Wonderful Whirlwind

In the last 12 hours, we have covered so much ground physically and emotionally, that it's hard to believe. Apparently doing this several times before doesn't dull the feelings even one bit. But, I'm getting ahead of myself a little.....

After a final breakfast buffet with only 3 Langguth girls




we left our hotel in Bejing for a short trip to the airport. We've said it before, but leaving made us a little sad because (this time :-) there's a very good chance we won't ever be returning on another adoption trip.

At about 10:45, our plane left for Harbin. After the 90 minute flight and another half an hour or so making our way thru the airport and getting our bags, we were met by our guide for this portion of our journey, Lynn. We hadn't known exactly what our schedule would be once we got here, but Lynn informed us that we would be driving directly to the Civil Affairs Office where we would be meeting Zhen. No time for preparing other than the time it took for the drive (about 45 minutes). We arrived at the fairly unofficial-looking building and took the elevator to the 23rd floor. Down a long hall, in a conference room were a large group of officials and one beautiful (but scared-looking) young girl.




She was holding a teddy bear we had sent her a few months ago, and she said in a very soft voice "Hello, Mama" when Cathy entered the room.

The officials asked us some questions, and we asked them some. We had a picture taken and some papers were signed, and then before we knew it, we were back in the van on the way to our hotel. The papers we signed give temporary custody of Zhen, and tomorrow (if no one has a change of heart) everything will be made official and permanent.

Considering how drastic a change this is for Zhen, everything has been going remarkably smooth. She has teared up only once or twice, never really crying. The girls have begun working on her English with the help of the Nook Tablet we brought for her.




She ate a great dinner with us at the Chinese restaurant here in the hotel, and seemed to be bonding with Cathy very well.




She presented her sisters with bracelets she had made for them, and chose to wear the pajamas we brought for her over the ones she had brought with her. The guide, Lynn, called a while ago to see how things were going and Cathy put Zhen on the phone. She told Lynn that she was happy and that she had a good dinner. Sure it's been less than a whole day, but this definitely feels like it's gonna work out just fine :-)

Harbin is, in a word, COLD. It was -1 degree F when we arrived in the middle of the afternoon and it's supposed to get down to about -20 tonight. We didn't have time for any official outings, but Natalie and I had to go out for a short time and explore the area around the hotel a little. This is what our hotel looks like (we have rooms right up at the top - we were told there is only one set of adjoining rooms in the hotel and we got them - another good omen?).




And this is a small ice building at the edge of a large monument just outside the hotel.




Hopefully, we will get a chance to visit the official "Ice and Snow Exhibition" later this week, but tonight's short trip proved how much multiple, multiple layers will be needed to be out for any length of time.

Zhen came to us with little more than the clothes on her back, so we've got some shopping to do (she is right between Marissa and Jensyn in size, just as we expected). But for tonight, we will just go to bed, once again amazed at just how blessed we are.


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