Great Wall or Great Fall????

Let's Climb!

WE DID IT! Yes, all 5! We had to coax a *certain* not very willing party to get on the gondola (not mentioning any names!) but we all made it in one piece! We were told the gondola up the mountain was enclosed and when reality sank in that we were riding nothing more than a sky lift up, we were a little surprised! We all just had an awesome time walking the wall and catching a glimpse of what beauty God had created for us to take in. It was a wonderful day-not too hot and the skies were unbelievably clear as you can tell from the pictures.

And just when we thought that the gondola would be the *funnest* part of the tour, we learned that the only way down is a huge slide! WHAT? We each had our own little carts that we rode equipped with a brake. We all agreed that it was a blast and would *almost* consider riding the gondola up again just to ride the slide back down!

Say what?

A view from one of the watch towers.

What a view!

Karen enjoying the ride down!

On our way home from the Great Wall, our driver so graciously took us by the Birds Nest in Beijing....home of the opening and closing ceremonies and several of the Olympic Events. The Paralympics just ended yesterday and it had not been opened back up to the public yet, but we were able to get some photos from the street. It is an impressive sight.

One of the many sights we see on the road....

We all had a very memorable day.....one filled with a little anxiety at first, but wonderful blessings in the end.

Tomorrow we will get to have more time with the kids and have a McDonalds party scheduled.(SSHH! It is a surprise!) As much as I loved the sights today, I found myself wanting to be back here to spend time with the kids. You cannot imagine what an amazing feeling it is when they see you walking through the compound and coming running to you wanting to be held! Truly, they have blessed us far beyond anything we could have ever imagined!

Until tomorrow.....

PS-Just a small note to Bryan and Karen today who are celebrating their 4th Anniversary! CONGRATS to you both! :)