We made it to London, safe and sound. It was a long day traveling and now approximately 1:00am London time. I woke up this morning at 3:30am anxiously awaiting the beginning of our adoption journey. I was wide awake and Robert was still asleep so I just laid awake and started praying and thanking God for His goodness. Robert woke up about 4:00am even though our alarm was set for 4:30am. Once we got dressed and on our way to the hotel we noticed how most people that were waiting for the shuttle had just one or two little bags and here we were with these two large stuffed to the gills duffle bags that weighs a ton and two backpacks. When the shuttle arrived to take all of us to the airport, of course since everyone else had little bags, they were able to hop right on to the shuttle. Robert and I just looked at each other wondering if we were going to fit on the shuttle with our luggage after everyone else got on board. Well, we were the last to board and it was barely standing room only. When we checked our luggage we barely made it under the weight requrements. Praise God, we didn't have to pay any extra fees. Our one bag weighed 69.3lbs and the other weighed 70.2lbs. We just made the 70lb/per bag limit. WHEW! Airport security was a breeze. The only thing that they looked at more in depth of ours was our backpack with our laptop and electronics. They used this ionized scanner to check it out and of course released us to move on ahead. We then grabbed a bite to eat and boarded our plane around 8:15am. As soon as we boarded the airplane my stomach turned to knots. I wasn’t feeling nervous or anxious, I think it was the strong coffee and green tart apple I ate. Our plane departed from Newark about 40 minutes late due to there were 20 other planes ahead of us waiting on the runway for take off. We sat next to this lady, Ruth who was from Australia and was meeting a friend in London to go backpacking across Eastern Europe until September. Sounds good to me. I guess that is kind of like what we’ll be doing once we get to Ukraine, except we will be adopting our Ukrainian Angels in the process. YIPPIE!
As we were descending we saw Big Ben and the London Eye. Well the flight went well and were glad to be back on the ground again. Robert and I were both surprised how easy it was going through customs in Heathrow London Airport. They asked us a couple of questions and we told them we were spending a few days here on Holiday…as they call a Vacation and that was it. While we were waiting for our shuttle to take us to our hotel, we noticed these police with bullet proof vests, a couple of hand guns on their belts and they were holding machine guns as they were patrolling the airport like they were looking for someone. OK…I was ready to get out of their after that scene. We are not in America anymore. It looked as if they were looking for someone in particular and were ready to start shooting. Time for us to make like a tree and LEAVE. Thank goodness our shuttle arrived to take us shortly after that scene. We are now settled in our hotel and just enjoyed what London England is known for which is their fish and chips and very good I might add. We’re not quite sure what we will visit first, but we’ll keep you updated.
Gift of Adoption
11 years ago
2 comments:
For all of her life, my sister Karrie has always been a bright blue eyed, optimistic and very smart girl who was and is totally pure of heart. That’s not something you hear a lot about many people.
Today, she and her husband Robert, have embarked on the last leg of what will become the most exciting and wonderful part of their lives; becoming parents. As I type this, they are laying down to go to sleep in London after traveling all day. It’s about 1am GMT and they left the US childless and a month or so from now they will return parents, with a small part of the future which they both will shape and steward for all the world.
To become a parent is the fulfillment of a dream that I know Karrie has had almost all of her life. The other day I spent some time thinking about when she was a little girl talking about wanting to be a mom. I couldn’t remember exactly when that was, but it must have been sometime when she was five or six. She was always looking forward to something. But this dream of being a mother proved to be a recurring theme in her life. I remember when she used to be a nanny for Katie and just how happy that made Karrie, and when she used to babysit for other kids too. Recently, I reminded our mother that Karrie had an excellent example to follow.
Our mom and dad provided what I consider to be the best example that I’ve seen yet in parenting. Love, education, hard work, optimism, tolerance of others, honesty and forgiveness.
The cornerstones of a great life, personally guided and molded by our mother, Sherry.
If there is any measure of success in this life, it has to be the relationship your children decide to have with their parents once they themselves become adults. Children don’t get to choose their parents. But adults certainly do choose who they will become/remain friends and spend time with. Karrie, Marli and I are our mother’s best friend and she is ours. We talk to one another most everyday, sometimes several times a day. When I reflect on the people that I know and the relationship that they have with their own parents or their own children, I find myself feeling incredibly lucky and proud.
I know that Karrie does too. That is what she and Robert will offer for their own kids as well. I’m very excited for both of them, they’ve planned and prepared and prayed for this moment. And now it has arrived.
Karrie and Robert, go with the thoughts, the prayers and loving wishes from your family and friends that you will remain safe, that you will stay happy, and that you continue to experience the grace of God as He blesses you in your lives. You are being given the greatest gift and responsibility of your lives. You are both ready for it.
And we love you both very much!
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
Robert and Karrrie,
Our love and prayers are with you!!!
Suzie Fiechter
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