Saturday, February 7, 2009

Sunday, February 8th, 2009



WaMArt!

Dryers at Wal-mart?



Sunday, Feb. 8-09

We have experienced a piece of heaven today.



This morning after breakfast we headed out for the day by ourselves. We got in the taxi and gave the driver the piece of paper with the name of the hotel where the church was located. We were so happy when we arrived because we thought our drive was going to be a little longer. We walked inside the hotel and asked the lady where the church service was located. She said, “Oh, in the business center.” Carlton and I went over to the business center which was about as big as my living room. “Hmmmm…”, we thought, “doesn’t look like church is going to happen in here.” We asked the lady in the business center, “Is this where church is?” She got on her phone and made several calls. Then, she went over to a cabinet and handed us a box. It was a converter for an outlet. I almost started to panic because I knew something was not right. They thought we were saying, “charge”. Oh, dear, where is Helen when we need her? Oh, yes, she is just a phone call away. We asked the hotel to call her. The hotel clerk spoke to Helen for a moment and then handed me the phone. Helen then said, “I am so sorry to tell you this, but your taxi driver took you to the wrong hotel.” We were on the wrong side of town! I really tried not to freak out..but a small part of me wanted to just cry! We got into a new taxi and this man was very nice and took us to the correct location. To enter this church, you must show your foreign passport or ID. It is a Christian church. They have service in a huge auditorium, there were well over a thousand people there. Most people did not look like us. We were definitely in the minority. I loved it, I really, really loved it. It made me think about heaven. We really enjoyed the early service and were able to sing praise songs in Mandarin. WE have some video we will share later. It was really amazing. We would like to share more of our heart about today’s church experience, but right now we cannot. I can tell you that it really impacted us on a deep level. We hope to share more later.

After church, we took a taxi to Wal-mart. Let me tell you , that was an experience. Thank you, but I’ll pass on Wal-mart in Beijing!! The food section was interesting. The smells were really strong and a couple times I got nauseous. The meat was lying out, it was not wrapped up. Ugh. I told Carlton I can’t imagine being pregnant in China and having to deal with the smells. Some smells are OK, but others are really strong. We walked around for a little while, but we didn’t buy anything. We couldn’t read the packaging so we didn’t know what anything was! There were not a lot of American things. I saw some cosmetics that I recognized, but that was about it.

We came home after Wal-mart to rest. We are trying to get some rest before we have our little one running all over the place!!!! (ooh, I just got chills typing that!) I can’t believe we are getting so close. I have waited so long and now the time is drawing near. Its very surreal. The excitement is almost too much to bear!


Tonight, we will eat out. I really want to find a place with some yummy dumplings!


Tomorrow, we will be checking out of our hotel at 12:00pm and our driver will take us to the airport!! Our fight leaves at 3:10pm and we will arrive about an hour later. We will be staying at Shanxi Grand Hotel…not sure of the room number. This is it guys….this is the place where Lily will lay at night all snuggled up next to her mama. Carlton promised me that I can “hog” her. He even told me I can be the first to hold her on Gotcha Day. (Like he had a choice?)


Love you all,

Thank you for your encouraging words that you are leaving for us...we love to read them early each morning!

Aimee and Carlton

17 comments:

Hope for Lucy said...

Hey Guys
Im so glad your trip to Beijing was a one that you will never forget. Thanks to Helen, you learned so much to share with your precious Lily. I received an email from Helen (I had sent her one thanking her for taking care of my bestest buddies), she loved yall as much as you loved her.
Now can you please you are only a couple of hours away from Lily. I know that you are so ready to hold her and I cant wait to get up tomorrow and see though pictures. While you are loving on her, I will be returning back to work for the first time since December 11th.
We love you and praying that God is preparing Ms. Lily's heart for a smooth transition.
Love and Blessings

Jessica said...

Sorry to read about the confusion with the hotel...so glad you were able to get a hold of Helen and get it all straightened out. I can not wait to hear all about your experience at church. I can only imagine how awesome it must have been to worship and sing praises with all those people...chills.
THe Wal-Mart pictures are very "interesting" At least you can say that you went :)
I am so glad that you guys have had this time in Beijing. It has been so wonderful to experience it through your eyes!
Oh but what the next few days has to hold is so much better :)!!!!
I am so glad that you get to be first to hold Lily (that story cracks me up)
Praying for you guys, for Hannah and Noah, and for Lily.
love and miss you so much!
Jess

jengallahar said...

I get up every morning to see if you have posted your updates. I enjoy reading them all and I feel as if I have experienced a little bit of China with you. I can't wait to see Lily with you and Carlton. She has no idea what the Lord has blessed her with! Oh how her life is about to change. She is a true treasure!

Barb said...

Your church experiences sounds amazingly awesome. I look forward to hearing more. The WalMart is wild -- conveyer belts, it looked so crammed together -- I agree I'll stick to the American ones.

Wow,only 2 more days! Probably less when you read this. My eyes just teared up to read about Lily being in your arms! Lily is in for a really great blessing! You have learned so much to tell her and I can't wait to see the pictures of you with her! Praying for a smooth transition for her, you, Hannah & Noah.

Satterfield Softball 14U said...

Amiee and Carlton, it is so weird that you could have already had your Sunday and church. We are just getting ready for church here, and it is Feb. 8th. Really brings into perspective that you are on the other side of the world. Can't wait to hear more about church. It was so cool that you compared it to heaven. When you hit your 60"s like I have and realize you are beginning the last years of your life here on earth it is amazing how often your thoughts go to heaven. In songs you sing, and when you read your bible, or just driving down the road. I guess it is because you realize that your journey to that wonderful amazing place is becoming a little shorter. I know that when I was younger songs about heaven didn't affect me the way they do now. You will understand some day. I'm so glad that you and Carlton are enjoying yourself, but I can't wait for your return. We miss you guys alot, church is not the same when you are not there, (good, but not the same). Aimee, I'm getting excited right along with you. The excitment is building and I can't wait until you write about "gotcha day". I wonder if there will be words. We love you.....carry on. You are of course in my prayers.

Tamara said...

I am so glad you finally got to the right place for church. How awesome an experience that must have been. I can't wait to hear all about it! Wal-Mart looked very interesting to say the least. I don't think even I could spend as much time in there as I sometimes do at home.

Your finally on your way to pick up your precious Lily. Not much longer now!

Praying for a good, smooth flight and plenty of rest in preparation for the days to come!

Love you,

Faith, Hope, and Love said...

TOMORROW you will be just miles from your Lily!!! Can you believe it?? What an amazing thing to be able to worship in China! It looks like you have had a fabulous time in Beijing. I can't wait to see Lily in your arms!! VERY SOON!! :)

Love,
Robin

amy hansen said...

Amiee!
I hope you guys are having alot of fun :]
hearing about that plane ride didnt sound like to much fun! :/ china sounds like so much fun! :]
I miss you guys and noah HORRIABLY! im really excited to see LILY! shes going to have so much fun :]
math is going ok KINDA i need help! but ill be alright. when you get back and need help with noah or hannah ill definatly be willing to help you anytime :]
i get so excited everyday knowing that you are going to get lily and that shell finally be here! :]
oh yeah by the way you clothes arent BAD! i like THEM! :]

hope you guys are having fun if you talk to hannah and noah again tell them i said hello! :]

amy hansen said...

Amiee!
I hope you guys are having alot of fun :]
hearing about that plane ride didnt sound like to much fun! :/ china sounds like so much fun! :]
I miss you guys and noah HORRIABLY! im really excited to see LILY! shes going to have so much fun :]
math is going ok KINDA i need help! but ill be alright. when you get back and need help with noah or hannah ill definatly be willing to help you anytime :]
i get so excited everyday knowing that you are going to get lily and that shell finally be here! :]
oh yeah by the way you clothes arent BAD! i like THEM! :]

hope you guys are having fun if you talk to hannah and noah again tell them i said hello! :]

Anna Catherine said...

Carlton and Aimee, As I read this I get chills! Aimee, I know the thought of yall snuggled up together is surreal! I can't even imagine! I am an anxious blogger! I can't wait to read what is going to happen next and even more I can't wait to wake up on the 11th and see those sweet pictures and read that post! WOW! I am thinking and praying for yall daily! GOD IS SO GOOD!
Love, Anna Catherine

Hope Atchison said...

Carlton,
Great pictures. Can't wait to catch up.
Billy Atchison

The Ferrill's said...

Oh I can't wait to hear more about the church service! It sounds amazing!
Your are SO close! I am praying for yall!!!!!!!!!

Laura said...

So amazing....I cannot wait to hear about the service. A taste of what heaven will be like for sure.

Only a few more days....Lily snuggled in your bed. I can't type that without tears in my eyes. Praying for you.

Love

Tina said...

your pictures are so great, we can't wait to see sweet Lily in your arms!
Love
Tina H

LeighAnne said...

The hours and minutes are ticking down and I can't wait to see you with Lily and hear all about the amazing experience you are going to have on Gotcha Day. :) I, like everyone else, can't wait to hear about your experience at church. Going to church in a foreign country and worshipping with other believers different from you is a life changing experience, at least it was for me! :) Praying for you and Carlton.

LeighAnne

Marita said...

It won't be long now. I remember the excitement, anticipation and all of those mixed up emotions before "Gotcha Day". I am confident that everything is in Most Capable Hands. We can not wait to meet Lily.
Marita, Jim, Madison, and Jade

Jen Evans said...

Carlton and Amiee! As I read about your experiences in China I'am overwhelmed with joy and excitement! I know you both cannot wait to see Lily tomorrow! I have loved reading about what you both are learning through the Lord. What a great experience! I'am anxiously awaiting the next blog and seeing sweet pictures of Lily! You both are in my thoughts and prayers daily! Safe travels home! Love you both! Jen :)