Praying for travel confirmation in the morning!

It is almost Monday in Ethiopia right now and on Monday Ethiopia will hopefully complete the necessary paperwork for us to travel. If they do - our agency will call in the morning and tell us that travel is a go for Wednesday! If the paperwork is not all ready and the embassy appointments and such are not made then our agency will delay our travel. Delayed travel =having to wait to see Lu, having to cancel our first week of camp for the summer, having to miss Jackie's wedding, and having to pay expensive fees to change our booked flights to new dates.... so we're really praying for travel to be a go for this week!

I can not explain how hard we have worked to pack this fast. There is A LOT more packing to do for this trip than there was for China. For starters, we have Libby going with us - so we have all her things, some toys and some familiar foods to take along. Also - there are more people on staff at the TH for whom we are bringing gifts. AND we are taking all the donated formula cans! We are going to have 6 HUGE checked bags (hopefully staying under the 50lb. weight limit) and 3-4 carry-ons. 

I have small gifts for all the TH staff. They are small bags stuffed with lotions, some have jewelry, chap stick, and crocheted flower pins. We are also taking a box of CDs to give to various staff there and our guides. BUT I still wanted to have something special to take as a gift to the transitional home as a whole. I called the organization "Faith Comes By Hearing" and they are giving us a "proclaimer" -  which is either solar powered or hand cranked (can't remember which). It is the entire Bible read in Amharic for them to listen to!

There is a small chance that we will get to meet our daughter's birthmother if she chooses to come and meet us. I have been thinking and praying a lot about what to say, what to ask. I have no idea if we are allowed to give her a gift. I still need to ask about that. But just in case we can, I have a beaded necklace with a locket that has a picture of Lu in it and I also have a photo book with pictures of our family and Lu's crib/room. From "Faith Comes By Hearing" we were able to purchase a "Bible stick" that is about the size of a pack of gum and comes with little ear phones. It also has the entire Scripture in Amharic for her to hear. I am really hoping I can give that to her. I don't know the laws and then, of course, she has to want to meet us and show up. So, we'll see.

Well - we're going to have house church tonight and we're going to keep praying for travel this week! Oh - lastly, please pray for Libby. She is sensing our being a little stressed and she knows change is coming so she has been really clingy and emotional. And honestly, I have not had much patience with her. So pray that we can get all the emotion and stress out of they way so we can enjoy the trip and meeting Lu. This is going to be a really tough transition for Libby and my heart is sad for her a little.

Thank you again for your prayers! I'll post tomorrow when I have the news!

Cindy