Our last day in Guangzhou was VERY wet. It is a good thing Sheila got most of her shopping done before this morning, because we have had the rain. We had to catch the bus to the US Consulate at 2:45 this afternoon, and it was still raining for the entire 45 minute bus ride there and back.

The actual event of swearing in Ruby as a US citizen and getting her visa went fairly quickly and much more organized than it was in 2003. The room at the new location was MUCH larger that the one we were in for Jada’s swearing in. I’d estimate that at least 200 people were there for this session. I know of three LARGE buses of people that were there, but I’m not sure if other buses came for others after we left.

Sheila meant to add a little bit in her posting yesterday about how the weather has been. She thought it only fair since I had ragged on it so much in my earlier writings. And I have to admit, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were VERY nice – highs in the mid-70s with a slight breeze. Very comfortable. I guess that turned out to be the lull before the storm. Looking on weather.com, it seems the rain today is being caused by a tropical depression that is out in the South China Sea and heading for Hong Kong. We are only a short distance inland from Hong Kong.

As Sheila stated yesterday, this will be our last post before many of you see us on Thursday evening at Tri-Cities airport. We are scheduled to arrive at 9:17 PM on Northwest flight 3230. We get our “wake-up” call at 4:30 AM, and head to the airport for our 8:20 AM flight at 5:30 AM. Should be an interesting time with two girls who have become accustomed to sleeping past 8:00 each morning.

So, if you want to get an idea of just how long we will be 'in route to America', look at your clock at 5:30 pm on Wednesday evening and say "On your mark, get set, GO." and let's see who gets to the airport first. :]

Since we still have to pack, I better get off here and get busy doing something. Sheila and Jada stepped out to return the borrowed stroller and pick up a few things that were supposed to be ready today. Ruby is asleep, but the rest of us have a long way to go before we are able to catch a few Z’s.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we head back to the US. As soon as Ruby goes through the immigration line at the Detroit airport, she will be an official, no one can ever take it away, genuine, certified, bonafide, authentic US citizen. Hallelujah!

Thank you once again for following our most amazing journey. We hope you enjoyed reading it half as much as we enjoyed keeping it. It will serve as a diary of sorts to give to Ruby when she is able to comprehend and understand the significance of the contents. We think she’ll be okay with it.

For those of you interested, I will post some additional journal entries after we return home. Some of the ones I can’t wait to feature are of course the welcome home, but also Ruby’s dedication at church. She has changed SO MUCH in the last 9 days. I can’t wait to report from home in several weeks or a few months how she is doing.

Hugs and kisses to all, and to all a good night!

R-S-J-R

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step....Lao Tzu