Albania Days 15 & 16

Day 15:

As the last pieces of paperwork are added to our file to given to our Albanian adoption judge, our team discovered one document missing--as my girly is over the age of 12 she needs to give consent to the adoption; because she is blessed with an extra chromosome, a pediatric psychiatrist needs to attest to her intellectual ability to actually give consent. Thankfully, our new best sister friend is a sassy polish nun and she made a few calls "suggesting" it was in everyone's best interest to have this event take place today...yes, we'll be there in one hour, God Bless You. (She could charm the socks off a duck!). So my girly put on her best dress and when asked "who do you want to be your mommy?" she pointed proudly at me "Mommy!" Sweet girl. She is so excited to go to America she can't see straight! Now, with that document complete our file officially goes to the judge in the morning. The judge will have about a week to review it and then grant us a court date. Please comtinue to pray for quick hands and decision making as we enter this mid-section of our trip. And for my girl's heart--she is so very excited and there is still several hoops to jump through. I am hopeful that once we have a court date I will be able to take her out of the orphanage for an hour or two at a time for family field trips. 

Day 16:

As our file way being delivered to the courthouse this morning I did my daughter's nails. A completely benign and normal mother-daughter thing to do, but keeping life as normal for her as possible as we quietly interfere for her little life is what the last 9 months has been about. "On earth as it is in Heaven..." There must be so very much we, as children of God, are unaware of as He advocates for us.

Skyping Gramma and Isaac (or Isaaci as she has been known to call him when she is excited!) during our morning visits is a new and very exciting activity. "Te dua Gramma! Te dua Isaaci!" (I love you Gramma. I love you little Isaac). Such a silly girl!

We visited our new friends who just welcomed their first child. What joy to celebrate with the family of God! As we sat in their byreke shop enjoying local traditional Albanian foods I watched my 7 year old dig in like he was enjoying pizza with friends. I couldn't help but be in awe. He has handled this trip like a pro and has zero clue that it is not normal for kindergarten graduates to trek across the globe, live amongst the people and eat local cuisine. The fact that he brought him an extra chromosome has made no difference. I'm proud of my boy and pray that this summer plants deep seeds in his heart. And I'm particularly excited for the seeds of travel and missions that are in store for the heart of my girly ❤

Albania Days 13 & 14

DAY 13:

     We are at our hotel across town soaking in the a.c and wi-fi. Yesterday it was 106 degrees and my spleen felt like it was going to melt. 

     After I got back from the orphanage this morning, no joke we literally sat in our air conditioned room each on our own beds, each with our own tablets/phones/computers and veg'd ALL day. What a treat for our bodies and minds.

Also, Annie ate octopus tentacle!

DAY 14:
Oh the joy of sleeping in! Today is actually the first day in 3 weeks we've been able to do that. Hallelujah! We take our time this morning at the hotel, savoring the delicious breakfast platters brought to our table. Seems we are the only guests at the hotel this weekend and the barebones staff, while very hospitable and eager to please, do not speak English. Its been an adventure ordering food and asking for more towels!

     On our To Do list today is getting me some sandals. I brought two brand new, high quality sandals with me expecting a large amount of walking. The previous pair of the same brand had lasted me two summers so I thought surely two new pair would service me well through a couple of months in Albania...nope!

So our YWAM missionary friend recommended the best place to buy a new pair of sandals at...the Gypsy Market! What a fun experience! (Annie was soaking it ALL in!!) Sadly, a size 10 women's sandal is a bit of an oddity in this neck of the woods, so I ended up with a pair of men's sandals that will ensure that I remain single while in Albania. (Probably best to not have to make any changes to my adoption file).

Our friend also took us up to Panorama Point giving us a birds eye view of the lovely city that is hosting us. Simply lovely and completely surrounded by mountains!

Albania Days 11 & 12

DAY 11:

We are finding our natural rhythm to the day. I visit the orphanage in the morning and spend time with my girly. When I come home at lunch, Isaac and I can play, work on his homework, take a nap/rest and prep for our afternoon family visit. If the weather is cooperating, we walk the 3/4 mile to the store and produce market to stock up on 2 or 3 days worth of groceries; getting another 10-14L of water is almost a daily occurrence...as is ANOTHER watermelon!  Annie has become our resident creative chef. She found a recipe for 3-ingredient nutella brownies (delicious!) that we were able to share with the Sisters, and she literally cheese-grated a frozen watermelon to make watermelon slushies (Isaac ate all of it before any of it made it to our glasses!).  Mom has tweaked available foods to make some rock solid cheeseburgers and rice & bean tacos.  We've tried some other home favorites and just added "Albanian" to the front of the recipe to declare "we really have no idea how this is going to turn out" (ie: Albanian nachos--not a winner).  Thankfully, in the very limited frozen food availability we've found chicken nuggets, which Isaac will eat whether they are Albanian or not. 

We have to get a bit more creative in the evenings. Wi-fi has been difficult to get consistently and unfortunately the technology/entertainment we brought either doesn't work or needs the wi-fi. Tonight we escaped the heat by piling into the one bedroom with some air conditioning and streamed a movie with the little bit of wi-fi that we could get.  #classicmissions

My girly is doing well. She had a bit of a shut down today after I needed to redirect her, but this time it was only 20 min of shut down instead of 70. That is progress!  What's even better is her willingness to feel safe with me afterwards. She is learning to trust <3 

DAY 12:

We arrived at the orphanage this morning for a family visit to a surprise orphanage field trip to the park and some errands needed for my girly's court paperwork.  It's been my prayer from the very beginning that the hearts of my children would be knit together. Isaac has been an only child his entire life, never needing to share the love of his primary caregiver and has struggled greatly with separation anxiety. She has never known the undivided love of a mother figure and is about to go through a major adoption/trauma transition that can permanently impact how she ever connects with people again. Then add 6 years of age difference, two different languages and down syndrome to the equation and relationship checkbook doesn't exactly balance well.  But God.   Isaac has done amazing well with his new sister. He asks for her daily and enjoys showing her new things, but she has struggled sharing this new mother she was just given. Today at the park was a hopeful insight into what I hope their relationship will be.  Touching. Cooperating. Together. THIS. IS. SUCH. A. BIG. DEAL. 

My girly even adventured onto the slide by herself. Her mobility is hindered by what I suspect is an undiagnosed congenital hip issue that was missed at birth. She struggles to walk for any length of time and stairs give her trouble, not to mention any kind of outdoor activity. Repeatedly climbing to go down the slide at the cheers of her mother & little brother was a really big deal...and she knew it!

For us, we are celebrating completing 2 weeks in Albania by checking into a local hotel and soaking in their air conditioning and wi-fi for a few nights. We have struggled with the heat and now that we are starting to feel better (my cough still lingers), an Albanian stay-cation seemed like a good way to let our bodies rest a bit.  Plus...Albanian FOOD!

Now THAT is an antipasto plate!

Albania Days 9 & 10

Day 9:

After 8 days of struggling to fill our down time (which is quite a bit between orphanage visits and the wi-fi is not consistent and the DVD player we brought doesn't work and it's 10000 degrees outside), we ended up with a busy day today.   Annie joined me at the orphanage this morning to help a volunteer physical therapist do physio-play therapy with the babies and some of the toddlers. This is a once per week event that stretches the muscles of children that aren't used when you don't play. Play is something that is ultimately taught and as wonderful as the Sisters are at the orphanage, they are overworked and understaffed. Keeping children safe, fed and clothed is priority--sitting on the floor to play with the little ones is a rare event. I've been apart of two weeks of physio-play now and the kiddos absolutely light up when the bag of toys come out (something they don't normally have access to).  While my girly and I went and made our own hairbands, Annie was in holding and massaging babies who don't regularly receive the loving caresses of mommas or daddies. 

The in-country director of our adoption agency met with us afterwards to review the foreseeable schedule over the coming weeks.  It looks like we will be here through mid to the end of July if everything goes as anticipated without any major hurdles but we continue to pray for favor and SPEED. Right now we are waiting for a government psychologist to clear time on her schedule THIS WEEK (it's already Tuesday evening as I write this) to observe us and complete her report for us to submit to our judge next week. 

The afternoon was spent in a taxi completing a whole list of errands. We walk everywhere which limits the number of items we can carry back to our apartment. We tried putting Isaac in charge of our last watermelon...he used it as a pillow and immediately fell asleep. Carrying him, the watermelon and 5L of water in my backpack to our 3rd floor walk-up apartment was a feat!

Thankfully, our taxi driver today has served most of the adoption families formally in our apartment and helped us navigate all our needs--FILLING his taxi with our items (including two more fans for our sweaty selves!)

Day 10: 

We made a list last night at dinner of five things we love about Albania thus far. The top four were all food!  Ladies and gentlemen, if you are going to have to move to a country to adopt your child pick a country with amazing food!  There is literal moaning at the table when we get to eat traditional Albanian food. SO VERY GOOD.  There is a lovely Christian couple around the corner from our apartment that own a traditional Byreke shop (Albanian philo-quesadilla = YUMMO). They invited us down today after my morning orphanage visit to fellowship. What a treat to actually know someone here and to share our hearts for the Lord. Our stay was longer than expected as we needed to shelter from the freak storm that blew in--we returned to our 3rd floor walk up apartment to find it flooded from the rain that poured in through the windows!

I'm getting to know this girly of mine. She doesn't have my genes or blood but the Lord has asked me to give her my heart...and therefore His. She is wicked smart and is a pro at puzzles. She craves one on one attention but needs to know that she is safe in that space. She has a cunning sense of humor (just found out she has been calling me "old lady" to my face and I didn't even know it! Boy did she giggle when I figured it out!!). And she L-O-V-E-S music and has already memorized the Albanian version of "No Longer Slaves" after hearing it on my phone just a few times.  She has been raised by women that love the Lord and have given her that same heart. I am honored that I now get to assume the Mantle of Motherhood for this girl and see her blossom into the woman God will have her to be.

Albania Days 7 & 8

Day 7:

I’m super sick. Sinus infection, bronchitis and a tummy bug.  It isn’t pretty, plus it’s HOT. Mom is slowly getting over her bronchitis and we are thankful that Isaac & Annie (and my girly) are staying healthy. We push out of the house this morning to find the Elbasan Castle—left over from the Ottomon Empire.  I would love to say that we were awe-struck, but underwhelming is probably a better descriptor from the area we saw.  The depth of history is indeed amazing though. We are hopeful to find the 'cool part' sometime soon.  We stumbled upon a mini kids amusement park which Isaac thoroughly enjoyed and were able to navigate ourselves around town back to our neighborhood. We are starting to get a feel for the ebb and flow of the city and it’s people.  (Although Annie strongly discouraged buying any bras being sold from a tree). It is empowering to be able to get from point A to point B independently in the midst of some very generous peoples.

A family visit to the orphanage in the evening. This has been the pattern we have fallen into thus far. One on one visits with Mommy in the morning and family visit time in the afternoon. Jealousy has been a bit of an issue for both children, but more difficult for the newest member of the family.  Finding out you get to have a Mommy to all your own AND you have to share her with a little brother is not as romantic as it may seem. But slowly, we are forming a family bond. “Mommy, Isaac, Sister” is a mantra a repeat over and over and over throughout the day. We are a family of three; we do things together, including play, love, and forgive.    Play-dough was the theme of the night. I’m not sure she had ever seen play-dough before so it was fun to let her fingers explore and her mind create.  During our visits, I’ve introduced a visual communication board to help foster English AND sign learning (my girly gets to learn two languages at once!). Tonight she initiate her first English /ASL word = ball!!  We all clapped and hooted and hollered our congratulations!  She is a wickedly smart girl. I can’t wait to see what is locked up in the noggin of hers one she is given the gift of education.

Day 8:

A major breakthrough. She initiated touch!  This is major in the adoption front. Through the last week she has responded to my touch but she has not initiated any of her own. During our family visit time this evening, playing with sidewalk chalk and a ball, she climbed up onto my lap and grabbed my face pushing our cheeks together. MAJOR MILESTONE.  She also allowed Isaac to join us in a family pile picture—also a big breakthrough! She is learning I can love them BOTH equally. There is safety in a heart of a mommy.

My girly clearly understands the concept of mother and brother but Grandmother has been a difficult concept to convey.  How do you describe your mother's mother who consults like a mother but really isn't a mother but acts like a mother, only grander? It's a tough concept when you've never had a family. She joyfully calls out "Gramma!" during our family visits, but then extends for a friendly handshake (which is actually quite comical). Gramma is teaching her how to be loved by an extended family--it's slow but sure.  

I’m feeling a touch better but waiting for some precautious antibiotics to kick in a long with a steroid inhaler (something I've never needed before). My mom is finally starting to feel better and we are so very thankful that everyone else is staying healthy---must be the 10-14L of water we are going through nearly every day!

Albania Days 5 & 6

DAY 5:

We arrived back from the communion late last night and stayed at the Bethany Christian Services guest house.  Collapsed is more like it. The drive home was under a massive full moon that shown down on the old Ottoman era castles on the hills above us and I desperately wanted to see all of it, but the eyelids would just not stay open.  

The sweet Sisters and my girly came and picked us up early to head back to Elbasan. My girl was still in her beautiful white dress and white flower headband, still glowing from her big event.  "I got flowers from my mommy!" she said over and over again.  Break my heart. <3

The rest of the day was a much needed day of rest. We finally unpacked our bags and sorted the kitchen and figured out how to get to the MOST AMAZING ALBANIAN GELATO OF ALL TIME.  I didn't even bother saying 'good bye' at the end of our visit---'see you tomorrow' seemed much more truthful. 

DAY 6:

A day of breakthrough.  Up till now, every day my girly has been smiles and full of excitement at my arrival--walking around the orphanage showing me off to the sisters and caregivers like a new doll "Mine Mommy. Mine Mommy!"  The Sisters met me at the door today to mention that my daughter cried crocodile tears after yesterday's drop off and refused to get out of the van.  Awful as this news was, I knew this was good--she is attaching and desires not only my presence, she grieves when I am gone. She is opening up her heart. Thank you Lord. 

  

Today was a family visit, with Gramma, Isaac and Annie. My girl was excited to see us but when our first moment of gentle parenting redirection needed to take place she shut down...hard.  It was over an hour of staying by her side, pursing her heart: I will not leave you, my dear; Behavior does not change my heart for you; You are safe in my love. We will go through this together. You are loved and wanted.   When she softened and turned toward me again, her eyes were eager for reassurance.  Your mommy is here, love. Mommy is HERE. 

Annie and Gramma and Isaac got to help with the little ones in the orphanage while I was with my girly. Isaac was an amazing helper making sure that one little I so wish I had a picture of this, but more important was our family talk about helping babies without mommas or grammas or brothers just like Jesus does; how proud it makes Jesus when we listen and obey, even when we are feeding babies.  He nodded quietly and I pray the Holy Spirit is planting deep seeds in his heart.  

Specific prayer requests:

• Health. My mother came to Albania with a bad cold that has developed into a yucky bronchitis. I woke this morning with similar symptoms and feel absolutely disgusting.  We don't have time for this and need to make sure that Annie and Isaac stay healthy.
• Physical strength.  We are having a really hard time with the heat and next week it is supposed to be nearly 100 degrees with high humidity. Our apartment is large and breezy with several fans but we have yet to find any real reprieve from the heat, which makes a happy heart difficult.  
• My girly's heart. She has had a wild week thus far and is as stressed as the rest of us are with no real way to share her heart.  Please be praying for the Holy Spirit to rest heavily on the orphanage and myself as we help guide her through this process. 
• Continued favor with the judge. The judge has asked for some extra documentation that our team is able to provide and there is no apparent concern at this time, but continued favor is still needed (along with QUICKNESS!)

Thank you all!  Excited that you are on this journey with us. 

Albania Day 4

Today was a special day...my girly's first communion. Special for her spiritual heart, yes, but also for her emotional heart---her MOMMY and family were there to see it, to take pictures, to take pride, to give flowers. A face of her own to find in the crowd. Two very big firsts in my daughter's life.

(This photo is getting framed!  hahaha. Our first family photo--one child refusing to look at the camera, the other trying to get his shoe off. This is about to be my life for a very long time!)

After a quick "bonding" visit at the orphanage in the morning, we all piled into the Sisters of Charity van and drove 30 min to the capital where our American tribe was dropped off at the Bethany Christian Services campus.  Ever ridden in the back of a van driven through Albania by a sassy Polish Sister?! I've now crossed that experience off my bucket list!  (Annie LOVED it!)

Our missionary friends drove us the remaining 2.5 hours Northwest to the upper border of Albania where my Sweet Girl has lived for the last 7 years.  The city is simply lovely--I hope we get to spend some more time up there. 

My girly was primped and preened by the very excited sisters at the orphanage and she was presented as a glowing princess. Excited is an understatement--both for her and the sisters. I found myself beaming--she has worked hard for this; she understands why Christ died for her and that only He can take away our sins. The Sisters have introduced her to her Savior, it's now my job to help her form her own relationship with Him. <3 

This sweet woman is who I had hoped to meet. She has raised my girly in the orphanage for the last 7 years and has been the women who hugged her when she was hurt and pulled her into her own bed when she was ill.  As we embraced we both were in tears. "I have been praying for you and we will always be family now because of Jesus", she said.  All I could manage to say was "when we all get to heaven our girl will have THREE mothers."  The family tree of Christ is going to be ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL  mess of knots, twists and turns, just as it should be.

It was a beautiful day and I was proud to be a part of her special day. Isaac did AWESOME sitting through the 90min event but accidentally declared the altar looked like the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin (in all honesty, it kinda did). He also didn't understand why there wasn't any popcorn--I still need to tease that misconception out.  But he was proud too pointing her out in the crowd "Sister! Sister!"    

A family that loves Jesus. That is what we are.