in the home of YiLi's beloved foster family

The pictures tell the story:

Qingdao pictures

The orange piece is the conch of Qingdao, which symbolizes the call at the beginning of the event. I have to do more research, but Michael thinks it may have been erected at the time of the Olympics.

What a beautiful city is Qingdao. Very cold and windy, but no snow. Wakes you right up when you take a walk! YiLi is turning out to be a very good photographer and is snapping pics left and right. She is going to make a presentation to her class when she returns (that is her homework project).

Photos are forbidden and Stay OFF the grass!

This afternoon we visited the castle summer home of a German governor, built in the early 1900's. I didn't think I could remember the details correctly, so I was photographing the entrance plaque explaining what the history was, and all of a sudden I heard a loud angry outburst over the loudspeaker! YiLI asked "What is going on?" and right then Michael (who had been helping me with this photo and didn't know either) said "Oh, don't take any photos - it is forbidden" at which time a uniformed officer stomped in toward me. I tried to look contrite very very quickly and shook my hear no as I was putting my camera in its case. Yikes! A real quick reminder that our contries are different . . . anyway, it was a wonderful piece of architecture commissioned by the Germans and built by the Chinese. It was filled with photos of visiting dignitaries from the time period and on up to 1964, when some Chinese official has lived there. This is the outside . . .

I learned something new today. Maybe you all knew this, but I did not: Chinese people are not allowed to step on any grass. There are so many people that if they did, the grass would quickly be destroyed. ThenMichael told us that there is a wonderful park near the China Hotel Marriott where we will be staying in Guangzhou. So I asked the stupid question "Well, Michael, if you are actually in a park you are allowed to be on the grass, right?" No, not even then. He did clarify that if a child's ball rolls unto the grass, you are allowed to retrieve it. But otherwise, stay on the sidewalks I told Michael that he was missing out on a lot by not feeling the grass between his toes . . . We are blessed.

The orphanage visit

Today we visited the Qingdao City orphanage. It was disappointing, because this is not where my daughter was closely affiliated with, and this is not where we requested to visit. Our request to visit her "orphanage" or "community center" as we call it or "foster base office" as they call it has been denied. This is where I clearly see how our two cultures differ in so many ways. What would be the harm in our seeing where our daughter went to Kindergarten, meeting the teacher she adores and had been promised to visit, and being shown a few of the places that are dear to her? But alas, I must leave that aside and tell you about the wonderful day we did share together here in Qingdao:

We only saw a glimpse of about 6 children. Michael and I had a candid discussion of how we both believe visiting parents should be permitted to photograph as families can be found much more quickly when they have pictures, know someone who has met their child to verify (somewhat) that the referral need matched the child and how the child is doing, which is so important. We also discussed how some centers are stickers for following the rules to a "t" and others bend them ever so slightly in order to find families. He reminded me that this orphanage did nothing wrong and everything right . . . technically.

So here are some photos that YiLi and I did take . . .

I think I will create a separate post for thr sightseeing photos, as as not to risk being kicked off the vpn.

Grateful to be in Qingdao!

We are here! We have tested what is really vital vs. what is simply an inconvenience. If you would have told me that we would go to YiLi's orphanage today and be honored with a lunch with the director in the same clothes that we have had on for 3 days, I would have thought it impossible! We are learning to just feel the joy of being here, and we are truly thankful, At our first buffet this morning (missed those so much!), YiLi ate 2 entire bowls of congee with pork dumplings thrown in, of course a lot of noodles, and a bowl of lucious fruit. She enjoyed many of the foods that she has not had for one year, and we got to see her joy and comfort. She wanted to know if the people around her know that they are missing out on Jesus. It all started when we heard Oh Little Town on the speaker in the dining room . . .

Now we are taking 8 bags of diapers (620) to the orphanage. That is what they said they could use most.

Pray for Rick when we have our lunch. They are honoring us, and he has such difficulty with his throat when he eats new food. Pray for a balance between his health and being able to convet our thanks appropriately.

Love to all! I am so glad to be here. Thank you God for this trip and for our children! Britt, I wish you were here with us!

One more test through the VPN . . .

Where is the pic?