March 25, 2007 "Patience is everything."--Ranier Maria Rilke Rob contacted me several times today. Emily and I had gone to church and to a wonderful lunch in Flemington. So, by the time I got back to him, it was close to 3:00 AM, China time. Rob was non-plussed--he said that they had arrived in their hotel, the Jingfeng, in Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi Province after 12:00 midnight. I have included pictures of the Forbidden City and what was formerly the Royal Palace. They said they had a really big sightseeing day. I won't pretend I know what I am looking at, so I will include the pictures and we can make up our own story :-) Rob said the hotel is beautiful--he has taken video both at the Beijing Hotel and now at the Jingfeng. He indicated that it was pretty surreal walking into the room and being greeted with Hannah's crib. Though he is nervous about the unknown of what comes next, he is excited and surely emotional. As I write this, I am ultimately aware that in just two and half hours, Hannah Leigh Xiaowei Beals will be united for the first time with her daddy. She will leave the care of nannies that have loved her and taken care of her for nine months. Her world will be different, our world will be different, and I can't think of a greater blessing in this life. I will be able to hear the activity via cell phone when Rob receives Hannah, and of course, the group will be snapping pictures like crazy as each family becomes a forever family in the Civil Affairs building in a bustling town in China. Patience is everything...and we have made it this far, just a few more days, and Emily and I will meet the daughter and sister destined to be ours. We pray for her nannies, for her friends she will be leaving, for Rob and all of the families who share this forever day with us, and especially for Hannah as she readies to be part of a family for the first time in her young life. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement--this is the day we have awaited for so long...the pictures should get even more fun now!! Love, Rob, Heather, Emily and Hannah                             This page hosted by