We also learned that the folks in Washington D.C. are working around the clock to try to resolve this issue. The e-mails they send to EACH of us PERSONALLY are very apologetic and they do make us aware that they realize the huge difficulties this has caused our families. Considering this problem is world wide, I find comfort in the fact that we get a personal e-mail from them at least daily.

It was SO, SO, SO good to see Blake and Addie standing in the kitchen at home on Skype this morning! They were being well fed, loved on, and both looked ready for bed. Their flights were uneventful. Addie Mae took motion sick medicine twice but had no problems. We are so thankful for their safe return home!!

My roomie and I are SO grateful for each other. I cannot express what a blessing the other families that are here have been to us. We have a new group of friends that will be lifelong friends……because a bond built like this just cannot be broken.

Here is a “selfie” of Kristen and I!

Stephen and Eliza play GREAT together. Eliza is gaining confidence by watching Stephen and it is a blessing to witness. They are the cutest kids on the block!!

Share in our praises!!!!

*Blake and Addie are home safely!!

*Eliza has made huge progress even with this new transition!!!

*That we are ALL healthy here!!!

*That, for goodness sakes, we are living in a five star hotel!!!

*That we have contact with a family who lives here that is adopting a child and had appointments with us. The Mom will be taking Kristen and I to a grocery (that has American food!) in her personal van if we are stuck here much longer!! God is so good!!!

*That Kristen and I make an amazing team!

Please pray:

*That we can remain patient and loving and use this time to the glory of God

*That we will remain healthy

*That the pain I am having in my lower back will not get any worse

*That the visas will be issued in the Lord’s PERFECTLY APPOINTED TIME

*That we will be able to immediately secure flights home as soon as that happens

*That Kristen and I will be able to secure tickets not only on the same flight, but with seats side by side.

*For my heart, as it is horribly aching being away from the other children this long

Five of us families met in our room this morning for an hour and had a wonderful time of prayer together. It was heartfelt, and full of the love of Christ…..because there was no concern for anyone’s worship style or religion choice – but just brothers and sisters in Christ coming before the throne of God, to give glory to His name even in a desperate time of need. Wish you could have been here. This trip has been life changing in so many ways.

Well, as I type this Blake and Addie are somewhere in the clouds on their way home.

The B team took over the care of the little ones. And by B team, I mean the Blubbering Team.

We started out blubbering over our breakfast. There was talk of an intervention. But mostly supportive hugs and “call us if you need us” comments.

We walked to the elevators saying “Who picked this team? We need to get it together!”

The rest of the day has been SO good. Thank you for your prayers! Eliza has been AMAZING. Stephen and her are doing SO well together. She has not fussed ONE time ALL day. I keep saying to Kristen, “Where is Eliza? And who is this child?” She has been the sweet little girl that we have had glimpses of over the past twelve days.

We are still praying and hoping that when the Consulate opens tomorrow morning to check the status of the visas, that they will be able to issue them and we will be able to be on our flight that is on hold for Monday! Pray with us!!!!

(P.S. I have tried and tried to download some adorable photos for this post, but it just will not allow me to do that this evening! I will add them later if I can.)

(This is being written at 4:30 p.m. on Friday)

We just officially got word that there is still no resolution at the U.S. Consulate which means we still do not have Eliza’s visa. Blake and Addie Mae are leaving at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning (Saturday), and Kristen and Stephen will move to our room after breakfast.

Kristen and I will be talking to our travel agent tonight at 9 p.m. to put tickets on hold to leave the same flight path from Hong Kong on Tuesday. Please pray that this will be so. Please pray that the visas will be issued when the Consulate reopens on Monday. Please pray for our hearts as we separate, and for travel mercies for Blake, Addie, Pete and Mary. Pray for Kristen and I as we work together to get through a very difficult time.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.!!!
Just got an e-mail from the U.S. Consulate saying they will open on Sunday morning to check on the status of our visas and will contact us by 10 a.m. whether or not they can be issued to us on Sunday! Kristen and I will put tickets on hold for Monday now instead. PLEASE, PLEASE, PRAY!!

Here is a link to our local news back home about some friends of ours that are also in China with us. They are at a different hotel, but we have seen them many times at the different appointments we have had. Joey (the Dad) stopped and prayed over Eliza and I that day at the police station when Eliza was just absolutely inconsolable. That is just the kind of friends they are!

http://www.news8000.com/news/local-family-stranded-overseas-due-to-computer-glitch/27137724

We have unpacked EVERYTHING, and are regrouping it all to leave Eliza and I with what we need, and for Blake and Addie to take home everything else. We also have to have the suitcases be under the correct weight, and only have one suitcase to check per person. It is a giant puzzle!!! But we are having fun!!!

There are families still here with medically fragile children. There are families still here without any more money to pay the change in airplane ticket fees, or extra hotel fees. There are families here with children back home that they are trying to find extended care for. Pray for ALL the families that are here. Please pray.