Friday, September 19, 2008

I've Never Posted at 3:15 AM Before...

but thanks to jet lag, I am! We are home! We arrived home yesterday afternoon. Another first... I've never seen so many of my family and friends (and been photographed) after being awake for 36 hours, either. I'm just glad everyone was at the airport to see Minte and not me, LOL.

He LOVED the trip home. He absolutely loved it. We took one last drive through his sub city before we went to the airport in Addis. He was all smiles all day because he was excited about the trip. I'll never forget how precious his voice was when we got into the terminal to wait to board the plane, and he saw the plane through the window. "Ohhhhh, Mommy-look!! So BIG!" (Bless his heart. He has to cram so much enthusiasm and almost-10-year-old wisdom into so few English words! He's learning more and more each day, though...)

Let's see. He loved: Watching the planes at the airport. Taking off. Airplane food. Sleeping with his head on my lap. Watching "Kung Fu Panda." The music on the headphones. Airport escalators. Airport moving sidewalks. Chicken wings at the McD's in Frankfurt. Pushing the button to get the flight attendant's attention. The airplane bathroom. People watching. Cloud watching. Seeing the city as we landed. It was so fun to experience everything from his perspective, for the first time.

The BEST part was arriving at the airport in TX. He had memorized the part of the video we sent him that had some of his new friends waving at him, and that was what he was eagerly anticipating when we arrived home. He was not disappointed! There was such a precious crowd of people waving at him when we walked through terminal... all cheering, waving signs, clapping. His face lit up! The first person we walked over to was a precious little baby girl who he had been at the children's home with. She is the first one home, he is the second. What a fun reunion! So many of our family and friends were there, I am overwhelmed with gratitude on his behalf. I couldn't have imagined such a welcome! He greeted person after person, with a smile, reading their names on their nametags in Amharic (thanks to Luke and our fun friend Andrew who printed/wrote them.) I don't think he was as overwhelmed as I was! It was amazing!

We went and got some dinner with family and friends after we left the airport, and he LOVED eating and laughing with his new cousins and friends. It's as if they've always known each other! It was like watching a miracle unfold all afternoon. And we're still watching it, moment by moment.

I am going to try to upload some pictures soon. My resident expert-photographer-daughter took about 2,000 pictures on this trip, so after I have strung more than 4 hours of sleep together I will post some. She is a great photographer!

Okay-- before I sign off and try to get some more sleep, here's one. Here we are, meeting for the first time:



What an amazing trip. What an amazing transformation of our family. What amazing God. He continues to write an amazing story.

14 comments:

Holly said...

Oh my gosh! I'm still an emotional wreck. God has become so real to me in new ways the past two days. God is SO amazing, and His love is SO great! He has done great things!

pelegreen said...

Welcome Home K-5! Thanks for sharing this wonderful miracle with us day by day, precious moment by precious moment. Car trouble kept us from being there to welcome your larger family home, but we--and so many more of us--were certainly there with you in spirit, thanking God for this blessing. Can't wait to meet this bubbly young man and be with the entire family. Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
In Him,
Angel P for the whole family

Adrienne said...

Welcome Home Party of Five!!! I wish I could have been at the airport when you arrived as I would have LOVED to see all of you and finally meet Minte for the first time. You have been in my thoughts and prayers these past couple of weeks. I have SO enjoyed the updates on your blog and the emails from Andrew whenever you couldn't get a connection. After your first post, however, it became clear that I would need the tissue box nearby if I hoped to make it through anymore memorable moments that you'd share in the days to come. The picture you included today is just beautiful.

I'm so happy for all of you! I can't wait to see all the pictures and hear all the wonderful stories!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic report!!! I'm so happy for y'all! Welcome, Minte!!

Amanda said...

Oh, I am in tears. Welcome Home. What a wonderful story. You have it all written down and can pass it to him one day.

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Thanks for sharing everything with us. The picture of you and Minte is beautiful! What JOY!

Daisy said...

WOW. Congratulations on the coming home of you new son!! :-) Am in tears. God is...so, so good. I in awe.

Much Ado said...

Yeah! The photo we have all been waiting for!!! :) Congratulations, glad you all got home safe, and welcome Minte! :)

Joni said...

The picture says it all...I am blown away by our very big God. Continuing to pray as you transition.

Jill said...

Yea! Congratulations and welcome home!

The Wilkinson's said...

I am so glad you guys are home! It is so cool to hear your stories since we just experienced them ourselves. I assumed our Minte would be overwhelmed, but like yours he wasn't. What wonderful memories to be able to share!! Blessings!
Jaclyn

Dave and Rae said...

It's great to hear you guys are back safe and sound. Although I wish I could have been there at Ethiopia Guest Home with you guys, I'm glad to hear you guys had a great experience. The staff is already asking about you guys and as Ethiopia blocks blogger...I'll have to send the good news to them.

For others that are interested in where you stayed, they can go to www.ethiopiaguesthome.com.

Until they all have homes...

Dave McIlrath, MA
dave@ethiopiaguesthome.com
951-491-9675

Mindy said...

OH My Goodness! How wonderful!
Can't wait to see more pictures!
in HIM -
Mindy

Alycia said...

Just checking back in to see how you are all doing! How wonderful ~ I just love seeing this picture of you and Minte!

Love, Alycia