Tomorrow's the big day!

Yesterday did prove to be a most exhausting but enjoyable day.  We began with  a tour of a government run jade factory.  It was most interesting to see how these skilled laborers carve the jade into amazing masterpieces.  Jade is considered very valuable here - something similar to diamonds in the U.S.  After our tour their, we continued on to the Great Wall of China!  Amazing!  It was about an hour and half drive from our hotel, but I'm so glad we did it.  The girls studied about it's construction last year in history, and it was so neat for us all to see this remarkable structure in person.  It was a very hot, very long walk up many, many, many, steep and uneven steps, but the girls and I quite satisfied with ourselves that we did it.  Tim quit about half-way up due to his uneasiness with heights.  After this trek, we went Friendship Market for lunch and shopping.  We got to see how the Chinese do Cloisonne. This is an intricate copper detail work.  Then we headed back to Beijing and we saw Olympic Park.  Do you remember the bird's nest where track and field competitions were held?  The architecture here is really something.  We ended the day with an acrobatics show (very much like Cirque du Solei) and dinner with some friends.  Get this...we ate at Peter's Tex Mex!  Burritos and soft shell tacos! 

 

Yesterday at lunch we had another really good sharing opportunity with our guide, Charlotte.  We were able to share with her the gospel and encourage her to read John.  She does own a Bible, but she said it was hard for her to understand.  Her English is really great, but she said reading comprehension in English was more difficult for her.  Today we left Charlotte because we have travelled to Hangzhou, Zheijiang, but I wrote her note once again encouraging her to read John and letting her know we will be praying for her.  

 

My eyes are drooping, but I must write that in less than 24 hours, we will have Lily!  At 8:30 a.m., we are being picked up to head to the Civil Affairs Bureau where we will meet.  I hope to update soon, but no promises.  We seem to be always busy or exhausted, but I'll do my best!

 

Happy 4th of July!  Being in China has made me very thankful to live in America! 

 

Next time I post, I'll be mom to 5!   love you guys!  MM