Most days around here conjure images of barnyards and preverbal headless chickens – not unlike most of your families, I’m sure.  The past seven days in the life of the Lace Family have seemed above par, however. 

Our furnace had been giving us trouble the past few weeks and it finally went to meet its maker last weekend, so I began the process of gutting the old in preparation for the new.  As with all such projects, the new never really fits like the old.  Evidently some “standards” don’t live past 25 years. Needless to say, every spare moment was spent working toward getting some heat back on in our family’s house.  In the midst of all that, Eli develops strep throat and wound up with a sore behind where a penicillin shot was administered.  The last thing he needed was to be gone from school for a couple more days given all the recent weather, but home he was. 

That’s a snapshot of Monday through Thursday.  Friday, we’d been looking forward to for some time.  This was the weekend we were going to spend in Gatlinburg with the Rices – a dear family from our church, Harvest Community.  Michelle had us packed and ready by Thursday night – about the same time I got the furnace running (with a lot of help from my friend Butch who works with me here at Cedarmore).  Our plan was to leave Friday morning, run a couple of errands in Frankfort then stop at Sam’s Club in Lexington to gather food for Gatlinburg. 

The problem was that I woke up with a bit of a sore throat.  To play it wise and safe, Michelle (my wise and safe wife) called the doctor in LaGrange to see if he could call an antibiotic into the Frankfort Wal-Mart, which we could pick up on the way to Gatlinburg.  He did.  We did.  All was good – or so we thought.  By that evening I was in bed with a fever and very sore throat.  I am writing this Tuesday evening, five days later, and my throat is still so sore it is difficult to talk and painful to eat. 

I can count on one hand the number of hours I was actually able to be out of bed to visit while we were in Gatlinburg.  I felt terrible but everyone seemed to have a very enjoyable time – actually, my being sick might have facilitated their fun….  Truly, the kids had a blast and Robert & Lisa were able to spend a few quiet hours together on Valentines Day.  Anyway, we arrived home Monday night and Michelle made me an appointment at our doctor for Tuesday morning.  Needless to say, I now have a sore behind but already feel a bit of relief. 

I know, you thought this was an adoption update – it is.  In the midst of all of that turmoil, we had the most exciting news in 12 months from Susan our agent.  WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!  We started this process last February and this is the next really big thing we need all of you who have been supporting us in this endeavor to bathe in prayer.  On April 8th, Bethlehem & Theodore will have their day in court.  According to all indications and sources our paperwork is complete and up to speed on the latest court requirements.  Pray that the judge will find favor on our case.  If so, the children will become officially “Laces.”

 As always, please continue to pray for the health and safety of the children.  We’ll send out reminders closer to April 8th but feel free to put it on your Outlook calendars now.

Peace through Grace…