Take the Good with the Bad

How do you feel about history?

I've never so much appreciated the dates and "facts," but I love to think about the people and the lessons hidden in between. I love trying to apply those things to the present.

We can make our own choices and learn from our past, or just continue with the traditions of our ancestors (both helpful and harmful). Either way, we are influenced by our past--our history.

Nanjing has done a little bit of both. Much more than some of the other big cities in China, Nanjing's historical culture has been preserved. Shanghai and Beijing are on the coast and easily accessible to foreign influences, while Nanjing is surrounded by other cities.

This makes for a very neat place to be a part of. It also is the reason we have had more to get used to. (No one speaking English, little children peeing on the street, etc.)

Mister gets to take a Nanjing History and Culture class as part of the Flagship program. They take the students on six field trips to historical sites in Nanjing. Miss A and I went along on the first field trip this weekend!

This has really helped us to appreciate living here and to be more understanding of the people and their "way of things."

On the way up. It was so nice to be out of the big city--surrounded by nature and fresh air!

We, with hundreds of others, climbed 300+ stairs to the Sun Zhong Shan Mausoleum. 

Oh how we love the lion statues!

We climbed all of these with our two babies!

Can you see the big city in the lovely smog??

Helpful: Sun is known as the Father of China. In 1911 he led a revolution that kicked out the last emperor. His dream was to turn china into democracy. 

Helpful: Sun is known for his political philosophy including his three principles of the people:  livelihood, democracy, and nationalism. 

Harmful: It seems Sun kept many of the traditions of the emperors, abusing his power and expecting the people to worship him.

Our second stop: Ming Xiao Mausoleum--made for the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty and his wife. These are remains from 600-year-old buildings.

The dads getting their workout!

Helpful: There is great symbolism in how the emperors are buried here. The first emperor was buried at the highest point with each succeeding son buried lower than the last. Even in their burial rituals, the people respected their ancestors.

Helpful: Some say the Ming Dynasty was a great era of orderly government and social stability. China's agricultural base was strengthened and there were some positive changes to the social classes.  

Harmful: Over 100,000 people were killed due to the rise to power and rule of the Ming Dynasty. The first emperor was very suspicious of others trying to overthrow him so he created a secret police and had many executed.

The last place we visited was the front entrance to the Ming Xiao Mouseleum. The entrance is guarded by six different animals (four of each).

Harmful: Hundreds of people were made to work on the Mausoleum for the emperor and his wife. At one point, the emperor wanted to have them move the mountain, but I think he realized that might be asking a little too much. :) While the leaders often had good intentions and helped in some ways, they also abused their positions. China is still working its way out of the effects of this oppression.

Helpful: Beauty was appreciated and created here. The statues were meticulously created and the area carefully chosen. It is located right in front of the purple mountain, surrounded by delicious smelling flowers, and has excellent Feng Shui. :)

What a fun, tiring day!

On this Sabbath day, we are especially grateful for the helpful, uplifting traditions of our fathers. This was our first week traveling an hour to get to church, but it is so worth it. What a blessing it is to have a Savior to follow who's "traditions" are perfect.


"All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long and terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." -C.S. Lewis