We made it through our embassy appt.!!!

Great news! We had our embassy appointment today and got through just fine. I was feeling so nervous and sick to my stomach regarding what the Wests and Cordells have been going through, but by the Grace of God we made it!! I am asking for prayer for both those families as they are feeling stuck and probably scared as far as how long they must stay. They are all working so hard for them I have faith they will get home soon.

We are doing so great here, and absolutely taking it all in. I think it will take me years to process and try to describe everything that has happened so far, needless to say, it has been life changing already. The people are amazing and the amount of situations and experiences that are heart touching and heart wrenching are endless. Several moments stand out in my mind- one I will never forget was pulling up to the transition home. The intensity and nerves in that van could have run it without diesel. Before we went in we all held hands and prayed, a moment I will NEVER forget. As the doors opened and the parents of the older children walked in, all you could hear was "mommy", "daddy"......again a sound I will never forget. These children came running into their parents arms and never turned back, they now had a mommy and daddy and the smiles have been endless ever since.

We each got to take turns as our babies were brought out. As if we were not already in tears with our hearts swollen to the most, after witnessing the older children, God continued to swell our hearts with love and gratitude as we watched each family united with their babies. Again, a moment I will never forget.

Yesterday we got to go back and get our children for good, again- amazing! Just as I think I have pulled myself together this week, another life moment gets us. Saying good-bye to the nannies, the gate man, the nurse and the older children who are staying was almost more than I could take. The gate man LOVES Selam/Gabrielle and she "lit up" whenever he was near. I did not know at one moment what she was so excited about, she started smiling and wiggling and waving her little hands and feet. I looked over and the gate man and he was snapping and smiling at her. I cant recall his name right now, but we recorded him giving Gabrielle a video message that was being translated so she can always remember him. He was like a daddy figure to her and he cried when we said good-bye. He told her his hope was that one day he would see her again. Summed up- It was wonderful, beautiful and heart-wrenching, all at the same time. Tears of joy, tears of
compassion, tears of gratitude, tears of sadness, and tears of hope.

Since then we have gotten to spend time with our little girl. She is the sweetest little thing. She smiled and giggled for us yesterday AND started babbling- which they told us she did not do at the transition home. She is such a baby to us, and can already see her progress and personality coming out. She is a treasure and a love, and she is already so attached to us. AMAZING! Oh, and did I mention how beautiful she is? Those eyes and that little mouth and her hair!!! I love it all.

So, here we are today, blessed by a success at the embassy and looking forward to tomorrow where we get to go to the orphanage she was first brought to. Also we are going to see a dear friend of ours little boy. They were referred him several weeks ago and he was moved to their transition home with another agency. We get the privilage of bringing him the first coorespondance from his family, a letter, a photo album and the amazing news that he indeed has a family who wants him and already loves him sooooooo much! This should be another one for the books!