It's a Zoo Out There!

Zoo Market:

Since we are on a break from school, we are trying to venture out and try some new things around town. Our American friends are always talking about the great deals to be found at the “Zoo Market,” so-named because it is across the street from the Beijing Zoo. We were able to find our way there armed with this highly detailed and helpful map:

Great bargains on clothing abounded, and it was fun to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the crowd. We learned that the “Zoo Market” only sells clothes, and since we were looking for a few other things, we looked inside another mall that we found nearby. We found six HUGE floors full of clothes, clothes and more clothes! People were bringing in huge trash bags full of garments and piling them in the middle of each store. Some of their inventory was hanging or on display, but most of the clothing was heaped on the floor in huge mounds. Apparently we found the clothing district of Beijing!

At Home:

I caught this sweet daddy-daughter moment the other day. Bad quality photo because my flash didn't go off. By the time I got the flash to work AA was covering her face.

We have had the privilege to do a bit of babysitting lately. And when I say “we” I mean IA and AA, of course! The other day they taught these two cuties to play Mario Kart on the Wii. They absolutely loved it and were very competitive with one another. So fun to watch my kids interact with them and to hear their giggles and cheers. We also made pizza together and the kids played Uno.

The Weather:

You may have read in the news that Beijing experienced record levels of pollution last weekend. A healthy number on the pollution index is 50 or below, and we were seeing numbers above 700! The air outside smelled like a giant campfire, and it was as though we were in a thick fog. We could just make out the outline of buildings that are quite near to us. The sun couldn't even shine through; it looked like a dull moon in the sky. People were encouraged to stay indoors and to avoid all physical exercise. Beijing is like a big basin, and when there is no wind the smog gathers here and doesn't disperse until a breeze begins to blow.

 
On days with bad pollution, I struggle to overcome the temptation to complain and give in to depression of spirits. I am learning to combat this temptation by thinking more about heaven, praying for the millions of people who are breathing the same air, and trusting the Lord’s promises to never leave us or forsake us.  If my joy is dependent on the weather (or any other circumstances of life), then I will often be disappointed and discouraged. If my joy is in the Lord, then it will be full, whether the sky happens to be smoggy or blue! I am thankful for these trials that challenge my perspective on life and show me where I need to grow.