daughter Lily Hope.  Some of us have made great progress in teaching the important basics to our new littles ones (MELISSA) while others (MYSELF) gain puzzled gazes from our little ones with any request.  

It seemed like the time went by way too fast.  I definitely think we could've stayed an hour or two more.  

Where was Wyatt?  Who took this picture?

On the way back to the hotel we heard about an issue at the consulate.  It seemed at the time that they were having computer trouble, but we found out later in the day that the issues at the consulate were much more serious.  We had barely gotten back to our room when Miko called an emergency meeting on the 23rd floor for everyone in our travel group.  She shared some news that was a bit upsetting.  Visa appointments for Tuesday and Wednesday have  been cancelled due to a facilities emergency at the consulate here in Guangzhou.  There are families in our group that are going to have to change their travel arrangements.  This could potentially be very expensive, and some family members are going to need to travel on back home ahead of others. Our appointment is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:30.  We are hopeful that the consulate will reopen before then, but we are not sure how this situation will effect our applications or the applications of the other families waiting here in GZ. 

We have friends that were at the consulate during the facilities emergency, and they shared their experience with us and how they were required to stay on lockdown for several hours.  We are thankful that all of the families that were waiting for visa interviews and the employees at the consulate were not injured today  Please be praying for the adoptive families that were at the consulate today.  It was very scary and there is much confusion about how this situation will impact the visa application process.  Please pray that God will be glorified in this situation and that peace and comfort will fill the hearts and minds of the families here. 

After an intense afternoon, we opted for Chinese takeout from Billking and ate dinner in our room.  By the way, Billking is pretty good.  (Nobody tell me anything bad about it.  I'm trying to be adventurous in my eating here.) I had the pork and pineapple, and Dean had the beef and rice.  It's close to the hotel and easy to find.  They had trouble understanding that we wanted take out and did not want to dine in, but we eventually pantomimed effectively and left with nicely packaged plastic boxes of delicious dinner fare. 

It's barely 8:00 here and our kids have been snoozing for awhile.  I'm going to sleep tonight praising God for the visible fingerprints he has placed on this journey and trusting that there is a reason for all that is going on right now at the consulate.  Prayers are so very appreciated!!