About 2 weeks before the trip Kylie posted on her Facebook page that she couldn't wait to have all the Moldrups together for the first time - all 9 of us! That was really the first time that it hit me - all 9 of us together! What a joy.
We got to have the kids with us for the entire week from Sunday to Friday. On Monday we figured out that Giflore had chicken pox. She had them all 5 days but for 2 days she was miserable and wanted to crawl out of her skin. We felt so sad and helpless. Highlight? Kylie loved that little girl so well - scratching, holding, calamining, bathing, sleeping with, reading to this poor little girl for 5 days. It was a really sweet picture of her love for G motivated out of her love for Jesus. Rich!
Brady is a kid magnet - always has been. He is so good with little kids and they absolutely love him. Kiki was no different. Brady was so excited to meet him for the first time. I explained in my broken Creole that this was "fre" - brother. Brady and Kiki connected. Another Brady image in my mind was in a neighborhood that we were in to help create and attach gutters on a church and some houses that AP has built for some of their artisans. At one point I looked at Brady with 7 little Haitian kids climbing all over him and him wrestling with them all with such love. Beautiful! Brady was broken and weeping as we dropped the kids back at the orphanage on Friday. Very sweet and makes a dad very proud. He came back and, on his own, has set up his room for Kiki -bed and all. I think that is one of the coolest prayers to the Father to make this happen quickly.
Kelsey Belle was excited to have her first overnights with the kiddos. She is so natural and loving with all children! Her highlight with the kids was getting to know their personalities over the few days that we were together.
Watching Cooper and Colby engage with and love their new sister and brother was really cool too. They were both so sweet and kind. They are genuinely excited about our growing family and pray with more depth for this process to happen quickly. I'm thrilled because at some level I somehow think that God listens to their prayers more closely than mine.
We got to celebrate Giflore's 8th birthday with a cake and a little party.(her first ever) Picture below.
As we left Children of Hope we took a Moldrup family photo (posted above) It's a great pic and hope to be taking one in Knoxville soon!
We just got word tonight that our papers are on their way to the government offices. Such good news. We have no real clue how long it will take but we are thrilled for the movement. Will keep you posted.
Steve
