Monday, August 20, 2012

Ethiopia Trip 1 (highlights)

It is hard to fathom that we were in Ethiopia holding our precious daughter just one short week ago.  We miss her like crazy and we can’t wait to bring her home.  In the meantime, we are slowly getting caught up on sleep and adjusting back to our routine here. 

I took the journal that I have been doing for the past 2+ years on our first trip to Ethiopia with us.  I detailed the events of each day so that Saylor will be able to read about her story someday.  Since the specific details are for her, I am just going to share a few pictures and details of the highlights of our trip.

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Prior to leaving, we had to meet family that would be keeping Silas while we were gone.  Even though we knew he would be in good hands, it wasn’t easy because he had previously never been away from us for longer than two nights.

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Troy weighed our suitcases and totes with donations at a local shipping store to make sure we were under our limit.  We are set and ready to go!

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The plane that would be taking us to meet our daughter!

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Just prior to takeoff

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Flight map on our plane.  SOOO CLOSE!

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Hotel room at The Riviera

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The infamous black gate:)

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Saylor’s room

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FINALLY! Praise the Lord!

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Daddy’s girl!

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No words…

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Daddy giving lots of love

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Our breakfast staple each morning….porridge and coffee with milk

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Reunion with our friend, Ben, who traveled with the His Little Feet Orphaned Children’s choir during this past year

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Visiting Eyob & Yohannes.  We hosted these two amazing brothers in our home when they were on tour with His Little Feet

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This was a picture book that the director of Hannah’s Hope had in her office.  It was kind of fun to see Silas on the cover along with Elijah who lives very close to us.

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Court day and…..WE PASSED!  Saylor is officially our daughter!

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Last day with our sweet girl.  Saying goodbye was by far one of the most difficult things we have ever done.  We know in our hearts that God will continue to protect and watch over her until we return to bring her home forever.  Our first trip was a very blessed one, and we are thrilled that we are now a family of four! We would appreciate your continued prayers as we wait on God’s perfect timing for our US Embassy appointment. 

5 comments:

annieglan said...

Oh my goodness! This is so exciting! I can't wait to see her face.

Lisa said...

Oh, Amber, she's precious! Can't wait to see her sweet face. :)

Alison said...

WOW!!! Love reading about your trip to meet precious Saylor! She is a doll!!! praying that ya'll are back in ET soon!!!

Rutledge 7 said...

praying her home:)

Katie said...

Love the highlights! So glad we got to meet you guys! Wish we hadn't been so frazzled and could have visited more! Praying you guys will be back in a flash!