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Feb 6 - Streets of Lesotho and a Rainy Day

We started the day with Daddy, Isaac and I going out in a taxi to find a traditional Basotho blanket that is one of the signature items for the culture of Lesotho. Our taxi driver was great and actually got out with us at different places to help us find a blanket and blanket pins. We didn't find the blanket pins at the stores, so he took us to a street market that was quite typical of what you see along the roads in Africa with things like pirated DVD's, etc. We did find the blanket pins there.

It was raining after we got back from shopping so wrestle-mania ensued once again in our room. :-) Later that afternoon, on our last full day in Maseru, Lesotho, we got to see a full, BRIGHT rainbow shining over the city and over the mountains. How incredibly amazing it was to wrap up our time here in beautiful Lesotho with that painted sky!

I haven't mentioned too much about our other son Drake in my posts, but oh how I love my children! Drake tonight again demonstrated what a beautiful, giving, considerate heart he has. When he and Daddy were at the grocery store, they decided to get a chocolate cake for a special last night dessert, and Drake's idea was to give the remaining cake to the guest house staff. He delivered it to them and I'm sure their hearts were warmed by his gesture!

To wrap up the beautiful night, I was giving Isaac a bath and he surprised me with a new song! He loves singing in Sesotho and does all the time, but out of the blue tonight he broke into, "Hallelujah, praise the Lord" and it was absolutely precious! Mmm, I'm just soakin in every beautiful moment, the gifts that God has poured and continues to pour over our life!

Feb 5 - Out and About and Time with Shelley!

We walked up to the mall again and got some groceries to last us until we leave Lesotho. When we went to leave the mall, it was pouring Africa rain (it's not anything like Ohio downpours, it's a REAL downpour!). So we hung around the door a little while and the rain didn't let up. As we were standing there, Isaac looked at me and said "ice cream." :-) He had a good lunch so we got him a milkshake at the ice cream shop. When Daddy was paying at the ice cream shop, they gave him a free, miniature ceramic mug that said "I Love You" and has hearts all over it. They really seem to be getting into the Valentine's holiday here which was surprising to us. Everywhere you go at the mall, people are selling roses and Valentine's stuff. The T.V. stations are already saying Happy Valentine's Day too!

We had a great dinner with Shelley and her friend Keldi tonight, along with the kids that Shelley was watching. Shelley made pumpkin, potatoes, chicken, beef in gravy, "pap" or "papa" (a local staple which is very very bland and a bit like the texture of mashed potatoes), salad, and a banana cake with chocolate frosting and fresh whipped cream. Was quite a feast! We really enjoy her company and are so blessed that our lives have intersected as they have.

Feb 4 - Wrestle Mania and Giggles Galore!

Isaac had a blast today with Drake. Lots of wrestling on the bed and endless laughter. Isaac's tummy was pretty out of sorts today though. Many times going "caca" on the toilet. Look forward to getting him back to the States and getting his digestive system cleared up!

We had to visit the Embassy again today because we were given another document that recorded the death of Isaac's birth father. Ma Mavis from the orphanage told us today that she didn't insist on a government death certificate when Isaac's father passed away because he was an impoverished man who wouldn't have any kind of estate that would require the formality of the government death certificate. (she had given us the death certificate issued by the hospital, which the U.S. Embassy has now said is not sufficient) Ma Mavis also made a comment to us saying, "I didn't think this one [Isaac] would be adopted." Wow. Thank you God for your divine plan!!!

Feb 3 - Sad Goodbye and Happy Pictures

Today started out with a big smile from sweet Isaac waking up at 6 a.m. We hung out with Ishmael (Khotso) this morning while Buster and Danielle (the other family) got packed to fly to Joburg. We played with cars and the boys had fun together. Isaac was very attached to Buster today and I continually reminded Isaac that they were going on a "sefofane" (airplane) today. Isaac enjoyed listening to Buster's country music on their iPod shuffle. When he would press a button on it, it would say names of playlists like "most recently played" and each time the iPod would speak, Isaac would say "yes" in response. Was so cute!

Our families had a pizza party together and while we were hanging out, one of the people helping us in Lesotho with the documents and stuff brought each of our families a scrapbook of photos from the kids' time at the orphanage. Isaac REALLY enjoyed looking through the photos and naming his friends, his caregivers, and singing songs he must have learned there.

Not long after, the other family headed out for the airport. When it came time to say goodbye, Isaac really sobered up and was quite sad. It wasn't until after they left that he did actually shed some tears and was tempted to work up an all out cry, but then I rocked him to sleep in my arms.

We then had a very happy evening after the nap. We played with the soccer ball for a while then came in and got on the computer to show Isaac some photos of family and friends. He was repeating everyone's name after we said it and it was so cute. He laughed at some of the older photos of Drake. He saw one where Drake had a cast on his arm and Isaac just cracked up laughing then proceeded to mimmick Drakes pose and pouty (silly) face that he had in the photo.

Feb 2 - It's a Day to Hold on to Hope

We were called to go back to the U.S. Embassy today to meet with the Consular again. She basically reported the same thing to both of us families who are adopting in Lesotho right now. The documentation on the history of our children and their orphan status apparently has not satisfied her requirements. I had to do all I could to hold back tears as she said things like "days and or months of delays" were possible and "if the Joburg investigator "does not approve the case" then we could attempt an "appeal process." I was standing there holding my precious child and I could not bear her hinting toward the implication that a door could close on us.

Switching topics, it was a beautiful thing to see Isaac get extremely excited to see Ms. Shelley at our guest house this afternoon and then again at dinner. She is a volunteer at the orphanage from New Zealand who has been a beautiful blessing on those children. The first time we said goodbye to Shelley in the afternoon, Isaac got upset and whined/whimpered for her. We assured him that she would be back for dinner. After saying our good-byes at the end of the night, Isaac thankfully was happy. He gave Shelley a hug goodbye and blew her a kiss. :-)

More of what Isaac loves:

- singing LOTS of songs and chatting away in Sesotho

What I love:

- God's reminder that holding onto hope brings light and life to me - Ephesians 1:17 - 23 was very encouraging tonight. He has "incomparably great power." Enough said. :-)

Feb 1 - It's a Beautiful Day and Stars Shine Bright!

Our God is so good to us and is with us in incredible ways! We went to the orphanage to do the official "signout" ceremony with Ma Mavis Mochochoko who runs it, and wow is she a beautiful light shining for Christ! She shone like a star. Then when night came, the stars were blanketing the sky in Lesotho and it was just gorgeous. Going right along with all this shining beauty, my reading today was Phillipians 2:14-16 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."

Back to the orphanage visit, we were just in awe that Isaac was super excited and smiley and giggly to be back at the orphanage seeing Ma Mavis and all his preschool friends. It was just so wow and amazing to us. We feared that going back might be something Isaac did not understand and did not want him feeling like we were taking him back to leave him. We prayed against that fear and God really answered our prayer! Our time there was completely light-filled... maybe except for the point at which Isaac fell into the sewage trench when Mommy was taking the photo of him and Drake - STINKY!!! Fortunately, I had some wipes in my bag and the other family was very kind to share more wipes and a change of clothing!

In sum, not only was Isaac thrilled to arrive at the orphanage, he was also still very happy to leave which was like a beautiful ray of light shining down on us!

We did learn today from the U.S. Embassy that we may be delayed beyond our intended departure date. I have incredible peace though. God is in control!

 


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