Praise the Lord!!!

     We applied for a grant through Ephesians 3:20 Foundation and they awarded us a grant of $3,400 that will be distributed as soon as we get our travel authorization.  I am amazed at how God works and shows us that He is still with us and that He is the one that is orchestrating this new change in our family.  We still have a LONG ways to go with funding but I am feverishly working towards applying for more grants.  We have $3,000 due in the next few weeks and are trusting God to provide.  He has already shown His hand in even that goal with a generous donation of $1,250.  Our hearts are blessed. 

JONATHAN BENJAMIN MALIN

(hopefully by end of April)

Update:
     Well we are hopefully coming to the end of the process of adopting John.  We have been told that they are hoping to have everything ready to go by April 23rd.  I will believe it when I see it though :-) Trusting God with His timing.  He will need to be in our name before we can get our USCIS immigration paperwork updated (for another fee).  This will hold up our travel if it is not done quickly.  Again, another exercise in FAITH!  

     John is doing well adjusting to our home and family.  He still struggles with outside friends and family.  He does not trust easily and will take time.  We found out that his mom was on drugs through month 5 of pregnancy.  She was addicted to cocaine and meth.  When she went out to do drugs, she left John with her violent boyfriend for 7+ hours at a time then she would return home to violence which resulted in the both of them being jailed and John being removed from the home.  Praise God that He watches over the little ones. Please be patient with him if he seems to you, rude and unfriendly.  He is adjusting and adapting but it is going to take time and love and security for him to heal.  Most of all it will take God's hand in his life and his heart to heal.   
     
     Please pray that the Lord would prepare his heart for a new addition to the family.  Pray that we are able to meet the demands of two toddlers with their own special needs and hurts.  Piper will need surgery and since she can't walk will take a lot more care and time.  God knows all of this and knew all of this before asking us to take on their care.  So, we will trust Him and take it one day at a time!

THANK YOU!     

     Thank you for all of your prayers and your support.  We are entering a new phase (and an old phase) of life and it takes adjustment on our part and these children will need a different kind of care than what our biological children needed.  There will be times when you will not see me as much as I care for these gifts from God and some times when we might seem "crazy" but its adjustment and we just need your love and prayers.  Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and know that when something new comes up.... we will let you know :-)