Good-Byes

I wanted to end this journey with one more blog entry before I am home. With my internet still down I can not post any pictures, but, I want to journal my thoughts, as always, the last day in Colombia is a very bitter sweet day for me. I have tears streaming down my face as I am typing. It is hard to say good-bye to so many dear friends. It is hard to say good-bye to the place that has been my daughter's home for the last 4 years (and of course, Marta, 20 months)...take a breath, Kristi...not only has this been our home for the last 10 1/2 weeks...but, Colombia has been in our hearts for the last 7 years...and will forever have a place deep within us! It is where God has formed our family, it is where our Representatives and Hotel staff were once just that, but, now life long friends...it is a beautiful country full of joy and despair...poverty and hope...

So, to give you a glimpse at the lat 24 hours. Last night we had our Sentencia party! Everyone taking lots of photos, Juanita making my favorite meal (Rice, Carne, Queso, and the BEST guacomole/advocado dip)!! And as dinner was winding up, Katya, again surprised us with the Colombian band that came in...more desserts...lots of dancing...at this point my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for all that the hotel staff has done for our family...and yet it was such a special time, I couldn't help but ache to have the rest of us (John, Isabel, Silas) here. Isabel would have had so much fun dancing and meeting Camila's papi. Caroline and Marta enjoyed it...I think Marta is going to be the other dancer in the family.

And then today...we had a quiet morning of packing...still can't close my suitcases...ay!! And after lunch it was a quick run to Mimos for Caroline and Jacob Houseman, one last stop at the bank, and a pastry store to buy treats for the Hotel and Isabel Romero. Isabel then picked me up this after noon and we headed back to the Embassy. We couldn't really look at each other when we talked because neither one of us wanted to cry. We picked up the girls visas. She took me back to her home to meet her grandson, Julian because I was giving her the business that he wasn't at the Christmas party, and he is very special to her...when his mother died,he lived with her...and she has raised him the last 5 years. It also gave me a chance to say good-bye to Carmen. She was so precious...she handed me this small little pouch, and in that pouch was something small for each of the kids to give to them in the future to remind them of their roots, and encourage them to be all that they can be in the future...precious...then Isabel and I said our good-byes...that was very hard...her and I have connected in a very different way this time around...she is like an aunt and a very dear friend to me...then Katya comes upstairs...closes the door, and just hugs Marta and cries. Katya still calls me "Mrs." A while ago I told her she could call me Kristi, but, it is a sign of respect to call someone "Senora or Mrs." We hugged and cried. She can come across a bit abrupt and bossy at times...but, has found a special place in my heart.

And again, tonight, they made my 2nd favorite meal...lasagna Camila took a bath with Caroline...and then dined with us. She told her mom that she was going to come live with us in Michigan...oh she wants to live in the states (and so does her mom)...and then I said my good-byes to all the wonderful staff (Juanita, Guirellmo, Valeria, Carolina)...expained as much as I can about our big day tomorrow for Caroline, tucked them in...and sat in the room and cried.

So, I've said many good-byes today. That was hard...last time with Silas we knew we were going to return for another adoption...there is something much more final about this time...even if we return in the future...a vacation or mission trip is so different from an adoption experience...This journey truly has been a journey of faith, maybe that is why it is hard to say good-bye...I had many "desert" days here (when john went home the first time...and the last 2 week stretch), where I had nothing but a desperate need for Jesus to get me through...there is something beautiful about that...and letting my Jesus fill me up...some days it took all that I had...and then God surrounded me with amazing friends here...and amazing friends back home praying...I still am overwhelmed with emotion when I think about that...

And ahhh...on to the next part of this venture. I am SO excited to see my family and friends it almost hurts!! I miss John, Isabel, and Silas so much that I flood with tears when I think about them! Although flying is not my favorite thing to do in the world...and taking 2 new little ones on the plane, through immigration, sitting at layovers is a dreadful thought to me...I am READY and I think able to get through tomorrow...prayer warriors please don't stop. I can tell Caroline has such a mix of emotions. She is excited, very nervous, one minute talking all about it, the next, not so sure....Marta, well, you never know with Marta...she is our stubborn one, with a bit of a temper, so, hopefully will keep her cool tomorrow!

That's it from Colombia! Again, faithful followers and prayer warriors...I could not have done this without you! I praise God for you...and can't wait to see many of you at home!!!