The last couple of days have been so glorious. The warmer weather has been such a blessing compared to the overcast days we have had. I am so ready for summer I cannot even tell you. Something about being in the sun just makes me feel a whole lot better.
The caretakers know me now. On any slightly warmer days we go outside, just me and my babes. It’s quite an ordeal to get the two bundled up for the oh so chilly seventy degree days.
I just laugh about it now-there is nothing I can do to change it. This is the way they wrap kids up here, whether I like it or not. Even on the street I see the kids dressed for sub-zero temps. It’s just life in this part of the world. I remember China being exactly the same.
The good news is that even though Hailee can hardly move-she IS being dressed in more girly colors. Blue and green still make an occasional appearance, but nothing like the first ten days.
I did chuckle because today I saw such a sweet little pink hat lying on the table, so I put it on Hailee. As we were walking out the door to head outside, an older caretaker came and pointed to the back of the hat. I could tell that the dear was not happy. Huh? I had no idea what she was showing me. Until I looked and saw that the hat was made in such a way that the back part did not fully close all the way. There was a half an inch gap that exposed Hailee’s head. Oh my goodness, that hat got taken off faster than I could say a word, and replaced with a much more suitable hat for a seventy degree day….no holes in sight. Lord have mercy.
At least it’s cute and purply.
We have such a sweet time together. Harper loves the stroller. Hailee is getting better with it.
They have these very cool carriage-type strollers here. I have never seen them anywhere else I have lived. Some of them are even made to look old fashioned with the large antique looking wheels. It works perfectly as a twin stroller. I have seen them line up three kids in these things for walks. No seatbelts, but I guess they figure if you don’t need ‘em in the car, you don’t need ‘em in these either.
Kind of nice because the girls get to see each other as we roll along.
And play with each other’s feet.
Touch!
We wander up and down this quiet country road. The orphanage fence is brightly colored. We bump along quietly and I tell them all about what life is about to look like for them in just a few weeks.
Yes, life is certainly about to change for these two sweethearts. And it could not come one day too soon for their mother.
I have had a sweet victory at the orphanage. They have been very unsure about me there. They couldn’t understand why I would want to adopt these two children. They probably didn’t trust me very much in light of the recent tragedy in the adoption community. Who can blame them? It is all over the news here. Each and every day I would walk in and get asked some kind of question…Was I sure about this? Why was I adopting two children? Was I going to change my mind? I would get the cold shoulder every day. I knew they were not liking me too much.
But things have changed. Today my facilitator was with the chief doctor and the director of the orphanage. She came to me with a smile on her face. “They love you now,” she said. Seriously?
Yep, it seems that things have turned a corner. They are seeing with their own eyes that these two children are loved and treasured more than words can say.
They’re seeing the love of Jesus in action-and they don’t even know it.
Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
St Francis of Assisi
The days are rolling along quite nicely. I am doing fine. Missing my family, but hanging in. I have come to the conclusion that time alone is completely overrated. It is totally something that I do not need in my life. My own company is totally boring. I’ll take my loud, crazy, busy life at home any day.
How blessed I am with these who He has blessed me with.
Those sweeties look SO much better ever since you’ve been there-it just shows us how important LOVE is in a child’s life. I agree with you about the alone time (although once in awhile would be nice) ha ha. Praise God for warmer weather! NOW you can break out the mini-skirt and high heels-FINALLY! Take pictures!!!
Kristin
Please forgive me for laughing
That stroller is a perfectly normal seen-every-day-here kind of pram used for infants before they can sit up 
I’ve had very similar ones for my children. Do you mean you don’t have them in the US? I can assure you though that it would be considered irresponsible here to put two sitting children in one pram - especially without leashes - the children might easily fall out.
The big wheels are for comfortable walking. Here it’s pretty normal to take a walk in the forest with a baby in a pram. Then you really can’t have umbrella-stroller kind of wheels!
Oh well, please forgive me my for enjoying this little culture-collision
I’m really happy that you get to take your children outdoors and that you see a major change in the attitude towards you! You might actually change their hearts by your mere presence and your love!
So glad they are finally loving on you, Im sure you could use it…
Love the two sweet hats on those two sweet girls… Harper - too, too cute, and Hailee looks like a beautiful little flower
So enjoying reading your adventure… hope yall all get to go home soon!
That has to make you feel so much better about being there now.
It’s 70 here and my kids are in shorts and bare feet.
YEAH GOD!
You shine His love so bright my friend who can help but fall in love!
Now about that question you asked me??? Maybe we can both pray real hard together - then our husbands can plant a church together in a “warm” state! Hint hint! We can live right next door and I will love all over those babies of yours with you!
Deal?
A girl can dream and God says to pray BIG because nothing is impossible with Him. You know stranger things have happened. Look you are in the Ukraine right now adopting two little blessings of His!!!!
Love you!
Jill
They are SO beautiful and they are already changing under your love. You can just see Harper blossoming and Hailee coming to life..
WOW! Praying always!
Girl, your babies are blossoming! Hailee looks like a different girl! She is FEELING and feeding off of your love! I can visibly SEE it!
Imagine once their home, what they’ll look like!
So proud of you!
I LOVE that quote from St. Francis and you are certainly showing them the meaning. Godspeed and safe travels.
Thinking and praying for you everyday. I think they get cuter every day! I love to read about your days.
Love those photos! It is beyond me how those little bodies can hold in all that heat on such a warm day. We had a picnic on our deck yesterday — with the kids and 2 grandkids! — and it was just 60 degrees. I thought it was quite right. I think you will have the girls acclimated in no time, Mama. It just astonishes me how much their little faces change each day. They look more and more like “real” children… warm and alive and loved and secure. Their personalities are showing more and more as they spend time with you! Isn’t it wonderful to think that everyone in the orphanage is getting a dose of JESUS every day you walk in the door? And even though the loneliness is getting old, I am sure the Lord absoluetly loves having you all to Himself for such long times of intimacy in this season. Thinking of you warmly today, and sending prayers your way, as always. Love you!
I just love keeping up with your blog - those little babies are so blessed to have you!!! And you, them…
LOVE the pics… I can tell little Harper is going to be a kick in the pants when she gets a little bigger! And looks like little Hailee is perking up some. The Light is her eyes is starting to shine through…
Praying that all goes well for you until you can bring those little angels home. God Bless You all.
I’m glad the weather is lovely and you can take H2 on rides in that magnificent stroller. YOU MUST HIJACK IT for the trip to the US-it is so cool! Your little Hailee just RADIATES in that pink and lavender. AHHHHH!!
You know, I think you’ve made me cry pretty much every day since you arrived there?!
Have I said it before, I wish I could be there with you? 
I am just rejoicing all the time at what the Lord is doing!
I can’t get over the um, snowsuits in the spring! wow!
I can’t wait to hear how the girls react to their first REAL baths! Oh boy!!!
I agree that alone time is overrated!
Remind me of that if I am ever in your shoes!
love you muchly,
Holly
Oh - I’m a Franciscan too - I spent 7 years with the order prior to returning to lay life and ending up being a dad of 6….humm….what are the odds of two stranger Franciscans meeting via the web while half a world away? Then again - there’s no such thing as ‘stranger Franciscans’!
hugs and Blessings -
aus and co.
Adeye- its so nice to read every update. I cannot wait to read a new post and “look in on you” several times a day. Both girls look healthier- I bet the color and fresh air are doing them really good. Thank
god for giving you favor with the orphanage staff. May you sleep well and may God prepare your way ahead.
I have a question- where in Africa did you minister before?
Karien Prinsloo
The girls look just wonderful! Is it my imagination or is the bump on Hailee’s forehead getting smaller?
So glad that attitudes toward you are improving!
You know, it is a bummer that you have to be there so long, but someone once said to be that God does not waste any moments. I praise Him for using this time to bless others through all of your wordless preaching!! Your witness may just be changing the way these people view & care for these little angels on a day-to-day basis. Sending many hugs!!
Gosh, Adeye! these are the sweetest photos yet!!! LOVE the stroller! How sweet that the girls can face each other!! Love the purple hat too. I think that may be Hailee’s color:) Try to enjoy your time as time alone with God before you embark on the next mission of raising and nurturing 7!!!(I am thinking “alone time” will be a thing of the past for a while.)
your babies just get more beautiful all the time!! hang in there mama you will be on a plane home before you know it! I am ready to send our dossier now! Apostilled yesterday for everything. but now there are no flights flying into out of or over Europe due to the cloud of ash and smoke from Iceland’s volcano eruption. so I will have to hold it until Monday. darn.
I have recently discovered your blog and look forward to reading your daily updates.
Your trip has been and will continue to be a blessing too many.
God bless you and your family!!!
What beautiful pictures of the girls! I’m so glad you are getting to enjoy sometime outside with them as well. Though I know the wait is long what precious opportunity to share Christ and to absorb so much of their homeland.
Praying for you my friend,
Gayly
That snow suits and hats crack me up! Addy would have been miserable there! She gets hot when it’s 65!
Your girls already have a sparkle in their eye that was not there in your first few pictures!
Dear Adeye-
What an inspiration you are! I look forward to your new posts each afternoon. No doubt the Lord is well pleased with you and your obedience to Him. Can’t wait to see a post of that big, beautiful family of yours embracing each other at the airport.
Not sure where you’re moving, but if it’s anywhere on the East coast, I would treasure the opportunity to do lunch with you.
You’ve been heavy on my heart being so far away from home. It’s good to read you’re doing better. Still praying!!!
God bless,
Amy <><
Your daughters are just beautiful. I am sure that something has changed in their eyes since you arrived. They look different…..loved. It’s really beautiful.
Oh Adeye,
They are sooo pretty, I love to see Hailee in pretty pastels.
I’m praying for you my friend, hoping that you get this adoption wrapped up quickly and hurry home, you are one courageous woman!
Your angels are precious!!
Ok, I am dying about those snow suits!! Seriously?? I would be stifling!!!
That stroller is totally awesome! I wanted a buggy type stroller but they are SO pricey here in the states.
Oh I am so happy you are feeling/doing better being away from your loved ones back home and hope that your wait goes by quickly!
I can’t wait to see your whole family united and meeting and loving each other! What a great day it will be.
I’m glad the workers finally understand you and can see that you aren’t going to go loco and send your children back a year later.
The Lord is good!
Your babes are looking better with each day they know their mama! Amazing what love can do in such a short amount of time!!
Keep up the spirit sista!!!
Beautiful! Just beautiful! I am so happy for you all.
Beautiful! Your girls are just beautiful! What a life-giving change for you all. I am encouraged and amazed by you and your journey.
We are headed to bring home our son in a month, and your experience is an inspiration to me.
Diane
Beautiful beautiful post and oh my gosh both your girls are absolutely DIVINE!!!! You amaze me and you inspire me. Thank you…I can’t wait to join this journey on Monday!!!
I am seeing LIFE in their eyes! I’ve also noticed in the last few days, that they do not have their little tongues sticking out. You are giving them SO much more than you’ll ever know! I hope you are finding foods you can eat. Enjoy your naps!
Peace be in your Sweet Sweet Heart! Love ~ Jo
I am so glad and thanking YHWH for the great news that you have heard - the carers in the orphanage are starting to love you… because of your love for the little girls! That is so wonderful!!! praise YHWH!
In fact I thought I saw a glimmer of it, when you posted the pretty little shoes that the carers put on one of the girls… for you to see… I think they are already wanting to cheer you up by little actions like these, without realising it.
I am praying that they will continue to see your love and their hearts to soak it in… later on, their minds will realise. I am praying that they will ask you the reason so you can share that our Father loves the orphans… just so they know the Creator have them specifically in His mind, so that they can be comforted that they are in the position which He approves, caring for the orphans.
He is sooo good!
Yep…I know that you are also there to show God’s love to EVERYONE in the orphanage. Praise God for the change in attitude towards you!
I love your description of the hat…it makes me laugh.
The country road…is that a good one or bad one? Must be a good one as it definitely looks better than some we see here or in the Transkei
Hugs from Africa xx
I forgot to say that it’s quite impressive how both girls have changed! They now both have a healthier colour, and they have a sparkle in their eyes - a curiosity and hunger for life
It really shows that they are LOVED!
so amazing!! love the pics
Oh Adeye! These photos are just precious. As I look through them and read your words, I imagine you pushing your sweet girls along in the pram, telling them of their life to come, filling them with the Hope that only comes through living a life for Jesus! It’s a tender and beautiful thought…and the best part is, I know it’s a reality! I’m so touched by your story, Adeye. I can’t even find the words to express the depth of which I have been moved by you. I haven’t commented much, but I think if you and your babies and pray for you often. Especially in light of the recent tragedy. When I first heard about it on the news, you immediately came to my thoughs and my heart just sank. I knew the enemy was going to try and use this against you. But I also knew that you would overcome evil with good and that God would use you as a vessel He was working through to show these people the love of Jesus in you… and it’s working! PTL!! I’m so glad to hear that the staff is having a change of heart and that they are trusting you now. Praying for continued witness and seeds to be planted and harvested for Him!
Love and Hugs,
~ Tanya
That quote from St. Francis of Assisi has always been a favorite of mine! So true! Your girls are just dolls! Glad the orphanage is seeing how much you love them!
Tammy
The sweetest pics of your darlings!!!
Love the two girls in the stroller! It is so good for them to be able to look at each other!!
I knew you would win over the staff in no time!! Good job!
It is unbelievable how they bundle them up! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Isn’t God so wonderful how he has used you to put His love in motion. Those are two precious little ones and blessed to have a family like yours. Love Janelle