Mings Tomb

Yesterday we went to Ming's Tomb. It was a huge park where the first emporer Ming and his wife were buried. Amanda was able to play tour guide some as she learned about this in history. It was beautiful. We walked down the sacred road--a road with statues on each side guarding the tomb. The kid in our group Ben, Amanda, Luke, Mia, Eli and Sheia climbed and played and ran all over. It was about 84 degrees and the trees shaded the walk and it was peaceful.

Luke is settling in really well. He seems to know he belongs with us when we are in a big group. He is getting the hand holding thing. He prefers to be held by the girls--me, Amanda and Grammy. He is starting to get the idea of signing more, now we are working on please. He loves to press the buttons in the elevator and likes to jump and run. He seems to be an electronic guy as he likes his toy cell phone and the gameboy the best of all things. We have a bed time routine that seems to be working and he is napping a couple hours each afternoon. The big kids usually swim at that time.

A funny swim story--the kids and I went down to the pool on the third floor and were all set to swim. When we got there the guy in his very little english let us know we had to have swim caps in order to swim. He then said front desk. We gave up on the idea of swimming for the time but Craig in his persistance got it taken care of. He went to the pool, then to the front desk, the front desk where they said "pool". The caps were at the pool the whole time! The kids now have swim caps and can swim. The language barrier can be quiet an ordeal. We went to the McDonalds last night for dinner and one of the managers made a girl leave a table so we could sit down (all six of us). Then they had someone bring us a menu and we ordered and paid there from the table. I think it was so that someone who knew English could help us. All this made me think the pressure missionaries are under to learn a new language and culture. It is enormous pressure for me just being here a week so far and knowing I have a little less than a week to go. I now can pray with a small understanding for our missionaries around the world.

Amanda's cold is better and she is being a trooper. She love being big sister and helps a lot. At Mings tomb a grandma told our translator that she is very, very beautiful and her skin is lovely. She even stroked Amanda's cheek! Ben got to be a superstar yesterday again. A family at the next table over wanted his picture with the little white boy. Luke and Ben have a great time playing together. One of their favorite games is to run and then fall. Then they laugh and laugh.

Today we go to a park and maybe a broquade factory. Tomorrow afternoon we depart for Guanghou.