It's gonna be a daughter!

Well, things change. As we have worked on adopting a little boy from Guatemala it turns out that we are adopting a little girl from Nepal instead. The timing didn't work out as planned, and since Laurie spent much time with adorable Nepali orphans, it is hard not to go that route. So, a girl it is. We are approved from the American government and now it's up to us to get the paperwork ready to send to Nepal. After that we get a picture and then we go and visit her!! Pray that the money comes in in time.

Here are some pictures from Laurie's trip to Nepal, as promised:

Laurie is home!!

Hello everybody,

Laurie is now back home with me and Sam. Joy! Joy! Everything went extremely well and they now have a brand new adoption program to offer people. Amazing. Thank you for your prayers.

We'll be back with some pictures from the trip

Andreas

Some new Samuel pics

Where did Jesus go?

Today is Holy Saturday, the day when Jesus went to Hell to defeat the Devil, according to tradition. It may sound old-fashioned or superstitous to talk about such things today in our modern and sophisticated time. We have certainly moved beyond such things, haven't we?

Well, what if that wasn't true? What if many people are living in a very real and very spiritual world today and consider us "sophisticates" the wrong ones? The Bible and the Church teaches specifically that the world is both matter and spirit, just like your body is flesh and soul. And when I read about Laurie's adventure in Nepal, which is the only Hindu monarchy in the world, I don't wonder about spiritual realities anymore. I am so very thankful that Jesus defeated death, hell, and the Devil today 2000 years ago, because I believe that those things and realities are fighting against me and all of us. The Bible says that those in Christ can not be touched be the Devil, except through temptations. But we are safe if we stay in Jesus. That makes me sorrowful when I consider the millions who are living on their own, facing the Devil and his demons.

There is no evidence or proof offered for the cessation of these spiritual beings. Science or reason has not offered a sinlge shred of evidence that the Biblical account is inaccurate. They think it's wrong, but they can't prove it. Can we prove that it isn't? Well, we have very strong evidence for taking the Bible seriously. Did you know that we actually have over 96% of the original Greek New Testament today? That we have "scientific" data that gives us the NT to that degree of certainty?

So pray for those who don't know Jesus and what He did for all today. Pray for Laurie as she is living a miracle and facing this spiritual reality much clearer and closer than most of us. Andpray for the world that it will hear the Holy Spirit's voice and come home to God.

Sam and us

Yesterday, the 29th of March, Sam had been with us longer than he had been in the orphanage in Nepal. That day was a milestone for us. It is a good feeling to realize that he has been with us his family longer that being alone in the world.

Tomorrow Laurie leaves for Nepal again. It's a business trip to set up adoptions with other orphanges. It is a dream come true, and it is all the Lord's doing. Really. So pray for her and for her safe return. It is gonna be tough without her for two weeks.

We love you all

There and back...

Hello friends,

I haven't been postin for awhile because I've been in Sweden!! with Sam on a Spring break visit. It was a great week and we had so much fun visiting our future home and our family. It is good to see that some things don't change. I hope to have some pictures available soon.

We are doing well here in Mississippi. I have two months left of school!!!! and Laurie is soon off to Nepal for her big trip. Pray for her trip please. It's really a wonderful cause and we know that they Enemy doesn't enjoy orphans finding good homes.

Samuel is really growing. We realized it yesterday when we brought out the little slide that he has. Last year he couldn't cimb up it, now it's a piece of cake. Wow!

We are still a go for David, though it seems slow at the moment. It's all paperwork and waiting at this point, but we are on track for a September/October pickup. We can't wait.

Thanks for stopping by!

A day with Samuel

The song is by Stephen Curtis Chapman.

A day with Samuel

The song is by Stephen Curtis Chapman

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