Gotcha Day

Today rivals the day I married Brant and the days I
birthed our three children. There really aren’t words
to describe today. But you know me. I’ll give it my
best shot. Smile.

We arrived in to Addis early this morning after
meeting my mom at Heathrow yesterday. We all slept
some on the long flight, but sheer adrenalin kicked in
as soon as we started to descend in to Ethiopia. I
was mesmerized. Years have gone in to this day, and
the reality of it all really hit me as soon as I
caught my first glance of the landscape of this
marvelous country that has given me two of its
precious children.

We checked in to our hotel, showered, and were picked
up at 1 PM by our agency’s staff here. The ride from
our hotel to the foster home was the longest ride of
my life. My heart was pounding, I kept pushing back
tears, and I wasn’t sure I was breathing.

We pulled up to a big gate, and were slowly greeted by
some children. So polite and eyes the size of
saucers. You could tell they knew who we were… but no
Bode Samuel or Bella Adanech appeared. And then, just
like that, they rounded the corner, and the first
picture I’ve attached shows you the moment (way to go,
Mom). We dropped to our knees, tears flowing, and
gathered them up, just like we’d dreamed we would.
They were completely silent, but eventually the smiles
started being thrown our way, ever so shyly. After
I’d held Bella for a bit, she reached over and kissed
my cheek. You can’t imagine. You just can’t imagine.
I can’t even write it without crying. And Bode
burrowed right in when it was my turn to hold him… as
though he knew his place. My heart is so warmed by
these children.

They showed us where they’d lived all these months,
and in Bella’s room that was full of girls her age,
they all came up to her to say their goodbyes. You’ll
notice by the picture that I was choking back sobs…
truly. It was her family. But she has been grinning
and hugging and prancing about ever since, so even
though I know her heart hurts, she has a glimpse in to
what might be ahead for her.

Bode is just as I suspected. He is a DUDE. He’s
already winning hearts at the hotel, kicking his new
soccer ball every which way (and can I just mention
that the kid is CRAZY coordinated?!). When he smiles,
I just fall in to those pools he has for eyeballs…
just wait and see. You won’t believe him.

Bella is shy, but dainty and sweet. She keeps looking
up at me and smiling. She’s hardly said a word, but
her little giggles and hugs communicate volumes. She
was ready for parents – it’s been obvious all day.
And her new surroundings are overwhelming, I think –
the beauty in this place we’re staying (thanks to some
dear friends in Denver) is unparalleled in all of
Ethiopia, and she just keeps staring at everything. I
can’t imagine what’s going through her little head.
But I can tell she appreciates the beauty. It’s
obvious. When I got out all the little dresses that
I’d packed for her, she kept smiling and burying her
head in a pillow… by the last dress, she was wiping
silent tears out of her eyes. Made me cry, too.
Goodness, you just can’t imagine.

Gave them their first baths tonight – each by
themselves – and it was a wonderful bonding
experience. I imagine it’s the first hot bath they’ve
ever had. Bella especially enjoyed all the Carol’s
Daughter products I used on her afterwards – her hair
smells like heaven.

We’ll try to post again in a couple of days – internet
service is sporadic and difficult here. We’re headed
to bed soon – we are one wiped out group. We will
fill out paperwork tomorrow, then head to our Embassy
Appt on Tuesday. Love you all, and can’t WAIT to get
home with our little darlings… especially to our
children at home – oh, how we miss them!!!! Karen…
for all SEVEN of us…

London is topnotch...

So much for jogging today. Instead, I stared at the ceiling until 3 AM, which turned out to be quite helpful, considering the blaring fire alarm went off in the hotel about that time. I was the only guest who wasn't awakened out of a dead sleep. We were quite the lot out on that street corner, I'm telling you. Brant and I threw on our robes, and quickly discovered that Europeans actually get dressed for such events. Oops. Smile. Turns out the building next to our hotel had caught fire, so the middle-of-the-night adventure was worth it. Climbing back up 6 flights of stairs at that hour is quite unsettling. Nevertheless, we were back in bed by 4 AM.

After Brant's work was completed this afternoon, we took off on a walking tour of the city. Westminster Abbey, The House of Parliament/Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, The National Museum, Buckingham again... but the art at the Museum was my favorite. I left so inspired and moved in my spirit. Beauty is everywhere in London -- you can't miss it.

We stumbled upon a Sri Lankan restaurant near Buckingham Palace and had a fabulous meal there. As most of you know, we plan our lives around food. Smile. This place did not disappoint.

Tomorrow we'll wake up and go running together in Hyde Park, pack up, and then we'll hang with my college friend, Debbie, and her husband. Then we'll head to Heathrow and meet up with my mom. Brant and I are REALLY giddy about Sunday's events. After all of these years, we're THIS close to adopting children, and it's electrifying. I'm not sure I'll sleep for the next 3 days! Love you all... I'll post again AFTER we get the kiddos!!!! OH JOY!!!! Karen

Jolly Old England...

Greetings from chilly England! We are officially on our way! The first 36 hours of our trip had me in a daze... it all felt so surreal, and I was low on sleep from my trip to Cabo 2 days prior to our departure (for my college friend Ahna's wedding). However, I'm now feeling the sheer bliss of the reality that awaits us in 3 days. Bella and Bode are so close. The fog of jet lag is clearing, and I'm completely charged by the diversity that surrounds me on the streets of London -- different languages are spoken everywhere, and the skin colors range from the very light to the very dark, dressed every which way -- reminding me of God's artistry. I've probably stared more than I should, but I'm simply in awe. How I love to travel.

Our flight from Denver was uneventful, and as soon as we dropped our bags at the hotel (which is in the Belgravia district near Buckingham Palace and Sloanes Square), we walked for miles in the sunshine -- a rare day indeed! The Palace simply sparkled, as did the miles and miles of city parks... just glorious sights. I never tire of walking amidst all the beauty here, architecturally and otherwise...

Today, Brant went to work and I kept true to my promise to let the wind blow me where it may... espresso and pastries in Sloanes Square, an hour-long jog through Hyde Park and Kensington Palace/Gardens, a stroll through the Victoria and Albert Museum ("The Supremes" special exhibit caught me off-guard -- hilarious), more espresso at Costa Coffee (Italian) and lots of people-watching through the windows there. Then to Harrod's to gawk. Smile. Capped off my afternoon with a slow walk through the rose gardens in Hyde Park. I sat near one fountain for 30 minutes and was completely still. It's amazing what you can "see" when you're still. Rejoined Brant and enjoyed a fabulous Lebanese dinner, then an after-dinner walk through various gardens. Though my feet ache, my soul is rested.

Tomorrow Brant will work again, and I'll probably jog in a different location and discover who knows what. Then we'll meet up in the late afternoon and head to the National Museum in Trafalgar Square. Saturday morning we'll have brunch with my college friend, Debbie, and her husband, Rob, who live near our hotel. And Saturday evening we take flight to Ethiopia after meeting my mom in Heathrow airport -- we are SO close!!! Lots of love... Karen

Leaving next week...

Next Tuesday, the 13th, Brant and I will embark upon the most meaningful trip we've ever taken together. We will leave as two, but return as four. Actually, make that seven. The Schelhaas Seven. Love the ring of that.

We will stay in London from Wednesday to Saturday evening while Brant does some business for his company, and I'll wander the streets and end up where the wind blows me. We'll also get to see my dear college friend, Debbie, and her husband, Rob. On Saturday night, we'll fly out to Rome, and then to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, arriving early in the morning on the 18th. My mom will meet us in London and make the long trek with us. She is going to Africa to get her grandbabies, no if's, and's, or but's about it. Love that about her. We're excited to have her along, and know she will be incredibly helpful -- not to mention that I can't imagine this moment in my life happening without her presence. My in-laws will stay behind and love on our three kids here, and my dad and friends will pinch-hit from time to time. Yea for the village concept!

On Sunday, the 18th of May, the children we've longed for will be placed in our arms. And perhaps they'll cease to breathe right there and then, because I can't even begin to imagine what will be surging through me that will cause me to hug them with all that is within me. We may never let go!!!! Smile. Promise to upload pictures as soon as possible so that you can see us clinging to these precious little ones for dear life!!!

We'll depart for home on the evening of May 23rd, arriving in DC on the morning of the 24th. My two brothers and their families will meet us at the airport to get their first glimpes of their long-awaited niece and nephew. Oh, how our families have embraced these children -- it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

Then we'll head for Denver... and at long last, Bode and Bella will meet their siblings who have prayed for them for years, as well as the rest of their grandparents and relatives. That moment just has me dizzy with excitement and raw emotion.

I have never in my life been more aware of what Jesus did for me as I am at this moment -- it is because of His great sacrifice that I have life, and such a joy-filled life at that. What is striking me in the most vivid of colors, as I plug away at my never-ending list in preparation for our trip, is how He moved heaven and earth to call me HIS child. What we're doing in this adoption of Bella and Bode pales in comparison, yet it is a powerful picture God is using to stir my soul toward a deeper love for Him. I cannot believe He chose ME. We received pictures of the kids last week that show them looking at our photos in the albums we made for them, and they're grinning from ear to ear -- I believe they know they've been chosen, and it has changed them. The looks on their faces are different than before... and I can understand that in my spirit. Love that's given unconditionally is transformative.

We invite you to journey with us as we leave next week... and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the investment you've made in our family over the years as we've walked this long but thrilling road... Karen... for all of us.

Pics of the kids...

Here are our precious darlings... Bella Adanech Burka Schelhaas and Bode Samuel Burka Schelhaas

Gifts...

The countdown has begun! We are leaving on May 13th
for the journey of a lifetime, and each day that
passes increases our excitement about our dear
children, Bella Adanech and Bode Samuel. Attached
you’ll find several pictures we just received last
week – I could just eat them up! To me, Bella looks
like she knows she’s been given a family – her eyes
are bright with expectation. I think Bode looks like
a dude. Smile. Can’t wait to wrap them up in that
forever embrace we keep dreaming about…

So many of you have asked about our “needs” for Bella
and Bode, and how you might celebrate their
homecoming, and it is only because of all these
requests that we are sending out this email. We have
thought long and hard about it, and hope you’ll take a
minute to consider our proposal.

We don’t need anything. These children are going to
have more than they can imagine with regard to
clothing, shoes, toys, and sheer space in which to
live. It is our joy to provide these things for them,
as God has blessed us with the ability to care for our
children. For this, we’re eternally thankful.

That said, the most honoring thing you could do to
celebrate our newest children, in lieu of gifts sent
to us, is to give back to the orphanage in which they
lived for nearly a year in their home town of Awassa.
It is the place that offered them shelter, food and
care when they needed it most. This orphanage is not
like the home in Addis where we will pick them up –
all of the kids living there have been matched with
families and are awaiting their parents’ arrivals. It
is a joyous place where hopelessness has been replaced
by such bright hope. But the Awassa orphanage is
quite different, in that the children are all true
orphans with no other place to call home. Many have
been plucked off the streets, and many are AIDS
orphans. They will not necessarily all find “forever
homes”. This disturbing fact chokes me to a
suffocating despair in my spirit, and I am honestly
afraid that the images I’ll witness on our trip will
scar me for life. But then again, scars are necessary
reminders, aren’t they, and spur us to action…
sometimes to change the world as we know it.

That said, every dime you send will go straight to the
orphanage for any and all needs they have – and the
list is long. No administrative fees will be taken
out of your donations by our adoption agency,
Christian World Adoption, who has graciously offered
to funnel all of our money through their foundation
for tax benefits. They will in turn give the full
amount to the Awassa orphanage. Please, please
consider giving to orphans who do not find themselves
in our children’s shoes. Your gifts will be given to
the orphanage in one lump sum “in honor of Bode Samuel
and Bella Adanech Schelhaas” from their “new village”.
Smile. YOU are in that village.

If this is something in which you’d like to
participate (and PLEASE don’t feel obligated – again,
we are only providing this opportunity because so many
of you have asked us about gifts!), please send a
check to “Christian World Foundation” with an EARMARK
that says “Awassa orphanage – Schelhaas”. The address
is 777 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

These gifts are truly what will bring us the most joy.
Thanks so much for considering this life-changing
gesture. Lots of love, and with a grateful heart...
Karen, for all SEVEN of us.

Journey to Ethiopia...

We are leaving on May 13th! Our Embassy date has been
scheduled for May 20th, and we must be present at that
appointment.

We will leave Denver and head to London on Tuesday,
the 13th. Brant's company would like for him to run
some meetings with their staff there, so they are
paying for his ticket and our hotel costs in London.
This will be a great time for us to recover from jet
lag, as we want to be on our toes by the time we land
in Addis Ababa!

We'll leave for Addis on Saturday evening, the 17th.
We'll arrive on Sunday morning, the 18th. Our bags
will be dropped at our hotel, and then we'll be
whisked off to the foster home to MEET OUR CHILDREN.
It feels surreal even as I type it. I can't believe
that after nearly 8 years of trying to adopt children,
we will actually have our arms around Bella and Bode
in less than 6 weeks!

We'll keep you posted! Isn't this exciting??!! Our
heads are literally spinning with details. And by the
way, I am feeling better each day. The healing ebbs
and flows, but overall, I am getting better. My
surgeon is happy with my progress. I hope to be 110%
by May 13th! Karen