You know the drill...

Today was dentist day. Steven visited the dentist for the first time in his young life. He has several cavities but none of them severe. The destist looked carefully at Steven's teeth and confirmed our suspicians that he cannot be turning 8 but is realistically about 6 years of age. Emotionally and developmentally he is more Sam's age. People we meet think that Samuel is the older child. Sam's certainly more outgoing.

Roger also visited the dentist and needs his upper wisdom teeth removed. One of the teeth had absessed so was placed on an antibiotic.

Holly ordered her vegetable seeds, has plotted out the garden, and is preparing the beds.

The kids really enjoy Leap Frog DVD "Learning Alphabets" and continually practice the letter sounds.

Keep in touch!

The Lord Giveth and...

... the IRS taketh away. I hate tax season. I used to enjoy it becasue when we owned our home as a pastor, we received enough deductions that reduced our income to where we received rebates. No longer. Living in a New Jersey parsonage has literally cost us thousands of dollars in tax breaks. And now we're paying for it. I'm working on our taxes now and it seems that barring any other deductions we will owe another 4,000 in taxes to Uncle Sam. Hold your breath however. We will be able to apply the child adoption tax credit but it may not help us very much. We'll see. The one thing we know for certain. If the IRS takes away, we believe God will compensate because no one can out give the Lord.

If you wish to view our adoption trip in 2008, you may still access those records by clicking the "archive" button or the "2008 button" on the right hand column of the blog.

Here in the south, locals claim this has been the coldest season on record. Is there really global warming? Our home is heated by an electric heat pump so you can imagine the electric bills. .

This week I ordered my books for the next courses in this semester: "Foundations of Exceptionality" and "Understanding Educatonal Research and Assessment". I expect these core courses to be pretty heavy weighted.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

God Will Take Care of You

"Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you." That's how the old hymn goes. And when you are following the Lord, he makes provison. I saw this again today. As I wondered how God will take care of our daily needs, an unexpected check arrived in the mail. No, it's not a Stimulus check but close - it was a check from the US Treasury. It seems that the IRS made an error on my 2007 taxes this time - in my favor for a substantial amount! Who needs unemployment compensation when the Lord is working! Yesterday at church the pastor approached me about a medical school that is looking to sponsor a child for surgical care. We happen to have a good candiate in our own home! We'll let you know how that situation turns out.
So, if you have a care, a worry, a concern, please don't hold on to it. Give it up to the Lord. Philippians 4:5b-6 says, "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." The next verse will remind you that God's blanket of peace is available to comfort, sustain you and even protect your heart against the worries of the day. This is good news for those facing difficult economic situations.

On a side note. I'm doing very well in my Advanced Educational Psychology course. God is enabling me to keep up with the young bucks. Even received some kudos from the professor! Be praying however, that I might secure good employment and health insurance. And a good dentist. My upper wisdom teeth are in bad shape and are causing a measure of discomfort.

Congratulations!

Congratulations all Pittsburgh Steelers fans.
It was a tremendous game! Unfortunately we could only attend the game via radio since Comcast blocked out the signal in our area.

Steven was seen by a pediatrician familiar with special needs children. He is presently being treated for giardia (prevalent with most Internationally adopted children from China.) He's also being tested for other deficiencies and other illnesses. The doctor supports our application for Shriners Hospital.

Please pray that we will soon be able to acquire health insurance for the children. The Commonwealth of Virginia will not offer insurance unless one offers proof of income. That leaves us out since we are still unemployed. Roger had an interview with Liberty University last Friday. We'll see what the Lord does with that. He's still looking to see what doors will open for our family.

Enjoy the new photos! And keep praying!