Walking Sofia (Wednesday April 13)

 Sofia is a beautiful city. Wednesday we set out to wander the city and take in all the amazing architecture and lovely city parks. We bundled Emmaline up in her new stroller after breakfast and walked a few miles, visiting many of the city's old churches. 

After our long walk, Emmaline let us know that she was ready for more yogurt! We stopped at a grocery store on the way home for essentials: yogurt, yogurt, yogurt, and bottled water. Emmaline picked out some graham crackers as well. 

We had lunch and naps in our room, followed by a laid back afternoon of playing together and walking down Vitosha Street for take-out dinner. 

Emmaline is blossoming more everyday we are with her. It's such fun getting to know our newest daughter. 

Passport Photos (Tuesday April 13)

 Tuesday morning Emmaline was hungry and we were so thankful to see her eat! She ate Bulgarian yogurt and orange juice for breakfast. We walked over to our neighborhood grocery store after breakfast and stocked up on Bulgarian yogurt, since it is the only thing we had been able to get her to eat. 

Tuesday afternoon we walked to the police station to get Emmaline's passport photo. The appointment was quick and easy. 

After walking back with Emmaline on our hip the entire walk, we quickly decided we HAD to find a stroller. This is a walking city, and walking with a toddler on your hip all day is not ideal. Many of the shops were still closed due to Covid and the only place we had seen strollers was a little boutique shop down by Sofia Mall. We did not buy one on Sunday because they were so expensive. But, after a day of carrying Emmaline around everywhere, we decided it was worth the price. We walked the mile to the store and bought their display model (so we didn't have to put it together!) and then happily walked back to the hotel, with Emmaline riding in her brand new, super expensive, Swiss stroller.

Family Day: Monday April 12

 After very little sleep, Family Day arrived! Robert and I woke up early to grab breakfast in the hotel restaurant before riding to Sliven, where we would meet Emmaline. 

The drive to Sliven was about 3 1/2 hours through Bulgarian countryside. We rode past the mountains and into the plains. We rode through rural villages, farms, orchards, and saw the people out in the country taking care of their homes and land, and shepherds with their flocks of sheep and cows. 

Sliven

We arrived in Sliven and waited for Emmaline in the Social Services building. She arrived a few minutes after us. We signed some papers and then loaded back into the car for the long drive back to Sofia. Emmaline seemed content to come with us and was eager to drive away from Sliven. 

Our first night together was hard. It's difficult to see your child, who you love, processing through so much trauma and hardship. She was afraid of everything and refused water and food. Although she was terrified of getting in the bath, once I let her hold the shower head, she seemed to have a good time. She played and enjoyed licking the water (we were thankful she was staying hydrated!) 

Sleep did not come easy, but she eventually went to sleep in her little bed, and only woke up once in the middle of the night. I laid down with her and she eventually calmed down. 

The first day is always hard. Strangers coming together and figuring each other out. And, although we have loved her for many months, she does not know us at all and does not have any reason to trust us. Even so, she seems perceptive and discerning. Children often are. She knew in that Social Service building who loved her and relatively quickly understood we are a safe place for her. 

We are so thankful to have her in our arms, finally! We have prayed for her and over her. We have hoped and looked forward to meeting her in person! Emmaline is full of spirit and fire. She has a terrific stink eye and will flash the cutest smile (but usually when she thinks you aren't looking.) We can't wait to know her better.

We love you, Emmaline Victoria! 

Travel Day and Sofia Day

On Friday, April 9, Robert and I woke up to a very quiet house. The kids were with Grammy and Poppy and it was the day we would finally leave to pick up Emmaline. We basically paced all morning, waiting for it to be time to go to the airport. I went out for a quick jog (just to ease my nerves), and we went over our packing list one last time. We headed to the airport way too early, just because we couldn't stand waiting anymore. We were thankful for the extra time since Covid has made everything more difficult in regards to travel. The airport parking was closed, so we had to find a park and ride. And there were several checks to make sure we had the proper paperwork before we were allowed on the airplane. 

The Atlanta airport always provides entertainment. Here were our two funniest moments: 

1. When we were checking in (the first time), the ticket agent looked at Robert and said, "My system says: 'This customer cannot go to Bulgaria.'" Robert looked at me with total panic. I just laughed at him and told the agent, yes, we can. I had all our documentation from the courts and Embassy. I think the agent still wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, because he said "I am not liable if they do not let you in." Gotcha. (Spoiler: They let us in, of course.) 

2. While in line for security, the man in front of us pulled out a TSA Approved card and flashed it at the agent, and tried to walk through the security point. The TSA agent stopped him and said, "YOU are TSA approved, your bag is not" and made him go to the back of the line. Hilarious. (For us, not so much him.) 

We sat on the runway in Atlanta for 45 minutes and all I could do was watch my watch and think 'We are going to miss our flight in Paris.' We only had a 2 hour lay over to begin with, 1 hour in Paris is not enough time to get to another flight. But, God smiled on us, because we hustled through that Paris airport, had an extra security line opened just as we arrived (thank you, Jesus!) We made it to our gate in time to grab a bottle of water and get on the plane. We are so thankful because that was the ONLY flight to Sofia until Monday! 

After about 14 hours of total travel time, we finally arrived in Sofia. Sadly, our luggage did not arrive with us and we are still waiting on it. It is hanging out in Paris until there is another flight to Bulgaria. We hope they remember to put our bags on the next flight! We would love to get some clean clothes, and all the clothes and toys and supplies we brought for Emmaline. 

We were thrilled when we got to our hotel and found out we had received a free upgrade to one of the suites. We have a lot more space to spread out and a little living room where we can play with Emmaline once she is here. 

We spent a very sleepy evening wandering Vitosha street (right outside our hotel), trying to find a few necessary toiletries and dinner. 

After a much needed full night of sleep, we had a quiet Sunday morning in the hotel room reading our Bibles, followed by a busy afternoon of grocery shopping and attempting (but failing) to find a stroller. We enjoyed street pizza and gelato for lunch and took in more of the city. The juxtaposition of the new and the old is interesting here. Modern buildings built next to (or on top of) ancient buildings. New apartments next to crumbling homes. It's been fun getting to know the area around our hotel. If Emmaline is up to it, we hope to see some more of the city and surrounding areas in the weeks to come. 

Tomorrow is the big day! We finally meet Emmaline! We know tomorrow will be difficult for her. Two people she has never met coming to take her away from all she knows. Terrifying. We love her and we are looking forward to getting to know who she is...but we know this beginning bit will be difficult. We pray tonight for her little heart and mind. We pray she will feel loved and safe soon. We pray for our own hearts as we try to meet all her needs. 

Our kids at home are doing well with Grammy and Poppy! We are thankful they are being loved on while we are away. 

My Little Loves Here at Home

 There’s a part of my brain that starts screaming at me to quit in the middle of long runs. That voice asking “why the heck are you doing this?” and screaming “Stop and EAT you crazy lady!” There are articles upon articles written about how to fight off that voice and push through to the end...fuel, water, training, mental games.

Here we are...the week of departure has arrived and the most difficult part emotionally for me is upon me. Leaving these kids who are the loves of my life. That same part of my brain screams “I can’t leave them!” And a crushing sadness at driving away without them engulfs my heart.

There aren’t any articles written about this... and there really aren’t any mental games to make it better...but I have something more...God’s voice speaking truth against the fear...full of perfect peace and all the courage my weak heart needs. He reminds me that sometimes He requires things that are hard. But, in the hard, He is always there with me.

We are THRILLED to be going to meet and bring our last baby HOME in just a few short days. But, the next few days with these six babies at home are full of some hard moments for all of us as we step outside our comfort zone to finish the adoption of our beloved daughter and sister.

Faithful

 “ I will stand at my watch

Emmaline Victoria Zopp

and station myself on the ramparts;

I will look to see what he will say to me,

and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

2 Then the Lord replied:

“Write down the revelation

and make it plain on tablets

so that a herald may run with it.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;

it speaks of the end

and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come

and will not delay.” -Habakkuk 2:1-3

Last night, I sat with a pile of toddler sized clothes I have saved for years and was overcome by the Lord’s faithfulness. He is faithful. All the time.

He whispered to us that we would have another daughter long ago. Life has taken many twists and turns since then. Programs closed to us. Family moves. Job changes. The journey to our baby girl did not look like what we imagined. But, all along the way, God was there, encouraging us.

Now, finally, here I am sitting with a pile of 2T clothes I’ve saved all these years...knowing He would be faithful. So excited to hold my little girl. Just a few more weeks to wait.

If you’re waiting for Him ... His timing is perfect. Trust in His faithfulness. It will come.

Sometimes not in the time or way we want or expect. But always for His glory and our good.