Our Last Night in China.

Today we had our Consulate Appointment and oath -- the last "official" thing to cross off the list before going home.

There were no cameras allowed (not even cell phones), so unfortunately I don't have a photo to document this momentous appointment.

We will be receiving Mina's passport with her US Visa tomorrow afternoon. We will then take a van to Hong Kong and spend the night. Friday morning (Thursday night in the US) we'll wake up and catch a flight to Chicago and then... drumroll, please...we arrive in OKLAHOMA on Friday evening!

Once we land in Chicago, Mina will be a US Citizen!

It's kinda strange how I feel today.
I'm beyond ready to be home, but at the same time I have a twinge of sadness.
We're leaving China, my daughter's homeland.
It's bittersweet.
The end of one chapter; the beginning of another.

Everything Mina's ever known is about to drastically change.

Daniel and I have been given a taste over these past two weeks as to what it feels like to be a "minority".
How frustrating it can be when no one understands what you're asking or saying.
How intrusive people's stares can be.
How at the end of the day, you almost feel ready to fight someone because you're just over it all.

I want to remember these feelings.
Because Mina is going to stand out quite a bit once we get back to the Midwest...

And there will be hard days.
Some even harder than others.

But I pray that she always knows that no matter what lies ahead, I will be here to hold her when she needs me. 'Cause that's what Mamas are for...



So even though it's her last night in China, she has a family that will be hers forever and ever.
No matter where this world takes her.