I am officially in China and am so grateful to be traveling alongside of my family and some of our best friends. We landed in China at about 2 pm yesterday, and as a way to conquer the jet lag before it conquered us, we headed out early this morning to visit The Great Wall of China! Wow . . . I have been to The Great Wall twice before, but something about this time was special! I am sure having my hubby with me was part of it :) But, I do have to tell you that I was OVERWHELMED by the beauty of creation. The view from the top of The Great Wall was stunning! What an amazing Father we serve.
I do have to admit that we broke out into spontaneous song more than once as we climbed to the top, all belting Miley Cyrus' latest hit, "The Climb." That song took on a whole new meaning today as I was climbing . . . and climbing . . . and climbing some more . . . seeming to always wonder what was "waiting on the other side." I kept saying to myself, "If you can just make it to the next little hut, then you will be able to see the next part of the wall and where you will have to climb next." And, if I hadn't caught myself quickly enough I might have missed all the beauty that was in the present climb up to the next hut. What a life lesson for me . . . I seem to easily get distracted from there here and now by striving for the not yet. It is my hope that I continue to enjoy "The Climb," choosing to see the beauty in the moment, yet knowing that a breathtaking view awaits at the top.
I hope you enjoy the photos! Please continue to keep us in your thoughts as we open Maria's Big House of Hope in just two days! Wow . . . "The Climb" of this past year for our family has sure seemed steep at times as we have wondered if the beautiful view at the top will come. I believe we are about to get a glimpse as we open Maria's Big House of Hope and watch beauty arise from the ashes.
