Gotcha Day ...

It's 9 a.m. in Kyrgyzstan right now. One year ago today Jennifer and I were running around frantically getting things ready as our luggage had just arrived and we were trying to get everything we needed ready since our coordinators were due to arrive in less than an hour. It's probably a good thing that I was busy because I would have been even more nervous had I just been able to sit and wait. We left at ten and then had some errands to run: stopping to get cake, coffees/teas, money exchanged and buying fruit, before we got to the orphanage sometime around 11:30-12:00. I suspect I finally had Ellie in my arms sometime between noon and one p.m., but honestly, time was just a blur for me that entire day. I know that I called and woke Kevin and Josh up sometime around 3 a.m. central time.

I'm so glad that Ellie and I got those first days to spend together -- even though there were times that it was really hard over there. The memories of that time we spent will never be forgotten. I'm thinking a lot of Jennifer, Elizabeth, her mom and Aidai as well because I know they are reminiscing as well.

We are going to spend the day together as a family tomorrow with a very unplanned day. I am glad that it worked out that Josh is on Fall Break and that Kevin is available to go with us -- regardless of the reason for that. We are going to have dinner with my parents -- that's pretty much the only scheduled thing for the day. I've purchased the items to cook a traditional Kyrgyz meal for Ellie and all of us, but because we are going to be out tomrrow and have a football scrimmage Thursday night, I'm going to wait a few days until I do that. She won't really know or care at this age if the meal is on the exact date, I don't think. Plus, we have a "window" of time to celebrate: from the time I picked her up until the time we returned and all became a family of four: October 14-October 24.

I was talking today with my friend Maggie about Kevin's job situation. I told her I was praying for something really great for him. And then God reminded me and I shared with her that we prayed and waited a long, long time for Ellie and God gave us someone well beyond anything we could have ever imagined or asked for when he let us be Ellie's family. It's proof of His goodness to our family. It's what makes me sure he will take care of us now. I'm holding on to the knowledge that I am only asked to deal with today and today, we are ok and blessed.

So, Happy "Gotcha" Day, Ellie. I'm so glad we all "got" each other. I can't wait to spend the day with you and Josh and Daddy tomorrow!! I'm so glad we are all home. I continue to pray for all your friends who are still there and for their families who continue to wait and pray for them to come home. They are always in my heart and my prayers.