Happy 6th Birthday, Providence!!!

Please sign petition for Ethiopia adoptions!

URGENT: We need your help! If you have not signed the petition below, PLEASE SIGN IT TODAY! Right now a movement has gone into action to reduce the number of adoptions of orphaned children in Ethiopia by 90%. This can be devastating to a country that currently has over 5 million orphans. Please take two minutes today and sign the petition below. The background info and the instructions to sign the petition are in the email. 250,000 are needed by saturday. YOUR signature will make a difference! http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43714.html

Ethiopia Update!

When we decided to adopt internationally, we knew the process would be difficult. Our adoption with Selah was emotionally taxing, as throughout much of the time after visiting her, we knew that, due to the unrest in Guatamala, we might not get to bring her home. Fortunately, for our family, we brought her home the very week the new President in Guatamala was inaugerated and major changes in adoption were taking place. Many families did not get to finish their adoption. WELL, once again, we have chosen a country that is becoming unstable. I was on several blogs yesteday and it seems that they may decrease adoptions by 90%, starting on March 10. I am waiting to get an update from our agency but if this is true, it is truly tragic. This is a country where there are 5 MILLION ORPHANS. This country has extreme poverty and more than likely, the majoritiy of these kids, if not adopted will die. So, this goes well beyond what Debbie is feeling. This has nothing to do with me, and everything to do these children. God is in control. I absolutely believe this. I am asking, those of you who are prayer warriers to lift up this situation and plead for the future of so many children.

TWO CUTIE PATUTIES!

A winter wonderland in Big Bear!

We had the privelege of going to Big Bear from Sunday to Tuesday with our closest friends, Matt and Val Hixson. The grandparents willingly watched the kids so that we might have a little rest and relaxation. It was great. Greg and Lucia graciously let us use their cabin. A winter storm had just come in and there was lots of snow. It was beautiful. Here is a list of what made our time wonderful:
-Warm fires
-Snow covered trees
-watching lots of movies
-reading
-eating yummy food
-sleeping in and staying up late
-GOING on a zip line (so much fun)
-enjoying our friendship
-window shopping
-lot of coffee

Winchester Cheese Company!

Last week we had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the Winchester Cheese Company. We learned about the tedious process of making cheese. The factory that we visited was small and everything is done by hand, however their cheese is well-known and Wolfgang Puck did a interview with them that was televised. It was a little stinky but lots of fun.

Dallas' Baptism

I pray weekly that my kids will grow in the knowledge of Christ. Our desire and prayer is that our kids will never become stagnant in their walk with the Lord. Each year, we hope that they have learned more about who Christ is and how He is the most important One to please and serve. I definately fall short in modeling Christ to my kids but I hope that they can see, through my imperfections,the impossibility of attaining heaven without the blood of Christ covering my nastiness. For a while now, Dallas has asked to be baptised. This is a very important step and decision and we wanted to make sure that he didn't want to do this, for attention. After several discussions, trying to evaluate his motives and heart, Jason and I were in agreement that he was serious about his decision. My dad has spent weekly time discipling him and their relationship is very special. So, on Sunday, Dallas proclaimed to those watching, that he is a disciple of Christ, dead to sin because he believes Christ's sacrifice has freed him from bondage, and alive to a new life in Christ. For this, we are so thankful. With tears in his eyes and loving words, my dad was able to baptise him. One of the most touching statements he said was, "Dallas, my brother and my grandson, I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It was the first outdoor baptism that First Baptist has had.