If I don't do abridged posts I'll never catch up. Matt and Sara gave
us the opportunity to take a vacation to mainland China as they lived in
Shenzhen for one and a half years. So in September we made the trip in
great anticipation of spending 2 1/2 weeks with our Rose family that we
had not seen for over a year! How we had missed them. Eva was only 9
months old when they left so though we Skyped periodically, we were a
little afraid it would take her awhile to warm up. Not so! We had the
most wonderful time just being with them all and exploring and enjoying
their life in this vast country. Sara is amazing and though the
transition was more difficult than any of us could ever imagine, being
the trooper she is she dove right in overcoming the language and culture
obstacles that blow my mind even thinking of them. Because of her
positive attitude, Luke, Emma, Gavin and Eva adjusted beautifully and
they had the experience of a lifetime. Some of the highlights we enjoyed
with them were a trip to Hong Kong where we attended the temple with
Matt, a cable car ride to see the Big Buddha (huge would be more
descriptive), a trip to Beijing where we visited Tiananmen Square,
toured the Forbidden City, and Walked on the Great Wall...sites we never
dreamed in a million years we would get to experience. We also enjoyed
attending church at their branch in Shenzhen and also a branch in
Beijing. In the Church you always have a supportive family wherever you
go!
We are so thankful that Matt had this great work
opportunity (can I just say he is very intelligent like his Dad) and
that he has a supportive and adventurous wife who said yes to such an
undertaking! And I might add great kids who were willing to leave the
comforts of home for a foreign adventure. Sara learned Chinese well
enough to get anywhere in good fashion and make her needs known. Our
jaws dropped listening to her talk to the cab drivers and store
employees. Matt did a great job handling and completing what he was sent
there to do. It was obvious that they were all well respected wherever
they took us and we thank them a hundred times over for the opportunity
to be there with them. Here are some picture highlights:
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| Yes.,.Gavin on a mule on the Great Wall of China |
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| The brown building with the steeple is the Church Office Building in downtown Hong Kong |
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| The BIG BUDDHA |
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| mutual admiration society! |
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| The move to China in Luke's words |
I
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| Greg and Wendy on the Great Wall...an unbelievable experience! |
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| The Great Wall winding across the mountains in the background |
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| Our Rose Family on the Great Wall |
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| Matt and Sara |
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| So we can remember the height of the Great Wall |
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| Little Beauties, Eva and Emma |
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| Luke, Gavin, Eva, Emma Rose |
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| Matt and Greg after doing a session at the Hong Kong Temple |
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| The Wet Market in Old Shekou, Shenzhen, China |
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| Greg and Me at the Hong Kong Temple |
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| My "Pumpkin" Emma...we are great pals |
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| Grandpa with his two pals, Luke and Gavin |
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| A big stage show at Splendid China theme park |
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| Sara is a Terra Cotta Warrior |
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| Ems and Eves |
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| Our Welcome sign and first picture after arriving at Matt and Sara's apartment! | Such joy! |
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| All of us on the Wall! |
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| Greg and Me at the entrance to the Forbidden City |
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| In front of the Jade Lion in the Forbidden City! |
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| More Forbidden City! |
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| In front of the building where we attended Church in Beijing with Sara's brother and parents |
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| Matt and Greg in downtown Beijing where we shopped for souvenirs |
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| Luke was sweet enough to name us his heroes in his newspaper project in school. | We were able to attend back-to-school night with the kids. |
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| Luke in front of the flags at the International School where he was a student |
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| Sara and me after a great massage! I could learn to like that! |
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| A family picture! (What you don't do for and with your grandkids!) |
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