Family Update

It's been a while since I've posted anything about our family, so here's a quick little update...

First, our "farm" news: ChiChi has 4 puppies born the first week of March. They are C U T E! Big fur balls & already showing their character. Just 3 days after the puppies were born, Fanny had 3 kittens! They are well hidden so we don't see as much of them. Upon investigation, it has been discovered that there is a grey, a calico & what we call a "Princess Kitty" (a grey tabby). All are spoken for & we will most likely keep one of the puppies. I am in hopes of keeping the vet in business after the babies are all weaned & gone so that this is our last sets of "broods"!

Ok, onto the boys...
Stephen is heavy into his guitar these days & also playing soccer with his dad. School is, well, it's there, trying to end the year on a high note.
David is also playing guitar, but is not as excited about it. He's very much into his social life at school & keeping everyone wondering what he'll do or say next!
Casey is seeking career opportunities. He's applied & is waiting for a position at the Terre Haute Federal Penitentiary as a guard, among others. He figures everyone will call at once. His commitment with the IL National Guard was up in November & he chose not to re-inlist. He's considering future family plans :)

Now for Willem & I...
Willem is busy as always. If it's not soccer it's something with the ministry work. Seems like we're always doing for others, but, that is what we're here for & that's what completes us & allows us to be the hands & feet of Jesus to others.
Many come through our guest house that we are ministering to with the tools that God has given to us. Those I enjoy most are other long-term in country missionaries. Just this week we had someone from the south stay the night. The public power was on so I rushed her into the bathroom to take a running HOT (actual) shower w/a new puff scrubber & some bath goodies that smelled good. She was blessed! Afterwards we all enjoyed a meal together. She commented that it was the best she'd had since leaving Canada over 8 months ago, living mostly on the same diet that the children in the orphanage that her & her husband are working in, simple rice & beans. Praise God for all of you who come & leave things behind...it blesses many! We love to share what we have with others!

Next week will be a big one for me. I will be teaching children grades PreK-6 about Jesus! The boys' English speaking Christian school is having their annual read-a-thon & I've been heavily involved for the last 4 years. Please pray for me as I encourage the children to consider how they are living for Jesus. Are they putting away the things of their "old man"? Are they putting on the new clothes that have Jesus' name on them? Are they prepared to run the race & read their way into heaven, bringing with them others that are around them? I am excited about this opportunity to share with these children! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share with you.

God bless each of you & we thank you for your prayers & support of our family!

Gods' Hand of Protection...

We are currently hosting a 12 member work team from Iowa, an adopting parent & her father from IL & a close friend from IN in our now guesthouse. Last night the adopting mom wanted to bake a cake for her boys' birthday. They thought the oven was on, well, after 10 minutes we discovered that the gas was on but the pilot wasn't lit. I turned the gas off & opened the door for about 5 minutes to let it air out & then I put a match to the pilot as I turned the gas back on. As I did, the collected propane gas in the bottom of the oven blew up (& out!) in my face! The double burner grate flew up & over my head as I put my face to my hands & turned away from the oven. I walked away, unhurt, w/slightly singed shoe laces!
Stephen said, "Mom, God must be watching over you!". I whole-heartily agree. All praise to God for his divine protection in such a situation as this!!
More good news is that one of the guys on the team is a heating/cooling tech & he was able to repair a part on the stove that blew off. Also, the cake was baked & the birthday happily celebrated today :) One more time, praise the Lord!

Family Update

It's been awhile, again.

December was a busier month than usual for us. We had alot of different kinds of guests staying with us as well as getting our house ready to move into before the next MTM team was due to arrive January 7th.

One of the great blessings that we have living in our guest house is that we get to meet lots of interesting people & make new friends from litterally all over the world. One such family came to Haiti all the way from Saudi Arabia! Jordan & David became fast friends as Jordon & his family came to meet the twins that they are adopting from our freind Rachel (Rivers of Hope). The Barron family are actually from Australia, living & working in Saudi for just a couple more years.

No pictures this round, but it is a definate that we are now moved into our new home. Our first night was new years' day..what a way to start the new year! It's been relaxing (when there is time to relax!) having our own place to "come home to" when teams are here to work with us. We moved the cats down (Fannie & her offspring, Gustava), but Fannie has decided that she likes the guest house better..it is her home. We'll get some pictures up for you soon.

It's time to go pick up the boys from school so I'll report more later. For now, God bless each of you as you begin this journey into the new year!