Day Four: Lots of Emotions

So today can be split into two parts: before baby and after baby.

Kenya called first thing this morning saying that they were going to release her today. Keep in mind that she just had a c-section two days ago! So when we left this morning, we made sure to pack baby clothes and blankets.

We found a chapel to attend sacrament service at, so we were there at 9 am. It was just half a mile or so, down the street from the hospital. Being the very inner city part of Philly, I have to admit that I was a bit leary. The chapel was just like the ones that you see throughout the US and different parts of the world. The only difference would be the lack of parking, gated fences all around the church and white bars on the windows. There was a really good mix of people attending. It appeared to be about half locals, and maybe about half young families (they are here attending school). Of course everyone knew that we were not a regular and were hoping that we had moved in. The friendliness of people that you don't know, but you have the common bond of the gospel, is often amazing. As usual, Mat found someone that he knew! What are the chances of that happening? Amazing. The meeting was very good, they changed the Bishopric and the new Bishop was someone that Mat went to high school with. Isn't it amazing that the Lord trusts someone with so much responsibility, when that individual is barely thirty?

We got to the hospital at 10:30am and Kenya was dressed and ready to go. We had to wait around for just a couple of things to be finished up, but we were all out of their by 1pm. I called Jane (our adoption agency contact) when we got to the hospital. I was a little concerned with not knowing exactly how things were going to work out. Jane was really surprised and a little annoyed that the hospital was releasing Kenya, and we had to do several back and forth phone calls. Kenya has still not signed the papers, and won't be able to until Tuesday. The social worker at the hospital kept saying, "I don't want to know the plan, don't tell me a thing". So we essentially handed the baby off in the parking lot. Just kidding. We took Kenya to get her prescriptions and then took her home. It seemed to pass in such a rush and before we knew it, we had a baby!

It has been a rather emotional day for me. I am now ready to head home, but since Kenya can't sign papers until Tuesday, the official papers that we are waiting for, can't start the long process until Wednesday. Those are the papers that have to be signed by the state of PA, sent to UT, and then sent back to PA. We have been told to expect 10 business days, and with the state of Utah having a four day work week, that could take even longer! So pray that it will hurry up and that things will work out so we can come home soon!

Another reason I would like to come home is: that I miss my children! Yesterday Matalyn asked if we knew when we could come home. Joseph didn't miss a beat and told us we could stay another month or two! Can you believe that? You would think that he is enjoying time with the Petersen cousins.

So here is another round of pictures for the day. We love you all and are grateful for your prayers and your support.

Look what we found on our way home from the city? The country is a wonderful place!