I do solemnly swear ...

Today was supposed to be a slow day where the only thing on our schedule was to check the voicemail at our hotel room's extension at 12:00 noon.  Our facilitator, Shiyan, told us that no news would be good news ... that is if we didn't hear from her, it meant that there was nothing wrong with our paperwork and everything was on track.

So we ran some errands and walked around the square here on Shamian Island.  The photo here is of Futing posing with a statue of a music teacher being followed by children.  There are a number of statues like this around the square.

When we got into our room at about noon and saw a red light on our phone, we both thought "Uh-oh."  But there was no cause for alarm.  Shiyan's message said that our paperwork was fine and that the U.S. consulate wanted us to come to take the oath a day early.  So, off we went with the other families in our group.  The task at the consulate was really pretty minor compared to other hurdles we have cleared: simply wait around with a bunch of other tired-but-giddy adoptive parents and wait for your child's name to be called.  

One couple in our group held eachother's hands over their heads to form a human arch for another family to walk under when their name was called.  That sort of caught on, so we passed through a similar human arch made by about three other couples when the name "Li Futing" was called.

Then it was a quick sign here and sign there and wait a few more minutes and then pick up your papers again.

Then came the oath "I do solemnly swear or affirm that ... " and it was done.  I'll pick up Futing's visa tomorrow and when our plane lands in Newark, he will be an American citizen.   Citizenship certainly isn't the only gift we have to offer Futing ... but it is an awfully important one.  I have come to appreciate my country a good deal more over these past few days.  I'm glad that Futing will be able to call it home!