First Day at Home

Leah had a pretty good first day at home. She woke up at 3:00 am to potty and wanted to eat. She colored a picture and watched a video then was ready to go back to bed and slept until about 6:30 am. She did pretty good during the morning although when she got tired and overwhelmed she just spaced out and wouldn't look at any of us. We let her sit and color and watch videos and this seemed to help a lot. As you can see from the pictures by afternoon she was feeling much better and ready to play. Rachel really wanted to make her feel better and would try to comfort her by patting her. They played well until dinner time but we when gave her food to her she just sat and stared again. Mike held her and she fell asleep in his arms at about 6:00 pm. She still has some adjusting to do to our time and some sleep to catch up on. I think after she has caught up on her sleep she will be much happier and ready to deal with everything.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Leah is Home!

Leah and Mike are home. Leah is still a little overwhelmed with everything. She was crying when she came off the plane because she had been asleep and wasn't ready to be up. She didn't know what to think about all of us. Rachel kept going up to her and patting her on the arms, legs and face to try to make her feel better. When we got home we got out her coloring book and crayons and she colored a couple of pictures. Her cousin helped her pick out the colors and she like that. She went to bed easily because she was exhausted. Tomorrow should be a better day after she is rested.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

Leah

Mike took this picture of Leah while waiting at the airport in DC. Isn't she beautiful? She looks happy to be coming home.

Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!

~ Psalms 98:4

In DC

Mike and Leah have landed in DC. Leah slept from Addis to Rome and did okay while they were refueling but when the plane started to take off again she started crying and was very upset. Many of the Ethiopians around tried to calm her down. Finally the flight attendants took her and found a coloring book and colored pencils and she was happy. She did not want the coloring books that we sent. I don't know why. Mike got out the 64 crayons that he took and that made her very happy. She spent the rest of the trip coloring the entire coloring book. They get to spend the day in DC and then will be home at 5:00 tonight. We can't wait!!

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

~ Psalm 118:24

Heading Home

Mike and Leah are preparing to head home from Ethiopia. They are at the airport and ready to board the plane. Mike was able to get them moved to seats that will allow Leah to lay down on the flight so that she can sleep. Leah smiled today when she saw her picture on the VISA so Mike took her picture out of his wallet and gave it to her. She has been holding it ever since. She still is not speaking but seems to be trusting Mike. He asked her if she was ready to get on an airplane and go home and she shook her head really big. It seems that this is the day she has been waiting for.

...Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

~ Revelation 15:3

Embassy Date

Mike had the Embassy date today and everything went well. He said that Leah is doing much better. She still won't speak. He said tears roll down her face when she is hungry or tired. She won't speak with the nannies either hopefully the speech will come in time. She is playing and coloring now and coming to Mike. He said she seems to be bonding with him. When she gets home and gets used to all of us she should do well. They will get the VISA and head home on Thursday night and be back to Kansas City on Friday night.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

~ Romans 8:28

Arrived in Ethiopia

Mike has arrived in Ethiopia and picked Leah up from the orphanage. He only got about 4 hours of sleep on the flight there so he is exhausted. He said Leah is VERY quiet and will not play with any of the toys or coloring books that he brought. I'm sure she is very overwhelmed with the situation. She has had so many changes in her short life. From losing her parents and sister to living with her uncle and then being moved to the orphanage. She probably does not know what to expect or how to deal with it all. The orphanage has been her home for the last couple of years and she probably has not left there that entire time. Please pray that she will warm up to Mike and will adjust to the situation and that we will be able to communicate with her and make her feel loved.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

~ Colossians 3:15

Leaving Soon

Mike is leaving on Saturday to head to Ethiopia. He will be checking Leah out of the orphanage on Monday and then will have the Embassy date on Tuesday. Please pray that the attorney will provide all the necessary paperwork for the appointment. Please also pray that Mike will be able to communicate with Leah. This will be harder than when he got Rachel because she is older and will need to be able to communicate her needs. Please also pray that everything will go well when she comes home in a week. We are nervous about how she will fit into the family and how we will communicate with her but we are very excited that she will finally be home. It has been a very long wait and it is hard to believe that the time is finally here.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

~ Colossians 3:15

Embassy Date

We received an Embassy date of May 24th today. Mike will be leaving on May 21st to go get her and could be home with her on May 26th. It's hard to believe she will be home soon. There was a time when I started to believe that she might not ever come home. We are all so very excited!

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

~ Psalm 118:24

Mike Going to Ethiopia

We have finally found out that we would need an approved I-600 for an escort to be able bring Leah home. This could take up to 6 weeks to get. We have decided that Mike will take another week off from work and go and get her. We have waited too long to get her we are not willing to wait another 6 weeks. We have requested an Embassy date of May 24th. If they give us that date Mike could be home with her by May 26th. It is hard to believe that she is finally going to be home after all the issues we have had. We give God all the praise for clearing the way for her to come home. The hurdles seemed insurmountable to us but God is good. We are so thankful that she will be home before her 5th birthday on June 22nd. We had hoped to have her by her 4th birthday but obviously that didn't happen. It has been 14 months since we received our referral and first saw her beautiful face. The wait has been much too long but we will finally all be a family at last.

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!

~ Psalm 66:5

More Paperwork Issues

When we contacted the Embassy to request an embassy date we received a response that they need an approved I-600 to be sent to them from an office here in the United States. Our agency has told us that this is not necessary since we went to Ethiopia for court and saw Leah before the court date. The agency has sent an e-mail to the Embassy about this and we are waiting for a response from them. Please pray that the Embassy will go ahead and give us a date and determine that this is not necessary.

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

~ Colossians 2:3

Escort Arranged!

We finally have an escort for Leah! One of our dear friends has volunteered to go over and bring Leah home. This is a great sacrifice for her because she has a lot going on in her life and we are very thankful that she is willing to do this for us. We have requested an Embassy date and hope that she will be able to get her the second or third week of May. Please pray that we will get all the arrangements made and that she will be able to find people there to help her out since our agency is not willing to help us since we won't use their escort and pay extra for it. Please also pray that we will have wisdom in dealing with Leah and helping her to adjust to being here and being a part of our family. There is a lot to do in the next few weeks to get ready but it will all be worth it!

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

~ Colossians 2:3