I want a bowl of cereal...

Greetings and Salutations! Tomorrow we are going to make the long trek from Bogota to SLC! After spending so much time waiting today, making phone calls, not getting my hopes up, and getting ready for another day here in Bogota, we got the word at 4:15 that we were cleared to fly! So I quickly made arrangements with Delta to get us on the next possible flight, which is tomorrow morning at 10:30. We will leave for the airport at 7 and most likely arrive at home 15 hours later: a long day, but we are ready. I am only hoping that the kids enjoy this flight (this means you, Juancho) more than the last.

So today was a good day. We started out this morning hearing that we were not going to travel. It was not really a surprise, so I began early trying to contact the right people, calling, waiting, etc. After a little while we went to the shopping center to spend time together outside of El Refugio. It was nice, as we walked around quite a bit and were able to get some last minute things that hopefully make tomorrow's flight a little easier. It was a nice time in which the kids enjoyed being out and the change of environs from what has gotten to be the daily activities here. After this the boys napped and we all had a quiet and relaxing couple of hours. When they woke it was play time in the backyard (they love the backyard, which makes me think again about the sixplex...) for a few hours. Hopefully they sleep well tonight, which they should according to how hard they have been playing this afternoon.

It has been a nice stay here, especially as we have gotten to know the other families a little better. There is still the language barrier, but it has not been as much of a blockade as one might think. The kids continue to play together nicely, which makes me optimistic for when our kids have friends at home. Carmen, our host, has been wonderful in trying to find me the right phone numbers and the right contacts here, especially when Lucia is busy with another family. She has also been helpful in letting me know about the banks/money exchange, etc. I know that Julie (from Children's Hope Int.) told us before, but so much has happened since that I don't always remember. Anyhow, a tremendous thanks goes out to our hosts and contacts here: Lucia, David, Andres, Carmen...we could not have survived without you.

Also, in this whole process (specifically the last couple days) Julie, Lucia, Donna...you all have done a wonderful job in helping us out. We are extremely grateful. Thank you.

For all those who called senators and governors...thanks. The Shinn family has wonderful friends who sent shockwaves through the political system. Now if we could only get more liberal people in office...

To the people in the U.S. Embassy...thanks for continuing to answer my five million phone calls and those calls made by those who represented the Shinn family.

I am really hoping customs doesn't take too long tomorrow, but we have already heard horror stories. Pray that it all goes smoothly and quickly.

We are all anxious. Shirley was very pleased to hear that we would be traveling tomorrow. I don't think she knows how long of a day it will be, but she is so good with helping and always makes us laugh, so it will be easier with her for sure. I will just be happy when the luggage is out of our hands. Janine has done a wonderful job in making a months worth of clothing, etc. for five people fit into small spaces, but it is still a bundle of stuff. Tomorrow will be an adventure.

The song of the day is "Celebration Day" by Led Zeppelin...

Any good books on post-conservative evangelicals out there? Just checking.

Jo: Did you see the Waits list on the page? That should help. Send coffee.

Fuller: Thanks for the advice, brother. It was heard loud and clear.

E&M: Next time we all get together it will be quite crowded...go Heels!

Jay: what's with the ducks?

Mom: your grandchildren will be home soon...

DID ANYONE GET "WHAT IS THE WHAT" YET?

Hope all is well. Thanks for all your words and support and prayers.

Soon I will eat a bowl of cereal...