IT'S OFFICIAL~ we are now a party of 6! Our adoption decree was signed off in La Mesa as well as the 2 other steps we were able to complete quickly there. We arrived haggard and slightly nauseous back into Bogota yesterday afternoon to the passport office after an intense day with Gerard. These appointments are very hard for him~ emotional and confusing~ and we feel we lose several steps forward in connection with each one. By the time we returned to the hotel though he recovered quickly, and, by the end of day, he was so excited that we were his family. He even shared how much he loved each of us ❤️
The adventure, is not over yet, however…..4 am this morning I woke up under the weather and was greeted around 8 am with the news that Bogota had issued another (yes, another) water ration and we would be without water until Thursday morning. Really? No showers and flushing only permitted at noon and 7 pm 😳. I confess my endurance is waning and all of us are close to desperate to be on American soil~ even Gerard. The anticipation of his first airplane flight and starting his new life in the States is building and with that, his hyperactivity and a natural amount of excitatory stress. He told me today he is not going to speak any Spanish in the US, only English and Chinese (which he has yet to learn but certainly does a good job of imitating in his notebook!).
We are really so close to the end now~ Luke picked up G’s passport today and our prayer requests at the moment are for:
Health and recovery, an answer to our request for an Embassy appointment quickly and for the appointment to be set for tomorrow (Thursday), a better day at the Embassy appointment with Gerard, Visa in hand by Friday, seats available on a flight out on Saturday, a safe and peaceful flight back home, continued bonding and English acquisition for Gerard, unity in the family as we navigate these last few days.
Literally, Can’t wait to see you all!!! ❤️. Also, staff here recommends pics be shared after the Embassy appointment when returning home, so they are forthcoming, God willing, in just a couple days!
By: Caty Rinehart
