April 22

April 22 We arrived in Guangzhou at 1:30 in the morning after an airport delay.  It promises to rain the entire time we are here.  I asked the American consulate for one more favor this morning and they have agreed.  Because the island where we are staying is all torn up with construction, it is very difficult for Helen to get around.  I asked them if we could have her visa the same day we take our oath.  This will allow us to return to Beijing a day early.  We will not have to come back to the very muddy island.  I am so thankful that they have again granted us a special exception.  They have been very good to us.  I am sure they will be happy to see our file disappear from their desks.   My fourth adoption to China and I get to experience the 'baby hotel', The White Swan.  For all our friends who have stayed here, I am praying for you and reliving your adoption pictures.  It is a part of the adoption experience I have never gone through.  The rooms are small, the beds are hard and the breakfast is opulent.  One tradition the White Swan has is to present the adopted child with a Barbie doll.  Two were waiting for us in our room when we returned from the health clinic today.  The girls like the dolls, but have firmly declared they know no America mommy that looks like the doll.   It only took us three shots to get out of the country: varicella, tetnas and influenza as well as a TB test.  I can understand the TB test, but the others seem silly to me.  I checked the manufacture's dates and the shots were a year old, but still had one more year to go until they expired. Ugh.   Molli's allergies are really bad.  Andy:  Helen now reigns as the most flexible person in our family.  You have been dethroned!   Finally, last night Helen decided she is only speaking English to Molli when we are in public and they will speak Chinese in the room.  She is tired of all the Chinese people asking her why Molli cannot speak Chinese.  She said she is just going to pretend she cannot speak Chinese.  Last night in the airport she started laughing and told me the people around us think she is American and does not know Chinese.  Today our translator had to ask Helen how to say 'wheelchair' in English.  Helen's English is much better than our translators.  Molli is learning Chinese and Helen American Sign Language.   We are a very weird breakfast table to those observing!   Thank you for praying us through each day.  We have been sheltered under His wing.