Trip to China
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Sunday, December 31, 2006 Well, its 2:00 AM here and for some reason I am WIDE awake! David is snoring – poor guy, I know he is tired. Today we went to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven . They were breathtaking! Cecily, we saw so many dragons, we couldn’t help but think of you all day! You would have LOVED it! Nicole it was SOOOO cold I don’t think you would have liked it much. There was a Starbucks in the Forbidden City though and you could have had your hot cocoa! David was able to buy his mug that he had been talking about for over a year! At Tiananmen Square you felt the countries military power. There was a STRONG presence there with soldiers marching to and fro everywhere. I asked our guide if it would be okay to take a picture because their uniforms were so interesting – they reminded me of Russian soldiers. He told me, in a very Chinese way, that it was forbidden. I thank God today that I am an American and live in a free country where I am free to laugh and where soldiers aren’t so unapproachable. Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are within walking distance. We would have had to cross a busy street but there was a subway. People where everywhere! We were bombarded by salespeople selling all manner of items. They targeted westerners selling tourist books, funny winter hats, Moa watches and I was afraid to look closely at what else they may have had! The Temple of Heaven was peaceful and beautiful. We learned about some of the religious practices that the ancestors preformed. I was struck by some of the similarities as these people would worship their gods hoping to appease them into allowing for good harvest for the people. It was the emperors’ job to fast during a certain time of season for 3 days to purify his body then they would sacrifice 3 types of agricultural animals to appease the gods for a good growing season. Our guide spoke of the god of heaven but seemed to have no clue of the true God of hope. So while the Temple of Heaven was beautiful and interesting it was also empty and depressing. We left that place we ran the gauntlet of sales people to jump on our bus – it was a moment that I felt very famous! It was kind of funny and our group joked about running from the media. We then went to a silk rug factory and learned about silk rugs. We were given complimentary coffee to warm up and a chance to shop. The rugs were great but the silk “paintings” were spectacular! From a distance these paintings looked like, well, paintings! But as you approached it you could see the intricate stitching. It has been a full day! I have walked more today than I can remember and haven’t so cold in a LOOONG time but, wow, the things I saw and the memories I have are wonderful. Today, our friend Mary and her sweet little girl, Emma, left to go home. We will certainly miss them but are excited for the new life they will build together. Mary, you are a WONDERFUL mother! We leave Beijing January 2nd then I believe we receive Grace on the 3rd. Because of the New Year holiday that was unclear so I must change the original count it is still 3 days until Grace! David and Denise Phillips Journey of the Heart

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