This and that around Lanzhou

On Thursday morning, Aug. 28, we checked out some sights within walking distance of our hotel. We first stopped at the city temple. Nearly all Chinese cities have a city temple. The one in Lanzhou has been converted into an open air market place although it still has the temple architecture.

We stopped in a store to buy some stamping stones for Nora and Trent. These are rectangular stones with a person's name carved into the bottom. You press them in ink and then use the stamp instead of a signature. This is still the way most Chinese people make their mark on official documents.

After the temple we went to a nearby Chinese Christian Church. It is obviously a government approved one, but still neat to connect with others who share our faith. The inside is fairly simple with wooden stadium seats instead of pews. There is a stage decorated with dried flowers and a simple alter. On Sunday mornings they worship 3,000 people in two services and have evening classes every night except Mondays.

This afternoon we are taking it easy at the hotel. Tomorrow we will catch an early morning flight to Xi'An. Trent is doing well. He did not eat much the first day but has a healthy appetite since. We are grateful he is sleeping through the night although it takes a little while for him to wind down in the evening at bedtime. He is starting to feel more comfortable with his new mom and dad and even his big sister.