Jim's Back at School

Last summer Bethlehem College and Seminary decided to offer a Degree Completion Program. Qualified students have the opportunity to earn a degree in Biblical Theology in 16 months. Since Jim recently earned his AA, this was a temptation he could not pass up! Once again we are trying to balance ministry, work, school and family which is quite a (happy - so far) challenge. If all goes well, Jim will graduate in December 2010.

She's Growing Up!

Piper loves to take pictures in Photo Booth.

Sometimes we laugh until we cry.

He Gives and Takes Away

As many of you know, we've been praying about a new family vehicle. The van we were driving was not roadworthy yet we continued to drive it out of necessity - only on local streets - never the highway.

Recently one of our supporters sent us a generous check towards a more reliable (and safe!) vehicle. Just a day or two later Masterworks received a van as a donation, which was perfect for our family. Masterworks was gracious to sell it to us for very near the amount we had recieved. Yay!

Three days after buying the new van, I was rejoicing in the fact that we now had 2 vehicles. We were living high on the hog! (It mattered little to me that one was running on prayer alone.) I had driven the old van on an errand and upon my return noticed that all of the parking spaces behind the house were taken. So, I snuggled the van up close to the side of house in order that others could still come and go.

Last Sunday, after two days of above freezing weather, a loud crashing sound resonated outside the house. This is what we discovered:

A huge icycle had broken loose from the roof and landed on the roof and windshield! Jim laughed and said that God had put "the last nail in the coffin" virtually eliminating any more traveling about in that death trap!

After recovering from the shock we can say with Job, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Piper's 3rd Birthday Party

Piper blowing out her candles with help from cousin Evie.

The kitchen Piper's been dreaming of for months!

Everyone gets to play.

Opening presents.

Waiting in line to swing at the pinata.

Gotcha' Day: Two Years!

Two years ago today, Piper was put into my arms by her caretaker from the orphanage. It still takes my breath away. What joy she has brought into our lives! Praise God!

See for yourself what a nut she's become. (Sorry for the sideways video.)

She's laughing at Taylor's antics.

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

This morning as I was reading my Bible,

Piper asked me to get her a snack.

When I came back with toast and

mandarin oranges this is what I found!

A Special Day

Sweet smiles from Piper and Ting-ting.

Last Saturday we got a call that changed the course of our day... the Hammer's were in town! Almost 2 years ago we traveled to China with Mark and Jenny to adopt our daughters. (Piper and Ting-ting were in the same orphanage.) We could hardly wait to see them!

The whole group. We had such a wonderful time catching up!

Hugs goodbye.