Saturday, September 19, 2015

Greetings from Eastern Europe!!

I spent a week here in country, and am so excited to announce that Violet and I got along as if we've known each other her whole life!!  She is really a remarkable little girl.  She has only been walking since she had her heart surgery in December, and she is doing really well.  She is a biter!!  She likes to pull hair!!  But if those are her biggest issues, I think we can get past it!!  She really started becoming possessive of me in the last 3 days...she did not want other kids getting any attention from me.  We celebrated her 4th birthday on Thursday, and I got to give her the gift of a bunny.  Rose, our translator, was kind enough to provide a cake for her and her friends to celebrate!  She loved it...she also loved watching me eat cake!!  I saw her for the last time this trip this afternoon, and have finally stopped crying long enough to write this.  I am in awe of the ladies who care for the kids at her orphanage...with limited resources they provide these kids with love, good nutrition, great care, and education.  It is really an amazing place, and I am honored to have met those that work there and provide their services.  They truly care about these kids.

Our in country team is amazing...I don't know what I would have done without them.

Please keep us in your prayers, it is going to be difficult to come up with funds to finalize everything.  I can expect to travel again likely in February.  I wish I could share some of the pics I took, but it is forbidden...but she is beautiful, funny, smart, and perfect!!  Thank you all.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Off I Go!!

Hello All!!

I am leaving on Saturday just before 12:30 pm to go on my referral trip and to meet my little one for the first time ever.  I feel as though I know her well already, and I am excited to introduce myself to her as her mama.  I have never traveled internationally before, and the furthest I have traveled without a companion in the past was about 200 miles...I am extremely nervous.  I will travel first to Chicago, then Frankfurt, then Vienna, then I will land in country about 4:00 am.  I am so excited to be able to see her in person, hold her, and spend some of her birthday with her!!  I thought on many occasions that this time would never come.  I was only given a few days notice that I had to be there...found out last Tuesday that I needed to be there Monday.  I was totally freaked out at the time, and somewhat irritated that I wasn't given more time, but now I think that perhaps this way was better.  Not as much time to freak out.  Airfare cost a lot more than I expected for one person ($2200) but I believe Eldon at Golden Rule ultimately got me a good deal.  Once again, I want to say how grateful I am for all who have helped me along the way.  I am fully aware that I could not have done this alone.  I still owe quite a bit on this journey, and I was hoping to ask again the favor of donations for Violet's fourth birthday.  Several $4 donations would add up quickly!!  Most of all, prayers would be greatly appreciated.  I am waiting to hear from grants, and I have some fundraiser ideas for after my return.  I appreciate all the good thoughts and support.  Thank you!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Hi All!!

I am traveling!!!  Leaving on Saturday, to arrive on Monday.  The great news is that I get to be with Violet on her fourth birthday!!  I am so very excited about this fact.  I luckily have the funds I need for travel, very luckily since they only gave me 4 days notice before I had to leave.  I am also lucky that my boss is very understanding and excited for me.  The scary thing is that I don't have any of what I need to pay my agency upon my return, so I am again asking for help.  I will be posting an online auction tomorrow, which will hopefully generate some interest.  My FSP will need to read $6576 for me to be able to make this payment!  I specifically request that, if so led, people could donate $4.00 on September 17th in honor of Violet's fourth birthday!  I appreciate all the help, prayers and donations I have received from the RR community, because I could not have come this far without all of you!!

I AM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY MEET MY LITTLE ANGEL!!!