Day Two

Today has been a long one that is for sure! 

It started with waking up at 4:30am so I could facetime the hubs and kiddos at home at a decent hour (for them). It was the first time I had been able to see the kids faces since I left on Tuesday and it was SO good to touch base. I was able to show them some videos of sweet little Miss, so it was fun to watch their facial reactions to seeing her cooing, smiling and interacting for the first time. Tori was even teary when watching her - that girl wears her emotions on her sleeve!

We had breakfast early at the guest house before our driver came to take us to visit Embracing Hope Ethiopia, the ministry that works in Kore’. We took them about a third of the donations that we toted here.

We spoke with Christy Shannon who (along with her husband) started this ministry whose goal is orphan prevention by providing help to the poorest of the poor in Ethiopia and were given a tour. It was amazing. The heart behind their ministry, the stories she shared and the vision they had for the ministry in the future was absolutely incredible. Looking for a ministry to support? I know of one! 

Embracing Hope Ethiopia is about 30 min. away from the foster home and guest house. Since the foster home little Miss is staying in has certain visiting hours, we had to hightail it back in order to get a chance to see the babies for the last bit of the morning visiting hours. Our driver was incredible. Ethiopia has no lanes, street signs, stop signs, stop lights, speed limits - basically not many written rules. Surprisingly, it is fairly safe. You will hear a lot of honking, but it is more of a happy information honk than anything, just for communication purposes. Also throw into that mix a lot of people who are walking all over the place? It can be a bit unnerving at times. I actually had to just shut my eyes for a bit because I was getting a bit anxious, sometimes it is easier not to see :) Our driver was able to deliver us to visit the babies with about a 1/2 hr. left of time to spare. What a man!

After lunch we headed to Connected in Hope compound. I even got to try my hand at weaving, which they probably regretted afterward, because I stink! It is harder than it looks, even with a loom. We did just a bit of shopping after leaving Connected in Hope and I was able to find a sweet Ethiopian dress for little Miss (that she will fit eventually……)

The afternoon visit was great - lots of smiles, coos. Jason and I have on our hands one happy baby - so fun! This visit was also full of firsts. The first time she spit up a lot on herself and me, resulting in a clothing change for her and wet pants for me (oh how I had forgotten!) and the first time she fell totally asleep a long enough chunk of time that I could just enjoy relaxed baby weight in my arms. Granted, it isn’t a lot of baby weight compared to my boys, but there is nothing more sweet than that. 

Look at these little feet!

I found out today that little Miss was sick last week. Since our updates always come a week later than they actually happen, THIS would be the week that I would have seen on the update that she was sick and on meds. Instead, this week I am sitting in Ethiopia playing with a active and healthy baby. How amazing it is to not have to endure a week of trying not to worry until her next update if she is better, or how she is doing. I already know. Thank you Lord!

More to come tomorrow!