Safari Asian Style and Flexibility

Picture taken from a few feet away - no zoom needed

As we enjoyed, what we thought was our last free day prior to a flurry of meetings and our departure, we were able to explore the largest safari park in Asia.  It was absolutely stunning... anyone under 4 feet was free, and anyone over 65 was 50% off the $30 admission price...this made it a winning proposition for the 9 of us  - mostly under 4 feet and over 65 :)  Incredible Pandas, Asian Elephants, and White Tigers (this park claims 2/5 of the entire White Tiger population in the world with over 200 of the total 500 world wide white tigers).  Ellie, TJ, Owen, and Fei (well, really all of us!) had a blast and now will never look at our zoos the same.  We even saw incredible shows featuring elephants and white tigers...and caught a Bald Eagle stuffed animal thrown into the crowd! Guangzhou features animals in their natural habitat very well...it was quite impressive.

Upon our return, we learned that the US Consulate in Guangzhou has been closed for a security breach (white powder in an envelope) and they do not know when they will re-open the office.  This poses a real problem for the approx. 80 families awaiting US travel Visa's for their adopted children.  At the time of this post, we have no resolution and the best estimate is a early next week.  All the parties are scrambling to figure out plans and adjust time off requests.  We continue to rely on an awesome God as we make adjustment plans.  All in His timing...the delay required us to spend a day around the hotel just playing, being available for update meetings and planning for all the pending changes.  The day ended up being just what Fei needed as she has really began to relax and is now laughing with multiple people and is initiating more interactions.  Most recently with Grandpa....she will laugh as he sneaks up on her.  It is as cute as you imagine.

get me..don't get me...get me again :)

 

Stare down....my money is on the St.Clair kids

 

 

We continue to learn the virtue of patience and flexibility as we await the re-opening of the US consulate in Guangzhou.  We will make the most of this extra time and continue to pray for clarity in the process and peace as God's will unfolds.  If we look at the big picture, the hard part is over... Fei is legally our daughter and we have completed the Chinese gov't requirements. Now we just need the Visa from our government to travel, that will happen in time.