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Large horse jade sculpture

Large ship jade sculpure

Miss personality

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Yes, we are on the Great Wall

Jada in Chinese dress

At the orphanage

The girls loved Jada

Zonked out after lunch
Another Day Down...
One More to Go
September 2, 2006

Another day has now come and gone. We just got back to the room after being gone all day. Sheila and Jada are getting ready for bed and I thought I would take this wonderful opportunity to tell you how we spent our last full day in Beijing.

After a large breakfast buffet at the Beijing International Hotel where we are staying, we caught the bus with the rest of our travel group to the Jade Factory. We toured the area where they actually carve the jade. There were some marvelous works of art and here are a couple of pictures taken there. Jada seems to be a large attraction wherever we go and the Chinese people who can speak English always want to speak to her. I thought she would blend in so well that no one would even pay any attention to her. Not so!

After the Jade Factory, we traveled to a section of the Great Wall. We had our guide take a group picture of all of us, so here is a picture of the travel group. It was a hot and muggy day, and Jada got a little too warm and began to cough a little, so we came on back down and stayed pretty close to the bus until time to leave.

After we left the Great Wall, we visited one of the Living Hope orphanages. There were about 44 children there and they sang us songs and several of the girls played Ring Around the Rosey with Jada. Imagine a circle of about 20 young girls all laughing and singing. It was awesome!

After the orphanage visit, we stopped for a bite of lunch. Jada had fallen asleep and Sheila stayed in the bus with her while the rest of the group ate. We weren’t especially hungry after the big breakfast, but hey, you take it where you can get it, huh?

We then went to the Silk MArket for some shopping. Walking up and down the aisles was like running the gauntlet. Every little shop vendor tried to get us (as well as everyone else) to inspect their wares. You learned quickly to not make eye contact with anything to the left or right, lest you be swarmed upon like a possum who was a step short of the other side of the road during rush hour. Anyway, Sheila got a few things she had on her list, so I guess the time there was well spent.

We then went to a tea tasting. What a surreal experience THAT was. Heck, I don’t even like regular iced tea, and they were asking me taste colored liquids with names I couldn’t even pronounce. Some were even said to be made from flowers like rose and jasmine and the like. Ugh!

After FINALLY leaving the tea tasting, we went to dinner and then back to the hotel. Tomorrow afternoon, we fly to Guangzhou, Guangdong and are then scheduled to receive Ruby on Monday. We are so anxious to see how she has changed since her referral picture was taken about seven months ago. Stay tuned because if you are reading this, you should be among the very first people to see our precious baby.

Love and kisses to all,
Richard, Sheila and Jada

Comments
What a great time you are all having. Hope the temp. drops some for you. What memories you are building and Jada will always remember the trip for her sister. Hope the rest of your trip also runs smoothly and God blesses you on Monday, Jada will be a big confert to her sister on Monday and make it a great transition for Ruby into her forever family. Ruby is blessed to have such wonderful parents and a great big sister. God bless you all and look forward to your next post. Phillips family
Posted by: Denise and David on September 2, 2006 at 08:18 A.M.
Richard, the pics are absolutely amazing! I Love them. I bet Sheila was excited that Jada fell asleep just in time for lunch. ha! What a Great excuse for being able to stay on the bus....
Posted by: Brittany on September 2, 2006 at 10:15 A.M.
I am so glad to hear you are having such a wonderful trip already - and the best is yet to come. Ben and I have you in our thoughts and prayers and can't wait to meet Ruby in person. God Bless you all. Carla & Ben.
Posted by: Carla & Ben Spivey on September 2, 2006 at 12:54 P.M.
Richard and Sheila--so good to see all of the pictures---they ar wonderful--you all are so blessed to be able to go there and see all of the beautiful things--not to mention all the beautiful childern---God is so good to us --we are still praying for your health and safety--hug Jada for us--God bless--Opal
Posted by: Opal Ragsdale on September 2, 2006 at 03:41 P.M.
I am SO EXCITED to get to see Ruby! If you can, please send me some pictures of ruby when you get her! my e-mail is vballchicka1491@yahoo.com.
Love yall!! tell Jada I said hey and I miss her!!
Posted by: Anisa Crawford on September 2, 2006 at 04:12 P.M.
Hello! Glad to hear things are going well for you guys. I've been reading all of the posts and can't wait to see pictures of Ruby! Have a safe trip and enjoy!!
Posted by: Lori Dawson on September 2, 2006 at 06:39 P.M.
It sounds (and looks) as if things are going well. Keep safe, and keep us posted on all your latest developments. We can't wait to see Ruby. You're in our prayers. We Love all you guys.
Posted by: Kurt & Vickie and boys on September 2, 2006 at 07:05 P.M.
I'm really enjoying your updates and can't wait to see your new addition. To Jada - I don't know any other three-year old who can swing by herself, blow a bubble, or whistle. You are so very special to our family, just like your new baby sister will be. Can't wait to see her picture with you!! You all are in our prayers and we love you and miss you.
Posted by: Beverly on September 2, 2006 at 09:05 P.M.
Richard, Sheila and Jada, I am almost consumed with following your trip. I talk about ya'll all the time. Talking about the White Swan and the civil affairs office, I can close my eyes and think back 5 years ago...I have been praying for your family and can't wait to see pictures of Ruby. Sheila, Victoria is probally wearing a size 6 or just guess, if it is too big, she'll grow into it. Love you all so much, I'm keeping my mom posted...Delinda
Posted by: Delinda on September 3, 2006 at 08:55 A.M.