The last two days we have spent in and around Beijing seeing the sites and getting to know the other families who have traveled from so far to get here for these life changing moments. We started the day early, with a great breakfast buffet again both mornings. We were able to meet new friends and even connect with old acquaintances from an AWAA adoption picnic last August in Portland Oregon. As we sat and listened or shared our stories with each other, about how God has orchestrated things to bring us to this point in life, we were blessed to hear other parent’s share how He has worked in their lives and brought us all together.
Our first stop of the day was at the Forbidden City. I think I know why it was forbidden… BECAUSE IT WAS SO STINKING HOT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THERE!!!
Actually, as this was not our first time, the fervor for the sites was not as great as it was for others, but we enjoyed sharing the moment with my sister Faith who has accompanied here on this trip. We arrived at the Tienanmen Square about 10:15 on Saturday. At the time we got off the bus, it was 41 degree’s Celsius… Lets to the math, that means it was 105.8 degrees to us!! Humidity was only about 83% at that time of the morning, thank goodness. During our tour of the Forbidden City, it was interesting to note that at one point during the tour, our guide Sherry noted that at some point during some dynasty, the people who occupied the Forbidden City (completed in 1420), thought “hey, it is way to hot here during the summer, we got to get a place by the lake!”, so in 1750, they completed the first version of the Summer Palace. WOW, only 330 years to figure out that Beijing was way to hot in the summer! But the time we left the Forbidden City, it was about 12:25, and by 1 pm, it was up to 53 degree’s Celsius on the buses outside thermometer.. Bus sides were baby blue, so I will give that about a 10 degree heat sink factor and estimate the outside temp at 113 +/- a couple of degrees!
Luckily we also had a couple of stops to separate the high temp outdoor sightseeing. We visited the pearl store, the silk store and then had a nice dinner somewhere that served Chinese food. By the time we all got home, it was pretty near 7 pm, all we wanted was a shower, water and a bed!
Sunday morning started spectacular. Our first stop of the day was a church service at Beijing International Christian Fellowship. We enjoyed hearing one of our friends/shirt tail relatives, Jon Davis bring God’s word in his message and singing praise to our Father with others from at least 10 other countries. Very nice. We were blessed. From there we headed to the Jade Museum and then to another lunch at a Chinese restaurant! We all loved the meal there at the Friendship store. Very good, and for the last couple of days, we have enjoyed the company of the same group of families at our table for the group meals. We have really enjoyed getting to know them, and I am sure we have at least been a bit of meal time levity!
Our afternoon stop was at the Great Wall of China. We loved seeing it from the air-conditioned windows, and for about 12 ½ minutes, really enjoyed the walk up the wall. Once again, it was probably 104-115 degrees outside. Beth, our ever persistent “I am going to climb to the top” person.. she made it about 10 minutes further up the wall than Faith and I. I warned her… WAY TO HOT to be doing this… Guess what, she did not listen. Actually, I think she wanted to go to the hospital again and visit our friends that we met on our last trip when I went to the hospital! Thankfully, she did not completely melt down, probably just severe dehydration and mild heatstroke. After some rest in the shade, water, and a few hours (plus some food) she felt better, and hopefully will be fully functional again in the morning. Thank you Lord for no serious problems other than that in our little group of Faith, Beth and I!
We ended our day with an evening show of the Beijing Acrobats. That was pretty fun. We probably would have enjoyed it more if we had NOT been overcooked at the Great Wall, but nonetheless, it was a good time.
As we end our day, it is about 1030 our time. That means that in about 12 hours we will have been given the gift of our new son Levi from God! So it is with great excitement, fear, trembling, honor, and mild hysteria… we go to sleep. We need to be up and on the bus at 0530 to be ready to go to the Airport.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We will update you again tomorrow with Pictures, stories, and a narrative of becoming parents to a 13 year old young man.
God Bless you all, goodnight.
I warned my mom about climbing the great wall! Thank God she stopped after 10 minutes, I'm sure the Chinese would have been shocked to see a red headed American roll down the ancient steps!!
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