Greetings from Ethiopia!

It is our fourth full day here in Ethiopia and we are enjoying every minute with Cora. We are also busy trying to figure her out just as much as she is trying to figure us out. The nights so far with her have been a bit restless as she wakes up every hour or two and tries to find her bottle but as soon as she does or we find it for her, she is back to sleep. The days so far have been relaxing and we are slowly figuring out her nap schedule. We haven't ventured away from the hotel much due to the cultural sensitivities of having her in public, but having time to just be with Cora and to also to just sit and read for a while and not have something to do is a blessing in and of itself.

Today was our embassy appointment and it was a little like going to the DMV. After clearing security, we waited in a long row of chairs and waited to be called to a window. We were asked a couple of questions and were told her visa would be ready tomorrow at four (it is supposed to take 48 hours to process but the embassy guy did not seemed concerned that our return flight was a day earlier than it was supposed to be).

That all being said and God willing, tomorrow night at 11pm Ethiopian time (2pm Denver time), we will be getting on a plane and after stops in Sudan(first time visiting), changing planes in Frankfurt, getting on another plane to Chicago, clearing immigration, and then getting on another plane to Denver, we will be home! It will take a little over 24 hours and both layovers in Frankfurt and Chicago are very short (which in typical situations is a good thing) but we are trusting in God that all will go smoothly and our journey to bring our daughter home will be complete. Please pray for safe and smooth travels for us and that God's peace and warmth surround us as well. Also please pray for the lucky people who will get to sit next to us on our flights too!

Godspeed,

Steve (my first ever blog post!)