Our day started early with breakfast at 6:45....breakfast buffet fairly normal just with some fried rice and dim sun thrown in for good measure, I personally ate some Frosted Toasties known to most as Frosted Flakes.
This morning was our first time together as Travel Group 1184. There are 25 people, 9 families... all wonderful. A big mix ... some first time parents, many old hand parents and one family from Philly who is here for their second adoption...their daughter Chloe, 4 yrs, is with them, they are a sweet glimpse into our future :)
Our group tour began at 8 am sharp. We drove through the city and wound our way up to Victoria's Peak, an amazing view of the city and the South China Sea, it was funny all along the way all of Jackie Chan's anythings were pointed out, his office , his home....later we even saw his boat. Not sure if they love him but they know that we Americans are intrigued.
We rode around the harbor in a little fishing boat...local fishermen have two boats, one for them and their family to live on and one to go out to sea in a week at a time...our "captain" was quite a character.
We visited a jewelry factory, jade, pearls, it was a kind of tourist trap thing.....we then went to the Stanley Market a great flea market style place where you can barter all you want and just soak up some local culture....
Our tour ended with a group DimSun Lunch it was fun...we tried quite a few interesting dishes Maggie (see below) was even giving chop sticks a try :)
After lunch we could go back to the hotel or stay in the city....we put on our adventure hats and stayed downtown.....we had a great time navigating the rail system.....Ali and Michael did a great job locating our stops....the picture of the family on an escalator is the longest escalator in the world....it is like a transit system up through the city you just get off at your stop....amazing....we walked through SoHo and then rode a Ferry back over to the other side of the city where we traversed a 700 store mall and then ended our day at the Hard Rock Cafe...our last Western meal before we travel futher into China tomorrow
The last picture was our taxi ride back to the Regal Riverside....Matt and Maggie both crashed out immediately.
As if the day wasn't already amazing enough when we arrived back to the room we received WONDERFUL NEWS....GOTCHA DAY has been moved up a day.....we should have Sophia in our arms by tomorrow afternoon. God is Good....All the time.
We love you all...thank you for the comments...they are a constant encouragement to us all...we huddle around the computer to read them so thank you, thank you.
Newlins in China, Out.
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Newlin Family
Sophia Jo Yi Newlin
- Newlin Family
- We are so ready for this new addition to our family. We hope you enjoy sharing the journey with us.
25 comments:
GREAT GIGGLY WIGGLIES!!!!
TOMORROW?!?!?!?!
Oh, I have tears in my eyes just reading those words! That's wonderful!
We love seeing your pictures and reading your blog....keep it coming! Lots of love and prayers coming your way from here!....C
Wahoo, that's what I am talking about, great job Newlin crew on pictures and reporting, what an awesome day you guys! Wish we could be there with you, and the bonus on the moved up gotcha day makes it even better. Hope you get your beauty sleep and have a wonderful day tomorrow! Absolutely cannot wait to hear the good news tomorrow, I kept reloading the page this morning looking for my day 3 update and How Awesome was that update! Super duper, I am running out of adjectives. Splendid, just splendid! Love, t,t and z
Newlins!! I am so excited for y'all and also tearing up just reading about your awesome journey and adventure! Thanks for keeping us updated, I love hearing all the details! You're in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all!
Katie and Justin
wow...amazing pictures..like..wow..the veiws were pretty amazing...AND, you're getting her a day early...nice...got'em...or should i say say got'er...eh anyway...i cant wait to see pictures of everyone crying their eyes out holding sophi...haha...okay...have fun you guys...God bless
oh and that last comment was from kelechi..i forgot to put my name...oops
And now there are six! Amazing!
Love ya,
Libby
Ok, just like everyone else, I have tears in my eyes as I picture your big day receiving your precious little girl. Lots of prayers for you all right now!!
The pictures look so amazing. I am just so happy for your family. You have waited such a long time for this. This has to be better than labor and delivery?!
We love you all,
Aunt Chelle
Oh yeah, Uncle Mark is very jealous of the Hard Rock Cafe!!
Hello from CCAI Georgia Office!
Michael and Elizabeth, excuse me if this is a duplicate message but I wanted to let you all know that we got the wonderful bracelet in the mail today. What a great gift and a wonderful way to make us a part of all this incredible experience. After having just been to China and watching 4 of our GA families receive their children, I have tears and chills anticipating what you all will experience when Sophia is placed with you. Can't wait to see the pictures of the presentation. Hello to Ali, Matt, and Maggie. I am so pleased that all of you are traveling. What a great experience you group is having with all of you there. You continue in my prayers. Dick
Oh E - I am sitting here crying too! What beautiful images - my favorite is Maggie and the chopsticks!!! Ruth
Hey Newlins, We are so excited for you. It is just a few hours til you will have Sohpie Jo in your arms. We can't wait til you get home so that we can get a hold on her. God is so good and Sophie Jo is so blessed that she is going to be raised in a family that will teach her that each and every day. We Love you and be safe!!!!!!
Roger and Suzann
I am so excited for your family. I really enjoy reading your post. Your family is so cool-I don't know any other way to say it! Best of luck meeting your new precious little girl.
Julie and Blake Jones
Newlins,
How wonderfully exciting to hear of your journey to add Sophia Jo to your family! We are so happy for you and for her! What a wonderful family that God has given to Sophia. Soon she will know great love from her family and will learn of such love from a God that loves her so! We rejoice in your excitement and can't wait to meet the newest Newlin.
Love,
Dennis and Allene
yay. it's already the afternoon for yall. yay. im happy.
Hey Guys!!
I can hardly type this because I'm crying so hard!! I'm so happy that you are getting sweet Sophi early! God is SOOOOOO AMAZING! He is ALWAYS with us and knows just what we need. I'm so excited about seeing pics soon of all of you with Sophi Jo. My heart aches to be there with you guys and getting to see her for the first time. We pray for you every day and this wonderful journey that you are on.
We send you all our love!!
Hugs! GiGi, Bet & Abbey
Hey Newlins, I have waited up til after midnight here because I know that it is well into tomorrow where you are and I am waiting to hear the latest on our baby girl. Hurry up and up-date. We are waiting very impatiently back home. Love you, Suzann
o.k. I am back up at 5:30 waiting to see her in your arms. don't tell me you have better things to do than leave us a blog about your new baby girl. I know that you are so happy right now. What an answer to so many months of prayer. We can't wait to see you as soon as you get home. We love you and come home soon!!!
Hey Miss Ali, how are you doing in China? Did you find your sister yet? This is from Gigi Dutch and Fitz but we are making Miss Hannah type this because we are not able to read and write quite yet. I went to Libby Lou yesterday for my birthday.
haha okay Gigi told me word for word what to write, I thought it was funny. well I hope that yall are having a good time with baby sophie.
Hannah Gigi Dutch and Fitz
Love reading EVERY word!!
Thank you - this is great..Risa (Clark's mom)
We are wearing our bracelets....and dying with anticipation for the first photos of Sophi Newlin with her family.
love you all loads & loads!
the turners
Hey Newlins,
WOW! Your trip is amazing! You must be so excited that your hopes and desires are finally coming true.
Psalm 117:1&2 "Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."
Love, Rachelle
I am so excited and cant wait to meet her. But how cool is God? Let me just count in a small way. Out Gotcha Day was moved up early too... as Jenn and Mazz welcomed our Sophie into the world today at 8:09. I am so happy for you guys and cant wait for you to get home!
Danielle
Can't wait to see the new Newlin!! We're so very happy for ya'll - what a special blessing! Love, The Cole Clan
Ok, we have been at the beach without connection to the internet. I know that sounds just awful, but it is when something HUGE like your friends getting something they have been waiting for. I heard that there was a picture with Sophi and E on here, but now it is gone. I speed all the way on Hwy. 20 to get to a computer. I got three tickets. Just kidding. I am so excited that you are all now together. Praise God for his wonderful blessing. Sophi is so blessed to come into this WONDERFUL family.
Love, Megan
Ok, we have been at the beach without connection to the internet. I know that sounds just awful, but it is when something HUGE like your friends getting something they have been waiting for. I heard that there was a picture with Sophi and E on here, but now it is gone. I speed all the way on Hwy. 20 to get to a computer. I got three tickets. Just kidding. I am so excited that you are all now together. Praise God for his wonderful blessing. Sophi is so blessed to come into this WONDERFUL family.
Love, Megan
Ty says....we think we might have been at HRC at the same time! (at myrtle beach that is...yours is probably cooler!) love you have a good time
Nathan says....hmmm i don't know. hmm...hmmm....i really want to play with her. i can teach her how to hold a frog but she's probably too scared to do the zip wire!
Will says....ummm...ummmm...she can play with my baby sister! just say HI! HI!
Livi says....aaaa, ooooo, coooo!
Scott says....what elevation are they exactly??? (not really, he's not here!)
Kri-ti says....I love love love you guys! Our family has prayed everyday for you and will continue! We love you love you love you!!! Hug her tight from us! Oh yes, God IS good...all the time!
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