Less than a Week!

It's official.
We are going to China!
In less than ONE week.

That should scare me a little, right?

I keep thinking the "panic" is sure to set in at any moment.
Just last week I was freaking out about whether we'd make it before Chinese New Year.
Now, when I think it would be a logical time for me to start stressing out, I'm 100% not.

I'm sure I'll have a few moments here and there, but honestly -- I'm feeling a combination of peace, love, joy,  and happiness.
Maybe I'm becoming a hippie?

The thing is, it's not been all perfect but it's all turned okay...
For one thing, Daniel has been at a conference in Vegas this entire week while the munchkin and I have been in Kentucky.
We found out that Shisi has to have "extra" testing at her medical appointment in China.
There's one particular word in her medical file that triggers a red flag which requires extra blood work.
In turn, it will delay our ability to get her visa to come home with us.
So, instead of the 10 days we were hoping to be traveling, it's now turned into 15.
And with this all happening right up until Chinese New Year, prices are inflated for flights/hotels/food/etc.
I just went to the bank today and wired a frightening amount of money to China from our bank account.

But you know what?
None of that matters one single teeny weensy tiny bit because...
On January 27th, our little Shisi will be in our arms!

Here are the details:
First of all, Miss Aubrey is actually not going to be traveling with Daniel and me.
After talking with several adoptive families and even setting her down to hear her point of view, we came to a consensus that she would be better off staying in Oklahoma and having grandparents come and spoil her rotten (not that she's not already...). It's going to be SO hard leaving her, but I know we're making the right decision. For us. And besides, we fully intend on going back to China one day when the girls (I love saying that!) are both a bit older.

So, Daniel and I will be going to the airport this Thursday at 6 a.m. to fly to Chicago then to Shanghai then to Nanchang. We'll finally arrive Friday evening.
We'll have all day Saturday to get some rest and make final preparations to meet our daughter!
Sunday will be the day Shisi is placed in our arms! She'll be with us for the remainder of the trip. The rest of the time over the two weeks will be filled with paperwork, fingerprinting, orphanage visit, medical appointments, and sightseeing/shopping.
Finally on Friday, February 8th at 8:07 p.m. we will land in sweet home Oklahoma!

I'm so thankful to God -- He has overwhelmed me this past week with His insane love.
It's been a whirlwind, but I've never felt more safe and secure in His hands.
Oh how He loves us.