We're Logged In!!!

We received an email today from Traci at CWA telling us that our logged in date was Feb. 7! We should get our travel announcement in 3-4 months.

We bought the paint for Brighton's room this week. I'll post pictures when we have some progress. It sure is hard trying to stay away from the stores. I want to buy him everything he's never had! (but I won't)

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

We are shouting hellelujah's to the LORD and singing praises for His wonderful gifts tonight! The gifts keep coming, one after the other!!!! They have been coming in all forms...a letter from Brighton's teacher, then beautiful photos of our son to cry and laugh over at the same time! Then, a HUGE surprise that made me fall to my knees in wonderous praise of our LORD's wonderful blessings!

David came home this evening with an envelope that he was given by one of his builder's today with our names on the front. Inside there was the sweetest 'For the Parents-to-Be' card with the MOST PRECIOUS letter typed on the inside. Mr. Knight thought we were adopting a baby boy, but adopting none-the-less. I would like to type out what they wrote in the letter because it is the most beautiful heart-felt letter that I have ever received in my life and I feel it will encourage all of you who are struggling to adopt right now, or who are thinking about it. I am extremely thankful for the generous donation, but the letter itself is more the treasure to me! I will keep it in my diary for the rest of my life.

David & Tina,

People who make a difference in others lives are special people. Those who give love, hope, and a home to the children of the world are truly a special gift from God. You have been on our minds and in our prayers since we learned of your adoption of a beautiful baby boy. My wife, Kimm was adopted and holds a special place in her heart for you and those like you who give the gift of hope and belonging. I was fortunate to be raised in a loving Christian home where my parents taught us by example that our lives are defined, not by what we have, but how we use what we have to help others and to make a difference.

My father passed away in 2002, and my mother this past October. We recently received some money from their estate. I can think of nothing that would make my parents prouder than knowing that their teachings and labors are still paying forward the gift of love.

In honor of our parents, our family would like to give you and your family this gift of love to help in bringing your beautiful child home soon! Our hopes and prayers are with you daily.

Love, The Knights


(Okay, I have to go get the Puffs again) I want to hug and kiss every one of the members of this family for their beautiful gift. I thank God, not only for their donation, but for Randy's parents who raised their children in a Christian home with love and the understanding of that which is the better part. I am also thankful for Kimm's parents who gave her the most precious gift of a loving family.

For those who are reading this who have been thinking about adoption, but have been burdened by doubt over the financial aspect, PLEASE, PLEASE do not let that hold you back. If it is God's will for you, please trust that He will also provide for every need you might have along the journey. There are so many orphaned children around the world, in every country, who just need to "belong" to a loving family.

I know that some of these verses are repeats of what I've posted before, but they are so much in my heart right now that I had to post them again!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone that asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all that he does." James 1:5-8



"And whatever things you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22

New Pictures of Brighton!

We received these new pictures of Brighton from his 3rd grade teacher at the Anshan School for the Deaf. This was a party they had on December 30. They were celebrating the New Year. His teacher informed us that Brighton performed magic string tricks for his classmates and that he practiced for quite some time for the performance!

Doesn't he have the most beautiful smile? These are the first pictures we have of him showing his beautiful teeth and the first pictures we have of him with his friends.

Letter From Brighton's Teacher:

亲爱的大卫和蒂娜：
你们好！
安声能有这样的机会、能有你们这么有爱心的父母我很为他高兴。
下面我介绍一下安声在学校期间的情况：
他目前就读于鞍山市盲聋哑学校，是三年级的学生。在校期间努力学习、遵守纪律，老师和同学们都很喜欢他。作为一名聋童，他从小生活在无声的世界里，语言环境的缺乏使他的语言发展、认知能力都与正常孩子还有差距，但是他是一个非常聪明的孩子，经过在聋哑学校三年的学习，他的手语、识字、理解能力、与他人的沟通能力等等都在逐渐的进步。
他每周周一到周四住在学校宿舍，周五到周日回到儿童福利院，除了不喜欢吃肉类以外对其他的食物并不是很挑剔。
对于他去美国的事我也与他进行了沟通，他对美国的生活并没有太明确的概念，但是知道了有人要领养他、做他的爸爸妈妈非常的高兴，也充满了希望。虽然他是个孤儿，又是聋哑孩子，但是只要用真心去对待他、爱护他，他也会用爱去回报你们。
安声写信给你们恐怕有一些困难，因为他年龄太小了，识字量和语言组织能力都有限，如果你们有什么需要可以写信给我，我很愿意帮助你们。
你们对于安声的祝福和希望我会一并转达！

What it Says in English:

Dear David and Tina,

Hope you are all well.
I am very happy for An Sheng that he has such a great opportunity and lovely parents like you both.

Below I will describe An Sheng's school situation:
He currently studies at AnShan school for the deaf and mute . He is in 3rd grade. At school, he works hard, very minding, all the techers and students all like him. Being deaf and live in a world without sound since little, he has a little language deficiency compares to the other children that are not deaf. But he is a very smart kids, being in this school for 3 years, his sign langauge, word recognition, and his ability to understand, his ability to communicate with others and etc have improved a bit.

He stays at the school from Monday through Thursday. On Friday, he goes back to the Anshan CWI. He does not like meat, otherwise, he is not a pickly eater.

I have discussed with him regarding going to US. He does not know much about lives in US. But he does know that someone want to adopt him, and want to be his parents, and he is very happy and very hopeful about that. Even though he is an orphan, and is deaf, if you raise him and protect him with lots of true love, he will repay you with with lots of true love!

It will be a little difficult for An Sheng to write letter to you because he is too young and know not that many words. But if you need something, you can write to me and I will be more than happy to help.

I will convey to An Sheng all your good wishes!

It is just so wonderful to have gotten this letter! We are thrilled and overjoyed to hear news of our son! We read it over and over and cry each time. It really sounds as if his teacher truly cares for him. Plesae pray for God's safety for Brighton while he's at the orphanage. Please also pray for God to help us with the remainder of the adoption fees. Sometimes doubt and fear creep in and it begins to feel like a mountain we can't climb. But, then we remember that God is sovereign and will provide for our every need as long as we have faith and do not doubt! He has provided exactly what we have needed at exactly the right time all the way up to this point!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened!" Matthew 7:7-8