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Well, we arrived home Friday night -- minutes away from Saturday morning.  Let's say our marriage was put to the test and I was nearly "commitable." 

We just missed our flight by minutes because Ethiopian Airlines forgot to figure in the time change - as well as being an hour late.  Although in Ethiopia if you are an hour late you are not late.  We couldn't get a flight out until sometime on Saturday and that would have been at a different airport -- so Roland made the call to drive. 

Both my emotions and physical exaustion were at a limit I have NEVER reached in my entire life.  And then we had to drive... Anyway, it has been an insane week.  I am still processesing what I saw, what I now know, and how I feel about it. 

It's been so long since I have had a chance to write anything and I'm not sure where to start.

Everyday we spent some time at Hannah's Hope - the orphanage that Gertie and Yabi have been at since August.  Gertie knew she was leaving and everytime we would go she would say goodbye to everyone, kiss everyone, hug everyone.  She went into the classroom and her teacher said something to her.  She knelt in the middle of all her classmates seated on their plastic chairs and clasped her hands together.  They gathered in so tight I wasn't sure she was in there anymore.  They all were praying for her and crying.  I was a slobbering mess - watching from the corner.  I told Roland - who was outside with Yabi - and he gets choked up too.  Then Gertie comes running and she and I go for a swing.  Next time I see Roland - his nose is running and his eyes are bloodshot - I asked him, "Did they pray for Yabi?" 

We had the privelage of traveling with amazing people that have left a mark on our hearts forever.  How do you meet and go so deep with people so quickly?  It was a constant occurance on this trip - people on the plane, people from other agencies that we met standing in line getting entrance visas, people on the plane who were in various ministries in Ethiopia (The Trampled Rose).  It's Jesus Christ, being a part of His ministry - it's an amazing bond.  Meeting people, looking into their eyes and recognizing the same Spirit inside you is in them. 

We are so thankful to be home.  I have truly been able to bond with Gertie Dibora.  She says I love you mommy so much.  She is a hugger and a kisser and a snuggler.  Yabi is so funny.  He had Roland and Kyle and I crying one night because we were laughing so hard.  He is a clown and he knows it.