Finally after months of looking at pictures we would see her face to face. Would she like us? Would she cry? Would we cry? What if she screamed and hated us? We were both unbelievably nervous. I stressed over what to wear (silly, i know)...
At breakfast in the Guest Home, we met up with Joseph and Melissa again, and also met some new friends -- Tom and Liz from North Carolina and Mike and Rachele from Washington. Tom and Liz are with CWA and adopting an 8 year old boy. Mike and Rachelle were with another agency and adopting a 20 month old boy. We all chatted anxiously about our first meeting and quizzed Mike and Rachelle about their experience [since they had met their son a few days earlier]. Soon, our driver arrived and it was time to go. I had a huge lump in my throat and no matter how much I swallowed, it remained.
A picture of us as we were leaving the Guest Home to meet Elliana for the first time! |
A shepherd and his goats on the road |
Acacia Village |
Then, we saw feet coming down the stairs. It was like anticipating a bride coming down the aisle. Guess who they were holding! Sweet Elliana Geneme Jayne. She was more beautiful than we imagined. We both choked back tears. Elliana probably thought we were a bunch of blubbering idiots. :) She was so scared and reserved. Eye contact was difficult at first but she began to warm up. She seems to hide her feelings. Occasionally, she would pucker her lip and a lonely tear would stream down her face. I just couldn't help but wonder what was going through her precious mind. She would sit on my lap and occasionally look up, but then quickly look away. We showed her the photo book we brought for her and she turned the pages and looked. She seemed intrigued with the pictures of herself. She's probably never looked at a picture of herself before.
Right after our first meeting. Elliana was very frightened |
After being there for about an hour, they brought us her snack to feed to her. It was a thick oatmeal cereal with fruit. She wanted nothing to do with it at first, but then she allowed me to feed her. Yay! Success. I was surprised at the amount of food they fed her. It was a lot!
After snack and a little more time together, it was time for lunch. We took her up with the nanny and other toddlers, but I was still able to feed her. They had rice and beans for lunch. The nanny fed the other 5 toddlers, and let me tell you, they have a system! Each child has her own spoon and bowl. The nanny would continue going in the same order giving each child an over-sized bite of rice and beans (a huge spoonful). Then she would start back over at the beginning. I can see why they give them such a big bite -- it's to occupy them until they get back around for the next bite! Elliana seemed comfortable with her peers and she sat beside one little girl and they would almost hold hands and pat each other. So precious.
After lunch, all of the toddlers waddle down the hall and sit on their own potty. Some of the children are only 12 months old! I am amazed how they all just sit there... for a long time... The nanny sings songs that has arm and hand motions while they are sitting. The children were so proud when they would go! Elliana was successful {even with 2 strangers standing there watching -- probably creepy, now that I think about it!}
After potty time, all of the toddlers went down for their naps. We took Elliana with us downstairs where the staff prepared a coffee ceremony for us. She fell asleep in our arms. It was so precious. When it was time to leave, we took her upstairs and layed her in her crib. I was surprised how 'at peace' I felt when we left her. The staff at Acacia Village really love the children and it was a bright, clean and cheery place.
Elliana sleeping during the Coffee Ceremony |
Elliana's crib (and her sleeping in it) |
After lunch, we went back to the guest house and crashed as we tried to process our first two days in Ethiopia!
Coke Light (aka - Diet Coke) |
Lunch with some CWA families at the Hilton |
One of the pools at the Hilton |
This is such a beautiful God story..... I cannot wait until Day 3! Love It!
ReplyDeleteDani H