WE ARE IN CHINA!

Ben missed dinner so he made up for it at breakfast!
We were soooooo blessed to have Grandmother on our journey to bring Katie Lin home. We can't thank her enough for all she did!!

2/18/05

Hello Everyone,We're here! After thirty-something hours of airports and planes, weare finally in Beijing. First let me say to Tal and Teresa, yourock!!! Sonya was right all along...this hotel is unbelievable.I'm absolutely in awe of the treatment we've received so far. Alladoptive parents coming to China should stay here. Don't evenconsider staying anywhere else. In case you don't know what I'mtalking about, check out the website:http://beijing.peninsula.com/Our flights were all relatively smooth. We had a small delaygetting to Atlanta, but still made it in plenty of time for ourflight to LA. The international flight (LA to Beijing) was 15 hours(very) long, but it was comfortable and we all rested well. Theboys have been great - very patient and acting like gentlemen (atleast as much as a 7- and 10-year-old can). Please continue to prayfor safe travel and good health. Our family has been strugglingwith stuffy noses and the usual cold symptoms lately.No doubt we are a little out of our comfort zones. We don't looklike most people here (go figure). We've been stared at, pointed atand even videotaped by one youngster. We are movie stars! The boysseem to really enjoy the attention. By the way, there is snoweverywhere in Beijing. That's been a big hit with Drew and Ben also.Also, we are so blessed to have my mom (Grandmother) traveling withus. She has been a tremendous much help guarding our luggage,watching the boys, keeping a tight reign on Ben who tends to wander,and providing so much other support for us on this journey.Our plan now is to eat some lunch, take a look around the hotel,maybe go for a swim and relax until bedtime. Tomorrow we will tourTianamen Square, Forbidden City, and Summer Palace. The next day wewill check out the Great Wall and Ming tombs. Stay tuned forpictures. We will be posting plenty of them (you know Sonya).Man, God is good! What an experience! I'm trying not to thinkabout Gotcha Day, but everytime I closed my eyes to rest on theplane all I could see was Katie Lin's face. I'm sure next Tuesdaywill meet us with a whole slew of mixed emotions and challenges, butit will, without a doubt, be one of the most special days of ourlives. I know in my heart that this trip and this little girl a bigreason God allowed me to live this brief life on earth. What asense of purpose!Thanks again for all your prayers. We love you all and will stay intouch.Jeff, Sonya, Drew and Ben (and Grandmother)