Busy but GREAT day!

The things I have learned today:
- an 11 year old, working for God can truly make big things happen! "Feeding the Orphans" rocks!
- Maxwell and Anita are scared of dogs, um, not good. And yet, they say they won't be scared of "Mommy and Daddy's" dogs. Yeah, we'll see ...
- Most children in an orphanage or foster home simply want to be touched or held. Nothing more, nothing less .. they like to be validated and noticed. Easy enough!
- Taking two children to sit at the embassy for 3 hours (no food, water or electronics allowed) is not the easiest nor wisest thing to do, but we made it without too many breakdowns.
- Maxwell literally falls asleep 10 minutes or less from our destination while riding in the car. Happens every time.
- What the children did like the last trip, they don't like this trip. Really!?!? LOL

I got hardly any sleep last night. I went to bed at 2:00 am Ghana time. Ugh. Then I tossed and turned for another hour. Alarm went off at 6:00 am, time to get ready to head to the embassy again. Managed to get a shower in before the munchkins woke up. Sweet! They were literally awake as I got out. Perfect timing. Baths, dressed, breakfast and out the door by 8:20 am. We got our own cab and he took us to the embassy. We went in and waited and waited and waited some more. After several minor breakdowns by the kids, I figured I should ask the guard about our case. He was very nice and said "You here early, right?" Yup, since 8:30! And at this point it was 11:20. Yikes. Maxwell had constant tears and Anita was trying to hold it together. Given the circumstance, I can't much blame them. They were hungry, they were thirsty, they wanted to go ... as did Mommy. The embassy doesn't allow any food or drinks or electronics ... so you sit with bare minimums. Found out Anita can write her name! And well, Maxwell can't. I was nervous to even be called to our officer's window b/c I was just there yesterday. But after the help from he guard, two of the embassy officers apologized profusely for my wait time. I simply asked if "there was "anything" I could do to expedite our case. I would really like to wrap things up this week." The officer said "No, but I worked on your case a lot yesterday and I think we'll have an answer within the next day or two." I almost broke out in tears! Seriously. I thanked him many times over and we headed back to the foster home. So proud of my little ones. They didn't cause a scene, but simply were frustrated.
As we came back to the hotel, the O'Leary's were ready to go and be out on their first delivery of donations. I was so excited to be a part of "Feeding the Orphans." I got all 3 of us changed and fed for lunch and we waited for P. Then off we went. As we drove into the first orphanage and got out, we were greeted by so many amazing kids and adults. They were so appreciative and Kristie and Sydney hadn't even done anything yet. Too cute ... too awesome. The kids simply want hugs and to be held. In which we did. Maxwell and Anita were not happy. They were so very scared. They wouldn't even get out of the van at first b/c they thought I was leaving them. Ugh. I reassured them I wasn't. Then, they both became very protective. Maxwell would push the others away and say "no, my mommy." How hard it is for them to be so scared "their mommy" could so easily be taken away. This is reality for them. Reassurance for my two was in constant need today. Sydney (11 yr. old running "Feeding the Orphans") brought her bag of school supplies and misc.. items. They loved it! Every single item. It was amazing and so cool to watch.
As we drove away, we then headed to Max and Anita's foster home to drop off more donations by Sydney. Anita asked if she was staying and I told her "no, you're coming home with mommy." After that, she was as content as could be. Her and Maxwell played with their friends and ran around. They also decided to have a "last meal" at the foster home. Really?!? White rice and chili paste. Must have wanted it b/c they ate and their little tummies were sticking out when they finished. The foster children loved their school supplies and sang us a bunch of songs. The more you see the children, the more your heart breaks for each one to have a forever home! One orphan at a time!
We left the home pretty late. We were 5 minutes from the hotel and Max and Anita were passed out! Dead little weights. I have now figured out Maxwell falls asleep 5 to 10 minutes before we reach our destination. It's kind of funny b/c it happens every time. What's even cuter is that he'll be singing looking out the window and all of sudden his little head just starts bobbing and he falls into my lap.
When we got to the hotel, I didn't need to feed them dinner b/c they had full stomachs already. Had them take a quick bath, put on their pajamas and then they each got a mini banana, tiny piece of chocolate, and strawberry milk! WoW, right? Well, treats for these two for sure!
I heard my phone deliver a text message so I went to see who it was from. It was from Adam and it read "I got an email from the embassy...they issued the visas!!!" Are you kidding?!?! I wanted to run and hug somebody, I wanted to jump up and down. Ahhh!! So, I looked at the kids and said "Guess what?" And they just stared at me. Then I said "we got your Visa's!" They just stared again. And then I said "Mommy can take you to America!" And they lost it. They were so excited! Anita started jumping up and down, shaking her bootie dancing, and Maxwell just grinned. They were ecstatic. I ran right out to tell Kristie and she and I hugged and rejoiced together!! It was an awesome moment for sure. Right before bed, Anita says to Max as she's singing it "We go to America, we go to America, tomorrow!" Well little one, not tomorrow but soon, very soon.
It will forever be remembered. Adam crying, our families crying, me crying and none of us were together to share in the tears .. but we were all together in heart!! Thank You for the continued prayers and shield of protection!!! Words cannot express my thankfulness ... truly!!! I have a lump in my throat as I write this b/c I wish there was a deeper way to truly show what each one of you mean to me during this journey! All prayers were felt big time and there's nothing like following God in what He guides us to do! Amen to that!