Mark 10:13-16 “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He aid to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Siberia! Okay, well it’s not really Siberia but it sure FEELS like Siberia. Maybe not exactly like Siberia but I AM COLD!! (Of course I hear many of you on the east coast of the USA are feelin’ like you live in Siberia as well!) We finally had a day warm enough today to thaw some of the snow and the six inches of ice on all the sidewalks and side roads. Everyone says this is the coldest winter in this part of Romania they can remember. I have only been here for four winters but it is by far the coldest I remember in Oradea and if it continues, I will pray hard for God to call us to South America!! 
Daniel and I were blessed by a sponsor in Vienna, Linda Zwetkov with Children’s Bridges of Hope, with five nights at two different hotels in downtown Vienna for our one year wedding anniversary. It was an incredible treat for us and we thank Linda so much for all she did to make it possible. We enjoyed our stay immensely! Our first year of marriage has been blissful and we expect it to only get better!!
Many of you have inquired about our friends, Scott and Kara, who were due to have the baby born without a developed brain. Their precious baby girl, Sydney, was born last week and she lived for one hour. God answered our prayers for Scott, Kara, and the grandparents to have some time with her before she went into the arms of Jesus. We ask for you to continue to pray for Scott, Kara, and their families as they grieve the loss of Sydney. Scott and Kara, you are loved and admired for your courage to stand upon the moral absolutes of the bible.
We were told today the first part of the authorization for Agape Home is underway. We ask you to pray with us for the supervisor of “Urban Development” quickly finish his job and submit all 12 files (yes, I typed 12) to the regional office. It really tickles me there is a supervisor of “Urban Development” involved for a home exactly in the middle of a corn field and a gypsy village. We desperately need to get the heat and power turned on so we can finish the interior of the house. Please pray all these details get resolved quickly so we can start housing pregnant women who are at high risk for abandoning their children.
Last week, we had adoptive parents come from France to make their first visit to one of our children. I am sure you are asking, “But, Michelle, I thought international adoptions were closed???” So did I. The fact is, there is no explainable answer (which I can post to the internet) for this since there is a moratorium on international adoptions. We are told the moratorium will end of March 1st but we have been thinking it would be lifted well over a year now. I will let you know when and if it does happen.
I am attaching two precious photos of our children. You can see how much the children love each other; one of Jesus’ commands. I do wish we could all love one another as children do. Isn’t it amazing how the toddler is kissing the baby in the swing. He isn’t related to her but he thinks he is. What a concept. I wish more adults all over the world would see each other as being related. We join our American brothers and sisters in Christ in praying for our leaders, our country, and our future as a nation. We ask our non-American brothers and sisters to join us in prayer as well.
Basking in the Son,
Michelle
Posted on February 21st, 2003 by Michelle
Filed under: Michelle's Journal