Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you do not know the wonderful miracle that has happened over the last four months but I am excited to share it with you now! My brother, Russ, and his wife, Cheryl, have been trying to have a baby for over ten years but medical problems prevented this from taking place. About four months ago, they were asked if they would be interested in adopting a new born child. They shouted, “Absolutely!!!” and everything was orchestrated by the hand of God. Mind you, they were not even in the adoption process or on a waiting list of any sort.
On July 25th, 2004, my nephew, Samuel Russell Kelly was born weighing a large 8 lbs. 12 ounces and 22 inches long. The joy this precious little life has brought to my family in his two weeks of life is overwhelming. God truly blessed Russ and Cheryl beyond what they could ask for or imagine. Here is a photo of my brother, Russ, and his son, Samuel.
My brother and I have always been very, very close and when I talked to him and Cheryl a few months back, they asked us to come back early this to share the joy. As you can imagine, I have already started packing! Our planned departure is at the end of September or first of October and we plan to make this a six month furlough. I want this baby to know his favorite aunt right from the start!!!! We will continue to fund raise and travel but not as much as in past years because our families are our priority this time. We hope to extend our support base in North Carolina so we can stick close by to Samuel and inform him of all the pranks his daddy/my brother has performed over the years. (That is, in fact, my job as his aunt, right?)
Russ and Cheryl are strong believers in Jesus and I know this child will be raised to know how much Jesus loves him. I cannot imagine a more blessed child on the planet at this moment. Russ, you will be the kind of father every child needs and I am so pleased to see how God led this young woman to chose life and bless you. Cheryl, God made you a mother long before this point and your tireless attitude towards children is evidence. I love y’all and we can’t wait to come back and feed Samuel chocolate and ice cream!!! 
I am sure no doctor would protest a two month old eating either if given by his Aunt.
For those of you that would like to send congratulations to Russ and Cheryl, their email address is cherylandrussk@earthlink.net
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Basking in the Son,
Michelle
Posted on August 8th, 2004 by Michelle
Filed under: Michelle's Journal