Christmas 2009

We are almost through celebrating Christmas with one more family gathering tomorrow with my brother and sister! The kids have been good, but I am glad things are about to wind down. Wednesday night we joined some friends who had a live nativity and read the Christmas story aloud. It was great! They put notices in all their neighbor's mailboxes and asked all the children to play the characters. They even cutout a donkey from cardboard and fastened it onto a Red Ryder wagon. When it was time for Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem, Joseph just grabbed the handle of the wagon after Mary had climbed aboard. Wish I had taken my camera. They had a pretty good turnout! After the reading of the Christmas story, three of the families (us included) went caroling. We had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year.

As stated in the previous post earlier today, Dawn's ABI clearance came in the mail yesterday. That will finish the homestudy and push it to Alabama DHR for approval. If Alabama approves us, the documents go to US Immigration for approval. Either could say "no" or ask us to produce more documents.

For the past eight months, I ignorantly thought I would manage this adoption and take control of the situation. I really, really should know better. But, I am a sinner like everyone else. He has reminded me that I am in control of nothing - absolutely nothing. The very fact that I wake up in the morning is by the grace of God. Everything I have is His, He is just letting me borrow it. So Lord, I apologize for my arrogance.

Merry Christmas folks!