Saying Goodbye -- for now

It is Saturday morning about 10:30 and I am in the Seoul Airport waiting for a 5:00 pm flight. I am so looking forward to seeing my little Emma. Yesterday, however, was the most difficult day of this trip -- saying goodby -- for now. In my heart Ellie is already mine, When I left Emma in Lubbock, I knew she was safe, loved beyond all belief, well fed, warm and night, and her future secure. Leaving Ellie is much less certain. She is in an orphanage with leaky windows, flooring worn by years of repetitive use, mismatched, patched, and in some cases missing entirely. She eats cereal from a bottle and must stop before she is ready. She is constantly bundled in clothes in the belief that doing so will protect her from sickness -- because there are no adequate funds for sufficient antibiotics if she does become ill. Her future right now seems so tenuous. I have heard it said that having a child is the very uncomfortable feeling of having your heart running around outside of your body. I found with Emma that no truer words were ever spoken. With Ellie, part of my heart is beyond my reach. Please pray for her safety and that the rest of this adoption proceeds quickly and without problem. Please pray that Ellie feels our love so many miles a way. Please pray that she comes home to us soon. Love Merinda

The road home

It is 7:00am here in Vladivostok. I have a busy day that includes visiting my little precious one -- one more time. The thought of leaving her is terrible and the thought of seeing my little Emma, bliss. I fly to Seoul today and spend the night. Tomorrow I fly to Atlanta and then Dallas. Then, Sunday, I fly home to my family whom I miss very much. Mom, please give Emma a kiss. Love Merinda

The days just get better and better

Each day is even better. I went to see Ellie yesterday and she was even cuter! Under Russian law I can't post photos, so you will just have to take my word for it. She is ADORABLE!!!!! I love her so much already. I can't wait to bring her home so we can be a family. When I get home it will be two or three months before I can come back and bring her home. I am waiting to go see her again today. Tomorrow I will go to the notary to sign the petition to adopt. Yeah!! More later. Thank you for the posts, they really brighten my day! Love Merinda

I found her!!!

Praise God, I found our little Ellie. She is just beautiful. She is a tiny little thing and a woman on the move. She loves playing and is quite ticklish. She also loves hugs and kisses. I will get to go see her again tomorrow. Please keep praying that everything goes ok with the rest of the adoption. God is Good!! Tell Emma I love her and I found her sister!! Love Merinda

Almost!!

I am pins and needles -- waiting -- waiting. I leave to see her in about forty minutes. The hotel I am staying at has many adoptive families. It is so moving to be in the middle of so many miracles. It is estimated that there are over 800,000 orphans in Russia. To see just of few of them find their families fills me with so much love and hope. I am so very blessed to be part of this. I will post just as soon as I get back. Thank you all so much for your prayers. Please include Emma and my parents in your prayers too. Love Merinda

Good news!!

Tomorrow I get to go see my precious little one!! Thank you for the prayers. Mom give Emma a kiss for me. Love Merinda

Waiting and Praying

Well, I am in the airport in Seoul, waiting to board my flight to Vlad. Please pray I will be able to see my precious girl. Merinda

Labor Pains

Well, I always tell families to "go with the flow." I am having some challenges with that right now. I, with almost OCD zeal, reserched this travel plan. I would fly Lubbock to Dallas, fly from Dallas to Seoul, stay at the transit hotel in the airport, fly to Vladivostok the next morning. -- That was the plan. Everything was on track until I got to the airport in Lubbock. The airline person could not figure out how to check my baggage all the way to Vladivostok, so she checked it to Seoul with instructions that I could get it fixed in Dallas. In Dallas the ticket agent told me that he had it fixed. Then while I was boarding (two hours after I checked in) he found me to tell me that it was not fixed and I would need to collect my baggage at Seoul. Still, I am fine -- going with the flow.

Fast forward fifteen hours, we arrive in Seoul (I am traveling with another adoptive family) Their bags are fine. On the instructions of an airline personel, we split up so that I can collect my baggage and they will go to the transit hotel. We will then meet at the transit hotel. After an hour getting through passport control, baggage collection and customs, I enter the main area of the airport and begin to look for a way to the transit hotel. Well, after going to the information desk, the Korean airlines office, and begging a customs officer it becomes apparent that I cannot reenter the departure area (only access to the transit hotel) until tomorrow morning. My fellow travelers, I hope, are safely tucked away in the hotel -- but I cannot get there. After standing bewildered in a stupor, I am brought back to the present, be shouts and signs in what appears to be some sort of protest. Later I decided it might have been a political rally, but quite frankly anything chanted in a language you don't understand by hundreds of people is, to say the least, unsettling.

At this point I am desperate to get out of the airport to a hotel. I was directed to a shuttle, at area 1. Area 1 was blocked off by police because of the demonstrations. I looked for another place, found bus lines with American hotels listed -- tried to buy a bus ticket. Was told "no" "Shuttle free -- go to area 1."

About that time I spotted a Renaisance shuttle and tried to get on -- no -- don't know why. Then it happened, in the distance, I spotted a Hyatt shuttle. I have never seen such a truely beautiful shuttle. I know, there are those of you who doubt me, those who have never discovered the beauty of a shuttle -- but I know -- I am a believer.

This who process took about three and 1/2 hours. Upon arriving at the hotel, I discovered that in the hustle and bustle, my paperwork and itinerary were stolen. Who ever got it was sorely disappointed, but I am terrified that it will keep me from seeing Ellie.

So, a hot bath calls. It is about 7:30 pm on Sunday here. My flight is at 10:00 A.M. in the morning.

Mom and Dad, please give Emma kisses!! By the way, more bars in more places, does not include Korea.

Phase Two

Well, I didn't want to post until I was almost absolutely completely certain is was going to happen. I am getting ready to travel to Russia!! I will be leaving early Saturday morning (6:45 flight). I am traveling to Vladivostok. When I started this process that is the region I said I did not want to go to -- it is far far far eastern Russia. Yet, I am pretty sure that is where my Ellie is. If you want to make God laugh -- tell him your plans. Emma is so excited. I am excited and worried and broke and everything else that comes with international adoption. I know that God will take care of it all. Please remember us in your prayers. I worry about my little Emma while I am gone. Merinda