India – Day Four

**To be fair to our airline – this issue did end up getting resolved and they did change the ticket.  I do not want to malign the company in any way.  Thank you KLM!!  I only include this excerpt so that you can know our frame of mind with all that was going on.** 

March 10, 2011

We went to bed last night not knowing what the airline’s decision would be on Sangeet’s plane ticket. We were told that his ticket would have to be cancelled (that they could not just change the name on the ticket) and that it was a full flight and there would be no way to purchase another ticket. I don’t know if that was because there is a waiting list or what. The travel agent was not being very helpful as all we wanted them to do was for them to call KLM and explain that we are adopting and we had no way of knowing that our last name would be on his passport. They finally did this and at 1:00 am (our time) Kevin was taking photos of our guardianship order and Sangeet’s passport as was requested by KLM. We still do not know what their decision is although we have checked in with the travel agent and they have not yet heard from KLM. Very frustrating!

We aren’t completely sure, but are assuming everything will be okay with our legal documents not having Kevin’s name right. The attorney here is preparing a letter for us explaining the error in case we need that at the airport. We should be able to pick that up tomorrow. If they notice and say something then we will pull that out. Luckily, it is correct on one of the documents so that should help. Maybe they won’t even notice! Let’s all pray that way, okay.

You might think we are freaking out about these things, but we are not. We are concerned and we are trying to do all that we can to be prepared, but we know this is in the Lord’s hands and there is very little control we have in making this all work out anyway. We do, however, appreciate your prayers.

We talked with Sangeet last night about changing his name. He was not too happy about it at first. I explained some things to him about our thinking on it and asked him if Sangeet could be his name when he is in India and Levi could be his first name in America. He seemed like he could think about that. We will see what decision he comes to. We did ask if we could call him Sangeet Levi for now. He said that was okay.

We had another discussion about his name this morning. Earlier in the day he was happy to be called Sangeet Levi, but later today he said, “Levi, no! Name Sangeet!”. Later today he was saying that we could call him Levi Sangeet. This is an evolving situation! .

We did a lot of shopping today and drove by the Red Fort in the old part of Delhi. Kevin and I were laughing at what we are calling the “Delhi four-way stop”. You will never see this phenomenon in the U.S. The roads at this intersection without a traffic light held three to four lanes of traffic each way. (Another Delhi phenomena is that the lane lines are just there for decoration.) Picture a packed road, wall to wall vehicles, bikes, motorcycles, etc. Everyone is heading from every direction through the intersection at the same time – seriously at the SAME time. A mass of moving vehicles all honking their horns. It isn’t smooth and it is definitely not organized, but eventually everyone emerges on the other side. It is hilarious! Kevin said it was more like a four-way game of chicken.

We went to the pool today after our shopping. Although it is plenty warm enough to swim, they do not heat the pool. It was a balmy 56 degrees. There was a portion of the pool where it was quite shallow for little kids. Sangeet walked around this area in the water. Then we got out and walked to another place and as we are watching him head for the side and we are saying, “No, wait!” he slipped right in (on purpose) and over his head. Luckily Kevin wasn’t too far away and grabbed him, but the look on his face before he went under was very scared. I hope he learned a lesson. We have been reinforcing the lesson of listening to us and asking before he barrels in to do something. Believe me, there is a lot of impulsive “barreling” going on!

We do think he is a very special boy. He is very bright, observant, and friendly. His disposition is naturally happy – just like his sister Kira. If he survives childhood he may become a doctor or engineer or something!

Tomorrow is our last day in India and we are quite ready to be heading home! Sangeet is very anxious to meet his sisters and to be on the airplane. We’ll see how long that lasts. . That flight is not fun for me so I can imagine how hard it is on a kid.

We will be leaving our hotel tomorrow night at 10:00 pm so that we have three hours for security and immigration. Last time we were not even through after three hours. I keep hoping that things have improved since three years ago.

We love you all and so appreciate your prayers! Thank you so much. Love, Lori

Practical Help for Haitians!

I have been reading Heartline Ministries Blog ever since the earthquake in Haiti.  It has been an encouragement to see how they have been able to respond and help hurting (literally) people since the quake.  In fact, this small clinic, with volunteer doctors were able to provide medical care for over 750 people since the quake.  Check out the blog and read about what is going on and their needs.  You can donate with PayPal on their website - you can find the link on the right hand side, scroll down a bit.

One of the programs this ministry runs is providing sewing machines for Haitian women to make fabric purses to sell in the United States.  You can see the purses here.  They are colorful and inexpensive and when you buy one you know that you are helping to provide for a family in Haiti. 

  Here is one example – there are several styles and colors.  Check them out!

A Missionary Family in Haiti

I found a link to a blog of a missionary family  - the Livesays – in Haiti.  It is interesting to read their thoughts on the earthquake, sending their children back to the U.S. without them, and how things are in Haiti right now.

There are also links on the left to two organizations they work with.  You can look into those links and donate if you are interested.

New Coffee Choices!

I just thought I would mention that Just Love Coffee - the company that you can order coffee beans from and help contribute to our adoption – has some new bean choices that sound really good.

As a reminder, each bag of whole beans (you can ask them to grind them, if you need to) is $12.95 and shipping is $5.00.  If you purchase two bags (two regular bags – not including coffee samplers) the shipping charge is still just $5.00.  They get the beans out quickly – fresh roasted! – and you have them in about four days.

Thanks for your participation in our adoption!

An Inspiration

Watch this video and think about how we limit people in our minds by what we see – before we know anything about them.

Photography

Mill Creek, Prospect, Oregon

I enjoy taking photos.  I am not a professional, I just have fun with it.  Here are some photos I have taken recently:

The trail to Mill Creek Falls

I joined a Flickr group – all of us have dedicated to taking a photo a day for a year.  We have a theme each week and one of our photos that week should go with that theme.  The first day was August 1.  Our first theme was “lines”.  Here is my first photo:

"Lines"

Hosta Leaf

What is fun about the 365 Day Challenge is that it gets me thinking about taking photos every day for art and not just to capture my family.  I think I will learn a lot as I work on this all year.

Have a great day!

King of Kings

I don’t know about you, but I rarely have the right perspective on Who God is.  Enjoy this video that proclaims all that our God is that He has revealed to us in His Word.

Thank you Janine for sending this to me.  Have a great weekend.  Lori

Kalindi Update

I just wanted to let you all know that everything went really well with Kalindi.  She was so calm beforehand – until she was about to leave the pre-op area and found out that I wasn’t coming with her.  She cried a few tears, but we calmed her down.  The anesthesiologist came back and talked with her, joking around and got her laughing.  The doctor was very good with her as well and had her feeling at ease.  It was a very quick procedure.  She was groggy and dizzy for awhile and it was quite funny to watch her try to eat a popsicle. 

She hated the IV and wanted it out right away, although she did not get her wish.  You know how they are at the hospital, it is their way or no way. ha  She also got a fun ride in a wheelchair to the front door of the hospital. 

 

 At home, even though they said to eat soft things that would be easy on the stomach, after eating two scrambled eggs she started eating what Kira wasn’t finishing of her lunch and then asking for other things to eat.  I honestly think getting roused out of bed early and missing breakfast was the worst part of today for Kalindi!   (Except maybe the IV)

Thank you for your prayers!

Lori

A Prayer Request for Kalindi

I wanted to let you all know so that you can be praying for Kalindi as she will be having a growth removed on her scalp this Thursday, February 26 at 8:30 a.m.

It is nothing serious, it is a pyogenic granuloma, which is a benign bump, but with irritation it keeps growing.  Since it is in her hair, she accidentally scratches it with her comb or brush and will also scratch it with her fingernail so it needs to come off.  She will be at the hospital and they actually give the kids some kind of gas to put them to sleep and then they will insert an IV and then do the surgery.  It is quick and she only has to stay at the hospital long enough to get the anesthetic out of her system and eat and drink something.  We should be home by noon.

We would appreciate it if you would pray that she will not be anxious and will sleep well Wednedsday night.  Whenever it comes up or she thinks of it, she will say, “Mommy, I am nervous!”  Please also pray for the surgeon and steady hands and that Kalindi will not react badly to any of the medication she will be given. 

Thanks so much!

My Amazing Husband

Tonight when I was putting dinner away I was thinking about how wonderful my husband is.  He was rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher as I cleared and put food away.  He does that pretty much every night.  I know that isn’t a big thing, but I really appreciate it.

My Mom always says that I got a gem for a husband.   I was telling her about last weekend when Kevin and I were moving a tree that had been planted for just over a year and it wasn’t happy where it was.  It really needed to move or I was afraid it might die.  As we were wrestling with this huge, heavy root ball, I asked Kevin, “Do you ever rue the day you met me?”  I was half serious and half joking.  If you only knew the number of crazy projects I get him to do for me you would know why I had asked.  I am pretty high maintenence!  His answer, in case you are interested, was, “No.”  Good answer. 

I have always been thankful that God brought us together – he is the perfect compliment to my personality.  Kevin is laid back, patient, logical, can compartmentalize work and home, loyal, trustworthy, hardworking, smart, caring, and is a great Daddy.    When there is a decision to make for our family, it is clear that Kevin is the leader and head of our home, but he has never led without listening to and heeding my input.  I have never felt like I was disregarded.  There have been times when we disagreed about something – and that would be something minor like what kind of patio cover – and we just don’t do anything until we can figure out how to agree.  It has been amazing to me that we always think very alike about anything of importance.

The one character trait that Kevin possesses that has most driven me crazy since we first got married is the length of time it will take him to process and answer a question.  I am very quick on the draw.  Which, I might add does not always go in my favor!  I have learned to appreciate Kevin’s ability to thoroughly think about the question and all it’s nuances before he answers.  I honestly wish I was more like that.  I have a very short path from my brain to my tongue.  It was actually a question that Kevin answered in a College/Career Sunday School class that we were both attending that made me want to get to know him.  I don’t remember exactly what he said, but it had to do with unconditional love.  That is Kevin’s greatest quality – loving unconditionally.  I have proved myself one smart cookie for chasing him down after that!

I guess I will call this my Valentine tribute to my sweetie.  Kevin and I will celebrate 23 years of marriage this coming September.  I am very blessed to call Kevin not only my husband, but my best friend.

I love you honey!

Lori