Let the adventure begin!

Our first Big hiccup along the way...
We submitted out passports for processing to the Indian consulate (through Target) for visas about 3 weeks ago. Late last week / early this week, it became apparent that we were not getting them back, and the consulate denied any record of having them - yikes! Luckily, Target helped us out, getting an expedited appointment at the Chicago Passport agency through Senator Coleman's office, a trip to Chicago and revised itinerary (many thanks to everyone who made that happen). So, instead of a leisurely direct flight to London yesterday evening, we boarded the first plane to Chicago at 7am, and spent the day at the passport agency, getting an emergency reissued passport to replace our lost ones, before boarding a revised route through Detroit that got us to London - very nearly right on schedule for arrival!! It was a little hairy, but I suspect something we'll get accustomed to soon enough. Hopefully, it will work out all the way through, and I will get another visa application submitted (and BACK) in time for my Feb 7th departure to Bangalore.
For now, good lessons learned that 1) I can ask for help, really and 2) there's lots of people who will.

So, we're in London now, checked into the Waldorf Hilton as planned, which happens to be right across from the Indian Embassy (small, small world!). The hotel stay was a birthday gift from my parents, long before we knew about my assingment in India - interesting irony. Wade is excited to be starting his class at St. Thomas/ Lloyd's first thing in the morning, and then we'll meet up with Tony, a coworker and friend of my dad's. I'll try to use this forum to update everyone on our stay in London too. For now, I'm just glad to be here! We are really so blessed, with such great family, friends and support, as we continue on this great adventure!