The Great Wall, and Luke's Birthday
On Sunday, we went to a church run by the International Christian Fellowship. It was nice to worship with believers from all over the world, but I personally felt a little uncomfortable and unworthy to be free to worship there, when so many who are from China don't have that right. This church was only open to foreigners, and we had to show our passports to gain entry.. I don't know, it just felt strange.
The big event of the day was our visit to the Great Wall of China. It was truly awe-inspiring. The mountains rise up suddenly just outside of Beijing,and the sections of wall run up the side of the mountain and alongside the ridgetops. So many interesting things to say, but it was an unreal experience, and so wonderful to see my boys climbing a wonder of the world.
We had several other activities that I hope I can describe later, but tonight (it's 10:06 p.m. Sunday night in Beijing) we are repacking our stuff and getting ready to meet Lilli Grace in the morning. We have to leave about 5:30 to catch our flight to Taiyuan, which leaves about 7:30. It's a one-hour flight, and we are scheduled to meet Lilli around 10:30 a.m. For anyone who's keeping up, that will be 9:30 p.m. Sunday night in Tennessee.
Also, Luke turned ten twice today, once on Beijing time and once in "real" (Tennessee) time. He had a great day climbing the Great Wall and learning about several different Chinese art forms as we toured around. Our guides, Rosa and Maggie, and really, all of our travel group, were so loving to him today. Rosa and Maggie even arranged for a birthday cake during dinner. It was a great day for a great kid. :)
Also, Luke turned ten twice today, once on Beijing time and once in "real" (Tennessee) time. He had a great day climbing the Great Wall and learning about several different Chinese art forms as we toured around. Our guides, Rosa and Maggie, and really, all of our travel group, were so loving to him today. Rosa and Maggie even arranged for a birthday cake during dinner. It was a great day for a great kid. :)
So I hope to be posting lots of pictures of our baby girl tomorrow! The internet service there is a little sketchy, though, so if there is no post, you'll know why.
Love to you all, and thanks for your continued prayers. We are really feeling them!
4 comments:
Hi Melissa! We just returned from Taiyuan to get our daughter. If you are staying at the YuYuan, you will have free internet in your room. But, I don't know about accessing blogger from Shanxi, we used a different web hosting service. Anyway, so excited for you! If your guide is Verena, tell her hello from Jason, Chanda, Ava & Amelia (Shu Shu) Schuh. She was a wonderful guide and you should ask her to arrange for you to visit Pingyao while you're there. Its a World Heritage site and SO amazing. Plus, Verena lives there so she knows it well. Anyway, good luck and we can't wait to read about your Gotcha Day!!!
Chanda
AWAA Waiting Child Family
Enjoyed your pics and the accounts of your journey...will be praying for your travel and will pray for you beginning at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
I had to create an account to get this to submit.
New experience for me.
Carol Gilmer
Hi guys. Just wanted you to know how much we are enjoying your blogs. We continue to pray for all of you. Checking several times a day for the first pictures of you with your new daughter. Can't wait for you to get home
Melissa,
It's so funny to see you in all the same places we were just visiting. I know you must have Lilli by know. Pray all is going well.
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