The Latest in the David's Adoption

I have been told by several people that we have left them hanging on the blog, so this is an attempt to give an update of what has happened since we came home. 

After we boarded the plane in Washington D.C. we sat on the runway waiting for them to de-ice the plane.  The first truck ran out of de-icer so we had to wait for that truck to go back and refill.  We sat there for more than 2 hours and finally we got de-iced.  To be honest this was a little unnerving.  I don’t think I have ever taken off in a snow storm, but all went well.  The problem now was our connecting flight in Chicago. 

Once we landed in Chicago we walked out into the terminal and over the loud speaker we could hear them calling for all passengers headed to Louisville, so we walked as fast as we could with a quick pit stop for a snickers (priorities) and we make it to the gate.  We were not seated together so we talked to the man with the power to switch seats and he was able to get us together, praise God because the plane was full.  It was a quick, smooth and anxious ride to Louisville and when we landed Sarah and I had smiles from ear to ear.  The smile quickly turned to an ouch because we had to walk outside to get to the terminal and none of us had a coat.  As we walked to exit the gate section and pass the security we saw a mob of people waiting to greet us.   I was told later that there was a little more than seventy people.  What a family we have!!!!!  God has blessed us more than words can express.  After visiting with our family we then loaded up and headed home.

Once we reached home we were greeted with more blessings in the terms of wipes, diapers, clothes, and multiple gift cards.  I believe we are set for a while.  Everybody quickly went to sleep and once I was horizontal there was this erry quietness that I had not experienced for some time.  I threatened Rocky (our dog) with his life if he barked for any reason and rolled over and went to sleep.

We have made it to the states.   Got into DC this morning around 8:45.  Made it through customs fine and all the luggage came through and is rechecked.  All of us have had lunch and Micah is now asleep. 

The flight back home was long but good.  Micah was the best little kid.  He did his usually of eating, sleeping, and pooping.  He never cried once.  Sarah and I got some sleep but it is never good sleep.  Really looking forward to our beds.  Now leaving Addis is a different story.

After checking out of the hotel we catch the shuttle from the hotel and it takes about 20 minutes to get there.  Once we arrived we part of a baggage scam that involved multiple people, each one wanting money.  Matt Dye warned me of this but I had forgotten.  One guy would roll it about 50ft then hand it off and then wanted payment and this continue until we made it to the check in counter.  I eventually had to be rude and said I could push it myself.  I had to discuss with the check in guy to give us a crib seat because he said he couldn’t because we didn’t request it.  He eventually got us the seat but I was not seating with Sarah, but at least we had a spot for Micah.  I then left Sarah and Micah at customs to get my lost bag and recheck it in.  Not a hard process just took some time.  Once I made it back to Sarah there was puke on the floor and Micah was in a new outfit (poop explosion).  To say that she was frustrated is an understatement.  We fill out the exiting cards for customs and we get in line.  After waiting in line we are eventually called up to the window and he says we can’t get through because we don’t have three boarding passes (they forgot to give us Sarah’s).  Sarah had a mini-meltdown but she quickly regained her composure.  So I go back to the ticketing people and get her a ticket and then we are allowed to proceed.  We make it on the plane and I am nowhere near Sarah and I am sitting next to an oversized lady who is partially leaning on me and the other side I had a lady with a toddler in her lap.  I just simply say a quick prayer and wait for God to do His thing.  Once we reach cruising altitude I was approached by another lady that said she would switch with me.  PRAISE THE LORD.  I am then sitting next to my two pieces of precious cargo for the next 17 plus hours. 

They are saying we can board the plane so I am going to post this and get on.  When we arrived to DC there was no snow and now there is quit a bit.  Please pray we get out safely and on time. 

Just got done reading all the comments and we have enjoyed reading them all.  It brings great comfort to know that we have such a supportive and loving bunch of family and friends.  We are truly blessed by all of the relationships we have with all of you.  Glenn, I don’t know who is more emotional you or me.  God has truly broken my heart on this trip.

We had a long but good day.  The only person who really slept last night was Micah.  Between the dogs and just not really on their time schedule, Sarah and I didn’t get much sleep.  Because of that we got a late start to the day since we were to meet at 10 to go see birth mother.  Once we left the hotel none of the drivers nor our guest knew where the place was we were suppose to meet the birth mothers.  We finally find the place after 20 minutes. 

Very nice orphanage.  This was the orphanage were Micah was dropped off at.  We were able to see the crib that he first stayed in.  A little before 12 Micah’s birth mother showed up with his half brother, Nahum.  We had a lengthy and emotional visit.  I was able to pray and promise her that I would fully adopt Micah into my family, that he would be treated the same as my biological children, and I would raise him to love God.  She even had the chance to feed him.  Right now I really don’t have the words to describe all that went on between us.

After that we then went back to Hope to pick up Micah’s visa.  While there, they were preparing coffee so we stuck around and had some coffee.  By this time we were emotional and physically drained so we went to eat at a place called, Top View.  It was a very nice restaurant on the side of hill that overlooked Addis.  We then came back to the hotel and are preparing for our return to the US.

We have mixed emotions as we sit here knowing that in about an hour we are  going to be going to the airport and leave.  Part of us wants to stay and other wants to leave.  We have been on an emotional rollercoaster ever since we left but it has been prayer and God that has kept us going.  The greatest comfort to us has come from Proverbs 3:5-6: TRUST the Lord with ALL of your heart, and do not lean on your on understanding and John 14:18: I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.  These two scriptures have been our rock on which we have stood on.  Matthew has attempted twice to write all of his feelings and what God has been and is doing to me but I haven’t been successful.  Maybe it will come out soon.

This is probably the last post I will make until I get to D.C. which will be 7:30am on Saturday unless the airport here in Addis has wireless.  Please pray for our return.  Pray that all three of us will be able to sleep (No Dogs Yeah!!!), bags make it home, and that we are able to get a bassinet seat.

Girls – we are coming home soon!  We can’t wait to see you and hear all about your week!  Micah is ready to wave hi and give kisses! 

See you All soon!!!

Sarah would write some but she can’t get away from the Aljazeera and catching up on her 80’s and 90’smovies or ETV (Ethiopian TV).  Trust me it would be better if she would write, but she is not willing to put down her son long enough to write anything. 

During dinner Micah worked up a real good one and it made a mess.  Sarah has turned into a baby changing Ninja without the aid of a changing table.  After all that was settled we got into a new car for the trip up the mountain.

After going through a congested section with many shops and people lining both sides of the road we started up the mountain.  Immediately we started seeing ladies of all ages carrying these huge bundles of euclapytus.  I cannot stress huge enough.  They had them strapped on the shoulders as they hunched over to carry the load.  We had to swerve and honk the whole way up the mountain due to the hard working ladies.  The driver said they were taking them to the market to sale.  Once we reached the top there was huge St. Mary Church that was very decorated and colorful.  The driver went through the gate of the church so we could park.  At the gate there were many handicapped people sitting there and people kneeling and praying.  It gave me a real picture of when the Bible references the gate.  We toured the grounds in which there was the 1^st palace of Emperor Menelik.  Very interesting to see what they were building in late 1800’s compared to what America was building at the same time.  After walking around the compound some more we loaded up for the decent.  Again we had to dodge the ladies carrying the huge bundles and we stopped for a photo opportunity.  Out of nowhere kids start coming up wanting money.  I still don’t know where they were hiding.  We get the picture and continue the decent.  The smell of eucalyptus must have put Micah in a trance because he was out of it on the way home.

Once we reach the hotel we gave Micah another bath and just let him roll around, which he loves to do.  All of you will soon meet him and you will agree with us that he is an awesome child.  Very happy, loves to smile and laughs all the time. 

Sarah and I dined in again and I have drank three cups of coffee so I will most likely write another blog reflecting our trip because between the Caffeine and the dogs, I will not get to sleep anytime soon. 

Tomorrow we are scheduled to go meet Micah’s mom.  Please pray for her and us.  At first I was very apprehensive about this meeting but God has given me peace and I am looking forward to meeting her.

Lilly and Emily:  Your parents miss you a whole lot and can’t wait for you to meet your little brother.  We love you beyond what you can imagine and can’t wait to hug and kiss all over you.  Lilly, we hear that you looked awesome for being 100 years old.  I just hope you are not too old to make the trip to the airport.  We would be greatly disappointed.  Emily, Micah loved the doggy you sent to him.  He immediately kissed it!  Each time he looks at the picture of you two, he giggles!  He can’t wait to meet you!    

Around 10:30am Sarah was awaken by Micah and me playing around on the floor.  She then took over the playing while I got ready for the big Embassy appointment.  Wanting to look like me, I dared to use one of Sarah’s razor and shaved my week old beard off.  It wasn’t as bad I thought it was going to be.  If you are ever in this situation just take a hot shower and really rub your beard and then when you are out, go the sink and lather up a bunch of soap and start whacking a way.  This recipe proved successful for me.  Beard is gone but I still smell like Sweat Pea and Violets.  Is worng of me if I like it?  Sarah soon followed and right on time our driver (Ermias Ambachew) was here and off we went.  If you every make it to Addis Ababa I would highly recommend Ermias.    

Driving was as usual but another interesting thing happened on the way.  We were cruising right a long and then all of sudden we went off roading.  Seriously off roading.  We were driving on a nice stretch of road when all of a sudden, this part of the road is not complete.  Who knows why?  We were driving in mass chaos, huge gravel and huge holes and nobody seemed to be bothered by this.  Then we were back on the road again cruising right along.  We soon came upon a monument that honored all the Ethiopians that the Italians had killed and then we passed the University and on the horizon you could see a white building with a bunch of metal buildings and concrete barricades, the US Embassy.

We parked down an alley and then walked up to the main road where we crossed the road and ended up in a metal shack with a metal dictator.  After we exit the guard shack, we sit on benches underneath an awning outside between the guard shack and the building.  We are soon told to go in and we are greeted with a man who checks our passport and then we go through another metal detector and they scanned our bag.  Nobody tells us what to do next so we follow signs which lead us out that building and into another building where we are told to sit down until 1.  Typical waiting room with rows of chairs and a little play area for the kids.  After 1 we go upstairs and sit it another waiting room which is lined with bank teller windows and the whole time people are trying to get in front of the other person and they are calling people to 9 different windows.  At this point we are a little worried because we see nobody from our agency and its 1:30.  Soon after two representatives show up and do their thing and we wait.  It was a little before 3 and they call the David family.  Sarah comes up from the bottom waiting room because Micah is one hot fella and needed to be in the “cool” room and we approach the window of unknown.  All we do is answer some questions honestly and she stamps a bunch of stuff and says his visa will be ready tomorrow by 10.WooHoo!!!  Like any good American we celebrate by going to the blue top restaurant and dine on some fried and grilled chicken and finish it off with a chocolate Sundae. 

After all that we went to mount Entoto.  Which I will write about later because Sarah is hungry and I feel like she wants me to start packing but she has forgotten I don’t have any luggage.  Ha Ha Ha.  I have told Ethiopian Airlines just to send it back to Cincinnati.  My luggage enjoyed a nice vacation in Rome.  I just hope I see it again.

As I sat down to write this with my coffee and the sun from a beautiful Ethiopian sunrise warming up my shoulders I was interrupted by a beautiful boy smiling at me through the slates of his crib.  Of course I had to stop and take care of my little man.  The diaper has been changed and the bottle along with rice cereal  now sit in his belly waiting for it to trigger the other end.  Micah is a steam roller.  He loves to roll around and every now and then he will prop himself up on his elbows and do this little dance with his shoulders in which he sways back and forth.  Very cute.  I have failed to mention this earlier but Micah has an awesome birthmark on his lower belly.  It is in the shape of a heart.  Very distinct.  How awesome is that.  Check picture below.

I don’t think Sarah is sleeping very well so she is still asleep.  Today is the embassy appointment and I don’t know what I should be thinking right now.  The people over here act like it is no big deal, but that is not the vibe I got from other parents.  So as usually we will just go with the flow and trust in God. 

I will post later and tell you how the embassy appointment went. 

Right now I am ready to through this computer through the wall (I promise I wont Naomi).  For some reason it will not let me post this message all at once.  I hope it gets itself worked out by tomorrow.  There is a paragraph that I cannot get posted and now the dogs are out again, so I am off to the gas station.  Just kidding.

After another interesting ride in Addis we find our self in front of a house made to look like a hut with cord light decorations.  Once we entered the door the smell of frankincense smacked your nose around and then beautiful traditional Ethiopian music tickled your ears.  We were seated stage right and had a great view of the musicians and dancers.  Drink orders were taken soon after we sat down, water for the David’s.  We are very daring.  In the mean while Micah decides to fill his drawers so we take off to the toilette to change him.  I don’t know what Sarah did behind the door but she managed to get him changed.  Our guest ordered for us and I believe she got what I would call a sampler platter, with a side order of beef tips.  Soon after ordering a huge plate of I don’t know what showed up and was placed in front of us.  On the bottom of the plate (24in diameter) was huge piece of injera (Ethiopian staple – thin spongy bread made from teft) and there must have been 20 different piles of stuff mounded on top.  A piece of injera was rolled up for each of us to eat with.  I tore into something that resembled chicken and found myself with a big chicken wing in my mouth (bone and all).  For a moment I thought I was at men’s night out.  I think I tried everything on the plate and found myself liking everything I tried.  Sarah tried a few things but I think she acted like she was eating more than she really ate.    Our waitress then took Coffee orders and I made sure Sarah was getting a cup.  I was able to take a picture of her drinking the coffee and her face afterwards.  Priceless.  After the meal was completed we stuck around a little bit to take in the music and dancing.  I don’t know how but Micah fell asleep and stayed asleep all the way home and has just has woken up to take his nightly bottle. 

It has been a busy day today with a lot going on.  Tomorrow is the Embassy date so pray that all will go smoothly.  In addition there is a chance that we will be able to meet the birth mother.  Please pray for us and her during this meeting. 

For some reason I can’t get the comments to show up on the main blog roll but if you click the title of each post you can see the comments made by others.  We have enjoyed the comments and most of the time when I read them I get chocked up for some reason.  This has been an amazing adventure, starting a year ago in January till this January.  God has done some amazing things in our lives and we look forward to seeing what he has in store for us in the future.

Hug both girls tonight and say a little pray for my luggage.  I got my couple outfits back from the laundry today and in the bag was the wrong shirt but they were able to locate my shirt.  Since we left America I have grown a beard and smell like sweat pea and violets (Sarah’s deodorant).   All for the glory of God baby! 

I have to go and get my daily Aljazeera fix and watch a 1980’s movie.

Another good night was had by all.  We all got up around 2am for some feeding and diaper changing.  Micah was able to go back to sleep the quickest.  Sarah and I tossed and turned.  I was able to go to sleep but I think Sarah was up most of the night.  We all woke up around 8am.  Micah had his usual bowl of rice ceral with a bottle and I went down and got some coffee and ate an omelet, which I brought Sarah an omelet back too.  Once the driver showed up Sarah and Micah were in need of a nap, so I went to the airport to talk to someone face to face about my luggage.  Didn’t help.  I really don’t think anybody knows where my luggage is at, Rome? Frankfurt? Cincy?  No big deal.  I think part of me has parted with everything that is in it as if I will never see it again. 

 Someone had given us some money to spend on the orphanage and multi-vitamins was what they said they needed.  So, after the airport I went to the pharmacy to buy the multi-vitamins.  They were very thankful.  After that purchase we returned to pick Sarah and Micah up for the return trip to Hope to check on some kids.

When we first got into the car Micah didn’t like it and started to whimper but he soon got used to the chaos.  Once we reached the orphanage we were able to get around to the kids we needed and was able to play with some of them.  It appeared that it was nap time.  The nanny’s were all over Micah, kissing him and just loving on him. We then left to go to the older Hope house and on the way Micah took a nap in Sarah’s arms.  I thought his head was going to bounce off.  After going down some streets with very large rocks we made it to the orphanage.

Once we got in, it was nap time for all the kids, but we were able to see the ones we came to see.  This was very hard because these kids knew the reason we were there and you could see it in their faces.  They just need somebody to forever love them like Christ has done us. 

After leaving there we stopped at Kaldi’s Coffee (Ethiopian Starbucks) for some coffee and a snack.  I had a café latte and some apple crumble with ice cream, Sarah some orange drink (still no coffee for her), Micah a bottle and the driver had a macchiato.  We have now returned to the room for some rest.  Micah has just finished a bath, is singing a song and ready for a nap.  We may go out tonight to a traditional restaurant with the other families here but we have not been given a definite on that.  I will let you know how it goes.

Are you ready for some good news?  As of right now we are scheduled to leave Friday and return to L’ville around 8:30pm Saturday night!!!!  Last night (our time) I sent an email to the travel agency and they got back with us within 20 minutes with a new flight schedule.  I thank God for using these people to get it done.  I have been given assurance that Micah’s visa will be ready at lunch time Friday.  So please pray that will happen.  God is good!! 

Take care and God bless.

Today there was not much in excitement except spending the day with our boy just hanging out in the room.  He is very precious.  Has a very contagious smile and likes to make a funny face by sucking in his bottom lip.  He likes to eat which means he likes to poop also.  As I write this he is asleep and has taken several naps today and slept well during the night. 

They say my luggage was sent to Frankfort, Germany and then it was sent to Rome and not Addis.  I don’t know a timeframe but I sent some clothes off to be cleaned and should have them back tomorrow.  In addition I ventured out with our driver to buy some clothes but he took me to what I think is the Ethiopian mall where the clothes were not cheap so I only bought a shirt and a pair of underwear.  Also I looked for a cable so I could upload some pictures but they wanted too much money so you will have to wait until my luggage shows up.  Every time I venture out I am very saddened with the poverty that exist and the continued request for money.  I want to help them but I never know what I can do.  If I give them money then it perpetuates and if I don’t then they could go hungry.  My heart breaks for them. 

Tomorrow we have plans to return to the orphanage and try to check up on some kids for our agency.  Go to the Hilton so I can talk to someone at Ethiopian Air about tickets and luggage (it is easier for me to text/call people at home than it to call someone here).   No one has said anything about a coffee ceremony so I don’t know if that will happen or not.  So far, Sarah has been able to escape from drinking coffee.   

Thanks for all the comments, we have enjoyed reading them all.  We hear that today was a snow day, well here we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and it got up to around 80.  While I was writing this I got interrupted by the girls skyping in.  We tried earlier but our end wasn’t working that great, however everything got lined up and we were able to talk and see each other for about 55 minutes.  It was such a blessing to introduce the girls to Micah and vice versa.  You could see the excitement on their faces and ours.  Again it is such a blessing that God has allowed us to share in this and are very humbled. 

Please continue us in your prayers.

After settling in last night we decided to make sure we slept in order to get on the schedule here locally.  After laying down a dog kept barking and I seriously had thoughts of findin some antifreeze but I eventually was able to go to sleep.  Woke up around 9 local time and got a shower then called to meet our driver.  He showed up on time and then it was onto the orphanage.  Driving in Ethiopia is indescribable but I will try …..diesel fumes….people in the streets….mules….honking horns….only rule there is-no rules….large gravel…  After all of that we find ourselves in front of the orphanage.  Anxiously we walk through the metal door and are greeted with laundry on the cloth lines.  Make our way to the office and we are asked if we want to see Mikias and our hearts jump with excitement.  After we follow the young lady we are told that he is out for his medical exam.  Disappointed we finish up paperwork and make plans to come back later in the afternoon.  In the mean while we went to the supermarket, the bakery and souvenir shopping.  We have been told that our paperwork will be ready Friday morning so we went to the Hilton and tried to change our flight to a Friday or Sunday flight.  Pray that we get off the waitlist.

Went back to the hotel and after an hour we returned to the orphanage to get little man.  The trip back was a little more exciting because we knew how close we were to the orphanage and that we were getting our SON!!!!  Again greeted with laundry and smiling faces then we were led to Mikias who was sleeping very soundly and we didn’t want to wake him but that only lasted about 2 minutes and then we had to get our hands on him.  A very precious moment.  After loving on him, we changed his clothes and then we returned to the hotel where we have played, eaten, given him a bath and now he is sound sleep in the bed.  We are not far behind him but I hear that dog again.  So, who knows. 

Will attempt to post pictures once we get my luggage with the cords and such.  Please pray that seats become available so we can leave Friday and return home!  Stay tuned…..

When we checked in at DC they told us that the plane and crew was ready and that we might leave early.  After boarding the plane and pulling away from the gate we sat for 30 minutes then they say something was wrong with the air.  At 11:00 (all time listed are your time) they say they are replacing the part and give us crackers and water, still no movement.  At 12:00 they serve us Fish and noodles, no movement. 12:55 Captain says to rebuckle.  1:13 in the air, Wahooo!!!!!  From there we attempt to sleep and we finally “wake up” around 7:03.  At 7:55 breakfast – Bagget, crossant, yogurt and fruit. I continue my Zelda quest and Sarah watches movies and reads magazine.  Landed in Rome at 9:30 after refueling/restocking we pull away from the gate at 10:54 and are in the air at 11:07.  At 12:15 lunch is served and they have the options of…..Fish, Beef and CHICKEN.  Pretty good for plane food.

 We touched down at 4:10 in Addis.  Waited in line for our visa’s and then went through customs and then on to baggage claim.  3 of the 4 bags made it but mine for some reason never left Cincy.  They say it should be here tomorrow by 2.  We found our driver and made into the room at 6:30.  The room is small but clean and Sarah is trying to plan and get organized.  Really can’t sleep because we know in about 5 hours we could be holding our son and that is keeping us from sleeping. 

Pray for our runion tomorrow with Mikias and my baggage (which is minor in the grand scheme of things.) 

Flight from Cincy was fine.  Sarah got a nap in and I cleared world 1 in Mario Bros.  For the past 4 hours we have toured the D.C. airport and ate a huge hamburger from 5 brothers.  Getting ready to board the plane for Addis and they have told us that if everybody boards then they are going to be leaving earlier.

I hope I am able to give an update once we reach Ethiopia.  Please continue to pray for us as we start this journey across the pond. 

Have a blessed night.

Bags are packed and headed out to the van.  The girls keep asking when are we leaving, which seems to be very encouraging. :)

Anticipating spending a great day with my wife as we travel half around the world to pick up our SON!!!!!!  This morning as I drank my coffee during my quite time I wondered what it was like when Jesus was preparing to leave heaven and all its splendor to come to earth, knowing that the cross was on the horizon, so that WE could be adopted into His family.  In light of that, my little plane rides seem like little skips on a big pond.  I am very thankful and humbled that it was in God's will for us to adopt and looking forward to watching His glory unfoled in our lifes.