Email from Africa

Please forgive me, Andy and Emily, for not getting permission to post this email, but it would be almost impossible to reach you right now. I feel like all those who love and care for you are dying for some news from Africa. I am going to go ahead and post the email that they sent to the family today. They are happy and healthy (after some curve balls). Only a few more days until they touch down in Chicago. It seems like we have been waiting forever. I love you guys, please get home safely.

Kat


This will be quick and to the point...sorry, but the email here has been gone for days and could be here only shortly.
Grace, Emily, and I are now a family. We have all the paperwork and visas to prove it. We had the coffee ceremony today so that the kids could say good-bye. We all cried. Grace seems healthy and happy, she is spending the night with us tonight for the first time. We will see how it goes.
Emily became very ill on Monday night. She handled it wonderfully...I know from experience that is not easy to be sick in Africa...so far from home and help. She couldn't keep anything in her for 3 days...but she just kept drinking fluids to hold her ground. She lost a significant amount of weight. But, she feels 100% now, is eating normally, and really happy. DO NOT WORRY! She made a full recovery...Thanks to the Z-pac, a pediatrician from Florida, lots of Gatoraid, and Emily's wonderful attitude.
Ryan and Heather have been wonderful. Not only helping us...but other kids and families as well. We are so glad to have the assistance.
I can't tell you how happy we are. Grace's face lights up when she sees us. She is drooling and gurgling to beat the band. We have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of the staff, the companionship of the other families, and the generosity of spirit shown by all in such a stressful and emotional time. We will be very glad to touch down in Chicago...but, we will also know how valuable this time here was. The people in Grace's Ehtiopian life love her has hard and true as you can imagine. It has been a honor to meet them.
Our love to all of you. We will see you on Monday (I confirmed the flights and all seems on track at this point).

Peace, Andy and Emily and Grace