From Venice to Ethiopia

We're in the Venice airport business center and we have a few moments before our flight to Ethiopia... so we thought we'd give you a quick update. We were blessed to be able to stop in Venice, Italy on our way. It was a real treat since I (Dave) am Italian but have never been to "the mother land". Venice is beautiful... we'll try and post some pics when we get home. If you ever plan to travel there.. CALL US FIRST! We've learned a lot from our mistakes.... like dragging 4 huge suitcases (50 lbs each) across half the island, up and down stairs and bridges... through small passages in 80 degree weather with everyone laughing at us and Kristen almost crying. Whee! BTW... 3 of the bags are donations to the orphanage in Ethiopia.. only 1 had our clothes and stuff. We took an easier way when we left this morning.

We didn't know our room had an air conditioner until this morning! It was hiding behind a couch! :)

The food was great and the city was beautiful! But we're REALLY excited to get to Ethiopia and see our little princess! We should arrive there about midnight tonight (our time) and we'll see Fasika tomorrow morning!!!!!

Please continue to pray for us on this trip... and pray that we'll be able to bond with her quickly.

And pray that those 4 huge suitcases make it to Ethiopia! :)

God bless!!!!

posted by Dave... who's feeling a bit humid.

Fingerprints... take 3! Posted by Dave

Long story short... we received notice that Kristen's fingerprints were not clear enough to pass the test...again. So last week she had to go to Coquille to have them taken yet again and the very kind woman working at the office tried her best (even worked up a sweat) trying to get Kristen's prints as clear as possible.
I'm beginning to wonder if my wife may have worked for M.I.B., had her prints removed, returned to civilian life and wiped my mind clean with one of those flashy things. :)
Travelling to Coquille isn't so bad... but we have to go to Portland once again because she (Kristen)needs to sign a paper in front of the officials at the Homeland Security office. The prints have been sent off to the State Police for clearance and once we receive all the documents back we send them to the Homeland Security office.
The deadline for being part of the matching grant (see post below) is September 17th. Thank you for prayerfully considering us in this.