The Most Stressful Day

Wednesday 03Nov2010

All the family is feeling more healthly this morning.  We enjoyed our last breakfast buffet and finished packing our bags.  We met our guide in the lobby who asked us how many bags we had.  She was amazed that we said we had 15 bags.  She is single and doesn't have a family perspective.  We mentioned that each person had one bag to be checked (at the airline or train station) and one carry on.  We are undoubtedly the largest family she has ever had which became apparent throughout our stay in Guangzhou.

The rest of the day was perhaps the most challenging and stressful of our entire stay.  We took a hotel shuttle to the train station not far from the U.S. Consulate.  Thankfully, we had one hotel staff stay with us until our baggage was ready for the ticket gate which was not an easy process.  He was very helpful and patient.  In retrospect, I wish I had tipped him even more.  The check in process is similar to that of airlines.  Remembering that there are over 1.3 billion people in China helps us understand why the lines are so long.  Also, trains are the preferred means of mass transit within China making the station even more crowded and noisy.  And remembering the "me first" attitude explains why "cutting" in line is a cultural norm.  All this with a set departure time, no lunch, and still no Visa for Jessa caused us a lot of stress.  So finally after getting our baggage scanned and while waiting at the ticket gate for the Visa we decided to get some lunch.  Wouldn't you know it, as soon as lunch was ordered and paid for (but not ready or eaten) the Visa came.  As the line kept growing we finally received our food.  Our guide Elsie "cut" us in line at the ticket gate because we had so many children - I guess when cutting is in our favor it's not so bad - what a double standard I live :-).  An impatient train staff had the bulk of our baggage as we waited to get our passports checked.  We didn't know where he went while we stood in line causing us additional concern.  Finally, after getting through the passport check we spotted our baggage.  The train staff took us to an elevator which could only hold half our family.  He was upset when we prevented the doors from closing so the half the family waiting for the elevator to return would know which level to go to.  Once we were all gathered together on the train platform our luggage was loaded on the train near the door.  As it happened I was a little further in the train car getting our children settled and getting our carry on bags stowed while this train staff was very upset at Gwenn that I hadn't yet paid him.  After Gwenn had told me the check baggage was all on and that the train staff was upset I went and paid him with extra and said "Merry Christmas!" because of his attitude.  I guess he had been burned before and he didn't trust foreigners.

The actual train ride was nice - no traffic to negotiate or lane changes or supposed near death experiences.  It was nice just to sit and watch the scenery go by - which was my intention in the beginning remembering how nice it was in England to take the trains.  After being in large cities the whole time I really wanted to see some country - we only saw very little as most of the area between Guangzhou and Hong Kong was populated.  We arrived in Hong Kong at dusk.  Getting off the train was definately easier than getting on.  We rolled our three baggage carts across the overpass to the Harbor Metropolis Hotel where we had our reservations.  After having the staff make extensive checks our reservation was not to be found.  Even our attempts to make phone calls to America to our Travel Agent and Social Worker did not work.  And looking at the hotel lobby we knew we couldn't affort to pay out-of-pocket for two rooms.  Fortunately, the Concierge members booked a room in a hotel near the airport and scheduled a van to take us there.  We were extremely amazed that the staff were so helpful and courteous to us while knowing we would not being staying there.  After waiting an additional hour in the htoel lobby our van arrived and we were taken for a 30 minute drive toward the airport and our hotel.  The skyline of Hong Kong is beautiful with its tall buildings and night lights set amongst a mountainous backdrop.  It took a while to get checked in to the Regal Airport Hotel.  Finally in our room it was after 10 PM and we hadn't yet eaten dinner so we ordered room service - the first time during our entire journey.  Since we have to get up at 5:00 AM to catch our plane this will be a very short night.

In addition to this being a stressful day we had hoped to be able to spend a few hours in Hong Kong and perhaps even drive by the LDS Temple.  Time did not permit so we had to pacify ourselves in knowing that we were merely spending the night in this legendary "east meets west" city.

Prayers offered, Prayers answered, and Journeying Home

I just got off the phone with Gwenn. It is Wednesday morning there (Tuesday night here) and they will be packing and getting ready to take the train from Guangzhou, China to Hong Kong, China later this afternoon. The family is definitely ready to be home and this is the beginning of the almost two day journey.



Gwenn’s first statement to me when I answered the phone was that “not much to report from here in the way of touring news because half of the family has had the stomach flu”. As was stated in earlier posts Spencer has been dealing with something the past few days but in the last 24 hours Spencer, Katelynn and Nathan have been plagued with the stomach flu. They are fairing as well as possible. Nathan has been able to still give blessings to the children and he himself has gotten much sleep. Gwenn confided in me that she has the beginnings of an unsettled stomach but hasn’t shared the news with the family as she doesn’t want to worry them. Along with dealing with the stomach issues, there are a few last hurdles that must be dealt with before they begin their travels.


One of them is that Brandon’s suitcase zipper has broken and they need to find a new suitcase for their travels home. Gwenn said that shouldn’t be too hard to find. The most difficult part of it all (which really isn’t difficult but “old” at this point) will be the bartering process that happens. She looks forward to getting home and knowing there is a price for items and she doesn’t have to haggle for everything she buys.


A second hurdle is to get Jessa’s visa. They still do not have it as of yet. They have asked their guides if they should delay their train ride just in case there are problems but the guides have assured them that all will be well. To put this in perspective they must check out of their hotel room at 2pm. They will go to the train station and wait for the couriers to bring the visa somewhere around 3pm. They need to check into the train station for their trip at 3:30pm and the train leaves at 4:15 pm. There isn’t much room for error on this one. As I have talked with Gwenn she knows that all will be well. Her faith is strong. Even if they don’t get the visa in time (which means they miss the train and will sit there until they get the visa and then take a train at a later time….) all will be well.


Once they get to Hong Kong Gwenn had hoped that somehow they would be able to take a taxi to the Hong Kong Temple to have pictures taken there. With the stomach issues and bits of chaos she is unsure if this will be able to happen.


I have put their family’s names on the temple prayer roll that as they travel and journey, these last few days, that all will be well and that whatever happens they will be able to roll with the punches. At various times as I have talked with Gwenn over the past few weeks she as stated over and over again that she can truly feel the prayers of home. She senses that many are praying for her and her family and that the blessings they have, and are receiving, are because of all the amazing friends and family at home.


On a lighter note: Gwenn said that Jessa is a ball of energy. Last evening (their Tuesday night) Jessa and Brandon got a bit crazy and wild. As Gwenn said “Jessa Super Novad last night”. She said Jessa just went and went and went until she “hit the wall” and exhaustion took over and she crashed. Gwenn said none of her other children have had this much energy……the plane ride home is gonna be fun!! :)


Gwenn shared a very sacred and special experience that she and Nathan have had in the past few days. She asked that I share the story as it has strengthened her faith as she has watched the faithfulness of others.


The cute couple they met a few days ago, that live in Ogden, Utah, has really touched their hearts. This family has four biological children, like Nathan and Gwenn, and they have now pursued the adoption of a child from China in spite of not knowing how it would all come together. In having a conversation with the wife Gwenn found out that this couple is literally out of money and have been living off of ramen noodles for themselves and getting rice for their baby. This also means that when they arrive in Hong Kong things will be even harder as items cost that much more there. The couple said that before heading to China they knew they would run out of money before returning home but felt a great assurance that somehow their needs would be met and that they would be blessed by their Heavenly Father, and that they must proceed with getting their child home. Gwenn said that in sharing this information the wife was never bitter or negative (no “pity me”) but instead had a good attitude, and her spirit was positive as she shared this information. She knew that all would be well. Gwenn shared that she felt humbled by this act of faith and questioned if she herself could act without knowing how all the pieces would go together, especially financially. Gwenn and Nathan later had a conversation and realized that because of the NUMEROUS gifts and the INCREDIBLE generosity of so very many friends, family and co-workers that their own immediate needs have been met and that they had some monetary “surplus” that ultimately they didn’t “need” while in China. They found a card, wrote a special note and offered this monetary gift to this couple. The couple returned with a heartfelt thank you! Some of their burdens have been alleviated for the time being and Gwenn knows that ultimately this couple’s prayer was answered because so many answered the prayer and needs of Gwenn and Nathan. It is a strange irony that as you allow people to serve you, you become available to and are able to serve others. Gwenn wanted this sacred story shared to let those who helped them know that ultimately 2 babies have been brought home to loving families because of the humble and GENEROUS gifts given.


Gwenn said that most likely I will not get any phone calls or emails for the remainder of their travels as each new city and area makes it a bit crazy in figuring out how to make contact. She looks forward to getting home and sharing all of the amazing experiences they have had first-hand with everyone.


She loves you all!!

Notes based on a phone call from Gwenn to her Mom

Monday; November 1, 2010
Along with 33 other adoptive families, Gwenn, Nathan, and the children, went to the swearing-in ceremonies at the Consulate. Spencer had been sick again during the night, but recovered with rest during the day. While boarding the train to the Consulate, Gwenn and Nathan noticed a man with a T-shirt that said “Moab”, and so they asked if he was from Utah. He replied, “No, it’s just a T-shirt.” But then, from behind, they heard someone say, “Ogden”. They met an LDS couple from Ogden who had also adopted a little girl. Gwenn was so happy as now Jessa will grow up with a friend adopted the same day as herself. They also met a Christian shopkeeper, and were able to give him a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD. He gave Jessa her first sucker, and Gwenn decided to get a few more for the 14-hour trip home.

Jessa has opened up to the rest of the family, in addition to Gwenn. She is now allowing them to hold her – a blessing for Gwenn’s back. Gwenn reports that Jessa is interested in finding out how everything works, from a ball-point pen to the Velcro on her shoes. She has a great appetite and even likes chicken nuggets, although fruits and vegetables are her favorites. The family will spend the day touring and preparing for their trip to Hong Kong.