Staying busy

This has been yet another busy week for the Slawsons. Isaiah got his braces on Monday and stood for the first time without someone holding him. Tuesday we got to go to a park in Jackson with Michelle and her girls; what fun to be outside almost all day! Wednesday we were able to do something really special!

Isaiah's physical therapist Becca teaches at University Medical Center (UMC) where Isaiah was born. She's actually the assistant chair of physical therapy at UMC. We are soooooo thankful to have her as Isaiah's PT. Anyway. A while back Becca had asked us to bring Isaiah in to her class. We were finally able to do it on Wednesday morning. We also took some pictures with us to show his development, in other words to show how greatly the Lord has worked in his life. Watching the pictures on the screen was a little overwhelming. We started with his first picture ever...and moved on from there. Isaiah was his usual cheerful, flirting self. He had everyone in the class in stitches at his antics. The Lord has given him such a sweet spirit that really attracts people. He's now starting to try to get people's attention whenever they pass by. He looks up at them from the floor and flashes them one of his infectious smiles. I get so tickled with him. I pray that God will help him to always have such a sweet spirit to show the love of God to others.

We are really going to miss Becca. She has become quite attached to Isaiah, I think. As she was telling her class about us moving to Russia, she had tears in her eyes. She even sent Isaiah home with toys.

Wednesday night we went to our church picnic. I think that I held Isaiah for 5 minutes the entire time. He loves to be loved on and to give love, too.

God has put us in such a special place for this time. Isaiah is loved by so many people. He has had so many advantages that Thomas and I never would have imagined. We pray that we will be able to give that love to the people that we meet in Russia. We long to show them the love of Christ, especially to the children with disabilities and their families. And that longing is getting closer and closer to reality! We have our plane tickets! Monday we bought our tickets to depart on July 18 from Atlanta.

And we're in serious preparations now. Our living is half-full with all the stuff that we hope to sell on Saturday at a yard sale. We are exhausted but still have a lot to do. Our friends are being very helpful. Tomorrow several friends are coming over to help me sort through and price things. It's a big job, and I am so thankful for people to help. Having people offer to help is great, but also sort of humbling. One of my friends even came over and took my ironing to her house. We have so much to be thankful for.