First Bath with Mom and Dad

Meeting Melat

Home

We are home at last, though not at the time we had intended. We had to take a later flight from Washington DC, since I spent most of the flight from Ethiopia either doubled over in my seat or in the bathroom, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I have never been so glad to be home. After some time of adjusting to the jet lag, mixed up sleep schedules, and general family regrouping, we'll be sure to post more.

Truly, All God's Children...

Allan writing again: "I am Kansas!", "I am Ohio!", the older boys said
excitedly. "Kansas!" a younger boy added taking the arm of the older
"Kansas"; they nodded when I identified them as brothers. These were,
of course, not their names they were sharing, but they were every bit
their identification as they waited expectantly for the day their
families would come and take them to America as we were for our Melat.
Still, there was something important they wanted to tell me. Pressing
their hands in front of them and bowing their heads, they gathered
around a boy who I knew was named Dave (one of the only names I can
remember!) Through our simple words and gestures, I understood what
they were communicating: Dave was still waiting to be matched to a
family; he was not a "Kansas", "Ohio", or any other of the 48 states
yet. This was how my day visiting Hannah's Hope ended yesterday
(Tuesday). Sarah and I had been able to wake up with Melat cradled in
her Moses-basket next to us. After bottle, bath, showers and breakfast,
we had headed back to her transition home to let her nap there while we
made our one and only trip out to shopping. It was hard for each parent
in our group to leave our children behind, even if only for a few hours,
but not so hard when you see first-hand how loved they are with their
'special mothers'. The best part of the day was coming back to reunite -
Melat still remembered us :) As she sat happily in momma's arms and
watched, I got to play with the other kids in the courtyard. They were
so much fun! Playing catch with balls, posing for endless photo shoots,
racing hotwheels, fixing dislocated axles on said hotwheels, and, of
course, soccer. The older boys relished the chance to kick a new, neon
yellow soccer ball around the court (purchased by one of our group).
Apparently, getting a funny looking adult like me to play with them was
a treat. It took about five minutes for them to finally communicate the
idea of playing 'keep-away', but we finally got on the same page and
had a great time...even though, when I missed, they insisted that I not
have to be "it" - "Ish, ish."(it's okay) they would say as they tapped
their chest and graciously insisted on taking my spot instead. One of
our best memories of this time at Hannah's Hope was when Tim and Dawn
pulled out cardboard Spiderman masks to fold and wear. Every boy, young
and old alike, swarmed them and soon the yard was full of web-flinging
superheroes! We'll share pictures of that when we can. I only wish it
was easier to visit these precious children than living on seperate
sides of the world will allow. It is a joyous place that truly fills
you heart. Today is a slower day that will be spent mostly around the
hotel with an afternoon trip back to Hannah's Hope. Tonight will be a
special trip to a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with music and
dancing... I'll volunteer Sarah to do the shoulder dancing if they ask
for audience participation, or maybe she can do the insanely fast head
shake/twirl. We'll be sure to bring back video of this. One more
thing... During the morning hours, the families from our group whose
children have biological family-members to meet with will be taking
turns embracing that poigniant moment. Even though many of you will
read this after these meetings take place, please pray for the families
on both sides - those giving and those recieving the care of the
child(ren). It is a special, but understandibly heavy moment. Thanks
for your continued prayers through all of this. In Christ's Love,
Allan, Sarah and Melat.

Love At First Snuggle!

Greetings from Addis Ababa! (This is Allan writing)

It is now 1:10AM, Tuesday the 22nd. It's been just a little over 24
hours since Sarah and I got settled in our hotel (it was a looooooong
flight and the 2 hour wait to get our Visa at the airport only made
longer), BUT!... Today Sarah and I made the long awaited walk from our
hotel over to Hannah's Hope, (Melat's transition home), and tonight she
is snuggled with us in our own bed! What a day!

She is that much more beautiful than we knew from her photos, and
extremely cuddly (with a capital 'C')! It has been love at first
snuggle and she has taken well to it all (Remarkably, she has not cried
once - that will probably change, but it's been so sweet for now) Today
was packed with our morning meeting, a bouncy, wild ride through the
streets of Addis to the US Embassy to obtain Melat's Visa. We were able
to get a few smiles from her along the way, but, oh my goodness, as soon
as we got to the quiet of our hotel lobby, she had all sorts of things
to say! What a happy little baby. It is so good to see how well she has
been cared for. In fact, the US Embassy worker processing most of our
group remarked how well-adjusted all the babies were. The only real
trouble we have had has been with taking turns holding her... (ok, so
it's really only my problem)

I should probably sneek back up to bed now, but I'm glad we could get
finally find a time when the computer and dial-up decided to cooperate
so we could let you all know how well we are doing. Pass the good word
along.

Thank you for your prayers! Our God is good.

With Love, Allan and Sarah (and Melat, too!)

Oh boy!

Well, 12 hours from now we'll be leaving for the airport. I am ready to go!

Sort of.

The boys are running around right now undoing all my hard work -- pulling things out of suitcases, strewing toys down the halls. I think there may just be some divine intervention at work here -- you know, when the kids are driving me crazy its makes the separation anxiety that much easier. Its the Lord's way of motivating me out that door. I love the little darlings to pieces, but right now 30 hours on an airplane isn't sounding so bad!

Once we have them safely ensconced at grandma's, we'll pick up the last of the mess and FINALLY zip up those bags.

You know the Robert Frost line, "miles to go before I sleep"? Yep. Still much to be done.

Please pray for all of us, for traveling mercies for Allan and I, patience for the grandparents, and comfort for the boys.

When next we post (hopefully) it will at least be out of state!

And soon we'll be saying... "Oh, girl!"

Mobile Picture Post?

One more test... does this mobile test also post an attached picture? We
shall see!