Anticipation

The excitment is building here... This morning as we walked into the restaurant at our hotel in Beijing to have breakfast the atmosphere was electric. Forty couples mingling around the buffet, smiling, laughing, talking and exchanging itineraries... Lynne and I sat down to eat and were overwhelmed by the absolute honor and privelege it is to be doing this. So much enthusiasm and anticipation from everyone. All I could think was how we get "excited" about so many different kinds of things in our lives. And how it is a good thing to experience such exhiliration and pleasure regarding good things. This excitement is unique. It is hard to explain right now, but I trust the words will come to me eventually. I am thankful for the blessing this has been to us already and will continue to be for our entire family. Thank you Caleb and Seth and Madelyn for doing this with us. Your excitement and willingness to do this in our family inspires Mom and I both. We are so proud of you- you have taught us about unconditional love.

Some couples were to receive their baby today, and were off the airport first thing. We however, are to receive Gwen tomorrow. And so we flew out of Beijing on a mid-day flight to Chengdu. As we descended through the clouds here in the Sichuan province, we were all very pleased by the climate. This area is nestled in a valley between two mountain ranges. It produces sub-tropic climate. It was 50+ degrees F today, and everything seems quite green and lush for December.

We checked into the Sheraton here in Chengdu still not fully understanding what is about to happen. It doesn't quite seem real yet. However, reality struck swiftly as we opened the door to our room and saw the crib waiting... empty tonight, but soon to be filled with a beautiful new addition to our family.