Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

There are quite often times in our life that we forget to say thank you for all that we have been given. Today I want to say thank you. Thank you to all of our family and friends for all of your thoughts and prayers. I’m not just saying that. We received so many calls, emails, notes and visits before we left. It was so comforting to both of us to know we had SO many people praying for us. What we are doing is long and trying (mentally and physically) and at times even scary. The day we left, a calm came over us. We were at peace. Thank you.

Thank you to both of our parents. Their generosity and kindness is beyond measure. We could not have pulled this off without them. They have taught us everything we know about being good parents and so much more about life. We would not be where we are today with out you. Mom, Dad, Pam, Dave - You helped us find our son. You helped bring us to our son. You have watched over our most precious gifts from God... There are no words that can thank you enough. We love you.

Thank you to Merkle. A few times a year, my company sponsors dream grants. People write in to go skydiving, swim with sharks – climb Mt. Rainier (which I won last year) and Merkle will pay for your dream (usually done with members of your team). This year, I wrote in and said that I wanted to be a philanthropist. Give $1000 away. I wrote it with Eli in mind – more realistically – the children who will still be at the orphanage once we have left. I won again. Since then Erin and have purchased boxes of children’s educational supplies (AMAZING STUFF), purchased diapers, first aid kits, medicine, baby supplies and to top things off - we bought out all of Walmart’s baby formula! In Ethiopia the cost of formula has risen nearly 300%!!! Did I mention that there are 28 kids there NOW and 20 more waiting to come into the WACAP house? We are still left with some additional funds and will spend that here in Ethiopia to help stimulate THEIR economy (I don’t want to hear any complaints about our economy anymore. Come over here first). Here is to Merkle! I’ve always believed in them – but now they have an employee for life.

Thank you to Anne and Steve Dunham and the rest of Grace Lutheran church (specifically our children’s program). Their generosity has brought in tons of donations which we have here ranging from toothbrushes to children’s games. This will make another huge impact. We also have over $500 to spend while HERE from this. Lets just say $500 can go a LONG WAY.

Thank you to Jenn Alexander. She came to me and asked me to design a website for her. Of course I can’t charge for friends (don’t any of you get any ideas now), she said she wouldn’t let me do it with out paying. So we worked out a better solution. She would do research on a baby scale and I would build the site. Since then, she has found one (with the help of her dad) and shipped it over! An AMAZING gift! This was the TOP thing that WACAP house asked for. By the way, you should listen to this CD – www.jennalexandermusic.com.

Thank you to our best friends Chris and Hilary! They are truly best friends anyone could ever ask for. Anything we missed or needed they have been there for us. And we all know how much all of the little things that add up. They are absolutely amazing. And we love them so much (even if they make fun of me for being emotional)/. We haven’t been able to update our blog, and have been doing it through Hilary... Thank you.

As we drive along the streets, people constantly come up to the windows... Outstretched hands – quietly tapping. A beautiful mom with her baby slung over her shoulder – eyes desperate for her child. A blind 10 year old girl being led by her younger brother. Children wide eyed. Singing for a gift. Crying. Its an overwhelmingly painful thing to witness. And to think, I met 28 children yesterday – including MY SON – who were THIS CLOSE from being one of THESE kids in the street. Thankful? Blessed? Just plain lucky to be born in the U.S.? I sit here in my comfortable hotel, sipping my bottled water, writing to you on my Macbook... It truly is a strange world we live in. I am thankful for all of you. I am thankful for this entire experience. I am thankful for all that God has given ALL of us.

I am OH so thankful my my son Eli!