Larger Panoramic of Addis Ababa

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Rick's Ramblings - Day 2 - Wed, 03/27/2013

What a short night.  After four hours of sleep, the alarm went off to wake up and go have some breakfast before going to the airport.  We were up at 6am and everyone did a great job getting up and ready for the day.  Emily is such a great traveler.  She didn’t complain about having only 4 hours of sleep at all.  She was excited to get going.

Waking up in DC

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Suites near the Dulles Airport.  We were expecting a 6a wakeup call that we got at 6:30a, I’m glad that I thought of setting my phone alarm.  :)  But they did have a great continental breakfast and it was a great place to stay the night.  Our shuttle driver was very polite and very excited for us and we talked with him the entire way to the airport.  We had no problems navigating our way through the airport and the officers at the security check were very friendly and kept interacting with Emily.  Emily and I went through just the metal detectors and Connie and Gary got to go through the full-body scanners.  We were at our gate a good 1.5 hours ahead of time.  We met a few amazing people while we sat there and were able to share our story with them.  They were all very excited for us and shared their stories as well.  

Ethiopian Airlines

Our plane was delayed arriving at Dulles by about 30 minutes and the gentleman sitting next to me said that was normal. “Always late” he said with a smile.  Connie said that she will fit right in.  :)

It doesn’t matter how much entertainment you have, 12 hours on a flight is a long time.  :)  But we made it to Ethiopia safely.  Emily did great but she kept us awake most of the flight.  She didn’t want to sleep at all and every 20-30 minutes she’d ask if we were there yet.  We flew on Ethiopian airlines and it was the best service I’ve ever had on any flight.  The flight attendants always had smiles and were so polite.  The food was good and there were lots of amenities like complimentary wine and beer with dinner.  Meals were always followed by tea, coffee and additional drinks.  Before serving breakfast they passed out hot wipes to use for cleaning your face and hands.  They also had complimentary toothbrush, toothpaste, compression socks, sleeping mask, blanket and pillow for each passenger as you got on the plane.  Each seat has it’s own little tv with several movies, music and flight information to choose from.  There was no turbulence and for a 12 hour flight we endured quite well.  

Here are a few fun facts about our flight:

• Altitude: 37,000 feet

• Ground Speed: 600-607 mph

• Outside Air Temperature: -74 f

• Aircraft: 767-300

We also learned that Addis Ababa means New Flower and is considered by most The Political Capitol of Africa.

We’ve made many friends on the flight.  We will be keeping in touch with many of them.  We’ve had a great experience so far and are looking forward to embracing the Ethiopian culture.  

First Day in Addis

After arriving at the airport we got our Visas and were allowed entry into this amazing country.  So far we've been shown great hospitality and courtesy.  Praise God that all of our luggage made it!  Just a side note but I find it interesting that every time we go to a different country the baggage carts are free to use.  But in the states they cost $3 each.   We piled two of them full and then put a very tired Emily up on top.  I would've liked to have joined her.

Then we proceeded to customs.  Note to self, camera good idea, tripod bad idea.  They weren't very happy that I brought a tripod with me in my checked luggage.  I didn't understand why but something about needing a signed letter.  I only brought it so that we could get a group shot of all of us with baby sister.  Next time it's staying behind for sure.  :)  But they did let us through with it and everything is good.

We called our hotel, the Addis View Hotel, and they came and picked us up.  They were very quick and Benjamin (I think he pronounced it Ben-ya-men) was a great driver.  Driving through the city you are overwhelmed with the smell of smoke, gasoline and grease along with some amazing spices.  I don't think it helped that I wasn't feeling well.  I don't do well without sleep.  My body gets all discombobulated (I develop a headache, easily overheat and become nauseous).  

We got checked into our hotel and they helped us carry our luggage up a few flights of stairs to the  second floor.  It's really a nice room but only has one bed and a couch.  So they brought up a cot so we'd all have a restfully sleep.  Tomorrow we move into a room with two beds.  :)  Apparently our reservation didn't quite have the right dates for our stay. 

Selah Guest House Tour

Connie has met a couple of American missionaries, Levi & Jessie Benkert with Bring Love In.  She has become to know them through Facebook and connections she's made.  They have a new guest house on the outskirts of town.  Connie is thinking of staying there with baby girl if she stays here on her own after court.  Eyuel (pronounced Joel) is a guide who came highly recommended to us.  We met him at our hotel and he took us out to the guest house.  He is a great guy whose going to school part time to get a degree in Computer Science.  He wants to work doing special effects for movies.  I'll be keeping his dreams in my prayers.

Driving through Ethiopia is similar to what we experienced in Guatemala.  Horns are used all the time and it's not considered to be rude.  They honk for lots of reasons but it's mostly a "here I am" kind of thing.  They also are all gas or all brake.  I read that there are approx 25 million people in Addis Ababa and that it's growing by 2+ million a year.  For that many people I expected more traffic, but it was more like a Sunday in Boise. Most people walk everywhere.  I didn't notice many bicycles or motorcycles around town.  All of the main roads are paved and the side roads are dirt.  The people seem to be very up beat and enjoy conversation.  Everywhere you look there are people selling things and open markets.  

We met Thomas, who works with Levi & Jessie, and we followed him into the guest house.  There he gave us the grand tour.  It is a beautiful guest home in a new neighbor hood.  If I'd been feeling better I'd have taken lots of photographs.  It has tile everywhere and a beautiful little courtyard in front with flowers and grass (not a lot of lawn type grass here).  The house can hold groups with 20+ people and it is used to house a lot of mission teams.  They have staff that live there 24/7 and a world renowned chef.  We all fell in love with it.  The cost to stay there is only 1/3 the cost of the hotel.

Good Night

I became so exhausted that I became sick while at the guest house.  So we came back to the hotel and I laid down in bed for some much needed rest.  Connie and Pop Pop took Emily and went to get some food.  I'm feeling better after having a few hours sleep but am still exhausted.  I knew you'd all need an update and want to know that we're doing great and made it in safely.  I'm going to go cuddle up with Connie and Emily and try to sleep through the night.  They are both sound asleep.

We love and miss you all and can't wait to share more of our journey.  We are going to be traveling to Dire Dawa in the next day or two and have a couple of touristy things to do.  I'm hoping to have the camera out and get some photos while I'm here.  Today I wasn't up for it, too tired.  But Connie and Emily took a few photos.  I hope you enjoy them.  :)

Panoramic of Addis Ababa from the Airport

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Journey to our Beloved; 1st leg

Our adventure begins!  We had an amazing send off.  We spent the morning worshiping and getting prayed over with the ministry team at our church.  What a heartwarming morning. The rest of the entire day I felt complete peace!

Thus far we have traveled from Boise to Denver.  We had a bit of turbulence and Miss Emily says "our pilot is sure driving a little crazy"...oh, how I love this daughter of mine! From Denver we literally had to run from gate 90 across the airport to gate B22.  We heard them paging us and we still had several gates to go.  Emily's little legs were running just as fast as they could.  One of her shoes kept falling off and our carry on's started to feel really heavy. We literally arrived at the gate with only 1 minute before the gate would close. Whew!

From Denver we headed to Washington D.C.  It was such a blessing, a lady that we met who was seated behind us with her 4 year old son were super nice.  It just so happened that the row behind them was empty; Emily and her son Wyatt colored, did puzzles, and had fun.  We arrived 2 am shuttled to a hotel, woke up at 6 am and here we are in The Dulles Airport in D.C waiting to board.

Our next flight is with Ethiopian Airways.  This will be the LONG flight however upon arrival we will be in Ethiopia! After waiting 2.5 years it is time. We are about to meet the daughter that we have been loving from afar.  It is all so surreal and absolutely wonderful!!  We are on our way baby girl!

Each day I count my blessings. I have many things to be thankful for.  I have an amazing husband who has worked extremely hard to get us this far. He has been diligent, hardworking and faithful in pursuing his gift of photography.  Thank you Lord for blessing His work. I have a great family, dysfunction and all (just keeping it real), I have loving and kind friends.  Both nearby and many whom I have yet to meet but I hold them close in my heart.  I know I keep saying it over and over... but the love, encouragement and support has impacted me in such a way and it is beautiful.  God is showing me His plan and healing many hurts.  God is good and faithful.  I have been learning tough lessons about patience and trusting. Not fun at all, however I also know that through his refinement of my flaws and hurts I will become equipped to be a better wife, mother and friend. So Lord have your way with me.

Next post we will be from Ethiopia! Woohoo!

Love, peace and joy to you all,
Connie

Rick's Ramblings - Day 1 - Tue, 3/26/2013

After almost 3 years, we’re well on our way to Ethiopia to bring home our daughter, finishing this long journey.  A lot of people don’t understand our journey or what all it’s come to entail.  Someday we will share so much more of it.  It’s more than just choosing to be parents, so very much more.  It’s been an amazing journey and at times one that we weren’t sure what the end result would be.  It’s also been a journey of faith and one of God showing us His amazing provisions.  We wouldn’t be finishing this journey without His amazing grace and mercy and that of all of our family and friends who have sacrificed on our behalf.

Boise to Denver

This was a quick little jump on a smaller plane (4 seats wide) and we sat in the very back two rows.  We all had a great time.  Because of the smaller size of the plane we had to place two of our carry-ons under the plane in with the luggage.  It was a great flight with very little turbulence.  I had quite the chuckle when Emily had to use the tiny stinky bathroom within 5 minutes after take off, even though she’d just gone before boarding.  We also had the smoothest landing that I’ve ever experienced.  We had a great take off and flight with beautiful scenery all the way to Denver.  We landed 10 minutes early giving us almost an hour to get to our connecting flight.  Then it took almost 40 minutes to find a parking spot at the busy terminal.  It was like looking for a place to park at Best Buy on Black Friday.  We finally found an open terminal and were able to get off of the plane.  We found out our connecting flight was at gate 22.  I looked up and saw that we were at gate 88.  We had 15 minutes to run down the very long terminal to gate 22.  I had to wait for our carry-ons to be brought up to the boarding gate from the luggage compartment on the plane.  So Emily and Connie took off for the gate and Pop Pop and I waited for the extra carry-ons.  Once we got them we hurried off to our gate.  We arrived there with 6 minutes to spare.  However, Emily and Connie were no where to be seen.  They hadn’t already boarded, I had Emily’s boarding pass.  We didn’t see them as we hurried to the gate.  I asked them how long they would hold the plane.  She said they couldn’t hold the plane.  A little panic came to me.  I stayed with the luggage and had Connie paged while Pop Pop when running back down the terminal looking for the girls.  He found them with food in hand.  Connie decided to stop and get us all dinner for the flight, she arrived at the gate with about a minute remaining.  Nothing like cutting it close.  I was so thankful we all made the connecting flight.

Denver to DC

A little larger plane now (6 seats wide) and we’re sitting in the third to the back row.  It’s nice being this close to the restrooms when you travel with a couple of girls.  ;)  Sitting behind us is a mom with a 4 year old boy named Wyatt.  The very back row was empty so Emily and Wyatt sat in the back row.  Emily playing on her tablet and Wyatt on his.  They both kept sharing with each other and asking for additional assistance.  There was a little conflict between them here and there.  Emily being an only child up to this point and Wyatt being the baby brother in his family.  Emily not use to sharing and Wyatt always asking for things just to have them in his family.  It’s a fun dynamic and even among the occasional angst they are still having fun and working it out.  

After landing, we we’re so exhausted that we can’t wait to get to our hotel and get a few hours sleep.  But we couldn’t find our paperwork for our reservation.  Looking up the motel resulted in several with similar names.  God showed up again.  A shuttle from our hotel stopped by and the driver was so nice that he called the reservation desk and confirmed it was our hotel for us.  We were so thankful for his help and courtesy.  Once getting into our rooms we discovered that in the haste of last minute packing and a last minute decision to check one of the carry-ons, some items were checked.  We were missing basics like toothbrushes, change of clothes for two of us and toothpaste.  God provided again, the hotel had courtesy toothbrushes.  Finally in bed at approx 2am.  We have to get up at 6am for continental breakfast and to be to the airport by 8a.  

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Moving Mountains

Lord you have been so faithful and have brought us so far.  The journey has been long and difficult but you never promised it would be easy.  Thank you for giving us strength, courage and determination. Without you this journey would not be happening, it would still be a desire in our heart.

We have faced so many obstacles, however as author of our lives you already knew that the road would be filled with pain and suffering.  Yet in the midst of it all you continue to bless us and meet us each step of the way.  We give thanks for that.  You know the work that you have begun is not over.  Your timing may not be the same as ours but you are never late.  Please help me rest in your peace as we finish this journey out.  I am desperately trying not to let fear take up space in my being.  It's not because I don't trust you, it's because I feel helpless and so dependent on you. I am weak and I need your strength.

My heart yearns for the daughter that I have only seen and loved through pictures.  It's been hard seeing her change and grow each month without getting to be a part of that.  Waiting for each step to happen that brings us closer to her.  Sometimes steps that took weeks and even months to happen.  I don't know why it's played out this way, however your word says that your ways are higher than mine so with that I submit even though it's not easy.  The flesh can be my own worse enemy.  The heart and head doing battle most days.

I feel panic rising up inside me as our court date nears.  Again more obstacles, spring break, Easter holiday and mid-season rates for airfare.  We are so close to the home stretch.  All I can pretty much think about is holding our daughter for the first time!  Lord we NEED you.  Your word says if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain move and it will move.  With that I am shouting MOVE MOUNTAIN!  Praying and hoping for an airfare miracle today. Giving thanks as I believe you for this ahead of time. Multiply the giving. Bless those abundantly who pray and give.

Shower your peace over me today while I wait upon you Lord. All glory be yours.

Connie

Full Cirlce

"A journey of a 1, 000 miles begins with a single step"

Our story starts a few chapters back and moves forward.

This remains to be one of my favorite quotes.  It was almost 2.5 years ago that we felt a stirring in our hearts to bring another child into our family.  Our daughter, Emily whom we adopted from China was 4 years old and life was good.  

Only the Lord would know the chain of events that would soon follow.  

My hearts desire was for a baby girl.  I knew that my clock was ticking and that this would be the last baby in the Davis household.  Funny how you think you know what is best.  It makes me think of the verse 

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" 

Shortly after starting our journey I suffered a severe herniated disc in my lower back and nerve damage to my foot and ankle.  I spent the next 1.5 years in recovery.  As we waited our hearts grew weary.  One day as I was viewing the waiting children at our agency, I saw two sweet sisters staring back at me.  I called my husband, we prayed and we felt the Lord calling us to them.  At first I struggled as I let go of what were my plans for a baby.  It didn't take long though and they were melting my heart.  Our family was so excited about having two sisters join our family.  We accepted their referral and said YES!!  Later that week literally, my husband was unexpectedly laid off from his job.  Talk about panic.  Thankfully his passion for photography became a business.  We feel blessed that we had the love and support of family and friends.  Then one day we received a phone call from our agency that "our" daughters birth momma had come back to be with them at the orphanage.  She is living there with them because she is terminally ill.  We continued to pray and hope they would be a part of our family.  We revamped two rooms in our home in preparation for them.  Shortly after our agency suggested we go back on the wait list "just to be safe".  We reluctantly agreed.  Every other month for the next 9 months we received updates and pictures of the girls and their momma.  Seeing the sisters together smiling and hugging always makes my heart feel joy.  Seeing them kissing their momma on the cheek and hugging her gives me that same joy.  I think deep down I knew that she wasn't going to relinquish her rights, but it hurt too much to admit that. If and when she passes away the girls will be with their Uncle in Ethiopia who will then put them up for adoption again.  We have no idea when or if this will happen.  I suppose our comfort is in knowing that we will make a little side trip to meet them in person when we travel to Ethiopia.  It will be so good to actually hug them and meet them.  

Once again our course was to change.  We have come full circle, literally. 

It is with GREAT joy  that we announce we have a daughter!!!  An adorable 3 month old baby girl.  She is precious and we are so happy.  We cannot stop staring at her. We are anxious and eager to meet her and love her up.  We hope to have a court date sometime in December and make our first trip.  We will have one more trip for Embassy after that.  We are thankful for the families that are travelling or have traveled because we have acquired quite a few pictures of our sweetie.  We give thanks to the Lord as we embark on the home stretch of our journey to our beloved.  

Our paperwork has expired once again and we are scrambling to update it.  We are working on raising the last of our agency fees and travel expenses.  The last of our agency fees totals $2, 257.  We thank each person who is coming along side in prayer, financial giving and love.  Each of you are a blessing to us and we thank you for being a part of bringing our family together. 

In His Love,
Rick, Connie and Emily