Day #2 in China

What an incredible day of experiencing China first hand! We are completely zonked yet so grateful for beautiful weather and the opportunity to experience our daughter's country and culture.

After our fill of the ultimate chinese breakfast buffet, we metJasmine for a tour of a lifetime. First, we drove for what seemed like over an hour to the Cloisonne factory only to find out that it was closed for the holidays. So we took a little detour and had the welcome surprise of visiting a jade factory where we watched master craftsmen carving beautiful and unique sculptures from all types of jade mined in different regions of China...oh and we spent a little bit of money on a sweet necklace pendant for Salem:) From there, we ventured through the mountains where we hopped on a cable car which took us directly up toward the Great Wall. We spent about and hour and a half climbing up and over ancient stones. The wind was furious but a welcome cold with all the exercise we were getting. We could have spent the entire day up there exploring. With every turn, a new perspective emerged keeping the family photographer intrigued:) Looking over the endless mountain ranges, I pondered again at the majesty of the Lord and His plans to have us here. To be absolutely on the other side of the world, so far from home and family, yet so close to our newest family member, ready to scoop her up and escort back home brought tears to my eyes. For such a time as this, we have become parents to this beautiful creation God has made. On our way back to the cable cars for our descent, I realized that in 48 hours, we will see her face for the first time. The long wait is closing in and the union is near...the thought even more breathtaking than our view!

The other families we are with have been so inspiring to us. We have both thought this and expressed it to each other and want to bless them with those words at some point tomorrow. Both families are adopting special needs girls, one with spina bifida and the other with cerebral palsy. It has been fascinating to listen to their stories and the journey that God has carved out for their families. It has specifically blessed me to hear how in the Lord's leading, they have responded in faith and fiercely pursued these girls. Our long hours in the van has created much time for hearing these stories and for pondering the greatness of our God in His deep care over us. We have noticed and they have expressed their nervousness over what will take place in a few days. As they have been faithfully praying for God to prepare the hearts of these girls to meet their families, please join us all as we lift them up. Our sovereign God has ordained these moments yet to be experience by us near-sighted individuals. May we look to Him in faith to provide the strength an courage to trust Him in His wisdom in building our families for His glory! In the midst of these conversations, we were surprised by a visit to another Cloisonne factory and family style Chinese lunch greatly welcomed by our worn out bodies. The intricacy of the artwork done by this culture is mind boggling. When we see the work and dedication put forth to producing just one piece, our appreciation for thefinished product leaves us in awe. After shopping and filling our bellies, we headed out to our last stop, Olympic Village!If you know me well, you know that I am an Olympic fiend! Not much gets done when they roll around every 2 years and Beijing 2008 was no different. It was nice that I had a great excuse for doing "nothing" that summer. Jonathan was only a few months old when Michael Phelps won his 8 gold metals. It was epic and I was just sure that my long and lean, web-footed son would be the next to break his record. I am still holding to that:) So, to have the opportunity to see the Bird'sNest and the Water Cube was incredible. Not only did we see it, but we got to get out of the van and walk around, take pictures, and refuse to buy every nick nack the vendors felt sure they could sell to us unsuspecting Americans...I must say it was difficult to pass up the ashtray in the shape of the Bird's Nest or the "gold" metal encrusted with jade. I could have hung that on Jonathan's wall for inspiration! Oh, well. Drew snagged some great pictures and I fulfilled my giddy need to be a part of the event that happened 3 and a half years ago...better late than never!

With weary bodies and droopy eyes, we all tipped the driver well and stumbled to our rooms for a rest before dinner. Only four of us made it as one couple fell fast asleep for the night. Dinner gave way to yet another wonderful conversation about our journeys and a deepening of respect for those walking this road with us. Please lift up along with Salem, Meilynn and Quinn. Their adjustment will be very different from Salem's as they are much older. Please pray for them to feel at peace and comforted by their new parents and to be accepting of these wonderful couples who have come so far for them.Pray for our first moments together, that God will give us everything we need to love and serve our girls, and for the days to follow. As I write this, our Christmas Eve is coming to a close, and Christmas Day will soon be here. Ironically, we will be spending our day at Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City and on rickshaws through Hutong. Our hearts will be celebrating Christ, the reigning King over even this vast country and all of its devastation. His kingdom is coming here and all over the globe. Happy Birthday to our great King Jesus! We love you all and LOVE sharing China with you!

Our adoption group.