Caleb-isms -

The other day, he was horsing around with his Dad. They were pretending to bite each other, but a real one landed right on Mike. Mike told Caleb "You need to say sorry and kiss it to make it better!"


Caleb pointed to the red spot, and apparently recalling a recent trip to the doctor, attempted to share with his Dad what would cause that kind of pain. With great emphasis and seriousness, he said "Shots! Shots! Trust me!"

New Photos

We got some new photos of Matthew today. Not one hour ago, I told a friend, "You know, what would really make the wait easier would be to get another photo of Matthew." And guess what was in my email box when I got home. God is so good!

I always find the new photos bittersweet. It is so good to see my baby...but I see how much he has grown. I see now that his front teeth are growing in (albeit awfully crooked!) I really wish I had been there to notice which one came in first, whether or not he hurt when he teethed, etc...those mushy mommy things.

And I find that he never seems very happy in front of the camera...always sort of a serious stare with only all too rare smile. Well, I look forward to finding whatever it takes to get a giggle out of him.

I heard this quote by Oswald Chambers on the radio yesterday. I've been convicted recently to really pray for each step in this adoption process. I know that this little boy has been put in our lives by Divine Hands, and "He that called us, He is able to do it!" I pray that each hand that touches our adoption process will be favorable and quick.

"Every minute you're waiting, God's working." - Oswald Chambers

Dossier sent to Vietnam!

Yesterday, our dossier was completed by the Vietnamese embassy. 3 1/2 weeks...a bit longer than normal (just our luck, huh?) because it was over Christmas/New Years.

The paperwork is on its way to Vietnam today! Yippie! It will be translated there, and then sent through the Vietnamese governmental system. Looks like we will be going sometime from April to May.

I'd love to be in Vietnam for my birthday (April 2, what a great birthday that would be!), but mostly we want to be with Matthew before his first birthday on May 30.

Keep our dossier in your prayers -

1) That each process it goes through will be anointed by God's sovereign protection.
2) That each step will proceed without delay or problem, according to God's will.
3) That it will be found to be accurate and acceptable to those reviewing it.
4) That it will not be significantly delayed in February during the Vietnamese New Year (the country shuts down for a couple weeks; we pray that the impact on our adoption will be minimal)

Please also don't forget to keep Matthew in your prayers.

*Pray for his safekeeping and health, especially free from infections.
*Pray for the adoption process to happen quickly and without problem.
*Pray that he is well taken care of at the orphanage, and he finds joy and comfort with the nannys and other children there.
*Pray that the bonding process with Matthew will go well (sometimes institutionalized children struggle with this)
*Pray for Matthew's birthfamily, especially his birthmother. She has had the courage that most of us could never could imagine, and this time may be especially difficult for her. Pray for her salvation, too.
*Most importantly, pray that Matthew will grow up to be a man of God, following His perfect will for his life.