Dear Family and friends, Forgive me for not writing you sooner but we have been in Beijing and trying to get adjusted to the time. Twelve hour jet lag is tough! Just to give you an idea of the adjustment we have made. When you wake up at 8:00 in the morning, it is 8:00 at night here. I keep wondering why I find it easy to wake up at 5:00 am China time and have a hard time sleeping at night. It is because their night is our day. We have stayed at the Novotel Peace Hotel in Beijjng. It is in the heart of the city. We can walk to what we call the Beijing Time Square. The coolest thing is that out of all the hotels in Beijing, Will picked the perfect one. It is in a safe area and easy walking to popular places. I don’t think that was an accident, I believe it was one more way God has showed his favor on our trip. One of the many ways, we are very thankful! Our first day in Beijing, Will had hired a driver to take us to the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square. Needless to say it was quite an experience. Everything in China is very large and very BIG. Many, many people are everywhere. The weather was perfect with regards to temperature and it was truly a delightful day. The driver informed us that the three days we were in Beijing was a National Holiday. It happens once a year and everywhere we went there were children and their parents and grandparents. Basically, there were happy families having fun because of the holiday. I saw one man that had on a shirt that said something like “holiday celebrate family”. Throughout the city there were signs of celebration, large Rose arrangements were seen for the National Holiday. The most impressive Rose arrangement was outside Tiannamen Square. It was the size of the White House Christmas Tree. I took several pictures of it and the other roses I came across. Honestly, as I passed that large Rose arrangement on the square, I got choked up. It was a large God whisper especially for us. I felt like he was telling me, it is a day of celebration not only because of the holiday but because you have come to get Rosie. Did I mention that everywhere we went there were vendors selling these black headbands with large roses on them. The little girls were wearing them like Mickey ears at Disney World. Needless to
say, I bought a headband for Rosie. When she gets bigger, I can’t wait to tell her about the days we went to China to get her, that everyone was happy and celebrating with their families. The girls had Rose headbands and Roses were everywhere. The people were celebrating a National Holiday but it was sooo much more. It was a celebration of us meeting her and taking her home! Another interesting side note a few years ago, I remember turning in our Adoption application to Open Door Adoption Agency. I remember telling my friend, Amy that I had turned it in. She told me that that very day was Chinese New Year. I remember thinking all of China is celebrating because we have decided to adopt an orphan. That was two years ago and here we are in China with a celebration the very dates we are here. It only happens once a year. What are the chances we would be here at this time? As I said before, No chances but a very big God who really is involved with every detail of our lives. In scripture, it says he knows the very hairs numbered on our heads. I wouldn’t put it past him to place roses throughout China in celebration of us getting Rosie. Call me silly but it was pretty neat seeing them everywhere.
After leaving the square, we raced through the Forbidden City to meet up with our driver, Mr. Xu ( pronounced Shoe). I truly cannot tell you how many people were there. Envision maybe the SuperBowl or an FSU game x 14. A lot of people and as we were walking out the large gated area, I thought to myself, how in this world will we ever find Mr. Xu? I started to worry, but before I knew it we ran directly into him. You really can’t imagine what a feat that was unless you were in the crowd. He was anxiously looking for us and was so relieved to see us. Needless to say, I felt our steps were once again ordered by The Lord.
The Sunday before we left for our trip, I remember Jeremiah was leading us in singing a chorus that says,” I know who goes before me I know stands behind. The God of Angel Armies is always by my side.” Anyway throughout our time in China, I have woke to that song playing in my head. When I feel stressed or a little concern or even happy, I think about that song and have claimed it for our lives. Flying to Changsha City and driving in the cars and walking in the very crowded sea of people, I sing that song in my head. It’s a promise that we can all claim if we are his children. It doesn’t mean that life will be perfect but we don’t have to worry. He is guiding us! How thankful we have been! Well, I hope all you are all enjoying that American food you are taking for granted. We will keep you informed of our adventures. Thank you for the prayers. They mean the world to us and we can feel them!! Lots of love, Tricia, Will, Anna and Emma
P.S. We meet Rosie Kate on Tuesday:)
I also forgot to add Mr. Xu, dropped us off at a famous Peking Duck Restaurant. It reminded me a little of an Asian Captain Anderson’s but with duck instead of fish. The chef carved the whole duck in front of the table and we have pictures to prove it. They had no water or coke to drink. We ordered a papaya juice to play it safe. When it came it was literally puréed and thick Mango in a glass. Not chilled, just room temperature. I will say no more. I tried to remind myself there were literally millions of people outside that restaurant who would have loved to be sitting in my seat and to be grateful! However, I still wanted a thin liquid drink, preferably a sweet tea or Coke.
Tricia CooperArr