Here we are!

Here we are! 

We cannot believe it. We keep looking at each other in amazement. 

It's crazy when you spend years planning and preparing and then all of a sudden, within a matter of 24 hours, it becomes a reality. 

We now live in Pogradec, Albania. What????

So, since we've been gone....

1. Shiloh did AMAZING on the planes. Thank you to everyone who was praying. She passed out in the little bassinet. After her and Cory played peek-a-boo for an hour. 

We had 3 flights. The last two were an hour and a half each which was a pain but she was a trooper. Only on the last flight between Vienna and Tirana did she freak out. She was exhausted and screamed bloody murder. All of the Albanians were telling me what to do..."she needs to burp," and "rub her ears." 

One lady grabs Shiloh, puts her on her knees, and bounces her vigorously. Louder screaming ensues. Lady passes Shiloh back. 

Not in America any more. That was the worst of it and Shiloh Belle is already sleeping through the night again so we are all happy. 

2. Our home will probably be ready in about a week and a half...or so. You never quite know. Currently there is no kitchen, and not even a hole for water.... We are also working on fixing the lights, painting some walls, and getting furniture and appliances. We came with almost nothing but clothes so it is as if we are starting over. Which is fun :) 

A view from our balcony. Yes that is a donkey. 

3. We were walking in the bazar the other day. Shiloh was in her stroller. 

A 4 foot ancient woman was walking towards us. (it was a crowded market place)

She was dressed in black with a scarf on her head. 

Her body was almost u-shaped she was so bent over. 

She started spitting...AT SHILOH. Multiple times. And muttering. What, I don't know. 

I started to pull the stroller away. And she continued on. 

Apparently, this is for good luck. Or to keep the "evil eye" away. 

Sweet. 

                                                  A light fixture shop in the bazar

4. EVERYONE comes out an night. Like after 8. You walk along the lake and its packed full of people. Walking. 

And they walk SLOWLY. 

And all over the path. Not on the right or left side. They drive like that too. 

5. We have seen a bunch of the boys from camp last summer. They are SO fun and we can't wait to learn the language so we can communicate better with them. For now, we try to decipher what each other is saying and laugh the whole time. We ran into them last night on our walk. And they are currently helping Cory and Dan paint.

                                                                                    

We are so thankful to be here and cannot wait to be settled, start language training, and then kick of the summer with camps. 

Thankful for your love and prayers. 

**I have also written a bit of "Our Story" and how the Lord has brought us to Albania. It is on the menu bar at the top. 

**More pics also on Instagram.