Meeting Ellie

Hey there. Been busy over here and haven't posted in a while. Will try to update you in several posts instead of one long one. On Monday morning we got to see Ellie. The trip from Bishkek to Tokmok was uneventful. It is a pretty country with the mountains and fields; however, it is a poor country as well. Out from Bishkek are farms. I have seen several workers in the fields and their children under shade trees. They pull their cars up to the side of the fields and get out and work all day.

When we got to the orphanage, Maria, Aliya and Ludmilla went to get Ellie. We were surprised that she would get to come out and be with us. Josh was ecstatic that he was going to get to see her. She was so small. She didn't open her eyes or pretty much do anything today. We were hopeful that she would be more animated on our next trip. We were only allowed to stay an hour and a half, and then we headed back to Bishkek were we stopped at the Beta Store for more water and Coke Light. Josh went swimming in the "heated" 68 to 70 degree swimming pool at the hotel. After that, it was lights out for at least 4 to 6 hours of sleep.