For Helen

Dearest Helen,

Even though I know that you will never get the chance to read this, hopefully one day I will get to tell you in person when we aren’t separated by different continents, my appreciation for you and your hard work.  About a month ago, I walked into your shop to watch you paint.  As you painted scriptures onto paper, and ornate fans, I knew that I wanted something as a keepsake; not only from China, but something I could cherish a little more.  As I read your inspirational card which read, “Pray for China,” I knew that I had come to the right place.  

I didn’t see the journal that I bought from you, but my friend pointed one out to me, and as I sat and watched you paint, it lay there on your desk in front of me.  I held it.  Looked at it.  And wanted it.  When you were finished scribing on the picture you were selling, I was hesitant to ask you for a favor, but the worst you could have said was no, right?  On one of your scrolls was the scripture Joshua 24:15 which reads, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (KJV)  Coming from a home where religion was always prevalent, I knew that this was what I wanted to remind myself every day of the task before me, which is simply to; serve the Lord.  I wanted this scripture in my journal, to keep my task at the forefront of my mind.  When I asked, I thought for a second that you would say no, but you patted my cheek, and said “Dear, it would be a challenge for me to do, but I do love a challenge.”  You even wrote my name in the corner for me!

I guess this is a really long and maybe lame way to simply say, thanks.  I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over 6 years now, and it took me 4 years to get in the habit of daily scripture study.  Thinking back, I am not sure why that is so, but time has a weird way of playing things out.  I am glad that I get to take you along with me every day in search of truth, and happiness, or whatever I may find that day.  Hopefully, ONE DAY, I will get to see you, and teach you what your gift has helped me to retain.  

Prayerfully,

Sophia 

 www.lds.org

Xi'an B-C

The much dreaded 16 hour train ride to Xi’an was well worth it in the end.  We only planned a day and a half here, but could have easily spent 2 or 3.  We got to Xi’an at 4 in the morning, and since check-in at our hostel was later in the morning, we decided to chill in the McDonalds across the street.  Bad news seems to follow us everywhere, and it was no different here.  It was like 100 degrees in that place, and there were no seats for us, so we were parked alongside the wall sitting on our luggage.  After a not so good breakfast, we decided to try the hostel anyways.  We hailed a taxi and end up at a hostel, but they were still closed due to the early hour but graciously let us in anyways.  The lady at the counter told me to wait…that was all I could understand from our conversation so we waited, and slept on the couches they had in the lounge.  At 8 in the morning a man comes to the door, and said for us to follow him.  He showed me my reservation, so I knew he wasn’t a total stranger.  We put all of our stuff in a van, and 15 minutes later we arrived at a much nicer, but different hostel.  That morning was definitely the weirdest morning I have had in China.  It was like a dream, and I still don’t really understand what all went down, but we were safe in a place that accepted us, so we stayed!

Our first night we headed to the water show that I will have to say puts the Bellagio to shame.  This was one awesome show!  I am kind of in love with night life here.

The next day we planned on going to the Terra-cotta Warriors, so we started our day early and got to the bus station at 6:30.  The line to the Warriors was HUGE.  I am talking like a two mile long wait, it was ridiculous!  We didn’t want to wait that long, and after a long discussion on where our priorities were, some of us went in a taxi, and some stayed to shop in the city.  I went, and was not disappointed in my decision.  

Thanks for talking me into this experience, Emily!

The population of China seemed to triple, only because it felt like it was all crammed into one place.  There were so many people, and these people are professional pushers.  Not “drug” pushers, but “get out of my way, or you will die” pushers.  I politely waited my turn to see the warriors, but the little boy of 12, who had to be about 200 pounds, kept pushing me into the iron pole.  I almost suffocated dude, so thanks for your concern.  I will admit though, I’m not a person to get even with someone, but when I walked away I pushed his rear back as much as my small frame would let me.  At least I got my pictures!

The eceterras. 

 

Muslim Street.  It was so crowded!

The temple of some person or another.

Muslim Street #2

Line to see the Warriors

Welcome to Xi'an!! :)