Matt's latest from Prague (daddy soon?)

Here is my latest update email:

**Adoption**
The brief version is that we could get the call to come meet our baby anytime after June 1! Wow! Some of the latest steps that got us here:

- We had our psychological evaluation: it went amazing well with a compassionate, Christian psychologist (but this is the Czech Republic).
More: http://www.thomasfamilyweb.net/AdoptionJournal.htm (scroll down to March 7, 2006)

- We attended the first session of the adoption training and found out that we didn't need to go to any more.
More: http://jennyingrace.blogspot.com/2006/04/were-all-trained-up-evidently.html

- We completed a well-done online adoption training course offered through the state of Illinois.
More: http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/courses/wewo.cfm

- We met with the Magistrate (the government person overseeing our adoption) and found out about June 1.
More: http://jennyingrace.blogspot.com/2006/04/june-baby-maybe.html

- Just a couple days ago, we got a registered letter confirming that we are suitable parents.
More: http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/05/soon-to-be-dad.html

**Doctorate and Teaching**
Saturday, May 13, is graduation. Needless to say, I won't be there, but the diploma will be issued next week and sent to Jenny's parent's house.

Next step: look into getting it published.

May 30 will be graduation for the students I have been teaching since mid-March. In addition, I have been marking essays and working with a pastor on sabbatical researching the backgrounds of the Hebrew Bible/OT.

More: http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/05/cats-actually-theyre-my-students.html

**Next Year**
I don't think I've said much in these updates about what next year will look like for us. We'll be going through some good changes.

We'll be moving this summer onto campus at the International Baptist Theological Seminary where I teach. We'll be working with the English program at the seminary in addition to my ongoing teaching there. I will also probably get involved in other areas, like the library (chronically understaffed).

We are very excited about this re-direction in our ministry here. Living at the seminary will allow us to be more involved in the community there and to contribute in many ways that have been harder to do living across town (it is now about a 45 minute commute for me to teach).

We prayed and researched a lot before deciding to throw in our lot with the seminary. I interviewed for a number of positions (even being offered one before they realized the paperwork required to get me a work permit) and we have spent a lot of time talking with folks here and in the States about options. This is where we feel God is leading us for at least the next year, and we're excited for the ministry opportunities.

**Other Stuff**
- I had an article published in the April issue of DisciplesWorld:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/disciplesworld-article-on-hosea.html

- Read my reflections on one meeting of the English conversation club I've been helping with for the past 3 years:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/english-conversation-cafe-coze.html

- Some reflections on the 23rd psalm:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/03/shepherd-in-control.html

- Random thoughts about transportation to church on a random Sunday:
http://mattmusings.blogspot.com/2006/04/atypical-trip-to-church.html

As Garrison Keillor would say: "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."