Safely in Changsha at the end of a VERY LONG DAY!!!

** sorry to be so late in posting today but one read of this and you’ll understand why!! This post was written at a variety of times throughout Sunday, November 1st and early Monday, November 2nd **

8:40am – Holiday Inn Central Plaza , Beijing

Leave hotel via bus and travel in light snow to the Beijing airport. It was quite pretty to see but then, not so much!! Flights delayed for an undetermined amount of time. When we check in at 9:30 all flights from 7:00am are still grounded. Uh oh!!

2:00pm – Beijing International Airport

Greetings from the Beijing airport! Why are we still at the airport? Well, due to a cold snap and freak November snowstorm our flight is delayed for an undetermined amount of time.

There are departure monitors everywhere but unfortunately they only display the original departure time which was about 2 ½ hours ago so we’re not finding them very helpful. Thankfully our wonderfully capable guides Sarah and Louise are listening intently to the announcements in Chinese and keeping us updated. So far we know nothing other than flights originally scheduled to fly out about an hour and a half before us are boarding so hopefully we’ll be out of here within the next couple of hours. We’re watching planes be de-iced so all is well. Just so very, VERY thankful that we were not supposed to meet the babies today or our group wouldn’t be nearly so jovial and relaxed!

I had a minor moment of panic when we couldn’t find Mom and Dad earlier in the day but we tracked them down at the gate and all was well. With the departure delays we were given the option to exchange some of our travellers cheques into Yuan. We got separated when Mom and Dad went through security before Norma and I as we were still at the bank. We were asked to make our way to the gate and Mom and Dad did that and almost boarded the wrong flight! Oops!! Thankfully a gentleman behind them read their boarding passes and let them know that they were getting on the wrong plane. Phew!! Louise eventually found them waiting at the gate and all’s well as we’re together again.

The airport itself is chilly! So chilly in fact that the airport staff are driving around in their little carts and handing out blankets. We look quite funny sitting here 2 and 3 people to a blanket but we’re warm and that’s what matters. We’re headed to Changsha where the temperature was 32oC/90oF yesterday and I’m just thankful that at the last moment I chose to change from wearing capris into jeans for the flight. Guess waking up to the ground covered in snow and it snowing quite heavily made it an easy wardrobe decision.

Sitting here is an interesting look into the local culture. I’m struck by the families I see. Never more than 1 child. It’s an interesting phenomenon to observe. I’ve known for a long time that the one child policy exists but to see it in action is eye opening and humbling. There is so much that we take for granted!

Louise just returned with an armload of noodles. Mr. Noodles which are not considered a delicacy at home suddenly become a meal of desire when the options are few and the lines are long. Dad and I thought about getting KFC but the lines of people were 10 wide and 20 deep. Not having cell phones that work in China to keep in touch should the suddenly decide to board our plane we opted for Pringles and Coke for lunch.

Ooooo….it’s 2:45 and they just called our flight! Wheeee! And we’re off!

6:30pm – on the tarmac in our plane – still at Beijing International Airport !

OK – Kinda false alarm. Ugh!! It’s now 6:30 and we’re still in Beijing !! Yes, our plane boarded at 2:45 but that’s as far as we got. We’re not really at a gate but were bussed to our plane in the middle of the tarmac. We boarded, they closed the doors and then….started to serve food and drinks. Not a good sign that we’d be leaving anytime soon. Little did we really know! The current word on the street….err, in the aisle, is that there are still 54 planes in line before us so truthfully I don’t have a clue when we’re leaving! It’s a 2 hour flight once we’re in the air so I’m thinking if we’re at the hotel by midnight that will be a really good thing.

Most people are doing ok although there have been a couple of near brawls as some have been yelling at the flight attendants. Not sure what they think they can do so just sitting here and capturing what I can before my laptop battery dies. Norma, Russ and Leslie are sitting 2 rows in front of us and are entertaining themselves and the rest of us with some hilarious distorted pics taken by their Mac Book Pro. Too funny!!

As much as today has been far from what any of us expected, we’re just so thankful that it happened the day before we get the babies. Tomorrow morning’s plan is to exchange money at the bank for the orphanage fee and then prepare to meet the babies!!! Ahhhhhh!!!! While we were on the bus to the plane we realized that we were just 24 short hours from receiving the babies!! SO COOL!!!

I’ll try to get this sent off to M3 before heading to bed tonight. When I wake up tomorrow morning it will finally be HANNAH DAY!!! God is SO GOOD and I thank Him for sustaining me through this entire wait. Tomorrow is the day God planned long ago. The day that He would bring us together as mother and daughter!!!

4:00am Monday, November 2nd – Dolton Hotel, Changsha

Phew!!! We finally made it!! Our plane was de-iced at 9:30 pm and we took flight at 10:00. 11 ½ hours later than scheduled and 7 hours after we boarded the plane!!!

Things did go from bad to worse on the plane and after A LOT of yelling they allowed those who wanted to to leave the plane. Thankfully most of those who were most upset chose that option and things calmed down after that.

I fell asleep immediately after the plane took off. Tears of relief flowed as I watched them de-ice the plane with the thoughts that we truly were flying to Changsha and meeting Hannah would not be delayed. Such joy!

The flight was smooth and uneventful once we took to the air. We arrived in Changsha just after midnight, at our gorgeous hotel around 1:30am and now at 4:00am have finished unpacking and really should be trying to sleep…..SOON!! Wanted to update you.

I have done pretty well today with only a few moments of tears. When Sarah first said we’d be getting the babies tomorrow – I cried. When our plane took off – I cried! When I realized that tonight was the very last night that my sweet baby girl would be sleeping where she is loved and comfortable – I cried. I know that what I am doing is the right thing but oh how I wish it cold be easier on her. She has no idea how her precious little world is going to change in just hours but I do. I love her, I’ll care for her and I am her Mom and together we’re going to make it through these next few days of confusion for her little heart.

I covet your prayers for Hannah and I. She as she leaves all she knows behind and learns to trust someone new. For myself as I seek to meet her needs in the very best way I can and long to calm her as her little heart heals. For her nanny who will have to say good-bye to her later today. And for the precious little ones who she knows from her room in the orphanage? Will any of them be blessed in the future to have a mommy to call their own? Praying for them too.

Thank you friends! Trusting God each and every step of the way! He is right beside Hannah and He is right beside me. And in a few short hours Hannah and I will be together forever. The family God planned and ordained long ago!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Now, must get to bed and try to sleep!!!








Canadian's response to the flight delay:

The Non-Canadian's response to the flight delay: