1/27/10
More Pictures
Chuck passed on more pictures and you can go to Great Wall, Cloisonne and Beijing Olympics to see them. Enjoy!!
Goofing Off in Beijing
Today we pretty much goofed off all day and just hung out with John.
I think he had his first ever milk shake at McD's, we went to the "silk store" which is less of a silk store and more of a bargaining experience- it was fun once we understood the basic ground rules.
We came back to the hotel, rested our feet for about a half an hour and then headed out to the subway to catch Avatar.The subway was pretty entertaining by itself. I remember my mom telling me that when she rode the subway in Tokyo, growing up, that they had "pushers" who actually helped push people into the cars and when she was in the car she could just let go of her books. I couldn't help but laugh all the way into the car- the pushers were there and we couldn't get onto the first car because there was no room- even with the pushers.
We had to switch lines and then go a few more stops, but we rode the subway because the front desk told us that traffic would be too bad to go when we needed to go. It was fun and adventurous.
The movie was the 3D version, so for sure it was his first 3D movie and maybe his first real movie- it's hard to really know for sure. The "weather" in the theater was the warmest we have ever experienced- like close to 80. He is getting better at helping us communicate with the locals.
Any word from the SR? Looking forward to hearing good reports of God's grace in everyone's life.
I think he had his first ever milk shake at McD's, we went to the "silk store" which is less of a silk store and more of a bargaining experience- it was fun once we understood the basic ground rules.
We came back to the hotel, rested our feet for about a half an hour and then headed out to the subway to catch Avatar.The subway was pretty entertaining by itself. I remember my mom telling me that when she rode the subway in Tokyo, growing up, that they had "pushers" who actually helped push people into the cars and when she was in the car she could just let go of her books. I couldn't help but laugh all the way into the car- the pushers were there and we couldn't get onto the first car because there was no room- even with the pushers.
We had to switch lines and then go a few more stops, but we rode the subway because the front desk told us that traffic would be too bad to go when we needed to go. It was fun and adventurous.
The movie was the 3D version, so for sure it was his first 3D movie and maybe his first real movie- it's hard to really know for sure. The "weather" in the theater was the warmest we have ever experienced- like close to 80. He is getting better at helping us communicate with the locals.
Any word from the SR? Looking forward to hearing good reports of God's grace in everyone's life.
1/26/10
Beijing Olympics
On the way home from the Wall we drove by the Olympic facility. Here are just a few shots. You can see it much better by just looking on line, but I guess it is more fun seeing it through that lens of someone you actually know.
The pics are the Olympic Village, where all the athletes stay, the "Birds Nest" and "The Cube". The Cube is especially for Mo- it's where they did all the swimming events.
The pics are the Olympic Village, where all the athletes stay, the "Birds Nest" and "The Cube". The Cube is especially for Mo- it's where they did all the swimming events.
Cloisonne
We also went to a cloisonne factory today. I was not expecting this at all. I will give you more of the details when I have a faster internet connection, but it was amazing to see how much time it takes to make this beautiful artwork.
Before we went to the Wall we stopped by a jade factory and took a tour. Very interesting- I really like rocks.
A 1000 degree Centigrade furnace fueled by charcoal heats the copper and solders the small pieces of copper onto the vase. If you get close to the vases in the later pictures you can see the detail of each piece of copper. These "slots" are then filled with enamel and baked on. Each piece of art goes into the furnace 7 times before it is finished.
Red hot vases coming out of the furnace to go to the next stage. So many hours.
These are vases that are cooling before returning back the the artists. Look at them closely to see the detail.
I can't help but be reminded of the furnace of trials that each believer must go through before we are complete in Christ. We must share in His sufferings before we can reign with Him. The fire is still hot but when we realize the purpose then we may find delight in knowing we are in a trial so that the outcome of completion is all the more close.
Mary told me that there have been cases where house have caught on fire and everything was completely lost except for the cloisonne- because it has already been tested by fire.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Teresa told me that it was ok for us not to be in trials every minute of every day and that maybe God was allowing us to rest from them for a time. OK- I guess that's ok too.
Before we went to the Wall we stopped by a jade factory and took a tour. Very interesting- I really like rocks.
A 1000 degree Centigrade furnace fueled by charcoal heats the copper and solders the small pieces of copper onto the vase. If you get close to the vases in the later pictures you can see the detail of each piece of copper. These "slots" are then filled with enamel and baked on. Each piece of art goes into the furnace 7 times before it is finished.
Red hot vases coming out of the furnace to go to the next stage. So many hours.
These are vases that are cooling before returning back the the artists. Look at them closely to see the detail.
I can't help but be reminded of the furnace of trials that each believer must go through before we are complete in Christ. We must share in His sufferings before we can reign with Him. The fire is still hot but when we realize the purpose then we may find delight in knowing we are in a trial so that the outcome of completion is all the more close.
Mary told me that there have been cases where house have caught on fire and everything was completely lost except for the cloisonne- because it has already been tested by fire.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Teresa told me that it was ok for us not to be in trials every minute of every day and that maybe God was allowing us to rest from them for a time. OK- I guess that's ok too.
1/25/10
Great Wall
We went to the Great Wall today and the weather could not have been nicer. From the parking lot it looks like it is just up the hill- Mary said she would stay with the driver. After a little hiking I realized why she stayed in the parking lot.
The date of the wall ranges from just around 200bc to about 1500ad. There have been major rebuilding going on along the way and for sure many people lost their lives to its building. Mary said it is about 5000 miles total- I have not confirmed that number, but it is big.
I will say with AB that I did not bring my climbing belly today. Man that thing is steep and it just keeps on going. I was tired after about 3 look out towers and there were about 8 we went through. Going up is much harder than going down, but my legs were totally shaking when we finally got back to the van. The steps are all different elevations so going up is challenging, but coming down is tricky because you really have to look at each step as you walk. John- with his 14 year old legs and lungs- acted like it was nothing; oh to be young again.
We did meet some people on the wall who are from the Tri-Cities and I had on my "Sterlings Restaurant" shirt from the there; small world. They have just adopted their 3rd child to add to their 6 bio's. That was kind of fun.
Here are some pics from the Wall- It's amazing that we were here and it was such a beautiful day. Enjoy and I'll add comments where it is necessary.
The date of the wall ranges from just around 200bc to about 1500ad. There have been major rebuilding going on along the way and for sure many people lost their lives to its building. Mary said it is about 5000 miles total- I have not confirmed that number, but it is big.
I will say with AB that I did not bring my climbing belly today. Man that thing is steep and it just keeps on going. I was tired after about 3 look out towers and there were about 8 we went through. Going up is much harder than going down, but my legs were totally shaking when we finally got back to the van. The steps are all different elevations so going up is challenging, but coming down is tricky because you really have to look at each step as you walk. John- with his 14 year old legs and lungs- acted like it was nothing; oh to be young again.
We did meet some people on the wall who are from the Tri-Cities and I had on my "Sterlings Restaurant" shirt from the there; small world. They have just adopted their 3rd child to add to their 6 bio's. That was kind of fun.
Here are some pics from the Wall- It's amazing that we were here and it was such a beautiful day. Enjoy and I'll add comments where it is necessary.
Tuesday Morning
Last night we played pool and darts and from the look of his play I am sure John has never played either:) He does respong to "John" since that is all we call him. He came along nicely in pool. I was showing him- you know I am an expert:)NOT- how to hold your back arm and just let it hang and move the bottom part very smoothly back and forth and so was holding his shoulder- he is thick and very firm.
Mary and I had a debate yesterday in the car as to how tall he is in cm's. I had to do the conversion and then we were both simply guessing his height- she is bringing a tape measure this am. My guess is that he is 4'10". Do I know someone who is 4'10"? He is about 8" shorter than T.
Today we are going to the Great Wall- he has been there before, so it's new for us and not for him. T went and got food last night and brought it to the room- Chinese take out. It is so cheap. She got me Kung Poa chicken and it was HOT! John thought it was fine, and I like a little spice, but there was a lot of red peppers hidden and they were eating me up- it was very good though.
We went to TJ yesterday and did our paperwork and were back by a little after 11. Apparently we are not going back to TJ, Mary will go and pick up the passport on Friday so we don't have to go. Now we are flying to GD on Sat. so we get there at a normal time rather than late at night.
OK- not following blogging etiquette here; John- No problem using the bass- that's what it's for. Did he use the 4 or the 5 string? It is a little weird using the 5 when you're not used to it. Welcome back Chris and Zoom!! What does He have planned for you now? Hard to be in the middle of, but fun to watch Him work.
The bass player at the International church was actually a bass player- he was really good. We are not in any trial here other than I always want to be doing something and healthy enough to go out and do it and my shoulder is slowing me down and we are bored. There is not much spiritual growth taking place with wimpy "trials" like that. Thanks for your prayers though.
We did read to John and have him read back to us, in the Bible story book. He is a little, either lazy or reluctant to jump in. I am not sure if it is the Bible story part that he doesn't like or the fact that we are making him read to us and he doesn't like it, but since I am bigger I win:) He must be able to work through his dislikes and discomforts because even though life in America is going to be an amazing opportunity for him, it is still just an opportunity- which means he must take it and run with it. Please pray that God would be working in his heart, even through children's Bible stories- it is His Word and His Word does not return empty- that is so encouraging.
The SR is under way- pray that even now God would be pounding some hearts. I guess this is a trial, in that we so much want to be there with, not only our kids, but our extended family of kids and adults- but by all His working we are convinced that this is where God would have us to be right now and so we are resting in His plan. I think we will also miss Garrett's last BB game, and that is sad. We, T and I and Garrett, certainly knew that if God allowed this to take place that we would probably miss a good batch of his games and he was so unselfish in telling us that we must do this if God allowed. God is so gracious to have given us 3 great kids- in spite of not very good parenting.
We, more me than T, missed so many opportunities to really impact the lives of our kids and yet He still worked to bring them not only to Himself but to make them passionate about His work. This is proof that it is only God can bring about change in hearts. Hug my kids when you see them.
One last more emotional thing. Until you have been there, you really have no idea how lonely it is, spiritually, when you are away from your home church. GBC is not perfect, and when I am there it is less perfect, but that is our family and I really miss worshipping with our family. I hope this encourages you to be there when you are able and celebrate God's goodness in placing each and every one of us there for a specific and unique purpose. I want to be and do what God has for me to do there, even if it is just going to China for a few weeks and posting back what is happening. If that encourages some towards higher affections, then God is good to work through a boring, old, beat up clay pot. I shake my head in wonder at why He would use someone like me to do His work- but I am thankful He does.
Thanks again for your encouragement and prayers. Our God is awesome!!!
Mary and I had a debate yesterday in the car as to how tall he is in cm's. I had to do the conversion and then we were both simply guessing his height- she is bringing a tape measure this am. My guess is that he is 4'10". Do I know someone who is 4'10"? He is about 8" shorter than T.
Today we are going to the Great Wall- he has been there before, so it's new for us and not for him. T went and got food last night and brought it to the room- Chinese take out. It is so cheap. She got me Kung Poa chicken and it was HOT! John thought it was fine, and I like a little spice, but there was a lot of red peppers hidden and they were eating me up- it was very good though.
We went to TJ yesterday and did our paperwork and were back by a little after 11. Apparently we are not going back to TJ, Mary will go and pick up the passport on Friday so we don't have to go. Now we are flying to GD on Sat. so we get there at a normal time rather than late at night.
OK- not following blogging etiquette here; John- No problem using the bass- that's what it's for. Did he use the 4 or the 5 string? It is a little weird using the 5 when you're not used to it. Welcome back Chris and Zoom!! What does He have planned for you now? Hard to be in the middle of, but fun to watch Him work.
The bass player at the International church was actually a bass player- he was really good. We are not in any trial here other than I always want to be doing something and healthy enough to go out and do it and my shoulder is slowing me down and we are bored. There is not much spiritual growth taking place with wimpy "trials" like that. Thanks for your prayers though.
We did read to John and have him read back to us, in the Bible story book. He is a little, either lazy or reluctant to jump in. I am not sure if it is the Bible story part that he doesn't like or the fact that we are making him read to us and he doesn't like it, but since I am bigger I win:) He must be able to work through his dislikes and discomforts because even though life in America is going to be an amazing opportunity for him, it is still just an opportunity- which means he must take it and run with it. Please pray that God would be working in his heart, even through children's Bible stories- it is His Word and His Word does not return empty- that is so encouraging.
The SR is under way- pray that even now God would be pounding some hearts. I guess this is a trial, in that we so much want to be there with, not only our kids, but our extended family of kids and adults- but by all His working we are convinced that this is where God would have us to be right now and so we are resting in His plan. I think we will also miss Garrett's last BB game, and that is sad. We, T and I and Garrett, certainly knew that if God allowed this to take place that we would probably miss a good batch of his games and he was so unselfish in telling us that we must do this if God allowed. God is so gracious to have given us 3 great kids- in spite of not very good parenting.
We, more me than T, missed so many opportunities to really impact the lives of our kids and yet He still worked to bring them not only to Himself but to make them passionate about His work. This is proof that it is only God can bring about change in hearts. Hug my kids when you see them.
One last more emotional thing. Until you have been there, you really have no idea how lonely it is, spiritually, when you are away from your home church. GBC is not perfect, and when I am there it is less perfect, but that is our family and I really miss worshipping with our family. I hope this encourages you to be there when you are able and celebrate God's goodness in placing each and every one of us there for a specific and unique purpose. I want to be and do what God has for me to do there, even if it is just going to China for a few weeks and posting back what is happening. If that encourages some towards higher affections, then God is good to work through a boring, old, beat up clay pot. I shake my head in wonder at why He would use someone like me to do His work- but I am thankful He does.
Thanks again for your encouragement and prayers. Our God is awesome!!!
1/24/10
Passport Prep
We went to TJ on the fast train- 200mph/i334kph fast. We took a van there and back last time and it was about a 2 hour drive and the train ride was 26 minutes. It is so smooth and much like an airplane inside. It is not available everywhere you go, but BJ and TJ each have over 10 million people so it leaves every 15 minutes during the day- pretty nice way to travel, at 9 USD each way.
We caught a taxi to get to the passport office- which took about 5 minutes- and were dropped off in a sea of Chinese waiting for passports or visas. It was like the China Embassy in SF but bigger and crazier. We met a young man there who walked us through, with a few other families who are adopting. 2 families from Australia getting 1 CLP son each, about 1 year old. It has taken them 5 years to complete this process. We met a French couple who were picking up their 5 year old son to add to their 7 year old daughter, who they adopted 5 ears ago and this one took 5 years to complete as well. Now they have 2 Chinese children, living in France and no bio's. We also met a lady from Colorado who picked up her daughter 1 hour before we met her. John, for sure, is the oldest we have seen being adopted, but I guess that makes sense since he is the end of the line. He is still very quiet about the whole thing.
I was able to purchase a ticket for him, this afternoon, on the same flight as we are on- I am not sure why it would not give me those options this am, but maybe it is just because you were praying that this would happen. I will believe it when we arrive and there are no issues, but I purchased the ticket with FF miles, so if everything goes as planned we will be getting his flight with no cash out of pocket- now that would be a giant answer to prayer- God is so good.
Tomorrow we are going to tour the Great Wall and a jade factory- that should be fun and very cold. Tomorrow evening we are doing the acrobats.
Mary- our guide- says that she thinks that John is happy, he is just really hard to read. We are teaching him important things like always putting down the toilet seat. I think we will start reading with him and let him follow along and read it back to us. T is a little over whelmed with how much English he doesn't know, but it is much more than many know when they arrive.
Line to catch a taxi at the train station.
Chinese Dairy.
A little building going on in China.
More Cranes.
Tianjin.
When the trains comes to the end of the line someone goes in and switches the seats around. Notice the ones behind her, on the right, are facing the other direction.
China Farmland at 200mph.
China City at 200mph.
That's Fast.
Mary, our guide, and T in the train.
Dad and John.
Mom and John.
We caught a taxi to get to the passport office- which took about 5 minutes- and were dropped off in a sea of Chinese waiting for passports or visas. It was like the China Embassy in SF but bigger and crazier. We met a young man there who walked us through, with a few other families who are adopting. 2 families from Australia getting 1 CLP son each, about 1 year old. It has taken them 5 years to complete this process. We met a French couple who were picking up their 5 year old son to add to their 7 year old daughter, who they adopted 5 ears ago and this one took 5 years to complete as well. Now they have 2 Chinese children, living in France and no bio's. We also met a lady from Colorado who picked up her daughter 1 hour before we met her. John, for sure, is the oldest we have seen being adopted, but I guess that makes sense since he is the end of the line. He is still very quiet about the whole thing.
I was able to purchase a ticket for him, this afternoon, on the same flight as we are on- I am not sure why it would not give me those options this am, but maybe it is just because you were praying that this would happen. I will believe it when we arrive and there are no issues, but I purchased the ticket with FF miles, so if everything goes as planned we will be getting his flight with no cash out of pocket- now that would be a giant answer to prayer- God is so good.
Tomorrow we are going to tour the Great Wall and a jade factory- that should be fun and very cold. Tomorrow evening we are doing the acrobats.
Mary- our guide- says that she thinks that John is happy, he is just really hard to read. We are teaching him important things like always putting down the toilet seat. I think we will start reading with him and let him follow along and read it back to us. T is a little over whelmed with how much English he doesn't know, but it is much more than many know when they arrive.
Line to catch a taxi at the train station.
Chinese Dairy.
A little building going on in China.
More Cranes.
Tianjin.
When the trains comes to the end of the line someone goes in and switches the seats around. Notice the ones behind her, on the right, are facing the other direction.
China Farmland at 200mph.
China City at 200mph.
That's Fast.
Mary, our guide, and T in the train.
Dad and John.
Mom and John.
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