Day 8: Stayed inside

We were not allowed to visit Valentin until 4:00pm.  From now on we are allowed to visit from 4:00 - 6:00.  We would much rather visit him in the morning, but what can you do?  They always tell us we will have two hours with him but they always come and get him early.  It's hard but soon enough we will get him all the time!


We decided to keep Valentin inside today.  We want so badly for him to experience the freedom of being outside but our first priority here is to bond with him and help him learn to trust us.  Our goal is to get him out of that darn stroller and sitting with us and playing around, and we just cannot do that outside because he is too focused on the other kids and there are just too many watchful eyes on us, so inside it was.  They left us alone in the room and said they would only come if they heard him cry...thank you, finally!  He was a little freaked out by the room and we knew if we tried to hold him again he would cry and the nannies would come so today we just got him used to the room, then tomorrow we will unbuckle him and see what happens.  Towards the end of our visit he dropped his book and really showed interest in getting out of the stroller to get it, that was a great sign since before he only felt secure when IN the stroller.  Baby steps.

We showed him Baby Signing Time videos on the iPad and he LOVED it!!!  We also found out he is ticklish...so stinkin cute!

I cannot go another day without thanking all of you again for your prayers, emails, comments, and encouragement!  It would be very easy for us to get frustrated, lonely, and depressed here...VERY easy.  But God has been so good to give us that peace that passes all understanding.  And the faithful prayers being said for us have had a huge impact.  We feel those prayers guys!!!!  And we need them, desperately!  I know how easy it would be for all of you to get tired of reading our blog and praying for us, yet you keep on...and we keep on.  I wish I had more then a simple thank you.


Just to let you all know what is going on, we will probably not be blogging for a few days.  We will visit Valentin at 4:00.  By the time we get back, eat dinner, FaceTime the kids, and get pictures and video downloaded we are spent so probably no blog tonight.  Then tomorrow (Thursday 4/26) we are taking the day train back to the capitol for an afternoon official appointment (hopefully I can share why in a couple of days) then an overnight train back to Valentin's region and another busy day on Friday.  Hopefully I can get everything caught up on Saturday.


Just a quick prayer request too, Tyler can leave on Saturday to return to work and come back for our court hearing (we estimate will be 5/15) but there are two very big holidays happening in the next two weeks here and our travel agent cannot find one single seat on any flights out of here until next Tuesday.  Tyler only has a certain amount of time off work and he is going to need it to come back for court and then to come back again to help me get home.  It is what it is and we surrender it to God but would appreciate prayers that something comes up and he can get out of here sooner (not that I want to be rid of him by any means).  Thanks!


And some of you have asked when we think we will be home.  IF (and it's a big if) things can get done by the facilitation team to speed up some paperwork stuff before this big holiday and IF everything goes according to plan we should be able to come home 6/6.  Yes that is June 6th.  That means I will be here 50 days.  50 days without my family...I can't even think about it too much or I will completely break down.  I am going to need continued prayers everyone.  On a positive note I made up my mind before we even left that I was going to take this time of no chores and no kids to really focus on my bible study and time with the Lord.  When else will I have this much time to myself?  Don't get me wrong I would much rather be with my family, but maybe God wants this to be a time with Him and that is what I intent to do.  He is so worthy and He is so good!