Home Free!

We just returned from the Embassy, where Davina's visa was appoved! We will pick it up tomorrow. In our talking to people here, getting a passport and a visa is nothing less than a miracle. Pulling it off in a week would be considered impossible. However as we knew before, and can confirm with even more certainty now, nothing is impossible for our God. He planned these days before the beginning of time, and was just waiting for all this to come to pass in His time. It is another great day. We have also gotten some genuine smiles today, which is great!

Davina has remembered that she is a three year old. Although a really well behaved 3 year old, she has gotten to the fidgets, and wanting to check everything, and test boundaries. Yesterday we sat front row for a 2 1/2 hour church service, which we arrived an hour early for. It was a long morning, but she did really well. She set off the alarm on my watch, and flung her elastic bracelet, and pulled out a few extensions, but beyond that, very good. I dont think anyone noticed the few little things. After we went to the Corps Officers house for lunch (he said it would be like kicking him in the stomach if we did not stay). She chowed on what may have been her last authentic Congolese food for awhile, including fufu, casaba leaves, soso (chicken) and loso (rice). She tends to eat more than me at most meals.

As I type, Davina is getting her hair done. We are at least 2 hours into this process, and hav at least one more to go. I am hoping to get some more practical help on how to do hair when we get home, this is a bit excessive I think...She had her extensions taken out yesterday, and her little afro was pretty cute. We have been told that women here change their hairstyle every day and it seems to be true. With so many extensions, lengths, colors, etc. there are a lot of options. My hair is excessively boring in comparison.

All continues to be well here, we are beginning to get ourselves packed up to return home on a Wed am flight. Hopefully Davina will sleep much of the way home, at least on the flights. It feels like we have been here forever, it will be strange to leave. Our flight home takes us through Nairobi with about an 8 hour layover, then to Heathrow, where we have about 3 hours. Fortunately, we go direct to LAX from there. It will be more meaningful to touch down this time, as it starts a new life, and a new citizenship for Davina. We are looking forward to you all meeting her, hopefully she will continue to progress quickly. Many people have commented on how quickly and well he has adapted to us, she is already very attached which is a wonderful thing.

After all the excitement, it is a bit anti-climactic to have all the necessary steps completed, but it is a huge relief. California here we come.

We love you Nate, we look forward to seeing you, and you meeting Davina!

See you all soon,

Love, Joanna Michael & Davina