We had a nice, slow, relaxing morning. This waking up in the middle of the night stuff takes some getting used to. After lunch and a little shopping, we headed over to Layla House. Today was the day for the Good-bye Party. It was a lot of fun. The children sat so nicely while they were waiting to get started. I don't know that the same size group of American children would have behaved so well. After a while, the singing started. It was the coolest thing. The oldest girls choose and lead the songs. They also drum on an old desk. The combination of the drumming and children's was awesome. We recognized some of the songs as children's songs that we sing back at home. After the singing, the children that were going home with their new families got to go get there cake first. After that, everyone ate cake and drank soda. It will always be a sweet memory for me.
Right before we were going to leave Layla, a social worker named Miriam, approached us. She told us that there are some of Grace's relatives that would like to meet with us and say "good-bye" before we leave. I had kind of hoped that we might have the opportunity to meet someone with some connection to her while we were here, but the reality of it is a little scary. The social worker told us that it is not her Mom and Dad, and that there is no risk of this meeting complicating our return trip tomorrow night. With those reassurances, we agreed to the meeting. We will go back to Layla House tomorrow afternoon, and with the social worker and an interpreter, we will meet these people that now have a complicated connection to us. This has been one heck of a trip!! Please pray that our meeting will go smoothly, and I won't cry too much. Ü
3 comments:
I am curious how they know who her relatives are if she was abandoned. For a variety of reasons it may be handy to at least know who these people are. It should also help them to know that she will be so well loved and cared for. We will certainly cover you and Will, and the meeting with prayer.
I am sorry but there is nothing we can do about the crying thing. Your dam has probably been leaking or ready to leak for a while. Layla sounds like such a special place and I hope to visit or maybe even volunteer sometime in the future.
We will also prayer for a safe, uneventful journey home for the three of you. You already know that our little ham will keep the plane rides interesting. If you have any needs or changes we will be monitoring the IM closely until you get home.
Love from the family crew at home,
GMC, Kayla, Tyler, Daniel, & Justin
Hi guys this is Danette
Just finally got a chance to sit down and read about your journey. Ya know I have 5 kids also, not much time for reading sometimes!
Wow what an incredible journey you are on. Sure wish there were more people able and willing to do what you are doing. Everything will go fine today, don't worry your pretty little hearts over it.
I am sitting here with tears down my face reading the comments from Kayla. She is so grown up.
I guess I will have to make an effort to get out to California to meet your family since I am the great-step aunt and I haven't met any of them. Good thing for technology and digital cameras.
Have a safe trip home and keep in touch.
Love you all
Danette & Stan
Kaylee, Abby, Joe, Ben and Ryan
I tried to post this yesterday but it just wasn't working. And by now you have already met with Grace's relatives. I don't know how you could not cry, just reading your post brought tears to my eyes. I hope all the tears you might have shed at this meeting were tears of joy and in the process Grace's relative are bound to know that God has placed her with the most loving parents and family. You are right Blaine, life is hard but I think you and Will have just traveled one of it's greatest journeys. Take Care. Love You. See you soon.
Diane
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