Last Day in Beijing and Travel to Nanning

Hello friends and family,

We miss you all! Yesterday (Sunday) we attended a Christian church that only foreigners can attend. We had to bring a copy of our passport to get into it. As with everywhere we went there were many people bustling into the church service. Although there were people there from many countries they all came together to worship God. It was a blessing to be able to participate in the service. Maybe just a taste of how it will be in heaven someday when all followers come together to glorify God forever. Some thought that they saw someone handing out passports out front and that there were many non-foreigners getting into the service. I certainly hope so... :) It was also nice to see some of the families from the other group that we separated from at the service including the Bjorlins! We had hoped we'd be traveling with them the entire time since they are from Minnesota and we have known them now for two years since starting the adoption process. It turns out our children are from different areas but we do get to connect up with them occassionally.

From there we rushed to lunch for Beijing Roasted Duck. The locals say that you haven't been to Beijing until you've had it. It was good although I've discovered that I have liked the Kung Pao Chicken. It has been at every meal except Breakfast. There are many things that are interesting to try and some that we wish we hadn't. :) Chinese folks tend to eat more of ALL of the animal...

It's been an amazing blessing to experience this journey with other couples/families. After today we are together with one other couple from Seattle Washington until we are reunited with all of the families again towards the end of our journey.

Tianenman Square...

We(the men) have been joking about being GIGANTIC compared to the locals. I guess that the folks in Beijing are taller than those in Nanning where we will be for most of our time...

Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace...it was very cold and windy today, and we were outside for more than 2 hours - Brrrrr! That's why we look so bundled up!

The Emperor's Throne Room

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but we seemed to walk forever through the Forbidden City, which was where the Chinese Emperors lived (and never left). There are 9,999 rooms throughout the place, in several different buildings!!! Some are where official business took place, and some are the actual living quarters where the Emperor and his family resided.

We had a little extra time to go check out the Olympic Water Cube (above) and the Bird's Nest (left). Then we headed for the airport for our 8:15 p.m. flight to Nanning. Three and a half hours later we landed, and then took a 40 minute ride to our hotel. We were ready to go to bed!! We noticed right away the difference between Beijing and Nanning...Nanning is much quieter, simpler and less Westernized. We were a little spoiled at our Beijing hotel, and the guides were a little more hands on. We'll be much more on our own this week, after we meet Bethany later on today. It's a little nervewracking, being in an unfamiliar place with strange food, and a language we have no clue about (far less English speaking Chinese here in Nanning than in Beijing), but I am sure it will be even harder for Bethany!! Please pray for our meeting today...we are more than just a little nervous. :)

We will post pictures later today or early tomorrow of our precious little girl...the pictures you've all been waiting for!

Lots of love,

Dan (author of the first half) and Becky (ending paragraphs) :)