THE DAY!

UPDATE: THE FLIGHTS ARE ALL ON TIME AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT 5:27 PM ON UNITED! PRAISE GOD FOR A CHAPTER CLOSED AND A NEW BEGINNING!

Today is the day! This house is a buzz with excitement! And Balloons!!

As far as I know (Melissa) they are still scheduled to arrive in Wichita at 5:30 this evening!

If you would like to bring anything festive (balloons, signs, etc.) feel free! Or you can "just" come and bring your open arms and hearts to welcome them home!

Keep praying as the day comes and goes that Isaiah will feel loved and safe and adjust to his new home quickly! Pray for good sleep-filled nights and for jet-lag to pass quickly for all 3 of them.

The countdown is so on...what's that they say about a watched pot never boils? Oh well! Can't help but watch that clock in anticipation and prayer!

Wednesday Update:

I just talked to Chris and today was a long but pretty good day! They had the opportunity to leave earlier, but chose to keep the time there in order to spend some time loving on some friends' babies and to visit with Levi from Drawn from Water.

The first trip to love on some babies, Chris was able to stay with Isaiah. It seems Isaiah has some pretty impressive tantrums! It seems that he is fine during the day when he is busy and entertained, but when it's time for bed, it begins. The unfamiliarity shakes his certainty and then it seems that the fear and sadness come out as well. I think this is pretty normal, as I remember hearing about similar circumstances with my other nephew when he first came home from China.

Chris was able to visit with Levi and encourage him! Keep praying for that incredible ministry as God is using them to bring light into very dark communities.

They are ready and excited to come home! They will leave Ethiopia tomorrow night to begin their journey and so far, we still anticipate them to arrive in Wichita at 5:30 PM Friday! Come and celebrate at the airport with us as we welcome them all home!

Tuesday Update

They are still doing really well!

Julie's facebook entry:

The embassy appointment went very smoothly, and we already have our visa to bring Isaiah home! Yeah! Thank you for praying for us. We can't wait to get home and introduce him to you!

She also said that while things are going well, they are noticing some of the emotions of Isaiah, and to keep praying for his little heart. Pray that he will understand quickly that though the people around him have changed (again), that he can trust his parents and that he is deeply loved. Pray for a swift bonding time, and for Isaiah's healing from the loss of all he has known.

Tomorrow is their day to visit others with which to love and share. They will be visiting their new friends from Drawn from Water, Levi and Jessie, and also visiting little ones who are awaiting their turn to go home!

Fabulous News!

This is Melissa again, trying to keep you all updated on this final trip to bring Isaiah home!

O.K., now if I can keep from crying happy tears enough to see the keys...:)

I just talked to Julie and they are doing great! When they went to see him, Isaiah toddled up to them with outstretched arms! What a precious moment! This was what she said on Facebook (she couldn't get onto the blog):

We have Isaiah! When he saw us, he came toddling toward us with his arms reaching out for us. Wow--it seems like he really recognizes us. He is a little overwhelmed now that we took him out of the orphanage, but he is still doing great! Tried to upload pics, but it isn't working now. Will try later!

She said they gave him a bath, which he seemed to enjoy, and they were now heading to bed! Their Embassy appointment has been pushed up to 7 AM, so they will have an early start. I think they are ready to have that done and all boxes checked for their return.

Speaking of their return, for those in Wichita or the area who would like to welcome them home, we will expect them to land in the airport at 5:30PM on Friday! You are welcome to come and witness the very special moment of their entire family rejoining! I'm already tearing up. Oh, wait, I have barely held it together since they left! Me and Sydney: we will be the basket-cases!! Super-happy tears!

I'll try to keep any updates going again and share what I know for all of you who have prayed with them and loved them throughout this journey so far. Keep praying for continued blessings of bonding and good rest while they are there. The appetites are not strong, so also pray that they will remain healthy. Pray for the Embassy appointment to be smooth and the paperwork to be perfect. Thank you all for lifting them up during this special time.