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Casey and Corey did a great job keeping things going on this blog while we've been away. Thanks, guys!

What a joy it it so know that we have sons who ably kept things running here at home while we were away. Many thanks to them and to my mom and dad for all they did while we were in China. Upon our return, the house looked great, we were greeted by "Welcome Home" signs and balloons, the garden was bountifully producing, the lawns were mowed, flowerbeds weeded, fences painted, piano lessons given, wood projects completed, school work accomplished, laundry finished, bathrooms scoured, etc., etc. And on top of all that, Kevin went on a three day backpacking trip and all three of the boys climbed Half Dome in a day with some friends.

On Thursday afternoon (China time) we went to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou and took an oath on behalf of Hope. Upon completion of a few items there, we received Hope's visa, Although she didn't gain citizenship at that time (that would come at her port of entry (San Francisco) in the United States, it did free us up to begin our trip home!

U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou

As soon as we had her visa in hand, our guide told us we had to hurry and she shooed us out the door, into the van, and off to the train station. Lugging suitcases, carry-ons, and an uncooperative six-year old through the massive train station at a frantic pace proved exhausting, but we managed to just get ourselves on the train before it headed off to Hong Kong. It was an easy two-hour ride through interesting country and we arrived in Hong Kong just after dark.Train

We ate a fast-food meal at the train station, and then got a cab across town to our hotel. Hong Kong in incredible. I'm not a city person, but it really is a nice looking place--at least what we could see at night. Our hotel was just outside the city on a little peninsula looking over a small bay and we enjoyed waking up on Friday morning to beautiful mountains, non-smoggy skies, and little boats making their way across the water. It was a great way to begin our trip home!

View from our Hong Kong Hotel

Hong Kong Aiport

Officially a U.S. Citizen in S.F.

After fifteen hours of travel, plus another three hours of immigration processing and airport security, Steve, Hope, and I returned from China yesterday afternoon and how very good it was to see the boys again! Hope was thrilled to see the brothers she'd been Skyping with for the last two weeks and took to them immediately. I think she was happily surprised, too, to realize that no, we don't actually live in a hotel room. She just kept running around, exploring, with a happy grin on her face.

And so, this is, officially, the final post for Hope's adoption process. Until we head off to get Caleb in Uganda, you can follow along with Walker happenings at our normal blog (the ones the boys typically keep updated for us) at dueglory.blogspot.com Thanks for your support and prayers! We rejoice in all that the Lord has done and will do, and we pray that He works mightily in Hope's life!