Full Steam Ahead!

Well, probably more like three-quarters steam ahead with a hand ready to throttle back, but you get the idea.

We had our meeting with Mark this evening -- eventually (more on that below). As Sandi had noted before, there were some concerns about our debt-to-income ratio; hence, we were expecting to be put on hold temporarily while we white out some more red ink. However, when the numbers were crunched, it turned out we were right on the upper cusp of where Bethany wants its adoptive families. Start doing one of those horrible European soccer post-victory dances -- we're moving forward!!

Recall the word 'eventually' in that last paragraph. Yeah, that made for some high drama. To save time this afternoon, I picked Sandi up from work so we could head straight for Knoxville. As I prepared to back out of the parking space, I got a call on my cell phone from Mark; he told us that due to a pair of 'fall from the sky' babies (birthmothers who contact them about an adoption plan out of nowhere), the Bethany staff was swamped and the meeting was not going to happen. Feel free to fill in Sandi's emotions at this development as your sense of drama sees fit. Five minutes later, we are on the road back to the house when my phone rings again. Mark has just heard from his honcho-boss Terri that a vacationing staffer is handling one of the birthmothers, so our meeting is back on the table. I have heard the adoption experience is a roller coaster ride -- and we're not even finished applying yet!

On a more serious note, keep this new birthmother in your prayers. Evidently, she is homeless, and she asked Bethany's Tri-Cities contact, whom she had never met, to stay with her at the hospital. I cannot imagine being alone at a time like that, so it just seems right to ask for prayers for that situation.

Prayers for the Chapman's

Steven Curtis Chapman's littlest girl, Maria, was killed yesterday in a tragic accident. She was ran over by her older brother in their SUV. He didn't see her.

Steven is my all-time favorite singer/songwriter and has done a lot for the international adoption scene. Maria was adopted from China in 2004. Please be in prayer for the whole family and especially the brother. I cannot imagine how he is feeling.

I got this off the website:

If you’d like to express your condolences
By mail, send to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.

In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope.

There is a gorgeous picture of the whole family posted on the main page right now. This is definitely a prayer day.

Great Game

Okay, I know that title doesn't make sense.

Phil and I watched the UEFA Championship Final last night. That is the "Union of European Football Associations". It was setup to be a great game. Manchester United versus Chealsea, an all English final. I'm a United fan, so obviously that's who I was pulling for, I'm not sure about Phil. He knew more players on the Chealsea team.

The first half was awesome, Cristiano Ronaldo of ManU scored first, in the 26th minute, then in the 45th minute, Frank Lampard with Chelsea pulled it even. I'm not sure about the second half, must have been boring. ESPN cut out about 30 minutes of it. If it was typical English Soccer it was boring. They are pretty conservative. During the Overtime a fight broke out, resulting in 1 red card and (I think) 2 yellow cards. We were still tied 1-1.

Since it's a final, a tie puts you into two 15 minutes overtimes. If it's still tied after that it goes to Penalty Kicks. And that's what happened here. ManU's captain (Cristiano Ronaldo) missed his kick, putting Chelsea up 3-2, then their captain (John Terry) slipped in the grass and missed his to pull it back to a tie 5-5. (It's a best of 5 kicks to begin with, after that it's whoever misses.) We had 2 more kicks for each team then U's goalie (Edwin van der Sar) guessed right and managed to divert Chelsea's kick. It was a very exciting. I hate for finals to be decided that way but it was at least a good show for all (except the captains).

Great game. Of course I just love to watch soccer anyway...