October 4--Day 89

So the plan was to go to Sanya today, but that was too much of a hassle. And Mrs. Mills is too much of a genius. We went to Sanya…in Haikou. The parts of Sanya that we love are: the Italian restaurant and the beach. Well, we found an Italian restaurant a few weeks ago, and we’re on a tropical island. We have dozens of beaches! The restaurant was great! It's owned by a Frenchman who married a Chinese woman. So the Americans went to the Italian restaurant owned by a Frenchman and Chinese woman. Ha. There were at least 9 brides taking pictures along one part of Holiday Beach. They were everywhere! So we spied on them for a while, even found Cinderella's shoes along a ledge haha. Mrs. Mills decided we should draw a masterpiece in the sand so we decided to go to the Great Wall of China! We all stood holding hands while our silhouettes in the sand. Of course, we drew a giant crowd, but it was pretty funny! When we drew in the Wall, we had to draw in a sand stepladder because I'm so short haha. While half the group went in search for some coconuts to drink, we sat in a gorgeous grove of palm trees and played soccer meets hot potato meets two truths and a lie meets 99 bottles of coke on the wall. And, yes, we sang the whole song. When we were walking on the beach, Miranda said, “We’re walking on the beach. Those are palm trees. Those are palm trees because we’re on a tropical island. You know, sometimes I just have to remind myself of that.” Ha. True. Today was one of those days. Driving past the Chinese flags, talking about our country, chilling on the beach or in a grove of palm trees, being with our new family. It’s a bit surreal sometimes. We finished off the night working on a new song that Elizabeth's writing. It's beautiful. And it was Psalm 31 again. Ok, God. I get the point. That psalm has been brought up so many times this week. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD." What a perfect promise. And no epic day could be complete without a special viewing of Rocketman! My third time this summer...