2001 First Entry- April June 18 August 7 August 18 September 29 October 15 November 8 November 9

(April, 2001) Most of you probably know that we are still in Texas. Shannon is teaching second grade, while Chris is finishing his Masters at Southwestern Seminary. He is also serving as minister of music at Sand Flat Baptist Church. Several months ago, a missionary came to speak with us about her ministry to Romanian orphans. The devastating need of these children was heartbreaking, especially considering the prosperity of our nation. She told us about loving children who stay close by female missionaries because they want to "smell a mother". And she spoke to us about the staggering need for adoptive parents in foreign countries. After hearing about this need, the Lord gradually began to deal with us about bringing one of these special gifts from God into our family. We have prayed together and with our family and friends about this and are certain that this is what God is asking us to do. We have answered the Lord with an emphatic, "Yes!". And after much research regarding the cost of foreign adoption, that answer has been followed by the question, "How Lord?". We know that He will provide the means in such a way that He alone will receive the Glory. We have applied for several adoption grants and are pursuing every financial avenue the Lord brings to mind. It is this that leads us to ask you to partner with us in this lifetime ministry to a child. We are asking you, our friends and family, to prayerfully consider if the Lord might be leading you to join us in providing financially for this child's adoption. If you feel the Lord's leading in this direction, we would be so very grateful. Most importantly, we ask for your prayers for us and for the child that will be joining our family. We will keep you updated throughout the process. If you have any questions or would like further details, you may contact us using the information below. Thank you! (June 18, 2001) A great deal has happened since we first wrote to you about our upcoming adoption. In our last letter we told you about missionaries who minister to orphans in Romania. Romania, however, is not the only country with a tremendous need for adoptive parents. Russia, Vietnam, China, Guatemala, Korea, and many other countries face the same situation. Too many children without homes and too few people willing to adopt them. Because there are so many countries in need of parents, we went before the Lord and asked for wisdom in determining His will for the country we should choose. After praying about it, we both knew that God was leading us to adopt a child from Vietnam. The agency we were using is having great difficulty with their Vietnam program. So they have allowed us to transfer our funds to a different agency that is more successful in Vietnam. We should be parents in the next 9 months. Our baby girl's name will be Cassie. We will be required to stay in Vietnam for two weeks to complete the adoption. We will be visiting the orphanage, and hope to be able to minister to all the babies there by holding them and showing them God's love. We have some needs we would like for you to pray about. · Cassie's birth mother - that she would feel peace about her baby's future. · Paperwork- that it would go through smoothly in Vietnam. · Money- We are dependent upon the Lord for the money we need to complete this adoption and travel to Vietnam. This has been the part of following God's plan that requires the utmost faith. He has already provided for us in so many ways. Many of you have sent financial gifts to us or to the agency in our name. We thank you so much for your help. Please pray that the Lord continues to provide. May He receive the glory for what is done in His name. We will continue to keep you posted, and we will send a copy of the referral picture as soon as we get it! (August 7, 2001) We received word that we are #10 on "The List" with our agency. This means that as they clear infant orphans for adoption, they are "given" to the next person on the list. We're like, "Aghhhh" (I'm not sure how to spell that screaming sound)! We are so excited and scared and all that good stuff. We ask for your continued prayers. (August 18, 2001) We are writing to let all of you know that a memo was received today from the Vietnamese Government that all people adopting from Vietnam will be required to make two trips. We will have to go to hand deliver our documents and will meet our daughter (when we receive a referral). We will then have to leave her in the orphanage and return home without her. We will have to go back to Vietnam after our paperwork is processed to get her and bring her home. The first trip will last from 2-14 days. The second trip will last from 7-14 days Travel is, by far, the greatest expense of foreign adoption, and now that cost will be doubled. Please pray for us. We will go forward no matter what. (September 29, 2001) We found out yesterday that we are now number 6 on the list!! We're movin' on up! (October 15, 2001) We found out today that we are now number 5 on the list! It's a just a matter of time. (November 8, 2001) Hi all! We are so excited. We are now #4 on "the list" to bring home a baby girl from Vietnam!! We won't be #4 for long. Many orphans are coming into various orphanages in the country. Most of them are boys, but there are girls. Though we don't know who she is, our little Cassie is in an orphanage in Vietnam. Please pray that she will be safe, warm , and well fed. Also pray that her caregivers love her very much. Hopefully you'll hear from us again soon! (November 9, 2001) Hello everyone! We were told yesterday that we will get the referral in 2 to 8 weeks from now. What a Christmas present that would be! Home | Pictures | Update | Covers for Cassie | About Us | Links