7 month update on our Myadoption.com Website

Hey, head on over to this link to see our newest update on our Elijah Jiehao! It's been seven months since we received him - how can that be?

Answered Prayer

Today Ted had a prayer answered. He got a new job! One that he is thrilled to have but would never have suspected that he would end up having . . .

The job Ted envisioned throughout last year as having by now was teaching English in some area high school and being the head of their drama department. But that is not the kind of job he has been led to . . . isn't that just like our God?

It all began last night while he attended a small church gathering, and his dear friends prayed over him for a new job . . .

One that only God would provide . . .

While his friends were praying last night, a special person was checking our family blogspot. Checking the post where I mentioned Ted needed prayers for a job.

This lady and her family traveled with our group when we went to China to bring home Philip. They brought home their daughter Hannah. So we already have a really strong bond to this family. She and her husband are both teachers, as are Kevin and I, and they were there for the "adoptive birth" of our Philip as we were there for their daughter's "adoptive birth." Now we have another "Red Thread" to them as well.

Christine called and spoke to me today and said that really she had a question for Ted. She taught preschool at a private school and was in need of an assistant. She said that she knew this was probably not the job that Ted was looking for, but she decided to call anyway after reading our blog. My first thought too was that no, probably this was not the job for Ted. I mean really, why would a recent college graduate with a double major in secondary English education and Theatre Directing want to work in a preschool?? Then I mentioned it to Ted a little later.

At first he said that before last night he would not have even considered it because it wasn't in his major area of study, but in light of the special prayer his friends had prayed over him just last night, he needed to really pray for God's guiding on this one because the timing seemed interesting.

He did pray, and what he found was that God was all over this.

Because of the timing of the prayer and Christine checking the blogspot and because it would be just like God to lead Ted to a totally unexpected place where he could place his trust in Him, Ted wondered about taking the job.

Then we noticed Madeleine's comment on our blogspot about how she was praying for a job that could glorify God. That comment was made yesterday . . .

Ted's friends had prayed that same prayer last night, the same night Christine read our blog.

Coincidence? I think not. There are no coincidences for people who put their trust in God. There is only God working out details so his perfect plans can be put into action.

So now, Ted is thrilled to be working with Christine in her preschool class. He certainly has plenty of experience with preschool children - ahem, I mean Philip and Elijah never leave Ted alone when he is home!! That alone would qualify him for the job! Hee, hee!!

Ted has prayed all along and never lost faith that God would lead him to just the right job. Who knows where this will lead. You can bet since it has the "fingerprints of God" all over it, it will be exciting to see.

What a wonderful learning opportunity this will be. How amazing is our God that he already knows the rest of the story.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Got milk???

Mmm-mmm good!

Ice cream, that is!!

Hello friends

Our three sons with dear friends Linda, Phyllis, and Lisa

Ted is knee deep in "job hunting" these days. He had taken a summer job at a day camp for children at our church that just finished two weeks ago, and he has been hunting all summer long for that elusive teaching job to no avail.







In fact, he has had about four "promising" interviews at different area schools that went very well, but each time the position went to someone else. :(







He is keeping the faith, though, and trusting that God will lead him to just the right job. Ted has been leaning on the following Bible verse . . .







Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight - Proverbs 3:5 - 6







Could you pray for him, too? :)

Ok - who is going to make it 20??

Philip is wondering who will be the next person to follow our blog??

(Hee, hee, don't you just love those fake glasses and noses??)

I just noticed that a sweet lady named Madeleine joined my blog as a follower today! Thank you Madeleine for the touching comment about a previous post about our Ted!



Ok - that makes 19 followers. . .



Who is going to join to make it an even 20??



LOL!!

Addition to this post: Whoo-hoo we have 21 and counting!!

thanks to Claire and Jan

Way to go!! Keep going! Hee, hee!!

Welcome Suzanne! This keeps getting better and better to hear from you all!

I agree with you about the costs of adoption being so high, but we have experience in finding out the God REALLY does provide ways to pay for each adoption. Glad you came out of "lurking"

This adoption community is so amazing in the way we support each other.

I keep adding more names here because you guys rock! Welcome Leda!!

More vacation pics

Here are some pictures of our visit to Dad's sister and his brother-in-law and their family in Virginia Beach. It was a great beginning to our trip. It was hard to leave both Virginia Beach and Roanoke. Good-byes are always difficult with people you love!

Vacation pictures

Below and above are photos of our vacation. It is actually in backwards order because these are pictures of our visit to Dad's brother and sister-in-law and their family in Roanoke where we just came from today.

Being with Dad's family, his brother and sister and their families, has been such sweet time spent. We are so glad we came for a visit, and we miss them already!