Beijing, Day Two

Today, we toured Tianamen Square, Chairman Mao's Burial Site, The Forbidden City, and the Emporers' Summer Palace which is on Kunming Lake. We took a short boat ride over and toured many beautiful gardens and courtyards surrounding it....These ornate buildings house centuries of history.

It must have been 900 degrees and it was a looong day, with a lot of walking. As we did, what was most interesting to me was to get up close and personal with the local Chinese people. They are such sweet people.

With the world coming in twenty days for the Olympics, China is definitely putting it's best foot forward. This is one amazing place. I could go on and on, but I thought these photos could speak a thousand words... The longer I am here, the more my heart falls in love with the people of my daughter's homeland...

Some of the very modern buildings below are "2008 Olympics" structures, including the "Bird's Nest"...very cool.

And perhaps the lightest moment of our day....this fellow we met at a pearl shop after lunch....I couldn't resist! I HAD to talk to him, so with my new friend, Bill Simmons from Cincinnati, we approached him as all our travel group laughed and snapped pics. (Notice mine and Bill's facial control! ha) He was visiting China from Romania, where he is a college professor of ancient writings! The funniest thing was that, here in a city of over 16 million people, who do we run into at DINNER but him again?! And AGAIN, with no shirt! We couldn't believe it.





It was a good day, and now we're even closer to Macy Li!

Ni Hao from China!!!

We made it--One giant leap closer to Macy Li! We arrived in Beijing about 5 hours ago and now we're here in our hotel room (it's 7pm here), It's a strange feeling to leave home at 7:45am on Thursday, and to arrive here at 2:00pm on Friday, and it was daylight the whole way! Well, Peyton is conked out across the BRICK (yes, the beds are bricks!---larger than "twin-size," but smaller than "full-size" and rock hard!), Phillip has run up to the grocery to grab a few things, and since I know our family is chomping at the bit to hear or see some news, I thought you might like to see a few pictures below.

First of all, the long flight from D.C. was great--just long. Thanks to my physician friend, Reggie A., I was able to sleep like a baby on the way ;)...It's so surreal, sitting here looking out the window at the skyscrapers and listening to the sounds of the hustle and bustle below. It has a very New York kind of feeling, car horns and all. Today is rather hazy, but the city of Beijing has definitely put it's best face on for these upcoming olympics! Everything is spotless, and well manicured. Driving through the city, it was cool to see so many Chinese people on their bikes and scooters, women under their umbrellas, to hear the little Asian tunes you think of when you think about China. The Chinese people we've met have been so kind and gracious. Before we came, we were told that we'd be stared at, and it is so true! As we were leaving the Beijing airport, this young man came bolting up to us with his camera and was so giddy with excitement to take our pictures! Then, he had another guy take his picture with us. He kept bowing and doing his hands together. Then he ran off showing everyone our pictures on his camera ...We felt like celebrities! hahaha...

In a little while, after Peyton has rested, we're going to venture out in the city to find some dinner and take a taxi to see some of the olympic village sites, the "bird nest," etc...It's supposedly a sight to see at night.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the trip over and sights from the bus window as we came from the airport to the hotel.

China, Here We Come!!

Well, we're just about to walk out the door! This "labor" is going strong now! First, we're flying to D.C., then to Beijing! Monday morning, we'll fly from Beijing to Nanchang, Jiangxi, where we'll get her that day! China is 13 hours ahead of us, so we'll be getting her while you sleep on Sunday night. Next Friday, we'll fly from Nanchang to Guangzhou in the Guangdong Province. And the following week, we'll fly back to Beijing to Chicago to Nashville!! Please continue to pray for her health and protection, as well as for her attachment and adjustment during this transition to her new life. Thank you!! (Xie Xie!)

24 hours!

We're packed! 4 bags under China's 44-pound limit! Woo hoo!!!!! Considering we have to bring an entire nursery and pharmacy, that is an accomplishment! Now I'm off today just to tie up a few last-minute errands. I'm in a bit of shock seeing those closed bags by the front door.

Just as it was when I was leaving for the hospital to deliver my boys, I'm having all those "Mom-thoughts," such as this morning when I was cooking breakfast for Tyler and Nolan before they went off to football, "...this is the last breakfast I'll fix them without a baby on my hip," or this is our last day in this house being a family of 5 and life as we know it..." Moms, you know those "last" thoughts you have on your way to the hospital. That's me today. I'm trying not to let my "to-do" list distract me from soaking it all in. Our lives will never be the same. In the midst of insane joy, I have to admit to some pretty overwhelming melancholy emotions right now. It's odd. After an almost 3-year "pregnancy," I'm almost there...

48 hours...

In just 48 hours, we'll be on a plane headed for Beijing! Somebody pinch me!

Hang on, we're coming "Gan Li Ming!" Your whole family is just about to burst! We love you so much!!

Labor pains getting stronger...

3 more days "til we leave!!! 7 more days 'til we get her!!! We covet every single one of your prayers!

...90 hours....

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..In about 90 hours, we'll be gone...headed for the other side of the planet on a mission...Mission: Macy Li!!! I can't believe it. I haven't been blogging much this past week, as the requirements for such a mission are much! In a day or so, we'll be ready.

I can't stop thinking about how this sweet angel's life is about to radically change...Though WE all know this change will be Life-giving on many levels, SHE will have no idea. We expect the grief, the fear, the sadness. She will surely long for the only life she's ever known...for a while. It makes me sad, though I cling to the Promises of the bigger picture. Isn't this just like us with our heavenly Father?!?! We're lost, without any hope, until He adopts us as His own and we become forever His', heir to all that is His. Not until we're adopted do we receive life abundant, life full of hope, life eternal. Mind-boggling....

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Celebrating Macy Li...

The Boys are back in town!!

The boys are home!! K-Kountry and K-Colorado (kanakuk.com) kamps ended yesterday and they all came home last night. Phillip went out to Missouri for Peyton's closing ceremonies, while I flew out to Durango, Colorado for Tyler and Nolan's closing ceremonies. As usual, all three of them had two amazing weeks, and are already counting down the weeks 'til they go again next summer. I'm going to post some highlight photos here in the next day or two, as soon as I get them from all their cameras. You'll want to come back and see some of these. Last night, we all sat out on the front porch and just listened to them tell story after story of their camp adventures, their new friendships, but mostly about how impacted they were, once again, by the life-changing Truths taught there. All day today I've just thanked God for how He is working in their lives and transforming them into His likeness. I'll tell you, they challenge me! I'm so proud of how they're growing up, and making wise decisions. Of course, they fail daily because they're a Work in progress, but aren't we all? I'm humbled by how God is using them, in spite of what ragamuffin-parents they have. We are in constant need of a heavenly Father, all of us, to grow us up His way. Tyler, Nolan and Peyton, we are so proud of you young men! We see the fingerprints of our Father all over you! We're so privileged to be on this journey with you. We love you!

" Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Ps. 86:11

"Mission Macy Li": 2 Weeks!

Wow...We did it. The flights are booked and paid for. 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY WE'LL BE ON OUR WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We beat those olympics, afterall!! My heart is racing just typing this. There is soooo much to do, but just thinking of taking that sweet baby out of there gives me so much energy to get it all done. Hang on, sweet little Macy Li! We are coming to give you an amazing life!!!!


"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15