Today we took the opportunity to visit a few places of cultural interest...after all our daughter's name 'Wen' means culture and literature so we had to live up to that dictate!! Gabriella modelled her own chinese dress, a wee present from her daddy!
Our guide had arranged for us to visit Lui Rong Temple, which was founded in the Song Dynasty during the southern dynasties (AD 420 - 479), so not just yesterday. The Temple itself is surrounded by six green ancient banyian trees, hence its more popular name of the Temple of the Six Banyan trees. Although the temple grounds had an atmosphere of calmness and meditation, it is times like this that you are so thankful for your faith that promises life eternal on the acceptance of Christ as your personal Saviour. You are also thankful for your own place of worship and the faithful teaching and encouragement that we receive every week. This should never be taken for granted.
From a pure visual perspective the padoga structures were beautiful and, as a keen gardiner I was busy snapping all of the bonsai arrangements. However at one point I noted some boredom on Gabriella's face - very funny photo!!
Next we went to the Cheng Ancestral Hall, which is located just outside the west gate of Guangzhou city, but which is now convered into a museum. Today we experienced a wonderful eclectic mix of Chinese culture and craftmanship at it's best - ivory sculptures, jade scultpures, silk paintings. In addition this ancestral hall is maintained within wonderful gardens....I hope some of these photos demonstate some of these marvellous sights.
At lunchtime it was time to go back to the hotel for lunch and a nap. Once Gabriella wokeup from her sleep we continued to maintain her new daily routine of (a) time in the play room developing her play skills and then some time in the room playing and redefining the meaning of colouring in!! (b) bathtime (today there was no tears and she learned the skill of splashing her mummy and daddy!!) and then (c) out for tea, the venue tonight was the local Thai restaurant.
We cannot believe we had been in Guangzhou for one week now - so much has happened in the last week it is hard to take it all in. Tomorrow we go to the British Consulate to finalise the paperwork for Gabriella's visa that will allow her to enter the UK next Sunday. This is the last of the papers to be sorted and we pray that things will progress smoothly but know that God will undertake.
Speak soon
Caroline, Stephen & Gabriella
family snap at the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees)
entrance to the temple
temple itself
will you come on daddy...I am soooooo bored!!
Entrance to Cheng Ancestral Museum
Chinese culture
Chinese culture
Chinese culture
Pretty Chinese girl!!!
Daddy's girl
Never mind the colouring in, it is time to get the toes painted lol!
Hi there.....we continue to pray for you every day and so look forward to our daily updates...there are days when I almost feel I am there with you.....bringing back so many precious memories of our own....thankyou so much for sharing it all with us. Only one week today......so excited!!!!! xx
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the distraction of being out and about is helping Gabriella forget about her teething problems. Sore gums are no fun :(. But as Molly would say - 'I prescribe a cuddle'. Give Gabriella a big cuddle from us and we will see you soon!
ReplyDeleteWe are so excited to see all your beautiful pictures as well as the great updates and stories. What a week!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of dad and Gabriella colouring! I had printed a few of your photos to show to the folks at church today.....some very excited people!
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for the three of you.
Pamela x