I believe it is Friday morning- its hard to know really. But we made it to Amsterdam and are again at Starbucks collecting ourselves before our next flight. Two more flights- we can do this, right?!? This chick is a busy and ready to go for the day. Lord help us.
After what feels like two days of international travel, we have made it to our gate at the Addis airport. Our flight is scheduled to take off in another 90 minutes. We were told there were no bassinet seats available, so we will be making this first leg with Lu on our my lap. We stood in the check-in line for two hours and the agent felt really badly for us. The exhausted 7-yr-old and squirming baby may have helped our cause, because she told us she upgraded us to some seats with more leg room. We are trying to keep our expectations in check as to what that exactly means, so we shall see. 🙂
The girls are being troopers so far- but then again we have yet to board our first of three flights. Here’s hoping we all sleep…at some point. These beautiful faces probably speak for themselves.
Today is the day we start the long journey home – we are so excited to get back to our Asher and our beds and our showers! Today is also Emma bean’s 7th birthday and I can’t think of a better way for her to be spending it than playing with the kids at House of Hope, having her hair braided by Dibora and the nannies, and our amazing host at the Providence Guest House is currently preparing a special cake just for Em. To sit around the table with these other two families we have had the honor of walking this crazy week out with and celebrate our oldest daughter’s birth, the daughter who has such light and life and heart she is a joy to love. As we drove away from the House of Hope for the final time just about an hour ago, many of us were in tears. I heard a whimper behind me in the van and turned around to a sobbing Emma. Through her tears she said in staggered breaths, “I’m just going to miss the children at House of Hope!” Yes, Emma, you are a gift to our family and a gift to this life. Happy Birthday my beautiful luv.
We have spent so much time at the House of Hope and with our friends, it has far exceeded my hopes. We have a TON of photos and video – I can’t wait to deliver them to some of the parents back in the States waiting for news of their children. It made me beam to see Emma form bonds not only with the kids, but also some of the nannies and for them to tell me how sweet she is. When we finally said our goodbyes, there were an abundance of tears, hugs and kisses.
This afternoon we are headed to Bright Hope School to visit the children there and then we will make our final preps to head to the airport. I will try to update once we get to the airport as well – we are hoping to get there ahead of long long lines that can form.
This experience has been incredibly full. Very difficult and stretching while also abundant in gifts from Heaven. We are boarding a plane with our baby girl – the baby girl you all have loved and prayed over right along side of us for nearly two years. To think we will soon be able to look many of you in the eyes with Fasika in our arms is a glorious thought! Our flight is scheduled to arrive Friday evening around 6pm – please email Jennifer Scoggins at: jennifer.scoggins@comcast.net if you want the exact times and location of our arrival to join in the celebration.
Love you all our dear supportive ones!
-Sarah
Hi Friends –
I don’t have a lot of time now, so I will have to post the bulk of what is in my heart from today later. It was a gift of a day, and also very intense. In short I had an opportunity to spend a few hours with the amazing people of Project 61, visiting and taking some photographs for them in the village of Korah. Please do yourself a favor and if you are unfamiliar with the people of Korah, or life in the city dump region of Addis, go spend some time on the P61 site. It was a humbling experience and I know once I have had time to process it further there is more than one story to share. Rob was super-dad and handled both girls on an outing with the other families all morning, freeing me up to serve and experience Korah. We are so grateful to be traveling with such wonderful families who have gone above and beyond to chip in and be the village for us and our kids.
Tomorrow is our last day in Africa, we fly out at 11:30pm Thursday night. It is also Emma’s seventh birthday, so big day ahead. We are planning to head to the House of Hope in the morning for our final goodbyes, and I can’t wait to squeeze on those kiddos once more. I have to log off now for dinner. It is a celebratory night as we sit down with friends who cleared today to take their baby girl home – who incidentally happens to also be one of Lu’s former roommates at the HoH. 🙂 We are so excited and giving God Glory for delivering dear friends from such a treacherous journey! How amazing is it that we are here in Addis with them on the day they cleared and picked up their daughter forever?!?
Okay – hope to write more later. Remember to email Jennifer Scoggins if you are wanting to meet us at the airport on Friday night. Her email address is in a few posts back. Love you all!
-Sarah
Jessica Phillips - Those eyes!! My heart is with you today as you return. Grace for traveling snuggles and logistics and the celebration tonight!
Brooke - You’re almost home!!!!!!! I can’t imagine how difficult these flights are for you. I woke up in the middle of the night and prayed for you. Love you guys and see you soon!