Shenyang Day Three -- Imperial Palace & Incredible Dinner

First of all, happy birthday to my little brother John, was great to visit with you just a few weeks ago.

June 2 we are still in Shenyang, and easily the nicest hotel I ever stayed in. Our hotel in Beijing was great, but this one in Shenyang is obviously a businessperson's hotel, and is, as some of our Chinese guides would say-- much more better.  That has become my new favorite phrase here; "this thing is very very good, but this one is much more better."

We spent the early morning touring the Imperial Palace (aka Mukden Palace) in Shenyang.  It is not as well-known as the Forbidden City, and thankfully not as crowded.  Heard and saw all about the history of the first royal palace of the Qing Dynasty, before relocating to the capital city of Beijing.  Our tour guides were very patient with our rather large group of inquisitive, fun-loving, energetic children.  Never a dull moment when we are all together, that's for sure.


I have to mention again how increasingly apparent it is that God's hand is with us in every moment of this trip and this whole experience.  We hear about the power of prayer all this time; we talk about the power of a praying father/mother/spouse/etc; we say we believe in the power of prayer; we long to feel the power of prayer... And yet, it is almost indescribable when you can actually see, feel, and just be consumed in the awesome power of God's presence in our lives.  Please continue to pray for us all daily, and know we are benefiting from your intercession to Him on our behalf.

We were hesitant, even unsure about bringing the boys on this long overseas trip; anyone who knows us - or has children, or has just kept up with this blog-- can probably debate that one themselves.  A once-in-a-lifetime experience; new adventure; culture; family; time apart; time together; fear; unknowns; expenses; time changes;  group size; other families; and so on... so much to consider, and I spent many mornings agonizing about what to do, as the travel booking date drew closer.  Lord, please, guide me, show me, help me to know Your will; lead me to make the right decision, not my will but Yours be done.  I decided the boys were coming with us.

He has answered, and has been proving to me daily that ALL OF THIS was indeed His plan all along.  I find so many daily affirmations of His intent and our response:

you were worried the boys would be bored, or the only young kids there -- I will put you in a large group of adoptive families who also brought along their many young children.


you were worried about separating from that large group to your specific province -- I will see to it a wonderful large family with relatable children will be with you on this part of your adventure.  your kids will adore each other, and laugh and play and swim, and do all the things that boys and girls do.  they will become good friends.


you were worried about foods -- I will make sure there are some familiar franchises in your specific area.


you were worried about too many familiar franchises in your area -- I will provide hosts who will treat you to the most delicious new foods and meals that you cannot pronounce but your children will actually eat and mostly enjoy.


your were worried about so many insignificant things, what to eat, to drink, to wear, but what good is worry, which cannot add a single hour to your life?  Isn't life more important than these?  

It's been a good week.

It's been a good trip so far, right from the start.  And keeps getting better.

Betty and Adam are inseparable.  She just fits in with us so well and is so very sweet, so exactly like the daughter we wanted.  And she has been so patient in answering the constant barrage of "what is your favorite food?  your favorite band? do you like rock music?  who is Fahrenheit?   do you play sports?  do you like the Yankees?  can I get on your back (again)?  what does that sign say?"   She is such a good sport, and I hope she knows that someday she'll be just a sister, and not a contestant on "20 Questions from 3 Little Boys."

We took the afternoon off for some more pool time, and some nap time, some laundry, and catching up on emails, et al.  Dinner tonight was a real Chinese restaurant family-style dinner; not the westernized version, this was the real thing -- and much more better.  Lots of interesting foods with more interesting names.


The restaurant was so tickled to have a foreign family dining there that the manager asked to come and visit with us, and even had a photo-op with Big Bob.  I am guessing that as we naively walked right through the middle of a wedding reception party while the bride & groom were on the stage, that must have tipped them off to our presence.   They, of course, thought it was hilarious.

This is what we ate

And this is how we ate it.

Yep, chopsticks and everything... three of our kids had quite the good time.  So now, here is your mission, if you choose to accept it.  I have 5RMB (roughly 75 cents) prize for anyone who can tell me -- correctly, and specifically, based on these pictures -- anything we ate for dinner tonight.

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9