It's been another long day of sightseeing and tears! I think the stresses of traveling in a foreign country really show up when things are difficult. We spent another day out in the cold. The Great Wall was amazing in the snow, but when we attempted to find a place to warm up we didn't have any luck! The restaurant we had lunch at didn't have the heat running. So we had hot soup, hot tea and hot noodles. That warmed our soul and tasted good. Then the heat in the taxi went out! We drove back to Beijing, around the Olympic stadium, and to a friends apartment with no heat. And the driver didn't have hot noodles or soup for us! So when we departed from him we decided to find a tea shop or restaurant to sit in. We had a few hours to kill. The restaurant we chose had hot tea! But the electricity was out. That meant no heat! Of course we had to finish our snack and tea before we could leave, but in the meantime I had a meltdown. Well, I wish it had been a literal meltdown, because then I would have been warm at least. But I had just had enough cold for one day. Even the department store we walked around in wasn't above 60 degrees. We never took our 40 layers off until dinner at a friends house, where we were served a fantastic Chinese meal! The girls said we must be getting old because the cold didn't affect them like it did us. James and Andrew fell asleep in the taxi on the way home and we are heading to bed ourselves. We spent the evening with a group of returnee brothers and sisters, all who spent considerable time overseas and came to know the Lord there, and now are back here living out their faith. Encouraging!
One prayer request. We got a call from our agency today. Our flight from Beijing to Taiyuan on Sunday was canceled so they had to put us on the next flight, which doesn't leave until 4 hours later. I was so looking forward to getting to Taiyuan at 2:30 Sunday afternoon to have some time to gather my thoughts for the next day. Now we don't arrive until after 6:30, probably hungry and only having a few hours until bed. Please pray for that evening and the next morning. I just have to make it work.
Blessings and thanks for your prayers. Lynn
Hi Lynn,
ReplyDeleteOhhh...it sounds really cold!!! Sending warm hugs and thoughts your way. I just want to encourage you. Don't be too hard on yourself about a meltdown. I'm sure besides being cold, your emotions are running high. You've been so faithful and patient while waiting to be united with FuMei! Satan, is sure to try and discourage and confuse you. You have won the battle sweet friend!! Just a little while longer and you'll have her in your arms.
1 Peter 5:6-9
"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for about what happens to you. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are."
Praying for you,
Cindy Luna
Hi Guys!
ReplyDeleteHa!
I did not know who was writing the blog and thought it was David and that HE had the meltdown in the restaurant!
Sort of a funny picture!
I am praying for you to be warmed by the SON!
God can do anything!
At least you can all huddle together, body heat!
It has been chilly here too but thankfully sunny!
We love you and enjoy hearing about your travels!
God bless you as you enjoy time together despite the cold!
Heaven will be warm!
Love,
Julie and all the Cochrans!
Hi my dear friend Lynn. I so understand your meltdown. Please know we are praying and thank you for that prayer request about Sunday. I also remember when we were in China and it was November. People had more layers of clothing than I have ever seen anywhere. I was scolded many times because the Chinese thought Emily was not dressed warmly enough...........and it was in the 60's! Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteHello Sorterberg Family! I am so happy for you that you're so clost to getting your sweet little angel! You have a picture of our precious son on your blog! What a nice surprise! He's the little boy in the blue shirt on the far left in the picture of the group on the little red bike. I guess our kids are friends as well! How exciting! If you see him please give him a big hug for me and tell him that I'm coming for him just as fast as I can!! God bless you all and your trip! I'll say a prayer for the details of your trip. The Lord is soverign over all the earth. Even over flight schedules:)Jennifer Hunt
ReplyDeleteSorry to post again but Liam (Zhiming) is holding FuMei's hand in the large group photo!
ReplyDeleteHello Sorterbergs!
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a long journey to get to the beginning of your life with Fu Mei. You are almost there. God clearly has His hand on you. I am praying protection over all of you and joy in this final leg of your journey!
Debbie Marino
I laughed at the many times you said something like "no heat", then got sad when you talked about the meltdown. I guess you guys aren't true Minnesotans anymore.
ReplyDeleteGet ready for one great day when you meet FuMei!