Picking Up Victoria at VCT

No apologies for not blogging over the past week. I've just been focused on the family. :) But I'll try to catch up a bit. There's simply to much to say, but I can highlight a bit.

Friday morning our driver picked us up from the Jayamahal Palace about 10:15am. It wasn't the driver from VCT because that one was picking kids up from school, so we hired a cab. We had to WAIT 15 minutes for him to get there. Then he couldn't find VCT!!!! We were in the general vicinity, but it took about 45 minutes instead of 25. I thought this was the day when the waiting would end!!!!

We finally arrived and took some pictures outside. We simply walked on in and a lady directed us upstairs. We explored as we went, not knowing where our little girl was. We got to the top floor and walked past some offices and found the director's office. THERE SHE WAS!!!! My beautiful Victoria!!! She was in the director's office with her foster mom and sister. We could tell she recognized us, but was quite shy. We sat down in the chairs and spent some time gently getting to know her. We had a few toys for her which she would take and then walk away with them. (Did not fulfill the intended purpose.) After some time, she got more and more comfortable with us. I was able to hold her on my lap for a bit.

Then she got real comfortable, realized she was the center of everyone's attention, and all personality broke loose! We spent the next hour or so chasing her around the offices and up and down the stairs of VCT. She had a big bag of candy and she handed pieces out to everyone. We took pictures of her and her foster family, talked a lot with her foster sister who speaks good English and spoke with Mary Paul, the director, for a while.

Then VCT served us lunch downstairs. Our first meal with our girl! We weren't sure how the day was supposed to go or when we should leave, etc..... It was very unstructured, but relaxed and we spent a total of about 3 hours there. Mary Paul said we were free to go whenever we wanted. No showing ID, or signing papers or an interview. NOTHING! That had all been done the past 2 years. We were there to simply pick her up! It was weird - for lack of a more creative word.

Victoria said her goodbyes. I gave the foster mom and sister a big hug and we walked her to the vehicle. (One of VCT's drivers this time.) She was so excited and happy to come with us. She waved goodbye from the window of the car and we drove off with our little pumpkin! A few minutes later she was asleep on my lap. Whew! What a day for all of us!

It was very overwhelming in some ways for all of us. We were so excited to finally receive our daughter, but not knowing 'how it would go' or 'how she would do' and realizing the magnitude of what we were doing weighed on us. There were moments of "what are we getting into!!!" But peace overflowing, too. We had expected great things from God in regards to our reunion with Victoria and He so delivered!

Can't Process It All!

My thoughts without any flare ~

Enjoying India - most aspects anyway. Tired of the city. Spent a day out in the country. Saw wild Indian elephants. A monkey stole my orange juice. I laughed at him when it all spilled from the tree. Such beautiful landscape. Missing American food. Missing my boys even more. Can't wait to pick up Victoria. Not looking forward to embassy paperwork in Delhi or the plane ride home. Counting on God to get us through. Want to be at home with the family all settled in. Getting better at eating with my hands. Gleaning many great cultural insights from Tim and Karla. Surreal shopping for saris with Karla. Still waking up at 4:00am. Looking forward to relaxing at the Jayamahal Palace. Praying Victoria will want to go swimming there. Thankful for such an amazing experience in India. Thankful we're feeling healthy and rested. Not much time to blog. ;)

A Week in Review

Not sure how to sum up a week in India. Simply can't be done. I blogged the first night we were here, but lost it and went to bed instead of doing it all over.

Our plane flight was good, but long. It was 14 hours, but only seemed like 13 1/2!

We are having an amazing time here. We took 2 days to explore Delhi and Agra where the Taj is. God has given us great drivers and tour guides.

Jet lag is still hitting us about 4:00am and then at about 4:00pm. Billy has a bit of flu, but we're believing that will be gone very quickly.

Had an amazing time worshiping with the people here this morning. Billy preached the English service and the Kannada service with an interpreter. I had the opportunity to teach a Sunday School class with small children.

We are missing our boys and can't wait to get our daughter. Only 5-6 days to go!!!

There, I summed it up. That's all for now from this jet-lagged traveler. India is incredible and we are so blessed to be here.

Thank you!

Two more days until "blast off"!!! We are putting together the final details of our trip and trusting God for a few more to fall into place. Please pray these loose ends will be tied up!

We want to take a moment to thank all of you for your support in so many ways. Whether simple encouragement, financial gifts, prayers or giving of basic needs for Victoria, it has all helped to bring our daughter home. We are so grateful to all our family and friends who have rallied around us the past 2 years.

We ask that you continue to pray even more for us as we bring Victoria home. Pray that she will bond well with each of us and to be comforted by the true Comforter during her time of grief from separating from her foster family. Pray for Will and Logan that they will have understanding and simply have FUN with their little sister. Pray for them as they are separated from us as we travel. Pray for Mom and Dad, too!

We have a rainbow of emotions as we prepare to travel. We stand upon the promises God has given to us concerning Victoria over the past 2 years. We will need Him even more and know He is faithful to equip us for the task ahead. And we can't wait to watch the blessings continue to rain down.

We will try to update our blog as we travel. Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Our Itinerary

Monday, Oct. 26 - Depart Indianapolis at 5:50pm
Tuesday, Oct. 27 - Arrive in Delhi 8:45pm
Wednesday, Oct. 28 - Hang out in Delhi
Thursday, Oct. 29 - Go to Agra/Taj Mahal
Friday, Oct. 30 - Fly to Bangalore, drive to Shamalas in Mysore
Friday Oct. 30 - Wed. Nov. 4th - Visit with Shamalas
Wed., Nov. 4 - Drive to Bangalore
Thurs. Nov. 5 - Hang out in Bangalore
Friday, Nov. 6 - VICTORIA DAY!!!
Saturday, Nov. 7 - Play with Victoria in Bangalore
Sunday, Nov. 8 - Fly back to Delhi
Monday, Nov. 9 - Do Visa processing (blah, blah, blah)
Tuesday, Nov. 10 - Pick up Visa - fly out at 12:55am that night
Wed., Nov. 11 - 9:50am - Will and Logan meet their little sister for the 1st time at the airport in Indy!

And the adventure begins!!!

Pre-Departure Report

Below is some information from Victoria's Pre-Departure Report. She is still at 26#. Our little pumpkin is toilet trained and knows some English. Whew!! I hope she's not disappointed when this mama doesn't serve "all fresh home made food". And I'm not sure about the 8:30 dinner. The boys won't like it that she's eating while they're going to bed. ;-)

Eating Habits:
Victoria Rani has all fresh home made food.
Her mealtimes are as follows:
8.00 a.m: Fresh milk with Horlicks – (Pasteurized milk)
9.00 a.m: Breakfast – Dosa a pancake made with ground rice and lentils and
idli’s steamed with the same batter, Chapathi/ Uppma, a snack
made with broken wheat etc.
11.00 a.m: Snacks – biscuits, sweets or fruits
2.00 p.m: Lunch - rice with dhal/ greens/ veg or non-veg
(Chicken/mutton/fish)
4.00 p.m Milk and snacks
8.30 p.m: Dinner – Rice with veg/non veg.

Sleeping Pattern:
Victoria sleeps with her foster mother in the same room. She sleeps around 9.30
pm and sleeps well at night. She also has a nap in the afternoon.
Toilet Habits:
Victoria has body bath daily and head bath twice a week. She is toilet trained.
Health:
All her medical reports are attached in the file. Please refer to physical reports
and doctor’s report for medical information.
Personality:
Congratulations on having Victoria as a new member of your family. She is a
friendly child and loves to play with the neighbors children and the foster sisters.
She understands English and also the local language – Telugu – which are more
often used by her foster family. She is very much attached to the foster family
and knows the names of each of members in the foster home.
She is interested in drawing, colouring, and also loves dance. She can repeat A
to Z and 1 to 10.
All her responses are normal and age appropriate.

Tickets Are Purchased!

Big sigh! And a deep breath for continuing to plan our itinerary. We are scheduled to depart on Monday, October 26th, pick up Victoria on Friday, November 6th and return home on Wednesday, November 11th. We are currently in the process of booking hotel rooms and assembling other details of our trip.

Families generally allow 3 days to complete the embassy processing in Delhi. However, we are running into Veteran's Day. We plan to process in 2 days, which can be done. We're just taking a bit more of a risk. Pray that we will be able to get it all done in those 2 days and not have the extra expense and head ache of extending our trip.

We are so excited to go explore India, to meet our daughter for the first time and get back home to our boys.