The wait for embassy clearance

Once you pass court, America World states it takes 2-5 weeks for your paperwork to be processed and submitted to the Embassy. Once the paperwork is submitted, the Embassy will let us know within two weeks if we are cleared to travel back to Ethiopia to bring the boys home, or if they need additional time or documentation before clearing a family to travel. So far, we have been "NO" for being submitted at week two, "NO" for being submitted at week three, and "no answer" thus far for week four. Apparently there is an Ethiopian holiday and America World has not received their update this week for who was submitted to embassy. So....we wait... and pray.... and wait.... and pray. We were told last week that it took a while to get our court decree and they were then just waiting on the boys passports. We pray we were submitted this week, but if not...there is still next Wednesday! We sent a letter to the boys via Facebook to a woman who we travelled with for court and she is staying in Ethiopia until Embassy. And we also sent packages this week for the boys with another family we travelled to court with...they have already been cleared and are returning this Saturday to Ethiopia to bring their little daughter home. So...at least the boys will know we are thinking of them. This wait has been SOOO incredibly difficult for all of us, so pray that our hearts are submitted to God's perfect timing. We miss our boys!

God has indeed blessed America

I woke up early this morning, heated some water in the teapot and placed homemade bread in the toaster. As I flavored my mocha with a bit of vanilla syrup and enjoyed my toast, I thought to myself that I do not want to take all the luxuries of our life here in the U.S. for granted, but I want to remember how completely blessed we are in relation to how others live around the world.

The view from my window this morning...thank you, Heavenly Father.

What an amazing amount of EVERYTHING we have at our fingertips here in the U.S., and I want to keep that at the forefront of my mind. And this is not just in relation to those living in poverty in Ethiopia, but even with the people living in England...they do not have nearly the variety of goods we have to choose from, and not at the price we pay for it here. They are taxed so heavily and the prices of most everything are expensive. About $9 a gallon for gas, $8 for a small container of grapes. Eating meals at a restaurant there was about double of what we pay here in the U.S., and the quantity and quality seemed to be less than we are used to here. And compare what we have to Ethiopia... we have a sturdy roof over our heads, beds to sleep in, clean water to drink, soap to wash our hands with, towels to dry our hands on, health care within a quick drive...all things most of the people in Ethiopia cannot imagine.

It seems to me that those of us living here in America with such abundance and prosperity should not take it for granted and enjoy it selfishly, but find ways of sharing our blessings with those around us. How might the Lord want you to share what you have today?

Thursday, April 14 - will we ever get home?

We were up at 5:30 to hit the road for the Heathrow Airport in London. When we arrived and checked in, we were told our plane had a mechanical problem and our flight was delayed three hours. Oh brother! It is never good to have to wait three additional hours when you are already tired, on edge, and desperately wanting to get home!  About four hours later we were finally in the air, on our way home. Our flight was uneventful and we were thrilled when we touched down in San Francisco at 7:00 p.m.

Demented Scott wanted to capture the weary travelers shortly before we landed!

 After getting luggage and passing through customs, we finally walked out into the reception area and saw Ashlyn and Laramie's smiling faces, as well as all the happy faces of the Alldrin family. What a great moment! We felt so thankful for our friends, who had been lovingly watching our girls for the past two weeks, as well waiting patiently for us at the airport in order to drive us home. What a gift that was to our tired family. After stopping on the way home for milkshakes and Starbucks (the luxuries of life in the U.S.!), we walked through our front door at 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, with smiles and joy on each one of our faces. It is so nice to be home!  We were met with lovely little treats... my friends had visited in the form of "house cleaning angels", and had cleaned up our home before we arrived, so everything was sparkling clean. My mom had been by in the form of a "hospitality angel", having left milk, fresh fruit, homemade bread, and some Easter decorations out for us. Lovely, special touches by lovely, special people! Thank you to everyone who has blessed us to abundantly, through both prayer and acts of of kindness. Our family is so grateful for you!

Wednesday, April 13

Our last day in Norwich, England, with the Feavearyear family. It has been a special treat to see our friends here in England and to experience their life and a bit of their country. Today they showed us a bit more of their local area, and we took in the beautiful Norwich Cathedral.

Norwich Cathedral

The enormity of the cathedrals here in England takes our breath away...so amazing to think that they were building these huge cathedrals hundreds and hundreds of years ago without the aid of modern construction equipment, cranes, etc. As we lifted our eyes far, far above today to see the tall spire of the cathedral, we could not even imagine how they built it. Amazing! We especially enjoyed the Norwich Cathedral as the priests there were attempting to really involve and teach young children...they had one father reading stories to children sitting around on beanbags and carpets, another woman at a different spot having the children recreate the tomb where Jesus was laid, still another explaining the last supper and foot washing to more children. This was different than the other places we had seen (where no children were present and the atmosphere was much more "museum-like"), and we enjoyed that aspect of this cathedral.

After a bit more driving around their area and seeing the local sights, we finished off our sight-seeing tour with lunch at a local pub for a bit of fish and chips...very tasty! We went to look at some local waterways and the Feavearyears treated us to a "cream tea" at a little shop...a cup of tea served with a scone, which comes with butter, jam, and clotted cream (a thick buttery whip cream) to top it with. Sort of like a heart attack on a plate, but deliciously yummy nonetheless!

The girls wait for their cream tea.. how very British!

Back at the Feavearyear home, we packed up all our suitcases and skyped Ashlyn and Laramie one last time to say goodnight and tell them we would see them tomorrow. The last two weeks have been so full and so emotional that it feels to Scott and I like we have been gone at least two months, not just two weeks. We are eager to get home and see Ashlyn and Laramie, and to be back in our own home and in our own beds.

Goodbye to the Feavearyears and England

April 12 - A day in London

Today we got to experience all sorts of new things...we took a train from Norwich to London, and then explored London via their "tube" (underground subway) and rode on double-decker buses throughout London. Ian was nice enough to provide this summary of all the sites we saw today:

The girls on the train to London

We took the train from Norwich to London Liverpool Street station, passing the 2012 Olympic games complex, including the Aquatics Centre, Olympic Stadium and Basketball Centre.

St. Paul's Cathedral

 Took a double-decker bus from Liverpool Street to St. Paul's cathedral, where Prince Charles and Diana were married, passing the Bank of England.Then took double-decker bus from St. Paul's to the Tower of London (where the Crown Jewels are kept, people were beheaded, etc.) and Tower Bridge.

The Feav's and Grants in front of Tower of London

 Took another double-decker bus to Trafalgar Square/Nelson's Column - passed The Monument (to the Great Fire of London), and the Old Bailey (the most senior criminal court in the UK, where many major trials have been held). Had pics taken with the lions!

Then walked down Whitehall, where many Govt. offices are, past Downing Street (where the Prime Minister lives) and the London Eye to Westminster (also passed the Household Cavalry - horse guards and a London cop on horseback) - where the Houses of Parliament/Big Ben/Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey are - Westminster Abbey being where the Kings and Queens are crowned and where William and Catherine are getting married.Then walked through St. James' park to Buckingham Palace and from there along the edge of Green Park to Hyde Park Corner.

Buckingham Palace...the queen was not there to greet us today. Hmph!

Then took a bus to Covent Garden/Theatre District via Piccadilly Circus/Eros statue, passing the Ritz hotel and Fortnum and Masons (the poshest food store in England, grocer to the Queen).We finished the day up with Mexican food (a rare treat in the UK) in Covent Garden then took the Tube back to Liverpool Street and train back to Norwich.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Today was a fairytale day for Victoria, Savannah and I. Our friend arranged for us to take a 1 1/2 hour horseback ride through the English countryside. We were able to use boots and helmets from the stable and took off with a guide on our trusty horses, Taffy, Honey and Solero. We walked, trotted and cantered along winding paths, small streets and across fields. We rode by a beautiful, old church where we could envision ladies riding their horses along the same path 700 years ago. The experience was one that we will cherish and remember the rest of our lives.

While we girls rode, Scott and Robynne drove to town to do a bit of grocery shopping at Tesco in Alysham and then have a cup of tea and a scone while they waited for us. It was a fun day, and tomorrow we are looking forward to riding the train into London and then exploring the city by bus.

Look at the pictures to the right to see my favorite sign from today!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

This morning we enjoyed a Calvary Chapel church service here in Norwich, England. It was fun to once again sit among an international congregation and worship the Lord together. After lunch we tried to grab a bite of familiar fast food to eat before we headed home. It turns out that the local Subway could not sell us sandwiches due to being out of bread, and the local McDonald’s was remodeling and the dining room would not open until tomorrow! We were able to get some grub through the drive-thru, however, which made everyone happy. Suffice it to say they do not have a Dollar menu here, and have not heard of two apple pies for a dollar. It makes us appreciate all the small things we usually take for granted at home in the U.S.

We are trying to get caught up on dirty laundry we brought with us from Ethiopia. Robynne has given us free reign with her washer, which is smaller than we are used to in the U.S. We have had beautiful, sunny weather here in England and we are hanging all our clothes to dry on their outside line. The weather feels somewhat cool to us Grants, but they assure us this is warm weather, and they are excited to see the sun.

Our plan for the rest of today is to hang out and watch movies and rest. It feels good to chill out after being so busy lately. Anyone feel ready to take a nap? Until tomorrow...

(scroll down for pictures)