This has been a fantastic day! Where do I begin:
I (Cindy) woke up at 3am. I laid in bed until 4:30 and just had to get up at that point. Billy was able to sleep until 6:30. I decided to check some emails. My sister had written me such a sweet email. It made me cry and I knew right away - I'm going to be emotional today. After all, it's the last day of being just Billy and Cindy. Tomorrow a whole new person enters the picture!!
Breakfast was delicious and we're learning to fill up on it. Chinese food is good, but it just doesn't settle all that well with our tummies. We had no problems in Africa a year ago, but Chinese food - well, it just doesn't make us feel very good.
At 9:15am the group gathered on the buses and began the day. First we went to the International Church of Beijing. Sadly, the Chinese citizens living right next door can not enter. Not even our Chinese guides can go in. This church is only for internationals with passports. The worship was beautiful as it had a Chinese way about it. It was simple - a piano and a violin were the only instruments. I was already sensitive to the Spirit this morning so when we walked in the sanctuary and saw all the different nationalities worshipping Jesus - I just wept. Cristie was standing next to me and we just looked at each other and cried. The drama and preaching were far too Americanized - but I'll leave that discussion for another time and place.
After church we headed for the jade factory. We found a gift for someone there, but didn't purchase anything for us. It was an interesting stop, though.
On the way to lunch we all received some exciting updates about our babies! This was unexpected and exciting! Here's what we now know about Libby:
She is 69 cm tall (someone do the math for me)
She is 18lbs (a little more than I expected, hope her clothes fit)
She has a foot length of 10.5cm and she has NO teeth - all gums!
Her meal times are 7am, 11:30am, 3:30pm and 8pm
She takes 7oz of a formula and rice cereal mix in her bottle. She also likes fruit juice, egg yoke, soup and congee. The paper said, "she likes food with sweat" - which hopefully is a typo and means she likes "sweets". We had a good laugh about that.
They say Libby goes to bed at 9pm and wakes at 6:30am. She takes a nap from 9am-10am and 12pm-2pm. We'll see if that's true.
They say she grabs a blanket when she goes to bed. I'm hoping the blanket comes with "the package" tomorrow. They also say she can stand for a while if holding onto people. She can sit and take a few steps with help. She knows her name when she is called (which is about to change, poor thing!). She can clap. She likes colorful and moving toys. And she likes to play outdoors with other babies.
It was so exciting having this little preview of what's to come!
Next was lunch and the Friendship Store - this is where you can buy Cloissonet (can't spell that one for you). All I know is that it's expensive in America and reasonable in China. So we bought some for ourselves and some for gifts.
Next we went to the Great Wall!! What an amazing piece of work and yet - there's not a whole lot of joy in it when you think of all the people who died while building it. The climb was straight up and the scenery is spectacular. We walked with Doug and Cristie and made it to the second tower. The climb down is actually harder - especially if your legs start shaking! Some people like to "pee pee" at the top of the watch towers and that made for some interesting smells!
As we drove home I looked over the city and was just amazed at the high-rise after high-rise of apartment buildings. 13 million people live in Beijing. I just can't comprehend that! The buildings look dirty and disheveled - by American standards, at least. I look at those buildings, think about the people inside and wonder - "which ones know Jesus?" So many people, so little time. To our friends living with and loving the Chinese people - we will cherish these views of China in our hearts and know better how to pray for you.
Tonight we have to pack our bags and set them outside our hotel door before 10pm. We leave the hotel here in Beijing at 7am and begin our flight to Guangzhou where we will meet Libby around 3:30pm. WHAT???!!!!! Yes - the day has arrived! We meet Libby face to face tomorrow. Your prayers for a smooth transition and quick bonding will be needed. Thank you for covering us in prayer! After guarding our hearts for 22 months we find it hard to believe that we can really be excited! Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!!
Libby,
You have no idea what is about to happen. Peace be with you as you travel on a bus from XuWen to Guangzhou. May you be safe and protected the whole way. Mommy and daddy are waiting for you with open arms and ready hearts. You are going to be loved in ways you could never imagine!
Father,
Thank you for your faithfulness to fulfill all you have promised!! I'm reminded of the verse in Isaiah 25:1 "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."
Friends and Family,
We'll post pictures as soon as we can!
Love,
Billy and Cindy
