We are in AFRICA! Safe and sound and being amazed at everything. Met our boys yesterday the 29th and took them out for yogurt drinks. They are adorable and friendly. We are waiting on the minister's office to sign the "Travel Doc." we need to start the rest of our paperwork.
Hi Girls, we miss you and love you soooo.... much! Our meeting with the boys was just as I dreamed. We waited in an upstairs room and as the boys approached I crouched down to their level and spread my arms wide open. Benedict was first, of course, and walked right to me and right BY ME! He went straight to Pete and snuggled right in on him and held onto Pete's arm. It was so cute and quite funny. Louis (pronounced, Louie) was a little more timid, though he did snuggle in on me and let me pick him up. We learned an important phrase called, "short call" which is to use the bathroom facilities, since, YES, they are potty trained for the most part. They enjoyed riding in the "auto car" and eating chips and having yogurt drinks. I even got a giggle and a few smiles by the time we brought them back to the orphanage. Louis held on tight and raised his legs as high as he could when I went to set him down. The nuns laughed and said it was obvious he wanted to stay with us. They were happy about this. WE are unable to keep them overnight until we receive our "Travel Doc." from the Minister's office, which we are finding is going to be quite a difficult task! We actually met Veronique on the street yesterday Tina, though, so far that was not too helpful. We will try again today with the boys and a big back of chocolates. We plan to have the boys with us for the day today. They are such a joy! Prayers to help the Minister see that we need to get moving on this to get back home are much appreciated at this time. Our travel was mostly uneventful, thank the Lord. This is such a beautiful country and only wish you could all experience it at least once in your lifetime.
We HAVE been trying to communicate with e-mail, text, blog for the past day and a half! I guess we just got lucky at this very moment with this one. All our love, especially to our two beautiful girls! Asia Grace, How are Edward and Lilly? Oh, ya, and Bill and Judy too! ha ha Hi to the CCC from Rwanda.

Love,
Heidi

The adoption is OFFICIAL!!!

The adoption took place this AM and we are now the proud parents of FOUR children!!! Praise the Lord! The boys now need their Rwandan passports to leave their country and visas to enter the US. Both of those items need to be done by Pete and I when we arrive next week. We are so incredibly excited right now! Asia Grace just informed me tonight that though she will miss us, she is the oldest (of her and Macie) and that she is getting older so it won't be so bad while we're gone. "The only thing is", she said, "that we won't be here for her actual birthday as she turns 8 yrs. old", "But", she said, "you will be bringing home my birhtday presents, my two brothers" and then she smiled and hugged me. What an amazing moment to be a mommy! I love my girls, they are just, well, the BEST! They are going to be great big sisters and we are so proud of them. Asia's teachers, Bill and Judy, have been absolutely wonderful as well. Offering to support Asia Grace and all who are tending to her while we are gone. It is so reassuring to know so many people, who mean so much to our girls, have been offering help in tremendous ways. God continues to overwhelm us with his plan and many blessings each day.
We are getting to the last few details of packing and planning and have begun restless nights of sleep as we get closer to our departure date. Asia Grace even informed me she is beginning to dream about the boys, something that started for me this last week as well. We thank the "Insider" for getting the word out for us last week as well.
We will be in touch hopefully at least one more time before we take off for Africa and then as often as technology, time and logistics allow for those of you who are interested in following our progress. Thank you again for the prayers everyone!

Heidi

Oct. 14, 2008

To those of you who read our article in the Concord Monitor Insider today and are wondering how to send anything to "Global Benefit". You may send it to our address at #358 Lower Ridge Rd., Loudon, NH o3307 and we will get it to Global Benefit or you may mail it directly to "Global Benefit" at #40 Willow Grass lane, Gilmanton IW, NH 03837 or visit them at www.globalbenefit.org We are thrilled to bring awareness to Global Benefit and all that they are doing to fight poverty in the world, currently focused on Rwanda.
Thank you in advance for all you support in our mission.
We hope to be posting the adoption date of our boys soon!

Good night and God Bless!

Heidi

It's OFFICIAL, we are out of here!!!

10-09-2008

We are officially out of here on Mon. the 27th! We are off to meet our new sons. We will arrive in Kigali, Rwanda on Wed. the 29th. We have now hit warp speed in this process! So much to complete, organize and plan for and so little time! It will all work out just fine, but when thinking of the big picture it can take our breath away! One piece at a time and remembering to trust God completely for all things will be our saving grace as we get closer to the finish line.
We thank you all for the continued prayers. We are so incredibly Blessed!

We will try our best to keep you updated as we begin our physical journey, though we are not so sure about internet connection along the way. We have high hopes of being able to upload pictures of the boys and the countryside and such, but we'll have to see what our options are when we get there.

Heidi

They are good to GO or should I say COME?

Oct. 2, 2008

Our boys have tested negative on the health screening and are good to travel home. We now have to get their police record to get their specific birthdates and correct full name spellings for their passports. We will be ordering our tickets to fly very, very soon! We are so thrilled to think we will be meeting our new sons in just about 3 weeks!!! Thank you all for the continued prayer and support in many ways. We will keep you posted.

Heidi