First Full Day in Addis

We are thankful to have a night of sleep behind us as we entered into a full day (night of sleep in the loosest sense). Our morning began with acquainting ourselves with the two other couples and a single woman who are all hear adopting at the same time. It was encouraging to hear their experiences and struggles as we each share this same journey in many ways. After breakfast we (Julie and Jay) decided to walk through a bit of the city in search of a sim card for Jay's iphone. We successfully found a place to purchase one, but have yet to find wi-fi in order to activate. Needless to say, our walk was adventuresome in that we tend to stand out - perhaps Jay should lose the husky purple and wear something a bit less conspicuous.

Following this adventure we headed off to the House of Hope where our children are staying as they wait to be adopted. To say this was surreal is an understatement. Driving there I tried to imagine the many trips to the hospital to deliver our girls, only in this case we avoided both the labor and epidural. The House of Hope brought us to an upper room set up for expecting parents to meet their children. We sat on large sofa chairs and waited anxiously for the nannies to bring the twins in. Hard to know how to introduce yourself to children you love but don't know just yet - perhaps there really isn't much that is different between having biological vs adopted children in this regard. Well, our twins are darling - sweet continence and very little crying. They seemed to take to us well.  We loved their cocoa-butter smell and tufts of black curly hair. Their eyes are bright and as surreal a moment as it was, it just felt rather normal, if that is at all possible. Mom got some tears going - perhaps the culmination of so many answered prayers and hopes all stuffed into a split moment of saying "Hello" to our newest family members.

Jay of course gave Beniyam his first football - he took to it rather nicely I would say. He definitely needs to bulk up a bit and maybe work on his core strength if he is to have any hope at making it into the NFL. At this point, we think Beti has a better shot as she is the more sturdy of the twins.

We got about three hours with the twins today, and plan to spend more time with them tomorrow Lord willing. To wake up in Africa is enough of a shock, to wake up in Africa and think about meeting new family members puts this week long journey in a whole other category. We feel so very thankful for The Downtown Church family and all that are praying for us. We felt the calm even on our plane rides and continue to feel a great calm as we are experiencing so much in such a compressed manner. Please continue to pray for God's kindness as we try and listen and experience all that occurring around us in a right frame of mind. Please also pray for our court appointment this Thursday and then the journey home.


Thankful and full,
Jay and Julie