Welcome to Nanjing, by Stefan

On Sunday, we packed up and went to the Beijing airport for a 10:30am flight. True to form, our flight was delayed 2 1/2 hours because it was foggy in Nanjing. The flight delay was a mixed blessing because we learned that if our flight would have been on time, both families (ours and the other couple we're traveling with) would have gotten their girls at 2pm local time on Sunday. As much as Joy and I really wanted to see her, we weren't mentally prepared for getting off the plane, getting the hotel, then rushing to get our child (Gotcha Day). Please understand that we're still jet lagged and our bodies are still adjusting to China time.

So after the delay, we took a one hour and forty minute flight to Nanjing, which (according to our new guide, Nancy) only has 7 million people, not 20 million people like Beijing. It is still a bustling city, but we think we'll like it here. On a side note, it is incredible how much construction is currently under way in Beijing and Nanjing. It is not unusual to see multiple skyscrapers under construction in the same vicinity of each other, at the same time. There is also a lot of infrastructure being built including: highways, bridges, high speed rail lines, etc.

Stefan is beginning to think that sleeping is optional when traveling to China. It must be Stefan's turn tonight to be awake in the middle of the night. Once again he is awake at midnight. Fortunately, Joy is sleeping soundly. Jordan and Grandma Judy are now sharing a separate room next door to us. There is a crib in the room, prepared for Taylor to stay with us.

We are less than 12 hours away from seeing Taylor! The excitement is building! It is hard to even put into words the thoughts and feelings associated with this experience so far. But we recognize that it truly is a blessing to have this opportunity and experience and that we have so many reasons to be thankful.

An additional note, we have free internet in Nanjing and will be able to update the pictures much more easily from this location, as time and energy allow.

Please keep praying for us. We have much ahead of us today!

With love,
Stefan