Ethiopia: Day 1 of 9. July 31st

OK, well on day 1 we actually were not yet in Ethiopia.  But as I am wanting to share details of our trip I feel like I can't leave out day 1.

Day 1 is when we left Missouri.  Sure we only made it to DC, but we were starting on our adventure.  Is this really happening?  We've been waiting for 2.5 years and now we are on our way !!!  Pinch me.  Lots of emotions running through me.  Will we like our guest house?  Will they have electricity?  Does our luggage weigh too much?  What did I forget to pack? 

Also we left Missouri and our 3 big kids were still there.  So blessed to have the Gerdel family (truly our family) take care of my babies.  I wouldn't have it any other way---well except for maybe their doting grandparents :)  (which plan to on trip 2).  I knew we were going to be away from them for what seemed like a long while and that was going to be hard.

Day 1: Sitting at STL airport ready to board for DC!

This post (as we headed to DC) is to simply say THANK YOU.  Thank you to those that have gotten us here.  These past 2 years, you've encouraged, supported, financed, helped, baked, ran,  bought, donated, prayed, and encouraged some more.  The time had finally come.    We do have one adoptive friend who at one point said we should have called our 5K, C.H.L.O.E's run (or fund)....CHLOE standing for  the Church Helping Love Others for Eternity!!!  What a great reminder of when we give, tell, offer hope, encourage we are making an eternal difference.  Not only is Chloe receiving her forever family....she has the opportunity to receive Jesus as Lord & Savior and to have a new family for all eternity (and that does mean most of YOU will be her family)!

So to all of you thankyou....But on the 31st special thanks to Missy and Andrew who love my kids like their own, Jessica and Ryan who sacrificially kept our dog (huge sacrifice of yard and perhaps of non-scratched legs), Tyann Marcink and Amy Lanemann for watching our kids when Missy couldn't, Mark and Becky Baxa, Dr. Turner, and everyone else sending up prayers on our behalf as we headed off to meet our daughter!!!

We're on our way, Chloe!