To, From, and Back to Chengdu

We made it to China! Thankyou everyone for all of your thoughts you lifted up that have protected us so far. We have been here exactly one week now, and are absolutely loving it! I have enjoyed seeing this city where I once lived, now blooming everywhere! I went back to my old neighborhood and did not recognize it at all! It actually made me sad to see all the changes. I loved it just the way it was before. Oh well...
We spent a few days in Chengdu, hanging out at a western coffee shop to help the locals practice their English, attending cultural events such as the Sichuan opera, visiting the Panda reserve, and eating the famous hot pot. John has especially enjoyed the variety of Chinese foods like fish heads and cow intestines. I prefer to stay away from those things! It's been so good to see some old Chinese and American friends here, and I still have many more to see!
The past 3 days we have been visiting a small city called MaBien. It is about a 6 hour drive from Chengdu, complete with winding mountain passes and rocky so-called roads. We basically hung out with the locals and spent time intentionally walking around the city, praising our Father for His creation that surrounded us and the many gorgeous faces we encountered. MaBien is a central location to a minority group in China called the Yi people. They are absolutely beautiful! How wonderful to know that they are His creation too, though we look completely different from one another and lead very different lives in two far apart places of the world. Both nights that we were there, we joined the locals in the city square for dancing. I made some wonderful friends whom I call each one "Xiao Pengyou", meaning "small friend". All my little friends were between 7 and 10 years old. I have videos to show any of you who are interested when we return to the States.
I want to post pics, but I can't seem to figure out how to minimize the original pics from my flash disk so they can be put on the internet. When I figure that out, I will get them posted.
Can't wait to tell y'all everything that is going on in our lives and hearts. It is exciting!

Up, Up and Away!

Today is the big day...
CHINA
John and I leave at 7:30 this evening on a flight bound for China. I hardly slept a wink last night as a result of anticipation of returning to this place I love. John is still sound asleep, and he'll probably be until I jump on him. My husband has truly rubbed off on me...we still haven't packed! And we leave TODAY! Before John was in my life, I was so organized, even to the point of packing for an international trip 2 or 3 weeks in advance. Isn't marriage supposed to be a halfway meeting point? I think I've gone a little too far his way! At least we have the tickets, passports, and visas. No more traveling from one country to another for John without his passport. If you know John or you were at our wedding, you know what I'm talking about.
We will post pics and stories as we get the chance. I would love to say a couple of times each week while we are there, but you know how that goes.
Enjoy our entries this next month. See y'all Texans in August when we return...