The Great Wall and Beijing

Yesterday we went to the Great Wall and climbed up to the first tower you see up on the hill. It was so amazing! We also were able to meet the founder of Living Hope Adoption Agency, Dr. Samuel Fang. With us are the other families that are picking up their children this week also. The family next to us is picking up a little boy in Xian with us. We fly to Xian at 11:45 today. All three boys that are coming home to their forever families celebrate birthdays while we are in China so we are planning a big birthday celebration when we meet up again in Guangzhou. We also went to see the main area for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing yesterday. The Chinese people are very proud of it! Then we saw Living Hope's Training Center in Beijing. The kids were so sweet! These children live here because their parents have died and they have living relatives that are not able to care for them. After they graduate they work in one of the training center for awhile to give back to their community. Clayton played ping pong with them and got schooled I might add by a 16 year old. We also went to a tea house and tried different teas; Jasmine, Black Dragon, and Loolong (my personal favorite). Clayton bought a mug that has a picture on it that turns into pandas when hot water is put in it and also got his personal favorite, a peeing baby (clay baby that pees when the water is warm enough for tea). I'm sure the kids will get a kick out of it!! We went to an acrobatic show in the evening that was entertaining. We've eaten very well and tried lots of new things (duck, steamed seaweed, and cooked gourd to say a few. Today we fly to Xian and tomorrow, Monday we will meet Joshua and get to spend some time at his home, Hope Haven. Our guide has been wonderful in Beijing and we've learned a lot more about Chinese history. I am really looking forward to being in Xian. First of all because we'll be able to tell Joshua about his city of birth and secondly because it is the oldest city in China. It was it's first capital. Well, enough with the history lesson, for now!! We miss you all and can't wait to share more pictures with you and for you to meet Joshua! Blessings!