Guangzhou

We arrived in Guangzhou on Friday evening and were met at the airport by our guide Simon. After arriving at the hotel we promptly got everyone to bed because we had an early morning medical appointment. All of the kids that are being adopted have to pass a physical by a Chinese medical staff before they are issued a visa by the US Consulate. There was some concern because of the chicken pox that she may not pass the physical. We went to the clinic and they checked her over thoroughly and determined that she was no longer contagious(Praise God!!). The other new law for adoptions between Hague countries is that children have to be completely up to date on immunizations before leaving the country. She was missing three shots and needed to have those(she did great and did not even cry).
Overall, she passed her exam and was given a good reprt to turn into the consulate.

Another amazing thing happened at the clinic. I was talking to a woman that was there with her brother and sister in law who were adopting a little girl. The woman (Twila) told me that she was from Alabama and so I told her I went to college in Alabama at a little school called the University of Montevallo. The next thing I know the woman adopting the little girl pops her head up and said, "I went to the University of Montevallo, are you Natalie?" and I said, "Are you Tina?" We graduated together in 1985 and had lost contact and had not spoken to each other in 24 years! We were in shock that we would meet so many years later on the other side of the world in China. We were so excited to see each other. Our families were able to have dinner tonight and catch up with each other. It is also very exciting because she keeps in contact with other dear friends that I have not been able to find and now we will be able to continue our friendships. God is amazing! She also adopted a little girl with cleft lip and palate, was married the same year Scott and I were married and had many other similarities. It was an unexpected, exciting renewal of an old friendship.

We have been enjoying Shamian Island in Guangzhou. We have been playing in the park and walking around enjoying the weather. Tomorrow I will post pictures of our trip to the zoo. Enjoy the latest Smilebox!