Another busy day

Four weary Wall climbers at the top of the hill.

Just to let you know in case we suddenly stop posting, my computer is giving us problems. We will keep posting as long as its still cooperating. Today we went to an English church service for foreigners. Only non-Chinese people are allowed to attend. Our guide Sherri said if the service was open to all, the Chinese people would fill the church because they would all want to see what the caucasians look like. After church we went to the jade factory. It was very similar to the pearl store; there was a large variety of items and sales people following you all over the store. I have to say I'm glad we won't be visiting another one of these stores for awhile. Its alot of pressure. They want you to buy everything you look at. So you don't get a chance to look at much. We purchased a couple of more gifts for Sophie to give to her in the future. Then we had lunch and looked a little bit at the store next door (low pressure shopping this time). After lunch we went to the Great Wall. I only went up about 1/4 of the way. Larry went all the way up to the 2nd tower. He thought there was about 500 - 1,000 steps. It was really nice to see but everyone was exhausted afterwards. We drove back to Beijing (about 1 hour) and had dinner. Beijing is so big that most of the 1 hour drive was actually driving through the city to the other side. Its only been 2 days and Chinese food is already getting old. We can't wait to have our first McDonalds! Tomorrow we leave at 5:40 am for the airport. We leave somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00. After we get to Harbin, we go to the hotel, unpack and get to go meet Sophie! Wow!!

Beijing Day 1 Is In The Can

Well, it's just before 9 PM here, and we have had a full first day in Beijing.

In fact, we are exhausted.

We walked for several hours today, from Tieneman square, through The Forbidden City, around The Summer Palace, and of course, what felt like miles getting back into the bus after every destination.


(Stacy and I in front of a Dragon statue in The Forbidden City)

In between stops, we did a little shopping at the Beijing Pearl store - below you see a small group of the happy Pearl Ladies, all ready to sell you something. When we arrived at the building, it was eerie - there were two dozen of these ladies all standing at their assigned stations, waiting for us to come in and see the presentation. We did end up getting a good deal on a necklace and set of ear rings for Sophie...



We saw this sign in The Forbidden City and had to take a picture - apparently, they really want you to rest in the restroom over here!





(Our full tour group listening intently to Sherry in The Forbidden City)

We had two authentic meals today, served family style. We are eating about half the stuff put in front of us - we don't do fish or mushrooms... And by the way, Chinese food doesn't taste much like Leann Chin, in case you were wondering...

Tomorrow we will go to the official church, then have lunch and go to a jade factory, then go to the Great Wall. Afterward, some people will be seeing an acrobatics show - we'll be repacking our bags to meet the weight restrictions and trying to get some sleep...

We are less then two days from getting Sophie!

I took about a half hour of video today, and 262 pictures - not bad for one day and having to switch constantly between cameras!

We'll post again tomorrow!

Good night,

Larry

We're in China!

After a very grueling plane trip with a two hour layover in Tokyo, we have finally arrived in our hotal room in Beijing.

It is currently 10:43 PM Friday night here, but 8:43 AM Friday morning back home in Minneapolis.

We met up with two other families on the flights from Minneapolis and Tokyo, the Gundersons and the Schmidts.

We are all very very tired...

This is a picture of our room in the Radisson in Beijing.

We have to leave the hotel at 8:30 tomorrow morning, so we are going to bed now...

Tomorrow we see Tieneman Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall!

Our email does work here, too! (Though we can't say when we'll check it next...)

I'm Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

Wow.

Six hours from now, we leave Minneapolis, Minnesota for Beijing, China.

We have most everything ready - we even bought a used minivan to replace our crossover truck yesterday!

The last minute stuff seems to take so much effort - we were gone all day yesterday running last minute errands, and we still have to stop at the bank and Walmart on the way to the airport.

My stomach is roiling, and I am aware in every fiber of my being that our lives are about to change forever, in the best way possible.

Please pray for us for safe and comfortable travel, health, and for Sophie to connect with us quickly.

Thank you, everyone for your support, and we will hopefully be able to update the blog once we get to China!

Leaving Tomorrow!!

Wow! What more can I say. Its so hard to believe its actually happening. We've been walking around with that "deer in the headlights" look for the past few days. Now the reality of the awesome responsibility of being a parent has set in. All of these questions and fears (rational and irrational) are filling our minds. Will she look very different from her last pictures? Will she like us? Will we make big mistakes and cause her to need therapy for the rest of her life? Will she like traveling in an airplane or will our fellow passengers vote us off the plane? All of those and so many more. Can you please pray for us regarding the things already mentioned. Also, please pray for safe travel and no complications, for a smooth transition for Sophie from her old world to her new family, that all paperwork and adoption appointments go well, and that all 3 of us are in good health. Thank you so much!
To the right it says "Links you should follow". This is a link to a blog for Kristy and Mark whom we will be traveling with to get our daughters. Kristy is the sweetest person! Please stop by her blog from time to time to see a different perspective on our trip to China. That first week we will each travel to the province where our child is located. But then we will all join each other again in Guanzhou. I have attached an image of our in-country itinerary. We will try to keep the blog updated but its not certain if we will have access to it in China or not. We hope to have something to update soon.

Picture of fabric for quilt.

Sorry. I forgot to include the picture in the post below.

8 Days to go!!

It so hard to believe we will be leaving in 8 days. We're not really too nervous about going yet. Both Larry and I have been too busy being sick :( Larry has the flu and I have a cold/sinus infection. So both of us have been out of commission for the past few days. Please send up some emergency prayers for us that we will be healthy before we leave! Friday we have a travel meeting (conference call) to go over details for our travel group.
Here are pictures of some of the cute fabric we have received for Sophie's "100 Good Wishes Quilt". I apologize if you don't see your fabric pictured as I only have some of the fabrics (Mom has the others). For those who may still be stuck on what to write, there is alot of poetry on the internet that you can customize to fit what you would like to say. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent fabric for her quilt!! Its been amazing to read all of the good wishes you have included. I will try to include more pictures later.