Lots of News

We've had some busy weeks in our house with lots of things going on...
--Andy's sister lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her family. They have planted a church called Rechurch, which recently celebrated its 1 year anniversary. Last Tuesday, there was a large earthquake that hit Christchurch (there was another major one there in September). Their home was seriously damaged (cracks in walls, floors bubbling up, master bedroom sinking and falling away from house) as well as a large portion of the city, making them refugees. Amy and Brooklyn (11 mo.) are living 3 hours outside of the city with friends, and Joe has been staying in Christchurch to do relief work. While the situation seems bleak, God has shown Joe and another pastor from Rechurch favor with the relief officials, and they were asked to lead the religious service yesterday for all of the relief workers in the city. Please pray that God directs their steps and gives them opportunities to serve and love others. The hymn that keeps coming to mind when I think of them is "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand..."

--We got a referral for a 3-4 month old baby girl last week! She is precious and beautiful and was cooing in the videos that we saw. The picture shows her smiling face and pierced ears! I'm planning to take some little studs over when we go to get our little guy. Because it is a separate court process, we hope to have her home by August or September.

--Our friends are there now and were able to send pictures and videos of our two "twins" together. It melted my heart! Our little boy, who was so tiny when we got his referral, is now 18lbs at only 5 mo. ha He's a big boy, and we are so thankful for the formula he has received. A picture of his hands is above...and he's teething like crazy! They are now in the same foster home and are being loved by a woman who is beautiful "inside and out" as my friend described. Praise God! My specific prayer for our son is that he will be home by May 7th. There isn't a great likelihood of this, but I'd love if you'd pray for that specifically with me. We have an orphan/adoption care event at our church that day, and I would love to have him there as a testimony to the importance of adoption and as a visible picture of what Lifesong for Orphans helps make possible through their financial assistance.

--It was interesting to see videos after looking at a few pictures for so long. First, I would like to say that technology is incredible...what a blessing! Now, if they could only figure out teleporting :) Seeing the videos just makes me ache to get them home! Second, it is often asked with adoption if it is possible to love an adoptive child in the same way that you love a biological child. I can testify that after just watching a few short video clips of our babies, I would do anything for them. We have love that runs deep for these little ones, just as it does for our biological daughter.