Chopsticks

These training chopsticks were a gift from Auntie Ivy. Ana took to them right away, probably because she sees us using them frequently. It's great for fine motor skills too! Here, she's moving beads from tray to tray. In a week or so we'll try some food!

Our Weekend

Friday was parent teacher conferences. Matt didn't get home until 9:00--so Ana and I watched Charlotte's Web in three parts. I really liked it. Julia Roberts did a great job as the voice of Charlotte. Saturday morning we went out to get a couple of birthday presents. Matt found a new tie. We ate at McDonalds :( We haven't ate there in a year probably. (That's about as much McDonalds as I can handle.) Later in the afternoon we went to the Wong's. Ana had a swim with Joshua. Ivy had got Ana some practice chopsticks. So, after 9 years in Asia I officially learned how to correctly hold chopsticks. We had a nice dinner and then finished off Michael's birthday cake and Godiva chocolates. Talk about full!!! On Sunday we went to church and had a small birthday party for a boy a month younger than Ana. They brought cute blueberry muffins topped with sesame street characters. They were made out of something like marzipan. Ana downed her while other sweet children loved the characters so much they wouldn't eat it. Then there was a sale at church to help raise funds for the mission trip. Uncle Michael bought Ana more fish balls (she'd had THREE the night before). She's definitely an Asian child :). Then we went out to a restaurant that specializes in roast duck. It was VERY good, but that's not the only thing we had. We also had pork, a nice fish, mushrooms, greens, shark fin soup (which Ana also loved), a pork broth with lotus root, rice, and tea. We didn't even have to eat dinner! We're going out tomorrow night too because our Indian friend is in town. I see a low calorie week coming up thereafter!

Adoption Update

Well, I'd like to have some GOOD news (for once) BUT I don't have any!! That said I'm so thankful for all the prayers that went up for us. I can feel them sustaining me!

Here's what happened... The orphanage director, from where the boys were staying previously, showed up without the mothers. (Both boys have living mothers that could not afford to keep them.) Because of the recent scandal in which a director was thought to have "bought" children, the judge REALLY wants to speak with the mothers. So, the director said she was "sure" she could find them in a month. So, we have yet another court hearing on
NOVEMBER 23.
We've already asked the question, "What if the mothers don't show up again?" Guess, we'll have to wait and see!

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I've found this to be TRUE! I'm really NOT anxious. We've been prayed for by students (in Korean), family, supporters, and people we don't even know. It is helping--keep it up and Thank you for praying! It's in God's hands.

Today's the Day!

Today is our court date. Please pray for favor with the judge! We appreciate you thinking of us! We'll hopefully let you know what happened tomorrow!

A Strange Happening!

This was NOT planned, but don't they look great in their matching outfits?

Her Shootin' Face

Take a look at this intense face! Scares me!! By the way she did squirt me!

The Carnival

Every year ICS hosts a Carnival in some form or another. This year Ana had a GREAT time. She's still telling everybody all about it! We started off our day by swinging. This is a pretty usual occurrence, but what's unusual is me getting a good picture of it. Maybe I'm starting to understand my camera a little!! When the games started we quickly headed to the bouncing castle. We knew she had to get in there early to avoid her being smashed by the older kids. She had a great time hopping around with daddy. She played lots of other games and really enjoyed kicking the soccer ball (even though there was NO CHANCE she would get it in one of the holes). The little kids got tickets for prizes just for trying. She was force fed a piece of a candy bracelet by some elementary students. The only problem was that she couldn't bite it off! I had to stifle my laughter! The high light of her day though was watching daddy in the dunking booth. She literally sat there for a half an hour and watched. Now she tells everybody, "Daddy goes splash everyday. Daddy's so funny!!" We had some great food for lunch, watched a talent show, and helped clean up at the end. (She even had a nap in her port-a-crib which made the whole day bearable!) A super day--we're looking forward to next year!