Dustin's in Malawi

It's been a while since I've had time to post on this clunky old blog. I really should take the time to update you on the four miracles we witnessed over the past few weeks: 1) Dustin's passport arrived in time for his trip; 2) My lost passport was found, with the help of a saint (or Jesus, for those uncomfortable with the idea of saints pitching in); 3) Our home study report was finished with just days to spare; and 4) Dustin and I were both fingerprinted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order to gain approval to bring a child home as an American citizen. While these may not sound miraculous, each has it's own story or saga. I may try to write more on these later, if time permits.

Now, however, we have much more exciting things to talk about, like Dustin arriving in Malawi and meeting Moses for the first time. I won't try to describe how Dustin felt in that moment because I hardly know. But I can tell you some details about the little man. He's about the same size as our niece Molly (for those who know her). John (Dustin's brother who is currently in Malawi) says he feels half a pound heavier and looks a little taller. John also says that Moses is very active, more so than his daughter and the other babies we know. He definitely sounds active. He was singing and talking to himself all morning. Dustin said that Moses is very comfortable with him (and John) and is enthralled with all the watches, beards, and glasses these two Americans brought with them. Dustin and John both say he's even cuter in person than in the pictures we have. The word "adorable" came up several times. Also, our child's gots skills. (Yes, I meant to say it like that.) Apparently Moses is very good at mimicking, and can repeat sounds that Dustin makes. Dustin says he's full of personality. He's a pretty mellow, happy kid who can entertain himself quite well. He likes being thrown in the air, sucking his thumb, and taking long walks on the beach. Dustin says he sucks his thumb almost constantly.

Dustin also says that most American mothers would freak out to see their babies crawling in the places where Moses crawls and eating the things Moses puts in his mouth. Apparently Moses spit up on a plastic floor runner at a guesthouse where they are currently staying. When Dustin cleaned it up, the rag turned black. He said it was just nasty. Then Dustin looked over to find Moses chewing on a corner of the same dirty runner. C'est la vie en Malawi!

Dustin, John, Margaret, and Moses are taking a bus to Balaka and should be there by (our) Friday morning. Monday, they plan to head to Blantyre to meet with the Social Welfare Officer who will oversee the foster/adoption process. We hope to have a better sense of the timeframe and details at that point (though we recognize that we probably still won't have a good sense of it even when it's finished.)

It's almost midnight so I really ought to go to bed. Thank you for not judging this blog as a work of art, but rather as a simple medium for me to get thoughts and details out to the masses. Good night!