6 REMPELS!

Just thought I should let you all know that tomorrow is surgery day for me so I may not be posting for a few days. I'll be back soon.

I have to say, I have gone into this next time of waiting with alot more contentment. I now have a picture of abeautiful little baby girl. I of course would just love to go pick her up tommorow if I could but I also realize that the formality and Legality is necessary and important. We are so blessed to be working with an agency that is very experienced with all the paper chasing. I do dream of the day that I will hold her for the first time. I have sooo many dreams of the places I would love to take her and the experiences I would love to give her.

Ok, now that some of the parties and celebration are over, it's time to get back to having a schedule. I thought I'd share the story of how we received the news and the days leading up to that exciting day. Last weekend was the Cafac camping weekend in Minnidosa. We got there on Friday night, put up our tent and just relaxed around the fire with friends of ours who are also in the process. I tried soo hard not to focus on the referral and just have fun. During Friday night, it rained and got extremely windy and cold. When we woke up in the morning, everyone was hibernating in their tents or in the pavilion. We had breakfest and took a walk to find other friends we had met last summer at the Cafac weekend. We ran into Deb and Roberta and chatted for a while. I was very determined to make it the best weekend possible even though I was very disappointed to come without a referral. Later that day, Bill and I had a talk with Roberta and she left a few hints that our referral was close. By Saturday evening, we were soooo cold that we decided to head home and warm up. Of course Monday seemed like a long day. I had kinda wondered if Debra had brought our referral with her since she just came home from Ethiopia. This meant that it should get to us very soon if that was the case. We went to bed disappointed on Monday and just again prayed for the Lords timing. This prayer was getting really difficult to pray. On Tuesday morning, I decided I would not pick up any phone calls since I had been getting alot of questions regarding the weekend and weather we knew anything. At 9:00am the phone rang and I let the answering machine get it. I heard "HI LISA!" "IT'S ARLEIGH FROM CAFAC", Well needless to say, I've never ran to the phone so fast in my life. Anyone who is in the process or has ever been, knows that they don't generally call. She asked if Bill was home and I assured her that he would be in five minutes. I then called Bill at work and he came home to share the wonderful news with me. When we heard her name was Emebet, we immediately decided to call her Emmy for short but leave her legal name Emebet. So her full name is Emebet Joy Rempel. I know many of you are confused because we were going to name her Zalea. Well, sorry we changed our mind. It was also her name given by her biological parents and we felt that it was the one and only thing she could keep from them. Anyway, here is some of the information we were given about her. She just turned 2 on July 12 and weighs 18 pounds.(pretty tiny hey?) She is potty trained and is speaking a few words. She came to the foster home in early July and was matched with us almost immediately. One thing I can't show but must share is that she is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. She is soooo adorable. I have never experienced such instant love. Now comes MORE WAITING!! I am comforted knowing that she has been saved for us and we have excepted the referral. We are determined to make the best of each day and enjoy getting ready for her arrival home.

We finally received our referral!!!!!! Yehhhhh!!!! Her name is Emebet! She is absolutely BEUTIFUL!! How do you SCREAM on blogs???? I am soooooo Excited and can't even explain. I have to run but wow!!!! Life is great right now!!!!!!

I don't know who ordered the weather this weekend, but it was freezing and WINDY!!! We arrived in Minnidosa later friday evening and set up our tent. Last year when we had been at the camping weekend, we had tons of rain during the night and this year it was a cold wind. We made a fire and sat around the fire until 2am with some of our friends. We had a great time chatting, laughing and being kids. During the night, it got even more windy and rained. We were so tired we slept through it all. Saturday morning was no different as far as weather. We went to go mingle with some of the other families who came out. We also saw Roberta and Debra, Arleigh and the other crew. That was special to see them in person. I was shocked at the amount of people. I think Roberta said 250 people. It was somewhat encouraging to see all the beautiful children and know that it will happen for us. I also know that what everyone says is true. The wait will be worth it all.

Congratulations to my friend Lisa who just arrived home with their two beautiful daughters. Welcome home girls!!!

On Friday August 3, my aunt who was 37 and battled breast cancer for four years, finally passed away. We have been very busy with funeral planning and just being there for his her children and husband. What a tragic story.