We actually had to have a wake up call this morning as our bodies are finally recovering from jet lag. Cordelia arrived after breakfast with some paperwork for us to fill out for the US Consulate appointment next week. After we had completed all of the paperwork we caught the hotel shuttle for the short ride to the Pearl Market in Liwan Plaza. The plaza was very very busy and crowded with pedestrians. Cordelia suggested we visit one of the shops filled with beautiful hand embroidered items. We purchased some items that we will give the girls when they are older. To show their appreciation, the shop owners gave each of our girls a toy Chinese drum and a fan used for Chinese dancing.
We then walked the short distance to the pearl market. The market was 6 levels high and each floor had many many shops. Cordelia took us to a shop that was reputable and known to have good quality pearls. They brought out many strands of pearls for us to choose from. The rounder shaped and brighter pearls are better quality pearls. Cordelia meticulously looked over each strand of pearls and helped us to make our selections. We then watched as the shop workers turned the strands of pearls into beautiful necklaces. We were then asked to choose the type of clasp we wanted for each necklace. We chose a Chinese clasp that is believed to bring longevity of life and much happiness. Next we chose the colorful silk bags that the pearls would be stored in until we present them to the girls someday when they are older. The shop owner made some small pearl bracelets and presented them as a gift to each of our girls to show their appreciation.
Cordelia next took us to a Jade shop. We chose a beautiful jade bangle bracelet that we will give to Hope sometime in the future (possible for her 16th birthday). We already have a Chinese jade bracelet and a Guatemalan jade bracelet that we plan to present to Hannah and Holly someday.
With all of our purchases completed we headed back out into the plaza. We saw a Chinese vendor roasting chestnuts on hot coals. It brings to mind the Christmas song lyrics “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” Christmas is in the air even here in China! There are beautiful Christmas trees, colorful decorations and Merry Christmas banners almost everywhere you go including at our hotel. There are Christmas carols being piped in at the airports, hotels, restaurants and shops. It is amazing to us that the government doesn’t want anyone to share the good news of Christ and yet they allow His name to be displayed in Christmas. Tracy had the opportunity to explain the real meaning of Christmas to Cordelia. She didn’t seem to have much interest but said she respected all religions. Hannah and Holly both love to sing. They have shared God’s word quite innocently through their songs while strolling through the streets of China.
We walked through the Qingping Market on our way back to our hotel. The streets are filled with vendors selling many different kinds of puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds, baby chickens, turtles, colorful fish and aquarium supplies. Cordelia told us it is a Chinese belief that if you put an aquarium in the right place in your home it will bring you much money!! The last section of the Qingping Market was filled with vendors selling herbs and baskets of scorpions and ants. Cordelia told us it is a Chinese belief that putting ants in wine will cure rheumatism. They also buy the scorpions to put in their liquors.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing with the girls. Hope has had a really good day today!!! So far she has let both Tracy and I hold her! She has eaten three meals and drank all of the formula we have offered her. PRAISE GOD!!! THANK YOU all for your prayers!! We had dinner at Lucys tonight. We love interacting with the other adoptive families here on the island. Hope sat in the high chair and ate her chicken congee (rice cereal) and almost 2/3 of a bowl of steamed rice. In fact, we were afraid she might be overeating. After dinner we took the girls to watch the laser light show on the river. Hope loved watching the bright dancing lights! She has enjoyed playing with her toys today and she is learning how to play with her sisters. She did not take a nap today so after her bath she was ready to go to bed! She is such a sweet baby girl and we are so blessed to be her parents!
From China With Love,
Ann, Tracy, Hannah, Holly and Hope
