Sorry for the confusion

I just updated my blog so I can play with the colors. Forgive me until I've got it right.

Oh, by the way, we had snow today! It's gone now, of course, but I got a picture of it though. Here it is. Notice the barn roof in the background.

I know, it's not much...but this is Mississippi!

Sam's trick number 2

Now he knows how to turn on the stereo and put in a CD. He is so smart!

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

Christmas is coming

In Swedish:
Det är snart jul här i Mississippi och det känns direkt när man går ut. Vi har det lite kyligt med ca. 18 grader varmt och sol...ingen jul känsla direkt! Vi har det bra och jag njuter av att min termin är slut. Nu är det bara 14,5 poäng kvar, vilket innebär att jag blir klar i Maj nästa år. Härligt! Samuel leker frenetiskt och har fullt upp med att läsa böcker, hoppa i sängar, leka med sitt brio tåg, klättra på Kelty, m.m. Återkom snart till bloggen för vi håller på att lägga ut en vidoe-jul hälsning. Ha det så bra!

In English:
this is actually Laurie writing, which doesn't happen that often. I chose to write in English because my Swedish may not be comprehendable. Well, Mississippi has already headed for Spring. We will have 70 degree weather for the next week or so. I am still very busy at my job. Admittedly, overworked, but truly knowing that is where God has placed me for this time. Everytime I hear or see a child find a family, every minute is worth it. We have friends in Albania right now working on getting there daughter home, and I know that the Lord is working mightily. Today we celebrated with a friend who is trying to bring home 2 children from Russian. We were celebrating because she received her approval from the USCIS. I know that the Lord continues to work for the smallest in His kingdom. I am very humbled and truly grateful for the child He has given Andreas and I. I am continuing to work on setting up Nepali adoptions for New Beginnings. It looks like I will be making a trip to Nepal this Spring to tour some orphanages and possibly sign papers to start our adoptions. I can't take credit for any of that, the Lord has done everything. (literally, ask me sometime and I will tell you of all the provisions He has put in place.)

It is official!!! We have begun work on our second adoption. Our goal, a little boy from Guatemala. We had our homestudy update meeting this past Tuesday and I am working on our dossier. I think this week we will also send in the paperwork for USCIS approval. Please pray for that!!!! I hope by next year we will be celebrating Christmas with two little boys.

Ideas for Christmas gifts!!! Go to Samaritan's Purse on the web and look at their gift book. You can buy a child out of slavery and give them a safe place to live. You can buy milk for a child for a month. You can send books in a native language to teach people about Christ. You can by a bike to help a pastor go out and reach people and so much more. You can do all of this and put it in honor of someone and Samaritan's Purse will send them a card. It is much better than that sweater that Aunt Edna is just going to return anyway!!!!!

thank you for your continued interest in our lives. this next year will be an amazing one!!! All I keep thinking is that I am so small and the Lord has given me so much and intrusted to me so much. I know that I am not worthy, but I pray that I will always be thankful. This Christmas I remember that last year I was given a son for Christmas. And over 2000 years ago, God gave his son. As I ponder this I realize that I am searching for the Christ child, and my King. I pray to pass this on to my son(s) (and daughters) someday. We would love to hear from you all. Until then you are in our prayers.

Love,
Laurie

Christmas parade

Some pictures from the Christmas parade where Samuel got to be baby Jesus. It was very cold, 40F and 5C, so he was bundled up really well. I'm sure Jesus would have enjoyed such clothing in that manger...

We've been to Disney World

Hello friends,

We just came back from Florida where we spent Thanksgiving with Laurie's family. We stayed with her grandfather for a whole week and had a great time. Laurie's cousin Dawn got us in for free to Disney World -Magic Kingdom. How awesome of her!

Samuel had a blast! A full day of rides, food, and trains. We enjoyed greatly as well and can not thank Dawn and her friend enough. Here are some pictures.

Exciting news

Dear friends and family,

God has done some amazing things in our lives recently. We are overwhelmed to the point of silence and praise.
First, we are adopting again!!! This time, thanks to the incredible generosity of an anonymous person who donated all the money, we are starting the process of adopting a little boy from Guatemala or Peru. We should have him home by September 2007. This is super super!

Second, though it is not for sure, we are going home to Sweden early fall 2007 to start our new ministry. Everything has been provided by the Lord, using wonderful people, and we have everything we need to get started in Sweden. This includes money for cars, travel, startup money, etc. Incredible, again!!!

There is much more to tell in the longer version of the story, but we wanted to share with you the wonders of God and how we thank him for everything. We are doing just fine. Samuel is growing and talking and running and playing hard every day. Laurie is busy busy in her new job but is doing wonders with setting up new programs for international adoptions. My school work is keeping me very busy, very engaged, and very humble. God is moving me closer to himself.

So, that's us and our lives right now. How are you people doing?

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Laurie and Samuel in Nepali outfits for Adoption Celebration!

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