This morning I arrived back in Elbasan for what will hopefully be the last three nights of hotel stays before returning to Tirana with David Reni. Finding a hotel proved to be a little more of a trick than I thought, so after visiting four other hotels, I ended up back at the Univers Hotel. That is when things really got interesting. I was checked in by two high-schoolers, and I moved in before heading to the orphanage to see Reni. When I got back, I was told my room had been moved because "an Italian" wanted my room. That wouldn't have been too bad except I was moved from a pretty nice room to a real sketchy room. The price list on the back of my new room's door included hourly and half-day rates! After about 20 minutes in my 'new' room, I came back to the front desk to ask to be moved - again. I was told that it would take a while to clean a new room, so I went to the restaurant for lunch. During lunch I was told two more room numbers, so I didn't know what to expect. Thankfully by the time I was finished with lunch, the kind lady I knew from previous stays here was at the front desk, and she had cleared things up. So now I am in a nice room that if you hold the computer to the right angle to the window you can actually get a wireless signal!
Enough about that. If you are reading this blog you are probably much more interested in what is going on with David Reni. When I arrived this morning there was no electricity at the orphanage, so one of the sisters was sitting with most of the young kids in the hallway. When Reni saw me, he actually turned and crawled away as fast as he could! Of course I was able to catch him, but I really think he was scared at first. We have only been gone about a week with my sickness and everything. I am glad for his sake we didn't have to leave for 6 weeks! Within a few minutes he was laughing and trying to put my sunglasses on. He has been sick and is teething not to mention it is really hot here, so he wasn't his full snuggly self, but even when he just wanted to crawl around, he would always stop every few yards and turn to be sure I was still there and watching. Then I would get his trademark smile, and he would continue his journey.
Cydil took the 'good' camera back to the states, so I only have the point and shoot with me, but I shot some videos on it today that shows David Reni in action! I hope you enjoy!
4 comments:
We've enjoyed keeping up and knowing how to pray. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Just want you to know that Micah spent several minutes this afternoon studying David's pictures from the blog so he could make a mii for him. He said, "I want him to be able to play with us!" Can't wait to meet the little guy!
Steve
Oh, how we are enjoying the new video! It was little Ada that wanted what Reni had, wasn't it? I honestly believe Reni looks like he has grown and matured in his face just since we saw him!! Hug Reni for us, and give him lots of kisses from Nonna and PaPa. I can visualize Reni playing Wii with his cousins one day soon, so how great that Micah has made him a mii! :-) We are praying and trusting God to bring both of you home soon!!
Mom and Dad Waggoner
There are tears in my eyes as I read the blog today. Joyful tears to see Reni and longing for each of you to be home with your precious family. The prayers are still ascending to our loving Heavenly Father on behalf of all of you.
I spoke on the phone with Grams and Pop Pop today and asked them to pray for the needed signitures for Reni's adoption and also for Ellie's big step to Kindergarten. I know they pray for each of you every day. Love,
I loved the video - he certainly is very active. We continue to pray for those adoption papers so you can finalise your plans to take him home to his family. Also praying for Ellie and her first day at school.
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