Tiananmen Square
Flower gardens for the Olympics
Another adoring fan
Forbidden City
Another adoring fan
Forbidden City
Rickshaw Ride in the Hutong
As a family of three! It is Monday September 16th 8:35pm as I post. Today was a fun day. We went to Tiananmen Square. We're told that it is the size of 60 soccer fields. You'll see the picture of Benjamin there. There were incredible flower gardens there for the Olympics. Afterwards we continued on to the Forbidden City. Wow! You can't even imagine this place. We walked from the south entrance to the north about 1 mile. It was really amazing. Afterwards we were back on the tour bus to the Hutong. Once there we all loaded up on rickshaws (pulled by bikes) and toured Hutong Alley. These are old narrow streets. And yes, Benjamin was a rock star again today. Parents came up to have his picture taken with their children. Still a hoot! Today our whole family had our picture taken with a little Chinese boy. One member in our group told us to enjoy our 15 minutes of fame. Afterwards we did some more shopping at Silk Alley. I was sweating by the end. Just not my thing! Brent on the other hand had a blast.
Tonight we had supper at the hotel (oh, by the way last night our group ordered in Pizza Hut. Benjamin enjoyed that much better than Shrimp with eyes.) We sat there and talked how this was our last supper as a family of three. I felt myself tear up again overwhelmed with emotion. You wait for over 3 years and than all of a sudden it's here. We've talked about this with some of the other families as well. It's this surreal feeling. God has been so faithful! We have been so blessed by our travel group and guide Joy. Bethany Christian Services has taken such great care of us! Tomorrow morning (which is Tues Sept 16th here) we have to be in the hotel lobby by 5. We are all being taken to the airport. Our group (there are 5 families total) will fly out at 7:40am and should arrive at 10:40am in Nanning. We have been told that we'll go to our hotel to check-in, have lunch (really who's going to be able to eat!?!), and then be taken to the Civil Office where we will meet our children. Oh my, here come the tears again! Thanks until next time...when we can introduce you to our new family of four!!!!!
15 comments:
Thanks for the updates. I am full of excitement and joy for your family.
Can't wait to see photos of her and meet her.
Hi!
We're looking forward to meeting your family of four! It's fun to see Benjamin in the fame moments!
~Sonda
We are so excited to hear all about Alissa and to see pictures of you guys together!!!
Love,
Jon, Becky, Ethan and Emma
Sending our love and prayers as you prepare to meet and hold Alissa. We're anxious to meet your family of four and know that this has been your journey of a lifetime! We keep looking at our watches and waiting for the announcement!
Love and Prayers,
Mother & Daddy
Is. 40:28-31
Hello Kreiders!
What a blessing to be able to follow you all on your journey to become four! I have enjoyed your updates and the pictures and cannot wait until we see all of you to see more! Yes Kristin you have brought tears many times as I read back here in the US! Benjamin - I guess we will have to get your autograph when you return!! Can't wait to hear how Brent is making out with the food selections - how many trips to MacDonalds has he made???!! The way it sounds - Brent may have to get in on the ebay adventures with you and Uncle Ken - he sounds like that bartering thing is for him!
As everyone else, I cannot wait to see picture of the four Kreider's and hope that everything continues to go well for you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Keep the pictures and updates coming - what a journey!
My love to you all - Tami
Can't wait to meet The Kreiders, a family of four. Looking forward to the next posting and will be sure to have the tissues handy. I still can't get over Benjamin the rock star, wonder who, or why they are thinking that? Your dream is soon to become a reality - three years ago a little girl was born, who would have known that your dream really came true that day!!!
Continuing to pray for health, safe travels, and a joyful reunion. XXOO Tracy
We have our tissue box right beside the computer.....Bring on the pictures of you all with Alissa!!!!!
Praising the Lord for the blessing you are about to receive!!
The Good's
I can't wait to see Alissa. Benjamin, it must be so cool to be a rock star.
Love Lexie
Hey Kreiders,
I look at all those great pictures of your smiling faces and think "how could those smiles get any bigger?!?" And within a matter of hours they will be bigger than you could ever imagine! After all these years as a family of 3 there will be lots of adjustments to be made. The blessings that little girl will bring to your life... WOW!
I admire all of you for taking this journey and look forward to seeing that extra smiling face! The kids keep running to the computer to see if updates have come. Thank you for helping us show our kids what a true blessing love, kindness, compassion and the true meaning of what a family is.
Love and smiles,
The Harnish Clan
p.s. We call Aunt Sue & U. Ken everyday to update them and they send their love and prayers!
Thanks for the post from the family of 3! That is a hoot that Benjamin is so famous over there!! Chelsea was our famous one - with her curly red hair :)
I am so excited to hear and see pictures of your darling Alissa meeting your family for the very first time. We're praying that she will feel your warmth and love for her immediately, and that she will bond with you quickly.
We just received more pics of the Hanselman kids. They look so happy and you can tell that family is happening :)
Love you all,
Lynette & Sam
What an awesome update! It is 9:09 pm here on Monday night (sorry brent the Eagles are losing 7 to 6 right now with 3 min left in the 1st quarter)which means you are on the plane on the way to meet Alissa. WOW!!!!! We can not wait for the next update...and we always knew Benjamin was a star!!!!
love and prayers
Jeff and Alicia
Oh my word...don't even know what to say!! Can't believe your "moment" is finally almost here. We are just so excited!!!
Dear friends, what a blessed day! This is the day you finally get to see your beloved daughter face to face and hold her in your arms. We are so happy for you that the day is finally here. Can't wait to hear all about it. You guys are such a testimony. Thinking about you a lot and praying for you tons. Much love, the Shertzers
Brent, Kristin & Benjamin:
It sounds like you have been having a great time sightseeing. In a few hours you will be meeting your precious daughter and sister!! We can't wait to see pictures. We are praying for you.
Love,
Shawn, Shelby & Kassidy
BTW, Kassidy thinks it is really cool that Benjamin is a rock star in China! She is really enjoying the pictures of your journey.
Hello Kreiders!
What an amazing journey so far! Thank you for sharing this with us! And, TODAY you get to meet Alissa! I can hardly wait to see pictures of you all together. God bless you as your family grows today.
Ben--It rained the other day and Jake just talked and talked about the day you two spent under the umbrella forts in the rain. You are going to be an awesome big brother!
Our prayers are with you!
Love,
Michele, Jeff, Jake, and Jason Smith
Post a Comment