Stephanie Mast

It wasn't a matter of if, it was when. Because as we had mentioned before, DOD policy all the way up to that point was make every effort to bring her home. And so we were, like for me, just like you would prepare for any other child, just being ready to have all the supplies, be ready to go. to, for us, receive a child that potentially had ongoing medical needs.

So just trying to adjust my expectations of what life was going to look like at that time. And I would say for the most part, we were ready as much as you could be. But when it looked like they were going to forcefully just turn her over, at the last minute, I think we still, as Americans, just held out hope, like, if we get it in front of the right people, they'll do the right thing.

So just trying to adjust my expectations of what life was going to look like at that time. And I would say for the most part, we were ready as much as you could be. But when it looked like they were going to forcefully just turn her over, at the last minute, I think we still, as Americans, just held out hope, like, if we get it in front of the right people, they'll do the right thing.

So just trying to adjust my expectations of what life was going to look like at that time. And I would say for the most part, we were ready as much as you could be. But when it looked like they were going to forcefully just turn her over, at the last minute, I think we still, as Americans, just held out hope, like, if we get it in front of the right people, they'll do the right thing.

And so I think even though that fear was very real, there was a side that was just like, it's going to come through. It's got to come through. It's a baby. They're going to see the innocence, and they're going to protect this baby.

And so I think even though that fear was very real, there was a side that was just like, it's going to come through. It's got to come through. It's a baby. They're going to see the innocence, and they're going to protect this baby.

And so I think even though that fear was very real, there was a side that was just like, it's going to come through. It's got to come through. It's a baby. They're going to see the innocence, and they're going to protect this baby.

And I remember that night, it was like one of the worst nights of my life that it was, I don't know what time it was, but I was in bed and like we did everything we could possibly do. And now we were just hoping that for some reason it was going to stop. It was going to be stopped. And Joshua walked in and the room was dark and I just remember your voice and you're like, she's gone.

And I remember that night, it was like one of the worst nights of my life that it was, I don't know what time it was, but I was in bed and like we did everything we could possibly do. And now we were just hoping that for some reason it was going to stop. It was going to be stopped. And Joshua walked in and the room was dark and I just remember your voice and you're like, she's gone.

And I remember that night, it was like one of the worst nights of my life that it was, I don't know what time it was, but I was in bed and like we did everything we could possibly do. And now we were just hoping that for some reason it was going to stop. It was going to be stopped. And Joshua walked in and the room was dark and I just remember your voice and you're like, she's gone.

I just, I didn't even say anything. I was so shocked. I was just, it felt like a kick in the gut. Like, I can't believe it. And that moment just, if you feel like a failure, because here you are, I mean, we were excited about what we were doing. We were proud of what we were doing. And there was like a full court press of everybody working together for this one child.

I just, I didn't even say anything. I was so shocked. I was just, it felt like a kick in the gut. Like, I can't believe it. And that moment just, if you feel like a failure, because here you are, I mean, we were excited about what we were doing. We were proud of what we were doing. And there was like a full court press of everybody working together for this one child.

I just, I didn't even say anything. I was so shocked. I was just, it felt like a kick in the gut. Like, I can't believe it. And that moment just, if you feel like a failure, because here you are, I mean, we were excited about what we were doing. We were proud of what we were doing. And there was like a full court press of everybody working together for this one child.

And so it felt just like a failure. And I'll never forget what you said. You said, I don't know why. I have no reason to think this, but it's going to be okay. And of all things for him to say, it was probably the best thing. It was comforting. But I was just like, really? I can't see how any good can come from this.

And so it felt just like a failure. And I'll never forget what you said. You said, I don't know why. I have no reason to think this, but it's going to be okay. And of all things for him to say, it was probably the best thing. It was comforting. But I was just like, really? I can't see how any good can come from this.

And so it felt just like a failure. And I'll never forget what you said. You said, I don't know why. I have no reason to think this, but it's going to be okay. And of all things for him to say, it was probably the best thing. It was comforting. But I was just like, really? I can't see how any good can come from this.

After formally recognizing... Or if you want to say a little bit more politically, they ignored our legal parental rights and basically said, yeah, that's you, but we're going to do this. It was official U.S. determination and policy.

After formally recognizing... Or if you want to say a little bit more politically, they ignored our legal parental rights and basically said, yeah, that's you, but we're going to do this. It was official U.S. determination and policy.

After formally recognizing... Or if you want to say a little bit more politically, they ignored our legal parental rights and basically said, yeah, that's you, but we're going to do this. It was official U.S. determination and policy.

And we're told that she's in a slum.