Forever and Ever

I could write a novel just off what has happened since my last post, a week ago (time really does FLY).  I am sorry it's been a whole week since I updated, but JET-LAG IS NO JOKE  but we have been tired and busy.  I feel like I need toothpicks to prop my eyelids open after 5:30pm every night.  Tonight has been far better! I hope to fill you in on what has been happening since then.  There is just so much.  I will try to do the highlights.  And, if need be, I will make it two posts.  I don't want you bored with one LONG post.
So, last Friday we woke up and headed to Debra Zit, a town just outside of Addis.  I was so excited for all the kids to get out of Addis to see AFRICA.  Mengistu had mentioned a 5-star resort there that we could go visit for the day inexpensively and allow the kids to canoe, swim, etc.  We all sang our guts out ("Eye of the Storm" and "Good, Good Father" were top of the list) as we made the hour commute.  Traffic outside of Addis was a dream was much less congested and this allowed us to focus on farmland, mountain views, and bulls fighting in the street (our only traffic jam was with two bulls, horns locked, middle of the road!).  There is something so beautiful about experiencing things you NEVER see in America.  The bulls in the road along with the previously noted hole in the ground restroom are top of the list.
We arrived at the resort and it was like a whole new world when we walked in.  The walkways were all covered with overarching trees and vines, making it so serene and private.  The stairs were all cut out of natural rock and the covered porches on each room opened up to a beautiful "lake" (large pond).  Each covered porch had a stone fireplace and outdoor bed/sitting area.  It was beautiful.  Brycen and Tyson hopped into one canoe and Mengistu into the other.  They had so much fun paddling around and the entire time Tyson was smiling from ear to ear.  He kept saying, "Go faster, Brycen, go faster."  Poor Brycen was trying his best and was doing great!  I sat back and smiled, batting away tears.  His world is expanding with every passing day.
Next, we went by the spa, as Mengistu had told us about body massages that were super affordable. Turns out HE WAS NEVER WRONG.  Nine whole dollars for a 45-minute body message at a 5-star resort.  YES, PLEASE. So, Mark and I both took advantage of that ( THANK YOU MENGISTU FOR BABYSITTING).  Next up, lunch.  We sat at a table closest to the water, a thatched cathedral ceiling over us, covering the porch.  It was a view that would cost a fortune anywhere else worth a million bucks.  And, it was shared with the most special people (minus two blonde-haired, blue-eyed boys).  We were all talking about going home, but we were also keenly aware that we would be leaving Mengistu, who by now, has become like family to us.  None of us thought too long about our leaving him or we would tear up.  As lunch finished I couldn't quite figure out why it was taking FOREVER there was a delay in service to bring our receipt.  Then, the entire kitchen staff came out singing, "Happy Birthday," pushing a big cart with a wooden cutting board on it that read, "Happy Birthday, Carrie" in white icing.  Just below the writing were the most divine brownies covered in ice cream.  Yes, I am gluten-free and yes, I am dairy (very)limited.  And, YES, I ate it.  It was Africa, it was special, and it was almost my birthday.  When the brownies came out with candles going, Tyson looked so confused.  Finally, he joined in singing and watched me blow out the candles.  Then, as he was eating his brownie he looked at me and said, "Mommy's birthday finished."  Little did he know... it was just getting started! Turns out since we were still in Africa (on the plane) at midnight, my birthday lasted 32 hours (due to 8 hour time difference)!
We finished up lunch all relaxed and full.  We decided it was time to head back to Addis, as we had to swing by Bethany to pay our FINAL fees from travel and needed to shower before HEADING TO THE AIRPORT.  On the way back Mengistu said, "we will go back a different way."  Y'ALL.  It was a toll road that was COMPLETELY CLEAR of traffic.  Like, we MAYBE passed 30 cars on the 30 minute drive back.  Turns out it also saved significant time.  The toll road was super nice, newly paved, and one of the first times we felt like we were in America in the car.
Anyway, we made our way to Bethany to pay (just after going to our regular coffee shop just around the corner from Bethany) and I decided to stay in the car with Regan, Brycen, and Tyson.  Mark had planned to just run in and pay Bethany with Mengistu.  While we were waiting I looked at Tyson and said, "I can't wait to take you home.  I love being your mom."  He looked right up at me and said, "You're my mommy forever and ever."  Regan and Brycen both looked at me simultaneously like, "WHOA!"  I had tears I was trying to bat away.  But, about that time, he looked at Brycen and said, "You are my brother forever and ever." Then, at Regan, "You are my sister forever and ever."  Then, as if it was just a normal conversation he went on, "And, Dad is my Daddy forever and ever."  Someone please come console me as I curl up in the fetal position and cry my eyes out  because I have never had such a wave of overwhelming gratitude sweep over me like it did in that moment.  Not only that what Tyson had said was true, but that HE UNDERSTOOD AND COULD VERBALIZE IT.  Needless to say, by the time Mark and Mengistu returned we were all in tears in the van.
We finally made it back to the guesthouse and ate dinner while we took turns showering, because 17 plus hours on a plane makes you want to gouge your eyes out requires starting out fresh.  We took all 12 bags back down 2 flights of steps and said our (tear-filled) good-byes to the AMAZING staff at the Ordinary Hero guesthouse (who had now seen us for 23 straight days in our pajama pants and watched us grow to know our sweet boy more every day).  We also told the other families good-bye, promising to keep in touch (all are hoping to be home by Thanksgiving!).  We loaded into the van and off we went, just as the sun had gone down.  We couldn't see much as we drove, which was probably good, as I felt like we were all on the verge of tears knowing we were about to have to tell Mengistu good-bye.  As we drove a few miles away, getting closer to the airport, Mengistu handed me a bag and told me he bought me a birthday gift.  I quickly opened it and found inside a shirt we had joked about buying, but couldn't ever find after we finally decided to get it.  It is a yellow, v-neck t-shirt that says, "Powered by Injera."  I just LOVE it. I thanked him profusely and we traveled on.  It was all so bittersweet... mostly sweet, knowing we were headed home.  But, grief overwhelmed me at one point as I considered that Tyson was about to board a plane and leave the only place he's ever known.  I knew he was going into a more stable, loving, fruitful environment.  But, I also knew that we all love our comfort zones and we all love home.  It was just all so much at once that I had constant tears as we got closer and closer.  The tears were mostly ones of SWEET RELIEF and overwhelming joy that we were finally headed home.  But, adoption always involves grief.  And, this drive to the airport merged all the joy and grief for me.
We pulled up to the airport and we were all mechanical in getting the bags out of the van, pretending a good-bye wasn't coming.  But, it had to.  So, we each hugged Mengistu and told him HE MUST COME VISIT US (which he has tentative plans to do in August).  We cried and then Mark, Brycen, Regan, and I watched as Mengistu bent down to hug Tyson.  It was a long, genuine, tearful hug.  When they separated, Mengistu was wiping tears, ones he was still crying as we pushed our boatload of bags away and waved to him until we couldn't see him anymore.  The emotions were raw for me.  Leaving was harder than I expected, not because I didn't want to come home.  We had just gotten into our routine there and Tyson knew what to expect, where things were, and our schedule.  This was his country, his people, his language, his food.  We were walking away and asking so much of him.  I knew it was necessary, but I also wanted to work through the grief.
The airport situation was  quite possibly the worst airport situation in the history of the WORLD challenging.  We had three of us checked in (after having all of our bags and all of us make it through a security checkpoint).  The Ethiopian Air ticketing system went down and we had to wait for over 30 minutes at the desk (as the line grew and grew).  We finally walked away with a hand-written boarding pass (I mean, really).  The system came back up shortly and Customer service issued the rest of our boarding passes (Thank you, Jesus!).  Next came bathrooms breaks and security check point 2 or 3... I lost count because Mark and I were BOTH pre-selected for a carry-on bag check.  This involved us waiting a LONG time (in an area where we could see our kids, but they weren't with us... MOMMA'S PLEASE SYMPATHIZE), having every SINGLE item removed from our carry-ons, iPads/computers turned on, shoes off (again), watches off (again), glasses off (again), and then we were given clearance to move about 40 feet to the next passport security checkpoint.  No, I am not exaggerating. But, thankfully, we were FINALLY through and the award for best airport participant goes to Brycen, who, by the time we sat at our gate, was carrying a sleeping Tyson (he fell asleep during our strip search carry-on bag search).  Tyson stayed asleep for the 45 minutes we waited to board and didn't wake again until we stopped in Dublin for a refuel 7.5 hours later!!  But, as we took off in Addis and I felt the wheels come up off the ground, I looked at Mark and cried.  WE ARE GOING HOME.
We had a refuel in Dublin for an hour and then 7 hours more until we landed in Washington, D.C.  Tyson did GREAT on the flight, staying busy with his iPod, movies (he watched about 10-15 minutes at a time), suckers, sitting in the floor, stretching across us, etc.   Before we knew it we were in America.  When the wheels touched down I looked at Tyson and said, "You're an American citizen now!"  We de-boarded, road a trolley (of sorts) over to customs (where they have to look through a HUGE stack of papers given to us at the US Embassy before we can enter the country with Tyson), reclaimed our bags, put them back on the luggage carrier, and off we went to Starbucks.  We drank buna, CHANGED OUR CLOTHES, and then headed to find some lunch.  On the way we had to go up and down a bajillion several escalators. AND TYSON'S LIFE CHANGED.  Escalators were a GREAT introduction to America... the land where we can't even walk up and down steps.  HE LOVED THEM. And then came the moving sidewalk... his mind was blown.  It was at that point I realized seeing life and luxuries through his eyes was going to change my life.
We ate Chipotle (well, Tyson had Five Guys because... Fries) and introduced him to ice.  The idea was novel, but the reality wasn't so great.  He doesn't prefer anything too cold or anything too hot.  This is because in Ethiopia everything is served lukewarm (except buna and chai).    But, we quickly got water with no ice and everyone was happy.  We found a play area in the airport and let the kids play there until it was time to get to our gate.  When we arrived to our gate, we knew everyone there was heading to Knoxville.  Many were asking us questions and Tyson was like a  superstar there.  Everyone was so sweet and he even found a sweet little girl to play with (who so graciously shared her toys with him).
It finally came time to board.  I was sitting with Tyson (who had the window seat) and Regan was in the single seat on my other side, Mark sat just behind her.  Brycen sat in the single seat in front of Regan.  When we sat down and buckled, I bawled.  Our next step was Knoxville. Home. Corbin and Hudson.  Everyone together.  I was just undone.  And, I couldn't wait to see Tyson enjoy the window seat! But, by the time we were actually taking off, the sweet boy was sound asleep.  Bless his heart, his body was telling him in was 9pm, which is past bedtime!  I literally held his head up so it wouldn't nod forward or backward and wake him up.  About the time we were descending, I started trying to wake him up.  I was offering him sips of water, gum, anything to wake him up!  He couldn't keep his eyes open!  By the time we de-boarded, waited plane-side for luggage, and walked to greet everyone, he was wide-eyed, but for a few minutes, I had my doubts.
We were practically running to where our family was waiting.  I was holding Tyson's hand and when we came through the rotating door and saw our parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and CORBIN AND HUDSON, we started running.  I finally saw Hudson running for Tyson and I let his hand go so they could run and hug.  I am crying remembering it.  Sheer joy.  There were tears of joy between them. Corbin wasn't far behind, but he was coming to hug his Momma first, and I am ok with that!  We introduced Tyson to his family and all the familiar faces he had seen in photos that he was now seeing in person.  The hugs were long and tight and the tears were many and frequent.  As we started walking down toward the escalators, Tyson was walking around with such confidence, like he owned the place... because he was, after all, now an escalator PROFESSIONAL.  We came down the escalators and unless you see the pictures, I doubt my human words will convey the emotion.  I was so overwhelmed and humbled by the sheer number of people who were there clapping and crying and videoing, and holding posters, and shouting.  WHAT A BIRTHDAY! Our church  family (biological and otherwise) is amazing.  Tyson was greeted with handshakes, balloons, high-fives, fist bumps, a few hugs, and SO MUCH LOVE.  He handled it like a champ and seemed to enjoy finally seeing everyone we had talked about.  But, after 24 hours of travel, all the emotion, and the time change, we were ready for home.
We finally loaded into the car like a three ring circus and got all three "little" boys buckled into the backseat (fiasco).  The giggles and laughs coming home were such a sweet sound to this Momma.  They were playing with helium balloons (probably the first ones Tyson has ever seen).  He just kept watching it and hitting it and laughing.  Corbin and Hudson were catching us up on their lives and asking Tyson questions.  It was so much fun.  As we pulled into our driveway, our hearts were just undone.... a sweet banner hung from our porch that read, "Welcome Home," with pumpkins and mums flanking our front door.  There were red (obviously) balloons sporadically floating in front of the house.  It was perfect.  And written really big in sidewalk chalk across the driveway were the words, "Welcome Home Tyson."  If that isn't the understatement of the last six  year, I don't know what is!  Yes, sweet boy, welcome home.
We entered and he just moved quickly from room to room, not sure what to look at first.  But, after we showed him his room, the bathroom and Regan's room, I could tell he was especially quick to look at Regan's room.  That's because he now knew where the bathroom was, and he needed to go!  We toured the house, finally arriving downstairs in the play room.  Tyson walked around the perimeter of the room first and then sat in the floor, grabbed a Scooby-Doo van and started playing.  The truth is, even now, it's like he's been here forever.  He just sat and played like it was home.  And it is!  My heart swelled watching Tyson play with Corbin and Hudson for the first time.  It was almost more than I could bear.  We had our first "official" family of 7 picture taken and then we spent the evening just being home and listening to Corbin and Hudson "teaching" Tyson where everything is in our house.
Since coming home, there have been a few firsts that have been tender to me.  Here are a few:
-his first night being tucked in.  makes me cry all over again to think about.
-first morning to wake up, find me in the kitchen with sleep still in his eyes, tap my leg, and raise his arms for a big hug.
-First morning with a BIG breakfast.  Discovered he likes sausage sandwiches!
-first time to see a dishwasher or washer/dryer
-trying to figure out how doorknobs work
-discovering automatic doors in the van.  This was almost as great as (if not greater than) the escalators.  Even today, he still can't get over the doors.
-seeing the sunroof.  I opened it, without thinking, and heard something... looked back and he was laughing hysterically, pointing saying, "window?"
-first time baking blueberry muffins with mom
-eating his first (and only) slice of bacon.  THIS WILL IMPROVE.  I feel sure of it.
-first Wal-Mart, Target, Aldi, Lifeway, Chick-fil-A, Habaneros, Kroger, and bank visits.  He likes to go.
-first day home with just Mom and Tyson... we cuddled and watched Scooby-Doo!
-and tonight, his first bath!  He's only ever had a shower and he's never been swimming.  I am happy to report he LOVED it.

We are all adjusting beautifully.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  Thank you for following along and loving us so beautifully.  We literally could never repay you.  We know we couldn't.  Your prayers are a priceless gift to us and we are so grateful you have chosen to come along with us on this journey.  Mark and I have discussed that if God had asked us to write out our "dream" trip in Ethiopia, meeting him the first time, and transition home , we literally couldn't have dreamt to write it this way.  We know we are bound to have issues at some point, but for now, we are celebrating the graciousness of Jesus to come this far and feel like he's been here forever.  Speaking of forever.  I am SO glad I get to be his mommy forever and ever.  And I am glad he gets to be my Tyson forever and ever.

I will try to update again super soon!

glad to be HOME,
carrie

WE ARE COMING HOME!!!!!!

GOOD GRIEF. WHAT. A. DAY.
I will try to give you the highlights of the day as well as details about our arrival as this will be my last blog post from AFRICA (somebody shout Hallelujah!).
So, we woke early and headed out the door at 7:45am in order to arrive at the US Embassy for them to review our documents and (hopefully) give us an interview.  Yesterday Tesfahun arrived to submit our documents, but in order to submit them you have to pay for the visa and when he arrived the cashier's office was closed. HUGE BUMMER and one we thought had thrown our plans off track.  We have known since Monday that finishing everything today was a slight possibility, but one we knew was a long shot.  THANK YOU WAY-MAKER for MAKING A WAY.
We arrived at the Embassy around 8:30am and were finally able to enter after they confiscated our phones, searched every crevice of our bodies, sent us through metal detectors, and (forgetting I had water in my purse) making me drink some of my water to ensure I wasn't going to kill someone with its contents.  I am grateful for the security!  We entered and then waited while our agency staff submitted our documents.  Then, we discovered after they reviewed it all that our last name was misspelled on our MOWA letter (as was Tyson's birthdate... they had the wrong month).  BIG SIGHS as we thought we were going to have stay until Monday to get it all done.  BUT IN STEPS OUR ANSWER TO PRAYER:  HEATHER, FROM THE US EMBASSY.  She called us up to inform  us of the misspellings, but she also knew we had waited for a long time on this adoption and she was SO gracious.  She agreed to do our Embassy interview under the promise that we would correct the translation mistakes (the original documents were correct in Amharic, but the translators office was responsible for the misspellings and date.  Remember the crazy differences in calendar?).  Getting Tyson's Visa was dependent on us being able to get the translation corrected and having MOWA  stamp and sign it in time to get it back to the Embassy and get the visa printed.  SOMEBODY UNDERSTAND THAT WE WERE PRAYING FOR FAVOR, BUT KNEW THIS HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.  Typically documents are reviewed for a couple of days before an interview is given.  We are sitting here tonight saying, "when you can't explain it, you didn't do it.  This was all Jesus."  Superman Tesfahun was busy working on other cases today, but he did go get the translation corrections made and get the MOWA stamp.  While he was doing that we went to run grab last minute things we wanted to get as gifts.  We also grabbed lunch at Tivoli (for the 3rd time since we arrived... so familiar that one waiter walked over to our new waiter before we ordered and explained Regan's order of grilled fish with NO SAUCE and french fries, as it isn't on the menu that way).  We were honored to have Sebilu join us for lunch (as well as Mengistu).  There is just something so healing to just flat out honor someone else.  We spent much of the lunch telling Sebilu how grateful we are for him, his team, and how we can see their passion for the children and families they serve.
Next, we went to Wal-Mart Shoa to get traditional spices so I can have those at home for Tyson.  While there, Regan and I had to go to the restroom (forgot to mention we stopped for buna earlier).  When I finally caught up to her and Mark inside Shoa she said, "Mom, the toilet here is a hole in the ground."  I chuckled, because I had used one like that on my previous trip to Ethiopia 6 years ago.  I encouraged her and told her she was going to get the true Africa experience.  She was hesitant, but she can now say (as can I, again) that she used a public restroom that was a hole in the ground.  If this intrigues you (well, gross), but please see Mark's Instagram feed for a photo of the public restroom at the supermarket.  Moving on.
We were still waiting for confirmation that Tesfahun had delivered the necessary, corrected documents and that the Visa would have time to be printed before closing at 5.  We were hoping, but the later in the day it got, the more it didn't seem possible.  In order to wait for Tesfahun to come back, we went to the Bethany office for about an hour or hour and a half.  Mengistu was able to work and we hung out in a room by ourselves (free wifi!).  I looked at my watch at one point 4:40pm.  About that time I saw Mengistu walking toward us... his expression wasn't good.  When he has bad news to deliver he raises one arm up over his head, bends it at his elbow, and tries to break it gently.  He walked in, I stood (hoping for good news), he said, "Guys, there is a problem.  I just talked to Tesfahun," arm going up.  I sighed.  He continued, "the problem is you are leaving.  IT'S ALL DONE.  HE HAS YOUR VISA AND IT'S OVER."

INSTANT TEARS.

We hugged and screamed and hugged some more.  Then, Mark had the great idea to ask Pastor Matt to get Corbin and Hudson out of class so we could tell them we were coming home.  I had our travel agent search for flights for us earlier this week, hoping this would be the outcome.  So, we had flights reserved already which allowed us to know when we would arrive home (more on that in a bit).  So, Pastor Matt FaceTimed us once he had the boys.  When the FaceTime came up we had Tyson say, "Hey!  I am coming home."  The boys looked a bit confused and immediately Mark said, "We are leaving tomorrow to come home with Tyson!  We will be home Saturday afternoon."  Instantly, Hudson put both hands over his mouth and began crying.  He couldn't even talk.  I said, "Are those happy tears?"  He just nodded, "yes."  Then, we were all crying.  Thank you, Matt, for scooping him up and giving him big hugs.  Corbin was smiling from ear to ear and said he couldn't wait.  Just after we hung up, Tyson went back and sat down, put his head on the table, and cried SO hard.  I assumed Hudson's tears had gotten him upset, but wanted to make sure.  I ran over, picked him up, we were both crying.  I said, "destainya?" (happy?).  He shook his head yes.  I had Mengistu talk to him to confirm they were happy tears.  We asked if he was afraid of anything or scared or sad about anything.  He replied, "Just really happy."  SWEET BOY.  The rest of the day he kept saying, "I love Corbin and Hudson."

SOOOOO.... arrival details.  Let me just say that we all know the Lord has OUTDONE HIMSELF on our entire trip with timing, people we've met, families we've met, and memories we've made.  It's all just so surreal.  But, in all of His kindness, He decided to put a cherry on top of all of the already amazing goodness.  Saturday, the day we arrive home, also JUST HAPPENS TO BE my birthday.  CAN YOU EVEN?????
I can't.

I keep thanking Him over and over again.  I cried the entire ride from Bethany back to the guesthouse.  It never occurred to me IN A MILLION YEARS we would be able to be home on my birthday.  I thought we would still be here on Thanksgiving.  WAY-MAKER.

OUR ARRIVAL is expected to be at 2:15pm Saturday afternoon at McGhee-Tyson airport.  This flight is typically on time, but if you want to keep track, you can... we will be arriving from Washington-Dulles (airport code IAD).  WE WANT YOU THERE.  If you want to come, COME.  We know it is half-time of the Tennessee game, so some of you will be busy, but if you are free... we would love to have a crowd there.  We will have just traveled for 23 hours, so I am not promising what we will look like or how we will smell, but we will LOVE TO SEE YOU PEOPLE there.  We are just going to (as politely as possible ) ask that you know Tyson is still adjusting to being in a family and so for now, we would love if you want to high-five him, fist bump him, or shake his hand.  For now, we are just asking for help in allowing him to continue to bond with us with hugging.  It seems odd, I know, but we don't want him (or any of our children) completely comfortable hugging a lot of random strangers (we know you aren't strangers, but to him most are).  If he initiates a hug, go for it.  We just want to be cautious to not overwhelm or overload him (or confuse him).
Next, Pastor Matt will be at the airport early to just organize people, should there be a crowd that comes.  Our only request is that our immediate families (Corbin, Hudson, grandparents, my sister and her family, Mark's sister and her family, Maygen and Josh) will be waiting up by where we will exit and everyone else can either wait down closer to the escalators or downstairs at the bottom of the escalators.  THIS IS ALL OUR STORY and we want you to be there to see this boy COME HOME.  He is full-fledged Tyson McKeehan and knows it.  So, feel free to call him that and if you make signs, you can use "Tyson."  He already recognizes his name:)
After the airport, we are SO PUMPED to be able to load into Mark's car as a family of 7 for the first time (crying again).  We will head home as a family and have some photos made of him coming home for the first time.  Then, we are looking forward to spending the rest of the day UNDER ONE ROOF.  We can't wait to see Corbin and Hudson with Tyson.  Thank you so much for respecting this special time for us.  We have someone who told us months ago she wanted to make our meal for the first night we were home and so we are well taken care of (and HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MY RECKON SQUAD FOR VOLUNTEERING TO STOCK OUR PANTRY AND FRIDGE WITH NECESSITIES. ALSO TO NINA AND DANA FOR CLEANING OUR HOUSE TODAY).  I mean, seriously, y'all.  OUR COMMUNITY IS THE BEST.  Thank you for being intentional and purposeful and exactly what we needed.
I am beside myself that my next post we will be home.  On our first night in Addis I wrote a blog post and called it "Immeasurably More."  When I wrote that post, I had no idea what the next 23 days would hold.  I had no idea that my life would forever be changed by so much more than "just" gaining one child (I mean that is pretty huge!).  The overflowing blessings that have come are more than any of us could've fathomed.  Here I am over 3 weeks later and it's all come full circle.  He is Sovereign and Good and Faithful and Kind.  And He continues to be the God who gives

immeasurably more.

See you Saturday at 2:15pm!!!

Almost home,
carrie

Tissues

I am just going to hit the ground running tonight. No small talk about the election, or the weather, or the fact that many of you have a long weekend coming up.  Today was super full and it's gonna take a while.
Tyson and I woke early so we could be ready to go at 8am to finish up his Visa medical exam.  Turns out the election news (as it wasn't officially "called" yet) made it a tee-tiny bit difficult to leave since I was going to be without wifi all day.  But I survived and turns out I got to see it all anyway.  But, I am getting ahead of myself.  So, we ate breakfast and headed out the door.  Remember Monday when traffic was my worst claustrophobic nightmare terrible and it took us two hours to get to the clinic?  Well, we left 30 minutes later today and arrived 40 minutes earlier than Monday. GO FIGURE.  Our appointment wasn't until 10am (to have the TB skin test read), but we arrived early and Mengistu was already at Kaldi's waiting so we joined him for buna.  Tyson went for the chocolate donut and chai again.  There was a TV on CNN just over my right shoulder so I didn't miss much.  Then, about 20 minutes later the nurse met us and we went to the clinic, which was just a short walk behind Kaldi's.  The technician working looked at Tyson's right forearm and declared his test negative in about 12 seconds or less.  Mengistu asked if we could have the results sent to the Embassy this morning rather the (normal procedure of) afternoon.  The tech said he could send them IF we obtained a letter from the pediatrician at Such-and-Such Hospital.  Turns out, Mengistu explained, that was the exact hospital we were headed to in an effort to complete Tyson's exam.  So, off we went to the hospital.  I will spare you all of the details, but in way of third-world countries it was pretty nice.  We went into floor one and the nurse rattled off some info and in about 5 minutes they had Tyson's folder.  Then it was off to upstairs.  I was pleasantly surprised to read "pediatrician" over one door, indicating we had come to the right place.  We stood in the hall a few minutes waiting and then Mergitu (the nurse with us) motioned for us to come in.  We did and Tyson had his vital signs taken.  Then, off to another room, this one labeled "exam room 2."  The pediatrician had a full sized desk in the exam room and when we entered she asked about the election (she had been at the US embassy for breakfast) and then asked about Tyson.  She looked him over and said she would finalize his paperwork for the embassy as soon as she had the TB skin test results.  With that, we received a letter from her to take back to the clinic.  Shew!  We were in and out in 15 minutes or less.  Moving along faster than I suspected.
So, we drove BACK to the clinic and then while Mergitu took the TB test results BACK to the hospital, Mengistu, Tyson, and I went to a swanky hotel lobby to watch the news and grab a snack.  It was there I was able to watch my first live TV in a month!  It was Donald Trump's acceptance speech and I will stay out of politics and just say, I am glad I was able to watch.  The longer I am away, the more I realize that regardless of the results (whether I like it or don't), we still live in the greatest nation on earth with wealth that is killing us and freedom that is wasted.  Another post for another day. But, we need to stop our whining and complaining.  Off soapbox.
Finally, we were off to Bethany for Mengistu to do a few things and for Mergitu to get all the medical papers to Superman Tesfahun so he could submit them to the embassy this afternoon.  There was one minor detail I forgot to mention about our car ride from the clinic to the hospital (the first time).  Mengistu said, "Meselu (our social worker with Bethany here) called me and said she had tentatively scheduled the birth family meeting for today, but she hasn't been able to contact the birth mom since. So, she might be on her way.  If she is, you will meet her today.  If not, it will be tomorrow."  *my mouth gaping open* "Today?" He replied with a "yes, maybe.  We will wait to hear from Meselu."  HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK AFTER THAT?????  And, I was DYING to tell Mark.  Anyway....
So, once we arrived at Bethany I needed to print the confirmation email from that masters degree form from yesterday to submit with Embassy paperwork.  While there I went to Tesfahun's office and Meselu was sitting in his office along with Mengistu, Tyson, and Mergitu. POWER TEAM.  Meselu said she had gotten in touch with Tyson's birth mom, Maso, and she would be bringing her by TONIGHT to meet us.  THE WHOLE WORLD STOPPED.  I swallowed hard and thanked her for working so hard to get it worked out.  And then, I got teary eyed just thinking about it.  We came back to the guesthouse and I ran up the steps to tell Mark about the medicals being finished and about the birth family meeting.  We looked at each other like, "THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING."  In a few minutes Mark jumped in the shower and I began writing down questions, adding to  my previous list to ask Maso.  I looked back through the photo book we had made for her of pictures of Tyson.  We put a few photos inside of our family and our house, but mostly of him.  I prayed over it, hoping it would be a treasure to her.  We straightened up the room a bit and I finally sat down to think.  But, thinking TOO much wasn't good for me or I was going to start crying and NOT BE ABLE TO STOP (you Momma's out there better give me an AMEN. I know that you know....).  So, I folded dirty laundry (not kidding) and sorted clothes and prayed.
Six years ago today we started this process.  And eleven days later on the other side of the globe a young girl had a baby boy. Today, God saw fit to not just merge those world's, but to collide them together.  It was about 5pm when Meselu called to say she was 10 minutes away with Maso.  My heart raced and I had to go to the bathroom like 12 times.  Then, we headed downstairs to wait.  It felt like 2 hours.  I paced and straightened the pillows on the couches and then straightened them again.  I wanted to love her well.  Finally, I saw the small gray car pull up that I had been in all morning.  Out stepped Meselu and then, there she was.  Her face was familiar from pictures, but she is far more beautiful in person.  She also had a man with her, who it turns out, is her boss.  He and his wife and children had made the SEVEN HOUR DRIVE to come to meet us.  More on him and his family later.
The big question you probably have is WHAT DID TYSON THINK?  Well, Meselu and I had discussed earlier today that since he has no memory of his birth mom, it might be best to just have the meeting, let him meet Maso, take photos together, and when he is older, we will explain who she is.  Otherwise, WHO COULD PROCESS THAT AT AGE 5 WITH A 10 MINUTE WARNING?  no one could.  So, he just knew Meselu was coming and that we were having a meeting.
Because he was clueless about who Maso was, he was standing at the door (as always) and opened it as soon as they walked to the guesthouse door.  Meselu walked in first, then Maso, then her boss.  She didn't initially acknowledge Tyson much, but I am not sure she knew it was it him right away.  So, I introduced myself with a handshake first trying not to grab her up and rock her in a rocking chair all night scare her to death with a hug.  Then, Mark introduced himself, then Brycen, then Regan.  About that time, Meselu grabbed Tyson's hand and it was then Maso realized it was him.  We walked to the adjacent living room and went to the couches that were the most private.  She sat on one end of the couch and I sat with comfortable space between us on the couch beside her.  I wanted to move closer and keep my hand on her, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries.  My first impression was: SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND HE LOOKS JUST LIKE HER.  Her frame is so petite and her face still so young.   Mark and Meselu and her boss each sat in dining room chairs across from us, forming a circle.  We made small talk about how long it took them to come (I almost died when she said 7 hours!).  Then, we asked about how she knew the man  accompanying her... she started working for him and his wife just after she took Tyson to the orphanage when he was 6 mo old.  She lives at their house taking care of their house and their children.  Oh, and she goes to school full-time.  Then, I started with questions... her birthday (which she doesn't know, but she does think she knows her age), how Tyson was as an infant (she said quiet and that he didn't cry much).  We discussed her pregnancy, her labor, her delivery and her favorite memories of him while she had him.  She said when she thinks of him she remembers that he was starting to sit up when she took him to the orphanage.  That was so tender to me.  Milestones for Momma's are a big deal.  She hadn't forgotten.  Rest assured, she never will.  The next 20 minutes was questions and talking... we told her about us, our family, our church, our kids, etc.  She answered our questions, but she was very quiet and reserved... UNDERSTANDABLE.  We asked about her dreams for him, her dreams for herself, and about what she would want him to know about her when he is older.  We discussed her hobbies (she likes to read and she likes chemistry.  Remember his "tall" mind?  He totally comes by it honest).  As she spoke I tried to memorize every freckle on her young, beautiful face.  Then, for a split second tried to calculate if it would be feasible to just take her home with us, too.  I want to love on her.  Good grief, she's brave.  I was somewhat of a basket case emotional, but Mark said all the right things when our questions were finished.  He looked her straight in the face and told her how brave we think she is.  He told her that we are so thankful for her  and that she gave Tyson something we couldn't and we wanted to honor her by giving him something now that she couldn't.  I spoke up and assured her that we would love him forever and that he would have every opportunity that our biological children would have.  I told her (through tears) that I am so thankful she wanted to meet us because one of my life's richest blessings was being able to meet her.  AND I MEANT IT.  The grief and loss that her one heart and life has endured overwhelms me... from losing her father when she was young to having no choice but to lose her son when she wasn't much older.  I asked her how we could pray for her.  She gave us things to pray for.  Then, I told her that we had started this process 6 years ago today and because he wasn't born yet, I had prayed for her and for him every single day of his life.  It was the first time I saw tears form in her eyes and she was able to bat them away.  She repeatedly, softly answered, "Ishi," which means "ok."  She did thank me for our prayers and said she was so happy for him to have a family like ours.  She was excited to hear Mark was a protestant pastor, as she comes from one of the only protestant tribes in the south.  When we told her about Tyson memorizing scripture in the orphanage with Haset, she grew teary-eyed again.  That made her SO happy to hear.  Can you imagine all the days she wondered if he was ok, eating, being cared for in the orphanage?  So to hear today that he was not only eating and thriving, but he was learning about Jesus and memorizing scriptures had to be healing for her.  Healing still flows through the hem of His garment and I could see healing coming to her broken heart.  We assured her we would take him to the best eye doctors we could find to correct his nystagmus.  And, gratefully, I was able to muster up the words to let her know his condition is one he was born with and not one she caused in any way.  Tears for the third time.  It wasn't much longer that Meselu asked if we wanted pictures.  UM YES.  So, we got pictures with her and then we called Tyson over (he had been playing with the kids and eating dinner on the other end of the large room).  He came over and stood with us for pictures.  Finally, I stepped aside and let Maso and Tyson have  pictures together.  First she stooped down to have their faces closer to one another.  Then, we told her she could pick him....I am crying as I type.  What she must have felt to lift him up again.  To hold him again.  She put her cheek against his cheek and I literally gasped and looked at Meselu and said, "TWINS."  She agreed. I was so thankful her boss had a smart phone and he took pictures for her to keep of seeing him again and meeting us.  Isn't the Lord kind?
Next, we asked if Mark could pray over her.  So, we stood in a circle, Maso was between Mark and me with one arm around each of us, then Brycen, Tyson, Meselu.  Right there in a circle, Mark prayed grace, hope, favor, peace, and comfort over her.  She and I both cried, even though she couldn't understand the prayer, I believe God answered my prayers for her to know how much we love her.  WE ARE SO FOR HER.  I knew human words could never say what my heart felt, but I knew Holy Spirit could.  He did.
After pictures I asked if she had time to play with Tyson for a minute as Meselu was going to spend time with the other family at the house.  I took Tyson over to the toys and tried to get him interested in something.  It didn't take long.  He found a book with farm animals, body parts, colors, fruit, etc.  Once he opened it and Maso crouched beside him, I backed away.  I have forever to read with him.  This was her day.  I don't know what they said to one another, but they talked and had a few smiles and laughs.  Then, I walked over and had him say letters as I pointed them out.  I videoed them together, knowing this will be a treasure to us all in years to come.  It's a treasure to me today.  After the alphabet, I asked if he wanted to draw on the dry erase board.  It took a second to find the red marker, but we did!  Then, it didn't work, so we switched to yellow.  I said, "Do you want to write your alphabet or draw a flower or a sun?"  He said, "Flower."  And off he went.  He drew a flower and when he was finishing she asked him if it was for her and he said, "Yes, this flower is for you."  When he had finished he held up his dry erase board with the biggest smile on his face.
It was finally time for them to go and as they walked out of the living room toward the lobby, I asked Tyson if he wanted to hold Maso's hand walking out.  He grabbed her hand and they walked from the living room to the lobby together.  I stood behind, trying to soak it all in.  She bent down in front of the door and kissed him on the cheek.  Then she stood and we hugged.  She put her face in my right shoulder and I embraced her with a long, hard hug while tears streamed down my face.  I told her thank you and that I loved her.  Then I hugged her again.  She hugged Mark and the big kids and just as she was slipping out the door she reached down and kissed Tyson on the right cheek one last time.
I am a crying mess typing this, but as I have said over and over... grief and joy do not coexist in any other form like the they coexist in adoption.  Five and half years ago she walked away, not knowing if she would see him again.  Today, she walked away fairly certain she wouldn't see him again.  I had to come upstairs and be alone for a few minutes to just cry.  I don't know if she cried pulling away or if the joy outweighed the grief.  I just know that the two sides of the coin of adoption are conflicting and beautiful, opposite and complimentary.  I have no doubt in my mind that she knows we love him and that we are going to take care of him.  But, I couldn't help but think of all the sleepless nights she was probably up with him as an infant, just the two of them.  As a young teenager, trying to navigate working, feeding, providing, and parenting.
Yet, here we were, six years later.  The Lord gave us the gift to cry together, to look at each other, and to walk away knowing we couldn't do it without the other.  I so long to honor her for the way she has loved him, even since that day when he was 6 months old and she relinquished him.  She has made a way for him to be adopted.  Without her coming 7 hours to court or being willing to be interviewed by two governments, none of this would be possible.  And then to come today.... how she must love him.  My heart is so full that we had the privilege to meet her, to see her with him, and to let her know she's loved, cherished, and appreciated.  She kept saying, "God bless you all."  I just wanted to say, "He already has and you are a big part of that."  But, something in me knew she already knew that.  I am praying as she cares for her bosses children everyday, one of them similar in age to Tyson, that she finds healing there.  I pray she finds healing in going to school in order to fulfill her dream to be a teacher and by investing in the lives of children.  Above all, I pray she finds healing in the mighty name of Jesus.   I believe Him for it and trust her to His tender care.  As she lays her head on her pillow tonight, likely staying in a hotel with air conditioning for the first time in her life, I pray she finds rest in knowing her bravery and courage have laid the path for others to see and know  Jesus.  As we each play our God-given roles in this thing, His purpose is clear: HIS GLORY.  Without her, we can't fulfill what He has called us to.  And, in the obeying and surrendering, we each play our part and somehow, He takes it and uses it to demonstrate a sacrificial love that was given for all mankind.  He takes her selflessness and somehow makes us the beneficiaries, just like when God gave Jesus to die that we might walk away with life.  I am just undone at the whole thing tonight.  Overwhelmed by her sacrifice.  Overwhelmed by Jesus' sacrifice.  Humbled to my deepest core by her courage to do the hardest thing in order for the one she loves to be given life.
Only Jesus writes these stories and when He chooses to pen us in in even the smallest role, I just fall at His feet in gratitude.  Tonight, gratitude is my anthem.
Thank you for loving us well.  Thank you for praying for Maso and her mom who is aging and therefore making work more difficult.  Thank you for sharing Jesus when you share about our adoption.  This is His story and we are the stewards.  Honored to walk it out with you.

Until WE'RE home,
carrie

Dance

Happy Tuesday!  I know it just so happens to be Election day in the States, but here in Addis it was a day that was crisp.  It finally felt like fall!

We had a great day full of running around.  The other family that is here had their cultural training this morning, so we (along with Mengistu) rode with them to Bethany.  While there, I asked for copies of a few documents that we needed in order to fill out insurance information as well as complete a form online that is needed for Tyson's visa.  THE PAPERWORK IS crazy COMING TO AN END.  Just today I joked with Mark that I don't know what I will do with all the hours I have spent on filling out paperwork, having things notarized, authenticated, sealed, updated, fingerprinted, etc.  Then it occurred to me.  I WILL SPEND THAT TIME LOVING ON THE SWEET THING ALL THAT WORK WAS FOR!!!  Good grief, I love him. 

Anyway... after Superman  Tesfahun copied all the necessary documents for us, we realized our court decree had some things misspelled (namely, names).  My name and his birth mom's name were both spelled wrong.  Turns out it could be a big deal when we get to the Embassy, so I am glad we said something.  Here's the thing, translation offices here don't have an easy job!  There are over 200 letters in the Ethiopian alphabet (can you imagine THAT alphabet song!).  Not to mention, the calendar is 13 months, each with 30 days in it... not one with 28, some with 30, and some with 31.  Therefore, in Ethiopia it is only 2007.  Let your mind wrap around that for a second... IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT YEAR HERE.  To further complicate things, they don't begin their day in regards to telling time until 6am.  So, 6am is 1 and 7am is 2 and so on.  Shew.  Sometimes it makes my brain hurt.  Then, when you throw in an 8 hour time difference, it's often more than my brain can handle.  All of that to say that when Ethiopians have to translate information from Amharic to English, it isn't as simple as just translating it directly or verbatim.  They have to calculate, for instance, dates... lots of math is involved and don't even get me started on how they translate our alphabet.  Somehow they are able to use 26 letters to do the same job as over 200 letters.  Suffice it to say, the translators have a crazy tough job, especially on documents where accuracy is vital.  At some point either today or tomorrow, Superman was going back to have the misspellings corrected. 

After dropping the other family off for training we headed (with Mengistu)to find Tyson an Ethiopian soccer jersey.  We had looked on our previous shopping day, but no one at that market seemed to have his size (a small).  Today, Mengistu took us to the soccer stadium to a few sports stores and we found a size small!  We would've preferred getting one a bit bigger, but he was adamant he wouldn't wear it if it was ONE BIT too big.  Brycen and Regan also found a few things to spend their remaining money on. Next, we headed to a compound where they make Ethiopian textiles on site.  We learned about (and saw) silk worms, their eggs, and how they spin silk just before they die.  This is a new trade in Ethiopia and one that is slowly growing.  We were able to see the newly dried silk being spun into thread.  Next, we walked to another building where men were at huge looms HANDMAKING beautiful scarves, napkins, placemats, etc.  It is traditional for women to spin the thread and for men to use the looms.  I walked away realizing either WE ARE UNBELIEVABLY LAZY AS AMERICANS OR HOW BLESSED WE ARE BY MODERN MACHINERY THAT ALLOWS US TO MASS PRODUCE.  Either way, the skill and uniqueness and time and number of people it takes to produce ONE product was overwhelming and something I had never spent so much time thinking about.  As we were leaving there, Mengistu reminded us of a volunteer at Tyson's orphanage who had contacted him to try to tell Tyson good-bye.  She had missed seeing him before he left.  It has been overwhelming (in a good way) to have all the calls and inquiries from so many people about him.  Today, we were able to meet this volunteer, whose name is Tizita (WHICH IS MY NIECES NAME). She was kind and gracious and when the van door opened and Tyson saw her, he smiled so big and gave her a huge hug.  I took a picture of them, right there on the side of the road.  She thanked us for being his family and we, as always, were quick to let her know he is our blessing.  

Then, it was time for buna.  So, we headed back to our regular coffee house that great coffee shop just beside Bethany.  Tyson and Regan ordered hot chocolate.  It was Tyson's first time to have it.  There is a saying in Ethiopia that Americans eat sugar, Ethiopians drink sugar.  Their food has virtually no sugar, but they POUR ON THE sugar when it comes to chai and buna.  Tyson's first taste of the hot chocolate wasn't awesome.  But,  a spoonful or twelve of sugar and he was happy as could be, licking his lips.  

We walked around the corner and down the street to Bethany to meet up with Samuel L. Jackson  our van driver and the other family so we could head to lunch.  We opted for Lime Tree again today... it's a restaurant we have visited 4 times already.  Each day they have a special (i.e: Mondays and Wednesday it's shwarma, Tuesday's it live wok, etc).  We were all excited for live wok and it didn't disappoint.  While we were eating Brycen and Tyson started trying to whistle with their glass bottles (again).  Oh the giggles when Tyson finally got a loud one!  Between lunch and our next stop we had a dance party in the van.... we danced to Whitney ("I wanna dance with somebody") and Michael ("Man in the mirror") and then we slowed things down with John Legend ( "All of me").  

On our way back to the guesthouse we stopped by the market where Brycen had his shoes shined the other day.  He had spotted a keepsake he wanted to buy for his room while we were there, but wanted to see if he had enough money left to get it.  The other family did some shopping as well.  Tyson fell asleep on Mark during the shopping (because he couldn't quite NOT touch EVERYTHING IN EVERY STORE and he had to be held).  So, the entire ride back to the guesthouse I had a sleeping boy on my leg.  I didn't complain one second about the drool puddle on my leg when we finally arrived back to the guesthouse.  Once we were back at the guesthouse I sat with Tyson on his bed looking through pictures of family and friends in America.  He is getting so good at recognizing names and faces.  One or two faces and names he only heard once and has never forgotten (here's looking at you Olivia Bruce!).  Then, I cracked open the laptop and began working on what could be OUR LAST ADOPTION PAPERWORK (it's just all so surreal).  It's a form online that should require a master's degree or higher to complete, but I muddled through and hopefully, I answered everything the right way (PS-how do uneducated people get anything done that requires completing paperwork given by our government?  those forms are CRAZINESS).  We did our normal post-dinner, run-around-like-crazy-children-playing-indoor-soccer to get your energy out and then it was time for Tyson to come up and take a shower.  About 7pm, we started heading upstairs. We have our system and routine fairly worked out... I start his water, he grabs pajamas and we meet in the bathroom.  Until tonight it has been exactly the same.... the two of us were in the bathroom with the door closed and during his shower the shower door MUST REMAIN OPEN.  Basically, I might as well shower at the same time, but water just isn't a big deal, so BRING IT.  But, tonight, it started the same until he had finished washing off his body.  Then, he closed the shower door and looked at me through it smiling SO BIG, like he was so proud of himself.  He started dancing in there and playing in the water.  Finally, he called for Mark to come into the bathroom (and close the door. And the bathroom isn't that big. But, we did it!).  He was just giddy playing and full on dancing in the shower.  Mark put him on some real dance music and he just lit up.  He giggled and spun and jumped.  Every few minutes he would crack open the shower doors (it's two large, curved glass doors that meet in the middle... it's a small corner shower) and stick his face out smiling at us saying, "Mommy.  Daddy."  We just had the best time watching him and being silly with him.  I kept thinking, "Dance, baby, dance.  Your ours now."  It's like a new freedom came over him tonight.  Showers aren't rigid anymore where it has to be fast and to the point so that 24 other kids can get a turn.  It was like he understood that he could be a kid and dance and play in there if he wanted to.  I was so glad he did!

I have had all kinds of feels today. You know the Lord has outdone Himself in so many ways on our trip and in our meeting Tyson.  He really has.  But, as I stood and thought tonight (while washing a few things by hand in our sink), it occurred to me that tomorrow marks the 6 year anniversary of when we submitted our first paper to Bethany for this adoption. SIX YEARS. TOMORROW.  And, the plan is for tomorrow to be the last step in our process until Embassy. An Embassy appointment is the last thing we will do before coming home.  So, tomorrow we will do the final piece to Tyson's medical exam for his visa and then the hospital will submit that information to the Embassy where it will catch up with the master's degree required paperwork I submitted earlier.  Then, after everything is reviewed for accuracy we will be given an Embassy appointment.  Once that is complete, they will file for his visa to be printed and then we will be HEADING HOME.  Here's the deal though... with Veteran's Day being Friday, the US Embassy is closed.  So, we aren't sure what the timing will be for all of these final pieces to get finished, but we are trusting the Lord with it.  Either way, the latest we will be coming home is one week from tonight.  

We just FaceTimed Corbin and Hudson (thanks, Dana!) and when we were discussing possible coming home date scenarios, Corbin started moonwalking... NOT KIDDING.  It was a day full of dancing and for that we are grateful.  

We can't wait to see you all and hug you SO SOON.  

Until WE'RE home,

carrie

Sunday and Monday

Good evening from Addis Ababa.

I am going to be honest, I hummed myself to sleep on Tyson's bed last night and didn't wake to blog. At some point I woke up, realized everyone else was asleep and Mark had covered me up.  Right there on the twin bed with our brown-eyed boy, I took my first "nap" with him.  This morning I reminded him that "Mommy fell asleep on your bed."  He smiled big and said, "I know. You sang. You sleep.  I sleep."  Pretty much.

All that humming and sleeping came after a fun Sunday!  We woke and went to church (back to IEC for the third Sunday).  There was one pretty crazy, awesome thing that happened.  So, six years ago, our friends, Trent and Carmen Post, moved to Ethiopia to live as full-time missionaries (go check out their ministry, Make Your Mark, at myminternational.org).  We had met Trent and Carmen when we lived in Charlotte, NC.  We went to church together there and it just so happens, Carmen did my hair while we lived there, too.  We have been in touch with them throughout the years and kept up with one another on social media.  Trent has even worked closely with Sebilu (the Africa country director for Bethany) on an orphan alliance panel the past several years.  Due to all the political unrest in Ethiopia right now, the government isn't allowing a lot of wifi or any communication via Facebook in an effort to minimize protests.  Because of very limited wifi (thankfully we have it nearly all the time in our guesthouse), Trent and Mark have had a tough time getting in touch with each other since we arrived.  Until day before yesterday.  So, Saturday night we called Trent and Carmen to see if they had a free night to come hang out with us at the guesthouse, as we knew we weren't "supposed" to leave without a Bethany employee with us (understandable in many ways given the political climate).  However, remember how Trent knows Sebilu?  Well, unbeknownst to us, Trent contacted Sebilu to ask if he could pick us up and take us to their house for dinner tonight and bring us back.  Sebilu agreed and so, that's what we did tonight.  BUT, when we went to IEC Sunday and the music started, guess who was leading worship? CARMEN!!!  Isn't the Lord SO kind?  Even more, as we sat at dinner tonight Carmen asked me what orphanage Tyson had been at.  I answered and she said, "Oh goodness.  There is a little boy there we have prayed about adopting for 4 years.  We are waiting to see the Lord work it out."  Guess who the little boy is?  THE ONE TYSON GAVE HIS SHOES TO!!!!!  They are the best of friends.  I could hardly contain my tears when she said his name and that they might be his family.  ONLY JESUS.  

I am just still sitting in His goodness.  His details.  His timing.  

After church we went back to the fancy shmancy nice hotel for lunch.  Then, we grabbed ice cream at the cute ice cream parlor with swings.  After we had our tummies full, we headed back for a night at the guesthouse of playing, talking, and the kids watching "The Lego Movie."  Since Tyson and I had an early morning today, we had him go to bed around 9pm, but needless to say, he wasn't the only one who fell asleep!

So, this morning Tyson and I had a driver coming at 7:30am to take us to the hospital to begin his medical exam for his Visa.  TRAFFIC WAS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH  After over 2 hours in the car (NOT EXAGGERATING), we pulled up in front of a  Starbucks  Kaldi's and saw a familiar face... Mengistu.  He motioned for us and when we got out of the car, he explained that since traffic had been so bad, the Bethany nurse went ahead to the hospital today and got permission for us to have Tyson's TB skin test done at a closer clinic, just behind the Kaldi's. We entered (after going through metal detectors and being frisked, of course), we were given "Visitor" badges to wear, and then we saw the Bethany nurse.  She had already gotten us registered and they were ready for us (silver-lining to 2 hour drive).  Tyson had his TB skin test done, so we were finished in like 35 seconds quickly.  As we walked out Mengistu asked if I wanted anything and given that we had just been out of the car for a few minutes I suggested we (Tyson, me, Mengistu, and the nurse) go grab a macchiato at Kaldi's.  They were outta milk (yes, a coffee shop with no milk), but we all found something to drink (and Tyson scored a chocolate donut).  While we sat there, we began talking about the Lord and His timing.  Mengistu had some specific things we are joining him in praying over.... and waiting on the Lord, no matter what you're waiting for, can be hard!  I am just seeing the tip of the iceberg on the blessing of trusting Him in the wait...that HE REALLY IS WORKING IT ALL OUT FOR HIS ULTIMATE GLORY AND OUR ULTIMATE GOOD, despite how we FEEL about it before He reveals it all.  

I was grateful for the time sitting around that small wood table in the dead center of a bustling coffee house.  We talked about His faithfulness in each of our lives, about how His plans don't always make sense, about the narrow way that leads to abundant life.  And, I was able to look at both of them square in the eyes and tell them that I am praying 100-fold blessing over them for the way they FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT for the sake of the orphan.  To let them both know that their faithfulness to not only do their job, but to do it with passion and conviction and leadership from Holy Spirit was an answer to our prayers and the prayers of other waiting families.  I didn't want them to think it was not noticed or that it was taken for granted.  THIS ISN'T AN EASY ENVIRONMENT WHEN YOU ARE WITH WHITE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME as an Ethiopian.  Just this week while we were out people made comments to Mengistu about being with us and about us having an Ethiopian son.  Yet, they wake up every day and arm themselves with the only armor that will do in this fight.  The armor of God.  They are active in the fight, not backing down, despite the attacks of the enemy.  It was in this conversation that I was trying to encourage them both and I said this:

I WISH OUR WAIT HAD BEEN SHORTER, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF WALKING AWAY WITH SOMEONE DIFFERENT AS OUR CHILD. HE WAS MADE FOR US.  

His timing. His way. His Glory. 

We just had church right there and several times during the 45 minute conversation one of us or all of us were in tears at the faithfulness of Jesus.  Recollecting His faithfulness in the past and hearing testimony of His faithfulness to others, grows our faith to trust Him in the unknown.  Hallelujah!  I am so thankful He is trustworthy and good.  

We arrived back to the guesthouse in much shorter time (THANK YOU MENGISTU FOR KNOWING SHORT CUTS. WHERE WERE YOU AT 7:30 THIS MORNING?).  So, from here on out, the plan is for the TB test to be read at the same clinic Wednesday morning.  Immediately following that, we will head to the hospital we were supposed to go to today and have the official medical exam.  That hospital will forward all our documents to the Embassy.  Then, we will give them time to review it all and assign us an Embassy interview time.  Since Veteran's Day is Friday and the Embassy is closed, we are thinking we will have an Embassy appointment next Monday or Tuesday and then HOME.  When we have exact dates and times I will certainly let you know.  

So, we ended today at Trent and Carmen's with  a DELICIOUS TRADITIONAL MEAL and the kids played basketball outside while Tyson played in a hammock, a swing, and rode a tricycle.  He also played inside and brought me one toy car saying, "This one is remote control, but dead."  Um, I think he will pick up on the language quite fast.  It was a beautiful night recounting the goodness of  Jesus to redeem and adopt us.  We are praying over Make Your Mark and over the street boys whose lives are being transformed by the saving power of Jesus.  And, I was reminded of hearing Carmen leading us yesterday as we sang "No Longer Slaves," and singing with confidence that He "split the sea so I could walk right through it."  WAY-MAKER.  I am just undone by Him.  

Tomorrow we are having a day of just hanging out around town, having lunch out, and then back to the guesthouse for dinner.  We will be praying for our country as everyone gets out and VOTES.  I will update tomorrow night (depending on wifi and if I sing myself to sleep!).  I already can't wait.  So much love for you people.

Until WE'RE home,

carrie

Reunited

I am trying to squeeze a blog post in just before midnight for you folks in the states!  Our wifi was out at my normal blog time just before bed last night.  Hoping you aren't too mad at me:)

Saturday started out slow and good.  We had pancakes for breakfast and a fun morning playing in the living the room.  The guesthouse was quiet as two of the three siblings next door (the newest children to the guesthouse) were sick. We've been praying for them and this morning we went with Mengistu as he took them to the hospital to be seen and get medicine.  Turns out the new environment for them is likely the cause and as I type, they are on the mend with no more fevers!

After taking them to the hospital, we stayed in the van we had all taken to the hospital and the Bethany van came to pick up the sick kids to take them back to the guesthouse.  Mengistu stayed with  us so we could go shopping for a few things still on our wish list.  We have been piecing together all the components for a coffee ceremony and we were still lacking two important pieces.  That was our main goal AND to revisit the place where the women make scarves.  Last time we went they were working at the looms, but the shop was closed as they had taken their products to a local bizarre to sell them. So, today we went back and bought the place out did some Christmas shopping.  These scarves are beautiful and help these women financially who otherwise would be carrying hundreds of pounds of wood on their back each day up and down a mountain just to try to make enough to survive. 

After going scarf hunting we went to an outdoor local market.  We were looking for those final pieces to our coffee ceremony and looking for soccer jerseys for Corbin and Hudson.  This particular local market may not have been quite as used to "ferenji" (white people).  We kind of caused a scene everywhere.  But, we found what we were looking for and after Mengistu's negotiations, we were outta there with some steals of a deal.  At one point Brycen slipped out to the open area beside the small tent we were shopping in.  I stuck my head around the corner and saw him with his wallet out, standing getting his shoes shined.  He had on tennis shoes and by the time the, I am guessing, 12 year old boy finished shampooing his shoes they looked BRAND NEW.  When he spotted me, Brycen said, "I am not sure how much a shoe shine is, Mom, but I have plenty of my own money.  I want to help him out."  I fought back tears as I watched the two of them interact.  Two young men, both wanting to serve each other.  Something in Brycen changed as he handed the boy, younger than him, money for his service.  Brycen remained quiet and kept commenting on how good his shoes looked.  Here's the thing I encouraged Brycen with.... he could've just given the young boy money without the shoeshine.  But, to that young boy, that would've made him a beggar.  It was much more honoring to let him wash the shoes and pay him for his service, because then he earned it.  I know one thing for sure, Brycen and Regan aren't returning as the same 14 and 12 year olds we brought.  Their worldview. perspective, and hearts have changed.  They are more grateful, aware, and selfless than I have ever seen them.  They are friends with children who are homeless, orphaned, and many who are very sick.  Having faces and names of people you care about who face those daily struggles can't help but change you.  It's changed me.

Next, with clean shoes and a completed coffee ceremony set, we headed to lunch.  We went back to Lucy's, a place we had visited on our second or third day in Addis.  Last time we were there, Tyson wasn't with us yet and so this time, it was extra fun. The environment is unique at Lucy's, with a outdoor garden with tables in the center of the restaurant and fish tanks surrounded by beautiful flowers.  After we ordered our food Tyson said, "Mom, let's go look at the fish."  His English, Y'all.  SO GOOD.  So, off we went. He counted the fish and named the colors (4 orange, 3 silver, and one pink and white jellyfish for those who care).  Lunch was delicious.  At one point in our eating, I asked the server for ketchup for Regan's fries.  Tyson, understanding what I had said, picked up his small bowl of ketchup and handed it to me saying, "here, Mom, we can share."  His heart is big and living his young 5 years with so little has allowed him the gift of selflessness like I have never seen.  He won't take a drink of water or chew a piece of gun unless he offers one to everybody.  He wants to always make sure he doesn't get something that someone else can't have.  He's teaching me so much.  And, just like I tell him everyday, I love being his mom.

We finished up at Lucy's and went to Wal-Mart Shoa.  There we bought Addis tea ("chai," pronounced "shy" here).  It is just tea (not chai tea), but it is delicious!  We wanted to get some for home and for gifts.  We also needed to get Tyson some milk (which comes in plastic bags here, by the way).  We grabbed a few snacks and we were off.  Just outside of Shoa a man was selling movies for $1.25... movies like "Finding Dory" and "The Secret Life of Pets," etc.  Having bad experiences with such movies historically, we were skeptical, but Mengistu assured us the quality would be good.  He was right.  Mengistu is batting a thousand... he hasn't let us down yet.  

The next stop of the day was so powerful for me.  I mentioned a few days ago that there had been a young lady who had been with Tyson in his original orphanage, moved with him to his last orphanage in 2014 and then aged out of that orphanage last year.  She had heard Tyson had gotten a family and cried, thinking she wasn't going to get to say good-bye.  Her nannie called Mengistu and he assured her we would come by to let them see each other.  When we arrived, the 8 girls, ages 13-16 who live in the house weren't home yet from lunch out.  They were on their way back.  In a few minutes the gate opened and Tyson was at the front window watching.  When Haset walked into the gate he took off running for her.  I can't, in human words, describe the hug they had.  It was an embrace like I have seen so few times in my life.  At their young ages of 5 and 14 they get what it means to love.  It was obvious their bond was unique and deep.  She kept her arms around him and he around her.  We let them sit outside and talk a while.  She had ran ahead of the other 7 girls in order to get home faster.  When it finally came time for us to sit and talk with her, I cried.  She described him as an infant (his skin was lighter and he was skinny) and as a toddler (he was kind of "difficult," always into everything).  THANK YOU, HASET, FOR ENDURING THOSE TODDLER YEARS FOR US.  She gave us details about the scar on the back of his head, the nurse who treated him, and how she had feared when she was younger that he was blind due to his eye movement.  She even described reading him the bible and teaching him bible verses when he was younger... I am crying again.  Right there, in that dingy, worn out, but beautiful house, our sweet boy looked right at her and quoted John 1:12 to reassure her that he hadn't forgotten what she had taught him.  Mark was also fighting back tears.  It was SO obvious they were bound by something deeper and more profound than we will ever know.  Haset is a 14 year old with darling braids, black-rimmed glasses, and heart of pure gold.  Her nannie had described her as "the most disciplined, responsible one in the house."  I didn't miss that... she had taught Tyson more than just Bible verses.  How do you thank a 14 year old who, at the tender age of 9, took on being a primary caregiver to your son who didn't have a family yet?  I still don't know how you thank her.  All I could muster up, just before we left, was a super long, hard hug with tears streaming down my face, and then I put my hands on both sides of her face and said, "Thank you so much.  You did a perfect job with him and you are beautiful."  We hugged again and I am praying for God's favor and blessing over her in a powerful, undeniable way.  While we had been at the house, the girls all asked us questions about America and our family.  They asked Mengistu if they had families (that was hard for me).  The truth is, some of them might and most of them don't, but they have a Father watching over them and I am trusting Him to meet their every need. As we left, we grabbed photos of Tyson with Haset and with the whole group (they had all lived with him at his last orphanage).  Haset stood at the gate watching us as Tyson loaded into the van first and ran to the window closest to the gate so he could wave at her.  Just as the van door closed behind us, Haset ran out one more time and touched his hand through the window, leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.  I sat with tears streaming down my face.  Her sacrifice and love for him profoundly impacted me.  God's plans for Tyson have always been abundant.  I am just now being given a front row seat to see how many people love him and have poured into him on the days I was home missing him, praying for him, and praying for people to be pouring into him.  God didn't owe me the gift of seeing those prayers answered, but in His kindness, He LET me see that He heard every prayer.  Having a face, a name to put as answers to those prayers has grown my faith in remarkable ways.  The wait wasn't in vain and I am forever grateful God has given me the privilege of seeing that.  He has been so purposed all along the way, even in my doubting, He was proving faithful.

We went back to have a tea/coffee combo at that CRAZY awesome coffee shop and then we came back to the guesthouse around 4:00pm.  It was a fun night of loud playing in the living room.  There was a game of soccer, some keep away, and even a soccer game on the TV.  We came up stairs and did showers, movie (Finding Dory), and bedtime.  It was a great day of bonding, laughing, dancing, shopping, and growing.  Seeing Tyson and Haset reunited was so good for my soul.... something I didn't even know I needed.  

We are off to church shortly and we have the cutest little boy, dressed in green dress pants and a plaid green, blue, and white button-down, going with us.  My heart is so full.

Thank you for faithfully walking with us.  

Until WE'RE home,

carrie

Taste and See

With the table set before our enemies, God turned the tables in a big way.  He allowed us to literally watch Him perform a miracle today.... to taste (again) and see (again) that He is good.  The feast was prepared and we were the partakers.  The enemy was crushed under the heel of the Way-Maker, the Miracle-Maker, the Life-Changer, Soul-Saver, Sin-Forgiver, Grace-Giver, Jehovah Jirah.  And we are so grateful.
The morning started out early, as Tesfahun thought it best to get to immigration early because everyone in Addis Ababa is at immigration every day it gets busy early and the lines get long.  We agreed, we wanted to get an early start on the passport paperwork with better chances of getting it completed in one day.  So, we were loading the van at 7am and off we went.  Tesfahun lives closer to Bethany and to immigration, so we met him at the Bethany office and he rode to immigration with us.  We arrived and Y'ALL.  It was 7:35am and it looked like it was noon.  THE PLACE WAS PACKED and bustling with people.  Everyone seemed to be holding the same white form in their hands in our first waiting area.  I will try to do it justice.  It's an outdoor waiting area that is covered on three sides.  On one end is one work area with immigration staff and on the other end is an enclosed office area with other office staff.  I have been there 3 times today and I still can't tell you what each end does.  But, that's why there's Tesfahun.  We sat on a wooden bench while Mark did the initial paperwork.  Tesfahun took it to the necessary end of the "room" and then whizzed back to the other end.  Eventually he motioned for Mark to join him.  When Mark came back to us he said, "Well, Momma, you're on.  You have to go in to do the passport because two men can't enter with one receipt.  So, you and Tyson will need to go with Tesfahun and I will take the big kids and go wait with Mengistu" (who, by the way, had arrived to meet us and wasn't allowed in).  So,we  stuck close to Tesfahun as we wiggled our way beside the open office end desk into a small room where a lady looked at our documents, said something in Amharic, and we squeezed back through again.  Tesfahun then said we were ready to enter the immigration offices... I thought we already had!  So, up an intimidating flight of outdoor steps we went, women enter on one side, men on the other.  I had to pull the, "I'm with him" and point card a million times several times today.  We entered and walked down the main walkway that eventually split, we went to the left and then immediately wound back around to our right.  We were still outside, but to our left was a LONG row of offices, each with a door that opened onto this covered sidewalk where we were.  Each door was numbered.  First, we sat outside of door 3.  We met a few nice men who were asking a lot of questions about our (obvious) situation.  Tesfahun said they were excited for Tyson to get to go to live in America.  Grateful.  It would've been more awkward if they had been disagreeing (which we have also experienced).  Eventually a women came out who looked like she worked at the DMV was (clearly) already having a bad day, despite the fact we were her 3rd customer of the day.  I did an internal chuckle when I read the gold name plate on her desk that stated she was the Customer Services director.  She looked over our paperwork and, as I was afraid of, she was unfamiliar with the infamous Adoption Certificate (remember the new document they are issuing instead of a birth certificate? The one we FINALLY got from the kebele?). Since we were (literally) the first family to EVER have an adoption certificate rather than a birth certificate, we knew we were the guinea pigs and immigration doesn't have a good reputation for their, well, their customer service.  Or their order.  Or their understanding.  Anyway....
Tesfahun calmly explained the situation about the new directive that involves the adoption certificate rather than a birth certificate (though Tyson has his original birth certificate).  She asked Tesfahun where Tyson was born and asked why it wasn't on the adoption certificate.  He replied that he knew it wasn't on the new form and that is why he had the kebele write the birth place and stamp and sign it on the back of his birth certificate.  The MEAN MAN  head director at the kebele yesterday refused to hand write the birth place on the adoption certificate, as Tesfahun knew it was important and that it would be an issue.  Customer Service Lady wasn't willing to listen and before I knew it she was handwriting a letter to somebody, somewhere, handed it to Tesfahun and he said, "Follow me."  We got outside and he was talking and walking at the same time... I could tell he was frustrated. He said, "We have to go to 11."  Um, ok.  So, we arrived at door 11 and there were 3 people already waiting.  He explained that the DMV lady door 3 lady wasn't willing to process Tyson's passport because she didn't want to get into trouble.  As I stood there I read the sign over door 11: Ethiopian Passport Services Head Director.  Great.  We are at the principal's office and it's only 8am.  Awesome.  Finally, we entered, Tyson had been A ROCK STAR the entire time, waiting patiently and keeping up with all our walking.  We entered the room, her intimidating desk sitting straight ahead.  Tesfahun explained, she didn't look up at any of us and she just started talking.  Tesfahun immediately started shaking his head no.  Then, they argued.   A lot.  Then I heard her say one word I could understand: Kebele.  And I prayed it wasn't what I suspected.  Based on Tesfahun's facial expression and body language, it wasn't looking good.  They exchanged words again and Tesfahun looked at me and said, "We have to go back to kebele."  I almost burst into tears.  I (loudly) said, "Are you serious? WHY?"
He was talking and walking as he said, "Now we are going to door 6."  As we walked he explained they were willing to begin processing the passport, but it would be pending until we could come back with Tyson's birth place hand-written, signed and stamped on the front of the adoption certificate from the kebele.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.  We entered 6, a lady reviewed our papers, wrote something down and out we went.  BACK TO 3... DMV LADY.  She flipped through the papers again and asked a few questions.  Then I saw Tesfahun drop his head and exchange words with her again.  He looked at me so discouraged and said, "do you have your and Mark's passports?  They have never asked for those and I don't know why she needs them."  Much to his (pleasant) surprise both were in my bag.  I think she was just trying to be difficult, but we fulfilled her request.  Tyson sat in front of the white background and had his (cute) photo taken while she worked on her computer some more.  She handed us back our documents and off we went to the kebele.  When we finally reunited with the others (who had spent the last 2 hours shopping for Brycen a track suit to buy with his own money) they couldn't believe it when they heard "the k word" again.  Kebele.  You know who else was in for a surprise?  The workers at the kebele when all seven of us ROLLED BACK IN THERE in a blaze of glory.
On the way to the kebele we were literally praying for favor, knowing that yesterday MEAN MAN kebele director had refused to write the birth place on the adoption certificate.  We knew this was an uphill battle and we were ready to wage war.  We were prayed up and knew Tesfahun was nervous, but ready to settle it.  SO, the familiar "15" was in our sights again and the workers looked stunned when we re-rentered.  Tesfahun made his way to the front to explain our plight.  I am looking around for Kebele Director and don't see him.  But, we all saw the one kebele employee who had been ON OUR SIDE FROM DAY ONE.  He had cooperated and understood what we needed, why we needed it from the beginning...when we were all perched staring at each other for two days in the dark.  Today, he was the one behind the desk when Tesfahun explained it all.  I heard bantering, but I stood in the back praying.  Finally, Mengistu came over and said, "The head man isn't here right now and this guy wants to help us, but the other employees know if the boss finds out they will get into big trouble."  Turns out, the willing man even mentioned that writing on a government document can land you in jail!  I better understood why the hesitation.  When I saw that sweet man grab a pen and write on our adoption certificate, sign it, and stamp it, I batted tears away.  He knew he was doing the right thing, but he was doing it with no support from his co-workers and at the risk of losing his job OR GOING TO JAIL.  It wasn't until we were back in the car the I really understood what had happened.  Mengistu explained that Kebele Director was, indeed, working today, but he had just stepped out of the office for a second.  All the employees there agreed he would NEVER have done it.  Mengistu said, "Your prayers have been answered.  This is a miracle."  Tesfahun, sitting beside him, relieved and grinning said, "yes, it is a miracle."  We were in and out of kebele in less than 10 minutes while Mean Man was oblivious while GOD PERFORMED A MIRACLE.  Back in the van, Tesfahun was immediately back on the phone. He told us after hanging up that he knows Kebele Director's boss and Tesfahun called him to praise the kebele ANGEL MAN who signed and stamped and wrote on the adoption certificate.  The boss man replied, "Wonderful!"  We have prayed for this kind man all day... praying favor over him, blessings over him FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING.  Would you join us in praying against him losing his job?  Tesfahun feels confident he can't really go to jail, but promised the nice man that should he lose his job or go to jail over doing it he would represent him as his attorney for free.  WAY TO GO, TESFAHUN.
We were relieved and grateful and FLYING going quickly back to immigration because one small detail we hadn't known all day that Ethiopians "just know" is that federal officials only work until 11:30am on Fridays.  It was 10:45am.
Back to immigration, up the steps, through the women's check in (except this time we left Tyson in the car with dad), wound back around to the LONG row of doors and huffing and puffing winded, we finally flew back into room 3.  She snatched everything out of Tesfahun's hands and examined it closely.  Then, she started typing.  She asked for the spelling of our last name 3 times and all 3 times Tesfahun told her.  She finally gave us a nod and out the door we went to room 7 (one I hadn't seen yet!).  It was the cashier.  We were paying and then OUTTA THERE.  Not so fast.  Once the receipt was printed and Tesfahun was outside showing me where to pick up the passport, he realized DMV LADY HAD SPELLED OUR LAST NAME WRONG.  Tesfahun, "I told her mC, not mE."  He asked me to stay standing in one place and off he went... please understand, I am NOT exaggerating here.  He was back into 3, then to 11 (principal), back to 3, into 6, then 7.... and he assured me Tyson's passport should have the correct last name.  Needless to say, I wasn't holding my breath.  Our assigned time to return to pick up the passport was 4pm.
We piled back into the van and I rehashed the whole thing to Mark and glanced at my watch: 11:36am.  Satan, TAKE THAT.
We took Tesfahun back to Bethany and then we went close by to lunch at Tivoli (same place as 2 days ago) and it was delicious.  While we were eating I asked if there was a coffee place close by because MOMMA HAD A STRESSFUL MORNING I needed something warm to comfort me after
all the running around.  Mengistu's eyes perked up when I mentioned coffee and he said there was his favorite local place just up the street.  So, after lunch we walked there and YALL.  Please see my instagram feed for pictures. BEST COFFEE PLACE EVER (except for you, KBREW).  Good grief, sitting in there you KNEW you were in Africa.  And, Mengistu suggested Mark try a tea and coffee drink (they are together with a little bit of sugar).  Apparently it's very popular here and Mark was all for it.  Turns out he says it's one of his top 3 coffee drinks OF ALL TIME (that's saying a lot).  Next thing I knew Mark, Mengistu, Brycen, and Tyson were up talking to the barista (his name was Joshua).  Mark wanted details on how to make it.  Joshua showed him and then gave him the one he made.  We have big plans for it, Knoxville, you just wait.  There are a few tricks to getting it right so we won't reveal all we know just yet.
On our caffeine high, we walked around the corner to the Bethany office to let Mengistu work for a bit.  We were already pretty close to immigration, so we didn't want to go too far away.  As we waited we talked to the Bethany nurse again about Tyson's Visa medical testing that has to be done in order for us to apply for an Embassy interview.  The medical testing requires a passport, but she said if we got the passport today, he would begin testing  Monday.  Then, she mentioned him needing a photo for the medical testing, so Mengistu told us we would do the photo on the way to immigration.  We left the Bethany office around 2:30 so we would have plenty of time in case traffic was horrible.  It wasn't (miracle number 2).  We actually arrived at the intimidating steps at 3:10pm.  Mengistu was the one going with me this time and we decided to go give it a try early, but knew it was a long shot.  We arrived to the pick up area with 7,200 other people a crowd of people.  We went to the appropriate window (after fighting through the crowd).  The people waiting told Mengistu they had pick-up times for 2pm and they still didn't have passports... it's now 3:20pm.  Finally, the woman at window "A" (for Asnake) acknowledged us, looked at our receipt, and told us to come around the building and to come inside.  Um.  Ok.  We still aren't 100% sure why, except that we had paid for the passport to be expedited.  Either way, we entered and inside we found 6 desks each covered with passports in stacks that were rubber banded together.  It appeared one desk held passports with names beginning with A-C, another D-H, etc.  Mengistu gave the lady our receipt and we sat beside the "A" desk while she went through the stacks.  I knew we were way early and assumed we would be waiting a long time.  The last passport of the second stack seemed to match our receipt so she confidently gave it to Mengistu.  I said, "You look first and PLEASE TELL ME OUR LAST NAME IS SPELLED RIGHT."  He looked and said, "Yes, I think so."  AND IT WAS (miracle number 3).  And it was only 3:34pm (miracle number 4).  Our baby boy has a passport and we are thrilled.  Both Tesfahun and Mengistu have assured us that from here on out, the process is merely formality.  It seems to be so.  We have even tossed around knowing when we will definitely return home, but we will hold that close to the chest for now.  I will let you know as soon as we know for sure.
When we explained to Tyson that he had a passport, he smiled big and said, "Tomorrow morning go to America?" I wish!  But, no.  He now knows what we are waiting for and we have a countdown to America going.  We all drank Mirinda's (similar to orange Fanta) on the way home to celebrate.  We had lots of spontaneous, unsolicited hugs today.  Every day it seems that the Lord gives us greater clarity and bonding with Tyson.  It was night 3 for "You and me.  Lay down. You sing. Me sleep."  He held our hands today constantly while we walked (or he held Mengistu or Tesfahun's), but mostly us.  He adores Brycen and Regan and they adore him.  He giggles when I smell his stinky socks or give him belly-button kisses and I kiss the top of his head about a trillion times a day.  I watched him as he watched out the van window today and I cried.
He set the table in the presence of our enemies.  And He allowed the tables to turn so we could taste and see that He is good.  OVER AND OVER AGAIN.  He made no subtle moves today.  They were all purposed and ON TIME.  They were all orchestrated by His mighty hand and Sovereign heart.  He left NO ROOM for glory to go to anyone else.  We all knew it was a miracle today and we all praised him.  I cried coming home with that passport.... He's just been so kind.  As I lay my head down tonight, I am reading (again) Psalm 34:8

      Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

It goes on in verse 10...
 
     Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

NO GOOD THING.  Praise You, Jesus!

Heart full.  The battle has been emotionally and spiritually exhausting, BUT SO ENCOURAGING AND FAITH-BUILDING.  I wouldn't have traded it for a smooth sail for anything!  He's taught us so much about Himself, about adoption, about this culture, and about ourselves.  Mostly, about His ability to MAKE A WAY where there seems to be NO WAY.  Our Way-Maker.

Taste and See.

He is good.

Until WE'RE home,
carrie