What we are doing now

Well, Laurie is currently away at another adoption seminar. She is hosting an international seminar in Jackson this week. She is so busy, but the Lord is using her to open people's hearts about adoption. It is very amazing to see. Pray for her upcoming trip overseas. It is a huge investment of time, money, and sweat, but everybody believes that the evidence for the Lord's working are clear and direct. He wants children to have a better life with Christian parents than what they have now.

As for me, I am trying hard not to dismiss my last semester at Wesley Biblical Seminary as meaningless. I graduate May 19, and it is a toss-up whether Laurie or I am the happiest. It's been a long road. But it has also been a fantastic road. Our faith is simply too important to leave to random thoughts. In fact, our eternity actually depends on who we trust and what we believe, or rather whom we believe. That is the neat thing about the Christian faith. It is shallow and very, very deep at the same time. All we need to do is to repent, believe, and hold fast to Jesus and live like he did. See, that's simple. Yet, it contains the deepest mysteries of the universe.

Samuel is snoozing away in the next room. He's having a hard time with Mommy gone all the time (don't we all). So does Mommy. He is now able to count to three. He continues to amaze us, as well as his speech therapist. She even volunteered to baby sit for us. We hope to bring him by those of you who we leave behind when we leave for Sweden in the fall. Hopefully, we can make it to all of you. If would be nice if you could all move to Tennessee though :)

Let us know how you are doing, either at kjernald@msn.com or through MSN Messenger Live. We long to see you all.

Under His Mercy

Sam climbing

Samuel's new words

Since the week before Christmas, Samuel has really picked up his language skills. Here are some of his new words:
- "watch this!"
- "TV"
- "I love you"
- "Open and shut"
- "I want to color"
- "morning!"
- "what?"
- "ok, buddy?" (to Kelty)
- "sorry"
- "kiss!"

He can repeat most words we tell him, and he will tell us "thank you" and "you're welcome" without prompting, as well as asking for things in short sentences. He also knows the color "blue" and "red". He is amazing.

The New Year

Here are some new pictures and some stuff. Samuel is our gift every year!

It's 2007 and we are enjoying some free time before classes start, except for Laurie of course who is working overtime at the adoption agency and preparing for the new Nepali adoption program.

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with Laurie's family in Kentucky. Samuel was only too happy to experience being the first grand child on both sides of the family, and he reaped the benefits. The rocking horse is a winner, but so is the train stuff and the warm clothes. What a amazing feeling it was to have Samuel home for his first Christmas. Last year he was our gift, and this year we could give something to him.

Here are some pictures that we hope you will enjoy.

Love,

Andreas, Laurie, Samuel