Shabbat #14

Shabbat # 14 was so full (and exhausting,) I am posting this the next morning.   We had a great time at Dr. Rick's (as usual,) and Eric got to experience it for the very first time. He enjoyed seeing Rick again, meeting all the kids and other interesting guests.  Here he is in obligatory Shabbat head wear, chatting with Dr. Elaine and Mark who are in Ethiopia adopting and who live, where else, but Denver, CO!

Eric was impressed with the intelligence of the children and their interest in and ability to have conversations about U.S. politics...in English.  I guess seeing weekly movies in English is paying off!

And on THAT subject,  many thanks to the awesome

Joshua Lang and his parents, Paula and Corey, in Bethesda, MD,

for sponsoring this week's movie outing.  The popularity of the event is growing and this week no less than 27 kids signed up.  (27 x 45 birr = $70).  

Paula and I have been friends since the first day of school in the 6th grade and earlier this year I was honored to attend (accompanied by Jim Angell) Joshua's Bar Mitzvah.  It has been a JOY to watch this wonderful boy grow into a fine young man.  I am very proud of all of his accomplishment (strait A's, for example,) and love him and his parents very much.  Here is a blast from the past!

During the day, we tried to take it easy on Uncle Eric to give him a chance to acclimatize to Ethiopia.  We played at home in the morning...

My totally awesome Aunt Eileen from Ft. Worth sent with Eric 3 beautiful custom-made embroidered burpies for Tali Bamlak.  The chamber maids were so impressed that they had them displayed when we came back up to our room after our breakfast fun. 

And at mid-day we went out with our fellow adoptive families for an outdoor lunch at the  Hilton.  Tali Bamlak home wore a soft and SWEET brand new outfit that Gimme/Bubbe sent with Uncle Eric.

Love and Shabbat Shalom from Addis,

--Jen and