My Journal Entry, Saturday, December 6th

6:00pm Ulysses time...7:00pm Washington DC time...3:00am Ethiopia time....

We have lived an adventure and we haven't even left the country. We now sit in Dulles airport about to board in an hour for Rome, then Addis Ababa...a 15 hour or so flight. Let me flash back to this morning...

We took the shuttle from our hotel to the airport. We were so surprised that it only cost $10 to leave our car at our hotel for a week! What a blessing! We shuttled with an interesting man who originates in Kentucky, but currently lives in India, training pilots for India Air. He was in Denver, training Indian pilots at a simulator across from our hotel. He had several safety tips for us with foods and water.

We arrived at the Denver airport, such a lovely airport-windows through most of it, leaving a fresh, clear atmosphere. Bethany was wide-eyed. Our check in luggage was very close if not over the weight limit with all our donations. We prayed for favor and saw it immediately as the line we were directed to had a ticket agent right from Addis Ababa! He was so thrilled to hear our story and talked to us about Ethiopia for a long time. We showed him pictures of our new kids and he labeled our luggage, never once glancing at the scale! God's fatherly love makes a way for His children! He truly orders our very slightest step when we acknowledge and trust Him. With the heavy luggage checked luggage unburdened, we briskly walked toward security. Bethany was apprehensive, yet engrossed in the process as we took off our shoes, jewelry, and belts and emptied our pockets into the buckets that scooted their way into the imaging machine. We passed through easily, of course, and we were off to our terminal.

I am always amazed at the interesting people I see in airports, so diverse and vast. I gaze at them, pondering their stories. The young woman who stands out in my mind the most was shaved all the way around her head down to maybe a quarter of an inch. a lime green mohawk fluffy about her top and symbols and letters tattooed all the way around. Her shoes, over sized platforms with chunky six inch heels. How I longed to know her story! How interesting it must be!

Bethany did a little shopping, both getting a watch and some gum for the flight, got a bite to eat, and boarded the plane. Bethany held my hand tightly, tense with the nerves of the unknown as the plane exploded into the sky. She exceeded our expectations, not hyperventilating or panicking as we worried she might. With the window seat, she enjoyed her first ever plane ride.

We watched a movie and landed in DC in three short hours. Things were going so smoothly, I had no doubt our trip would be everything I hoped it would be.

Arriving in Dulles airport, my eyes were flooded with the most beautiful people. We stood in a long line for almost two hours surrounded by two types of people...adoptive parents and Ethiopians. The adopting parents were easy to spot and we all looked at each other knowingly. We talked with many of them and shared in the unique joy were were all feeling. One couple was from Oregon, adopting a five month old boy, another from Michigan, adopting a seven month old boy. We met a single mom traveling with her best friend, adopting a four month old girl. Eight to ten couples littered the line to receive boarding passes.

My eyes could not keep from drinking in the sight of the other type of passenger. Ethiopians are truly some of the most stunningly beautiful people on the face of the earth. The women are chiseled and elegant with smooth, chocolate complexions. They stand regal and posed, never slouching or sloppy. The men are always clothed in dress pants and nice shirts, very proud. Ethiopian eyes are famous among my friends in the adoption world. Their eyes are like no other, not even other African countries produce such a beautiful eye. Wide set, large, and almond in shape...almost sleepy with the rounded upper eyelid. Almost everyone of them had the same eyes, the most beautiful sight! As we sat on the plane, preparing to take off, Bethany and I marveled at the pure beauty of the Ethiopian women and stewardesses. Not one Ethiopian on our plane was ugly! We literally tried to find one,...just one...and from the youngest bright shining face to the oldest, deeply wrinkled woman, draped in a Muslim covering...we could find none. Beauty was in abundance.

Ethiopian people are very communal and social. They don't understand the concept of Americans not knowing and socializing with their neighbors. As we stood in line and sat on our plane, it was difficult to distinguish who was with who. They all mingled and talked as family would, completely at ease at first meeting. We imagined they viewed some Americans as rude and anti-social. We didn't want to appear that way and struck up conversations with many. One family of four was originally from Ethiopia and now living in Houston. The father worked at NASA and they were now vacationing for five weeks in Ethiopia to visit family. We helped another man with his luggage as he was over the weight limit and needed to readjust his belongings. So many gorgeous people, it was like walking through an art gallery. How blessed we are to bring such a joyous, beautiful culture into our family.

We are about to be served dinner and were supplied with sleeping patches, tooth brushes, and tall yellow socks! I opted out of the socks, although I saw alot of Ethiopians pull them clear up to their knees! Each seat can watch a movie from a list with screens in the back of every seat. Bethany is already very antsy and our 15 hour flight has barely begun. I have insisted she get out the new book I bought her and read. I wonder what the flight home will be like with two more kids!

My thoughts drift home to my kids there. Their piano recital should be over and they will be headed to work with my mom overnight. I pray their week is full of fun and anticipation for Joshua and Julianna. I will close...dinner is rolling down the aisle.

Lessons I've Learned today....God delights in shaping our journeys with creative surprises and favor. His favor makes each of us feel like His favorite.

God's intricate creation is full of beauty.

Americans need to learn something from Ethiopians in how we interact with each other. Everyone in Ethiopia is considered a brother or a sister. We, especially the church, need to rediscover this principle.