We'll Be Leaving On...

                                                                     

Looks like we'll be flying out Next Friday, March 23. We had hoped that we could leave out sooner, but this looks to be the be the earliest possible time.One reason is because we have several appointments we have to coordinate, and that's the earliest we can get all of those things lined up. (Along with hotels in Iquitos, and other things that need booking) Also, a psychologist from Lima has to fly with us to Iquitos, and I'm assuming that was the soonest that person could travel. The reason a psychologist has to fly with us, is because of the fact that there is no adoption office (SNA) in Iquitos. An SNA psychologist is supposed to be present for the first couple of meetings with our child. So, if you want to pray with us- please pray that that flight goes well, LOL. We are yet to see how Amaus will enjoy flying. He hasn't ever been on an airplane yet. Camila could use some prayers in that regard, too.

 We will probably be flying out of Houston. We will spend the weekend in Lima and be ready for an appointment with SNA on Monday morning. We could have flown out of Lima to Iquitos on Monday afternoon, but the tickets were a hundred bucks more each...which stacks up to a whole lot when you're buying eight plane tickets. SO, we will fly out early on Tuesday. We will drop my step mom Leslie and the boys at the hotel, and then Danny and I, along with our in country rep, Marisa, and the psychologist, will go on to the orphanage.

   After we go to meet Camila that first day, we will go back the next day and bring the rest of the family. I'm pretty sure we will be able to take her out for the afternoon the next day. Then the fourth day, we should have a going away party for her at the orphanage. We will then take her with us for the weekend, and next upcoming week. That will be a holiday in Peru. It is the week before Easter, and I think everything shuts down. What an amazing time to be there with our girl!

A couple of things have taken me slightly off guard. We will actually be completing most of the adoption process in Iquitos. We will only be in Lima for the first weekend, and the last few days to get our girl's visa. Other than that, we are expected to be in Iquitos for three weeks. Another thing is, we thought Danny, my husband, and two of our children would be able to come back after the first two weeks, but evidently that isn't going to work out because of the way most of our process will have to take place in Iquitos. While I didn't want to stay the last bit alone, we had counted on Danny being able to come back to church, and work responsibilities if possible. We know that the Lord knows best, though, and every detail is going to work out according to His perfect plan.

There is a lot swimming around in my brain right now. But the one thought that trumps all of the small details...this time in two weeks, I will have finally met and held my daughter. Wow. I'm blown away with awe, and curiosity as to how it will all play out.

Praying for:
-Our first meeting with Camila to go smoothly. That God will calm her fears and help this transition to go miraculously amazing.
-That our bonding process would begin, and move beautifully.
-For all of our children as we travel, and that all of them, especially Amaus and Camila, will be calm and at peace while we fly.
-That God will prepare Camila for the complete change of everything she's ever known.

"Lord, I give all of this to you. Be glorified Abba Daddy, and calm my fears.
 It is you who we trust...thank you that all of this rests in your hands."