January 15th came and we didn’t pass court - again. I was devestated. The judge told us that we needed ‘more’. So - again - the people in Ethiopia went to work, and got ‘more’. A third court date was set for February 2. I was sure we would not pass. I was seriously in a funk - and it was very hard to even get through the day. We were on hold, yet again, and it felt like there wasn’t going to be an end to this whole process. But the morning of February 2, we were thrilled to hear that Chaltu is now ours! She is OURS!!!!!!
So - then we wait for travel plans. Our travel date is planned from an appointment made at the US embassy for her Visa. So... we wait... and wait. We knew it would either be March 16 or March 30. The embassy used to allow the agencies schedule the embassy dates - however, shortly after we passed court, the embassy decided that they will now schedule each individual family’s appointment. So, this week - we were notified that we are scheduled for the 16th - less than 3 weeks away!
I ended up using an adoption travel agent (Heidi Smart at Susan Parr Travel) to book our flights. My friend, Kristan, will be flying from Seattle. We’ll be meeting in San Francisco on March 11. From there, we will take a 16 hour plane ride to Dubai where we will have an 8 hour layover. Emirates will give us meal vouchers and a room for the night! The following morning, we will leave Dubai and take the last 4 hour leg of our journey to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
We found out that another YWAM family is also traveling that week - so we decided to stay at the same guest house as the other family. I got 2 rooms @ $30/night each room! We’re staying at EthioComfort Guest House. Joy at YWAM recommended it, and she said that it’s relatively close to the Thomas Center, CHI’s agency-run transitional orphanage. Chaltu was moved there the week after we passed court.
We will be leaving Addis on Friday evening, March 19, and arriving home on Saturday night, March 20. We have a 5 hour layover in San Francisco on the way home, and a long-time friend of mine may meet us there for dinner at the airport. :)
I’m adding an album of pictures of just Chaltu/Gabra to my family photos section of the website. Check them out... she’s a REAL CUTIE!!!!
