7 days left until SHUT DOWN & new career!

In 7 short days, the bi-lateral adoption agreement between Vietnam and the US will expire. The 2 countries have NOT renewed the agreement, and as of today, do not have a temporary agreement in place. Bottom line.....Our dossier (paperwork) will be returned to us, without a baby. I'm sure Sept 1st will be a hard, emotional day. But we are optimistic that the LORD will lead us to the orphan for our family - in Vietnam or not. Our God is so much bigger than any "bi-lateral agreement." He directs our paths & we can rest in that knowledge.
On a good note, I begin a new career tomorrow. As many of you know, I returned to school 7 years ago to gain credentials as a registered dietitian (RD) so that I could be part of a medical team to treat children with epilepsy (as well as other nutritionally related diagnoses). My research and main interest is the ketogenic diet which is a medical nutrition therapy for intractable (resistant to medicine) epilepsy. Although my new position is at a general (adult) hospital (St. Mary's North), my supervisor has agreed for me to see pediatric patients (including epilepsy patients). The LORD has worked this out, down to the last details (trust me, I could write a book about how He worked this out). I just pray that I always give Him the glory. The ketogenic diet is very restrictive and hard on the families, so it is usually not prescribed until last resort. To watch a child stop seizing on this treatment is truly a miracle because they likely have failed every anti-epileptic drug available. It is always amazing. Many scientists work daily to figure out WHY this diet is so effective, but no real answers are available -- yet. I hope to continue researching this treatment as I practice. I'm so honored to be a part of this!
Continue your prayers for our family. Pray that we will be faithful & always seeking His will.
Kathy
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Week full of celebration!!

This was a week of celebration! My oldest nephew was married this past weekend. It was a great time. They are a precious couple with a great love for Christ. I look forward to watching as the LORD continues to use them for His kingdom. I was honored to host the bridal luncheon. I couldn't have done it without my mother's help.

And speaking of my mother...on the same day as the wedding, my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage! Isn't that cool?....their first grandchild was married on their 50th anniversary.

No adoption news. We are still looking at a few domestic programs. We met a sweet young lady this weekend (during the wedding activities) who gave us a contact for another domestic program.
Enjoy some pictures.
Kathy

My nephew and his lovely new bride...


The wedding party...


My parents, celebrating 50 years of marriage...


My other nephew & his beautiful fiancé (to be married next year)...


At the bridal luncheon...



At the tropical rehearsal dinner...


"Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied." Jude 1:2

Beach trip & still searching for Lela...

My precious beach bums...
We just returned from a wonderful week at the beach with my sister and her family. It was very relaxing and tons of fun (we always have fun with them)! We also had dinner with my good friend, Diana & her family. Diana and I have became great friends during this adoption journey, as her adoption paperwork went to Vietnam on the same day that ours did (11/12/07) and together we have endured the "ups and downs" of this Vietnam journey. And we met FACE to FACE for the first time this week at the beach!
As far as the adoption, we have spoken with our social worker again who told us about a couple of interesting domestic programs. We're still looking at Bulgaria and Taiwan also. Right now, our plans are to wait on the LORD to direct us before moving forward with a new program.
As far as Vietnam, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could change her mind at the last minute & continue a temporary agreement with Vietnam (but she gives us no indication that this will happen). Our US Representative, John Duncan, Jr., says he can't do anything further to encourage relations. Our Senator, Lamar Alexander, is still trying to help us. But overall, there is little hope for us to find Lela in Vietnam.
Continue your prayers & enjoy a few pictures from our dinner with the Thornleys.

Diana & I finally met in person!


Diana's Lili & Ana with my Erica & Joel


The Irwins


The Thornleys


Erica hit it off quick with Lili (home from China 2006)

"Children are a gift from God." Psalm 127:3