On Wednesday, May 30, we returned to the Orphanage to pick up Martha. We were so excited to see her! It was a wonderful reunion for us. We stayed for a while so that her caregivers could wrap up their good-byes with her, many of whom were shedding tears because she was leaving. That did make it a little difficult to leave, but also gave us such assurance that she had been loved and cared for well. We also shared in a Coffee Ceremony with the staff that morning - we never tired of the Coffee Ceremonies.
Martha promptly fell asleep on the ride back to the hotel and slept for a good while on our bed there. We continued to enjoy the day with her, outside in the hotel garden and just playing in our room. We still couldn't believe she was actually with us and she was OURS! Each moment was filled with delight for us and she was filled with wonder at all the new things she was discovering around her.
The next day, May 31, was our Embassy Day. We attended Embassy with another adoptive Mom from our agency (there were 3 families at our hotel from our Agency this trip). We had to wait outside across the street first until they told us to form a line, then wait in the actual line for a while also. They allowed 2 families at a time to come in and be put through security. Then, we left that building and walked to another building and were again put through some security. Then we sat and waited in rows of chairs until our name was called. Each family would go up to a window when it was their turn and answer a few questions by an Embassy employee. And, that was it. We walked out, retrieved our cell phones & cameras from security and left. Well, we did try to take a picture outside the Embassy, trying to mark this important moment and we were QUICKLY told that it was NOT an option there! The day was topped off by a wonderful meal at the home of our nephew's college roommate, who is from Addis. His parents are so kind and loving - we really enjoyed our fellowship with them and were made to feel right at home.
The interesting fact about the Embassy was this - there were very, very few very young children there. Most of the children were 4 or 5 years old or even older. If you've been paying attention to our Adoption Journey - that was what we signed up for. Older children being adopted were everywhere we looked on this trip - at the hotel, in the airport, at Embassy, out shopping. We thought we should have an older child to be a part of our family. But, obviously, God thought differently and brought us to Martha - and we are so glad He did.
A few people have commented already - "well, I guess you're starting all over" - and maybe, in terms of baby stuff in the house (which had long been cleared of all that) we are. But, having Martha as part of the family, feels like a totally natural, fit right in sort of thing. It doesn't feel like starting all over - it just feels natural and right. No doubt about it - she is ours and our whole family is loving it. Are we maybe a bit more tired on the rare night she doesn't sleep so well? Yes, we won't deny that - but the smiles she gives us and the time we get to then hold her more give us the extra bit of energy that we need.
Friday, June 1st was mainly another "Stay and Play" day with Martha. We did get out for a little bit of last minute shopping, but mainly just hung around the hotel. For dinner, we went to the home of our Agency's "man on the ground" in Ethiopia. This man is amazing and has been helping children in Ethiopia find their forever homes for 30 years. He treated us to a wonderful Ethiopian meal and Coffee Ceremony and also had us dress in traditional clothes for our evening there......
After enjoying that awesome Ethiopian Feast, we were taken to the airport for the trip HOME. We were very anxious about this flight - it was posted to take 17 hours (part of that a stop in Rome for fuel, but we would not be getting off the plane). Thankfully, this is how Martha spent 9 hours of the trip.....
Our reunion as a family was spectacular and Martha's introductions to her siblings went very well - she looked a little dazed and confused but seemed to handle it all very well. And now, the "after picture" of the Jansen's and our new friends from Columbus, who are feeling as blessed as we are.
Martha promptly fell asleep on the ride back to the hotel and slept for a good while on our bed there. We continued to enjoy the day with her, outside in the hotel garden and just playing in our room. We still couldn't believe she was actually with us and she was OURS! Each moment was filled with delight for us and she was filled with wonder at all the new things she was discovering around her.
The next day, May 31, was our Embassy Day. We attended Embassy with another adoptive Mom from our agency (there were 3 families at our hotel from our Agency this trip). We had to wait outside across the street first until they told us to form a line, then wait in the actual line for a while also. They allowed 2 families at a time to come in and be put through security. Then, we left that building and walked to another building and were again put through some security. Then we sat and waited in rows of chairs until our name was called. Each family would go up to a window when it was their turn and answer a few questions by an Embassy employee. And, that was it. We walked out, retrieved our cell phones & cameras from security and left. Well, we did try to take a picture outside the Embassy, trying to mark this important moment and we were QUICKLY told that it was NOT an option there! The day was topped off by a wonderful meal at the home of our nephew's college roommate, who is from Addis. His parents are so kind and loving - we really enjoyed our fellowship with them and were made to feel right at home.
The interesting fact about the Embassy was this - there were very, very few very young children there. Most of the children were 4 or 5 years old or even older. If you've been paying attention to our Adoption Journey - that was what we signed up for. Older children being adopted were everywhere we looked on this trip - at the hotel, in the airport, at Embassy, out shopping. We thought we should have an older child to be a part of our family. But, obviously, God thought differently and brought us to Martha - and we are so glad He did.
A few people have commented already - "well, I guess you're starting all over" - and maybe, in terms of baby stuff in the house (which had long been cleared of all that) we are. But, having Martha as part of the family, feels like a totally natural, fit right in sort of thing. It doesn't feel like starting all over - it just feels natural and right. No doubt about it - she is ours and our whole family is loving it. Are we maybe a bit more tired on the rare night she doesn't sleep so well? Yes, we won't deny that - but the smiles she gives us and the time we get to then hold her more give us the extra bit of energy that we need.
Friday, June 1st was mainly another "Stay and Play" day with Martha. We did get out for a little bit of last minute shopping, but mainly just hung around the hotel. For dinner, we went to the home of our Agency's "man on the ground" in Ethiopia. This man is amazing and has been helping children in Ethiopia find their forever homes for 30 years. He treated us to a wonderful Ethiopian meal and Coffee Ceremony and also had us dress in traditional clothes for our evening there......
and we were able to sleep for 7! We were so grateful. We had prayed specifically for the seat in between us to remain empty, so that Martha could have it - and it was! There were only 3 empty seats on the plane and all 3 of them were in between adoptive parents. God is good! We had a stopover again in Washington, D.C. and then a quick flight back to Columbus. As we prepared to taxi out for the journey to O-H-I-O, the Pilot played the Buckeye fight song for us all. So, Vicki knows that Martha is destined to be a Buckeye! Martha took a nice nap on the way to Columbus, while we could hardly sit still, as we were so eager to see the rest of our family. The walk to see them seemed to take forever and we just wanted to take off running.......
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