First time we got to SEE Gabriel with Daddy and Tanner....day 3...internet /skype WORKED!

It was a GIFT! My mommy heart jumped for joy as his little face entered onto the screen. He was so very cute getting really close to the camera and saying "hello"

(he also wanted to see the dog, the cat, the kids, the food etc)

Dave is doing an AMAZING job with his journal entries...so I will leave it and let you read on!

ENJOY!

(boy do I love that man!)

April 24, 2010 (Day 3)

We awoke, late I might add, and tried to get ourselves over to the Orphanage as soon as we could.
We arrived as the kids were just sitting down for lunch. Gabriel ran to meet us in the courtyard and gave us both a hug of greeting. Feels very good!
While inside Romana invites us to a fair/craft show for one of the schools in town. So off we went, Romana, Gabriel, Tanner, Romana’s son, Rachael and Grandma Judy.

We spent a couple hours walking around, had some lunch and had an enjoyable time. Tanner was amazed he recognized most of the music. All throughout the day there were kids dancing and singing on stage, just full of life.
I think Tanner thought all the music he listened to could only be heard in America. :-) Ahh expanding his view on how big the world really is. :-)

Tanner is doing great, when awake he is full on not wanting to miss ANYTHING that this trip has to offer, I think he really knows it is special and also doesn’t know if or when he may get to experience something like this again.

After the fair we return to the hotel this time with Gabriel for an hour or so before going back to Beacon House so Gabriel can have dinner and get settled in for the night.

I am SOOO appreciative of how Romana has worked out how to best transition the kids to their families. Each one is likely not exactly the same but I know she has worked out what works and what doesn’t and always is sensitive to what God is leading her to do in the particular situation based on the child or children being transitioned.

Before we head back though God decided to give us a gift of connecting with our family back home. The internet had not been working but this time when I tried I was able to get on and we were able to video skype with Carrie and the kids (all except Brock as it was early and he was still in bed, its Okay Brock we know you need your beauty sleep! :-)

Skype was a joy, though Gabriel was a bit distracted as the hotel had sooo many new things to touch and see what they did. I know Mom and brothers and sisters back home were very thankful as were we! I remembered being the one at home when Carrie was here with John and Victoria 2 years ago. Ahh good stuff!

We took Gabriel back for dinner at Beacon House, made arrangements for church in the morning and then came back to our hotel for dinner and in Tanners case some log sawing…he is out out out again! LOL
As for me as I close this day I am feeling much better, still 5 more sleeps (including tonite) before we get to begin our return but feeling held up and comforted.
Looking forward to enjoying what tomorrow has in store for us as we walk it out step by step….moment by moment….