Tuesday, December 8th

We arrived in Ghana around tuesday, 8 am and had left our home at 3:30 am on monday morning. We had wonderful first class seats thanks to an amazing friend. Stand by worked out great despite the seeming risks! God was in it!  We were SOOOOO tired and even starting to get hungry, and got off the plane right onto the tarmack. It was HOT and HUMID. That coming from someone who has lived in Florida. My hair did things it never did in Florida! We were picked up by a representative from the orphanage who took good care of us by getting us to our hotel and then to the orphanage. In hindsight, we probably should have slept and eaten first before we went, but we were also anxious to make the most of our three days there. We got to the orphanage and it was hard to see it honestly. I think we had major culture shock already. It's a good reminder for us that these kids, when they come, will be experiencing culture shock far beyond what we went through! We were brought into the home and sat down and they brought the kids to us, both whom gave us hugs and then left. It was a little hard and strange knowing that these are our children, these two little ones. We couldn't communicate too well and we were just not feeling good. But we had brought some things so we did that right away. Our kids had bought things for them and so we gave them to them. "P" got a rubber snake and a hotwheel at first and "M"  took that snake as her own right away! It really broke the ice because she loved it and it made her laugh. We had really not seen many pictures where she was smiling or laughing and we saw that a lot on this trip, which was awesome.  We showed the kids pictures and that got "P" talking and smiling and he was naming the kids in the pictures. "M" got very animated also. It was fun. We then left them to have their lunch and caught a taxi (that's a whole other story!) to go back and sleep at the hotel. It was a strange ride back. We were so overwhelmed, terrified, not feeling well and just in general, not sure how to feel. It wasn't what we expected, not that you can really know what to expect. After a good nap, a little food and caffeine :) we went back to get the kids. They had both just napped and so we took them to the hotel and went down to the pool. "M" would have nothing to do with it but she certainly was happy to run around and throw the balls back in the pool, eat candy and dig in her little purse that "M" gave her. She made us laugh so much. "P" was willing to go in the pool but only the little one. He stuck his face in the water a couple of times with his mouth open. It was clear they had never been in a pool before. They both seemed to enjoy it. We went to the room again and played with them a bit and then down to the hotel restaurant. After AN HOUR of waiting they finally brought us our food. By that time "M" was SOOOSOO hungry she was starting to get really blah, fussy and unsettled. Peter waited perfectly.  As soon as she started to get food into her, she perked right up again and was full speed again. We took them back in a taxi to the orphanage in a taxi at night that had no headlights. When you ride in a taxi, they drive fast and very close to each other and go when they can go. The taxis are also quite rickety! But no accidents! There are goats and chickens everywhere. Thankfully this animal lover never saw one being hit by a car!  It was a good first day by the end of it. A rough start but it just got better and better. We all really enjoyed the day together! It was evident people were praying, so thank you!! We went back to our room and even though it was 4 in the afternoon Chicago time, we went to sleep and slept until 9 the next morning. A good 12 hour sleep!!

Pictures and Videos

I will take time soon to write our experience down, but first I'm putting pictures up! Enjoy! It will take me much time to figure out how to put this experience into words, but I will!!
I can't figure out how to put videos on! Sorry!

What a week!

It's obvious to us that people have been praying for us. Thank you! We had a great time with Peter and Mary. We have not been able to get any videos uploaded or pictures for that matter, but we will do so as soon as we can. We fly out early tomorrow. 6 am we get picked up and that is 1 am Chicago time, and we have to be at the airport 3 hours early!  Oh boy. No air at the airport by the way. :) Mary really attached to us so well and was sleeping on me for her naps even. She goes goes goes and then crash. She's out! She started not feeling well today so she got to a point where she wouldn't let me put her down and she wouldn't go to Mark. She got heavy! But I enjoyed it.  Peter understands a lot less than we thought he did but we had a wonderful conversation with another older couple there and they assured us they would help us when we go back to write down words we need to learn. It's hard to even begin to describe these three days here. It is another world, entirely. We have enjoyed our time, but we've missed our three kids in "America" and we are good and ready to get home to them! Thanks for all the prayers and we'll see you all soon!!

We're in Ghana!

This will be short and sweet because we're sSSSSSSSSSOooooooooooooooo  tired! But thank you for all the prayers. Thanks to the blessing from a very special pilot, we flew first class twice on the way here. There was three feet between our seats and the seats in front of us. We had appetizers, desserts, just amazing service in general. It was a blessing! Thank you again to you "B"!!

Okay, more details later, but we enjoyed time with P and M today a couple times. The first time was a little surreal and tough really because we were at the orphanage and unbelievably tired but it was still nice. We went back and slept at the hotel for a short time and then came back and got the kids to bring them back to the hotel to swim, play and eat with us. M just cracked us up constantly! She is quite a character! P is very very sweet but so quiet. M rules the roost with the two of them! We can feel your prayers and will post more later. Here are a couple pics and videos!!
I cannot get anything to upload for now, so it'll have to wait! Sorry!

Blessed

Well, it has been busy the last couple of days! We are busy busy busy packing, going over paperwork, making arrangements for the kids next week, shopping for the trip....it is a LOT to keep track of!  But it's coming together. Mom is flying down to watch the kids, friends are offering to help next week, and then last night, at my favorite coffee shop, a special group of ladies held a dessert fundraising event for us. It was so moving. Not just because of the amazing ladies who made the desserts, organized it, let people know about it, and even arranged for the coffee shop to be available, but it was also incredible to see the people come, knowing they were supporting us. We were given the unique gift from "J" in the form of her famous poems. It moved us to tears. Thank you to all of you. We are overwhelmed by your support, thoughtfulness, generosity and know that we couldn't do this without all of you. It is a family affair and we do consider you all family. We get to meet our kids in just four days and can't wait for you to meet them too! Thank you! God is good.

We got it!!

Praise the Lord! We finally got our appointment in Ghana the second week of December! Can't wait to meet "P" and "M"! Thanks for your prayers!!

hmmmmm

I am getting a little better at waiting, but really, I dont' like it. I thought I'd have an appointment in Ghana by now and I don't. I might not even find out until next week. When will I learn!?