Basketball and updates..

Yesterday, we finished up a successful season of Upward basketball. The kids all did great and we had a fun season. I have always enjoyed basketball season and I love having the kids participate in Upward. Upward doesn't just focus on basketball but it also focuses on teaching the kids about Jesus. The kids learn Bible verses and have a devotion each week at practice. The league the kids played in had 43 teams (plus cheerleaders) and over 300 kids! Yesterday, awards were handed out after the games. We were so excited because Hunter and Brianna received the award for the most Christ like player on their teams! Each coach nominated a player from their team to receive the award. Gary coached Nicholas' team so his award was having his dad as his coach!

Hunter and his coach!

Hunter with his trophy!

Brianna with her trophy!

Brianna with her coaches

Nicholas with his coach (AKA Dad!)

The 3 basketball stars!


Now for a few updates:

Tomorrow, Claire gets her cochlear implant activated. We are excited to see how she responds to the activation. I will definitely post about her reaction!
Claire with Dr. Boston (the surgeon)


Marcia (Gary's sister) is still in the hospital. She is stable but not showing many signs of improvement. She is still on oxygen. They have discovered a mass in her lower abdomen. It looks like it is on her ovary. They are trying to get her stable enough for surgery. They are going to try to do surgery on Tuesday. Please pray that she can tolerate the surgery and that the tumor is benign.

Lastly, my friend Melissa needs prayers now. I copied this post from her blog:
Please, cover us in prayer on Sunday afternoon and evening US time . We have been here a week with no action. Last night, the VP of Adoption services from our US agency arrived here and on Monday morning Mongolia time we have a meeting with the head of INS. He has the power to get things moving. If he doesn't, we will not get to take Katie home with us on time, even though we will have been in Mongolia 3 weeks. Dad and boys will have to return home and Mom will have to buy a new ticket and stay in Mongolia until the process is resolved. We really don't want it to be that way!

Please, please, please, pray that God will move this man--Mr.Murun--to act quickly and decisively in our case. Thanks and I will post after the meeting.

Please feel free to pass this along to any and all prayer warriors that you know.

Thanks for praying! You guys rock!