Growing Towards Maturity

Our daughter Adley has needed some help with her speech so each week she meets with a speech therapist to help her pronounce her words and combine them in sentences. Today was a particularly painful session because they were encouraging her to use her words to ask for a puzzle piece before they would give it to her. In the past they would ask her to try but not force the issue as much. Today they were pushing her harder. You could see her struggle to say the words they were asking of her and just when she thought she was finished they would ask her to repeat it again, but this time correctly. As a mom, I sat in the corner knowing that this was best for her because it was growing her to the next level, but at the same time I was hurting for her because I saw how difficult it was. Part of me wanted to scream STOP, but the other part of me knew that this process was necessary.
To me this is a great analogy of our relationship with God. As his daughters and sons he often puts us in a painful and hard place, not because of anything wrong we’ve done, but because he wants to mature us. I love the purpose behind the process of discipline in scripture and that is to train for correction and maturity. Adley was being corrected with her speech today so that she will be able in the future to say things right. What a great God we serve to love us so deeply that he cares enough to grow us for something better! If you are in a hard place today be encouraged that your father loves you.

12 Weeks and Growing

This is news for us that not only took us by surprise, but also filled our hearts with joy.  We were not anticipating another child anytime soon but we believe that God’s timing is much better than ours.  I should be about 12 weeks pregnant.  I haven’t gone to a Dr. yet because we’ve been trying to figure out our healthcare options.  Since we are “self-employed” by living on support, we had to purchase our own insurance.  Unfortunately in the state of Virginia, they do not offer pregnancy coverage automatically when you sign a policy.  A 6 month rider is required and if you get pregnant before that time is up, you are not covered for any of the maternity costs.  When the news came, along with the joy came a deep concern for how we would pay for this baby that could cost us up to $20,000 (if there were any complications).  God reminded me immediately that as is said in Luke, do not worry about your life….your Father in Heaven knows you need these things.  This has been a constant comfort to us as we’ve pursued many dead ends in options that would help lower the bills or even pay for them.

 

Today was an encouraging day though.  Someone yesterday told us about a program called “Birthright” and there is one in the hospital across the street from us.  They offer free pregnancy tests and then they can help refer women to the clinic that helps low income families with no insurance.  After my appointment, I went to the clinic office and expected more bad news.  To my utter surprise I discovered something that to us seemed too good to be true.  If we don’t qualify for Medicaid or the state healthcare program, they will set us up on a payment plan that will be max $2,000 including delivery AND hospital stay.  I left almost in tears as I felt God’s faithfulness once again.  We were reminded of the Psalm that says “I’m certain, that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be courageous and let your heart be strong.”

Christmas Greetings!

Here’s a little summary of 2007.  Enjoy and Happy New Year!

This year, for us, has held a continuing theme of gifts.  Gifts given and gifts received in a new way.  It was evident at David’s farewell ceremony with the Navy in Aug. that the past 5 years have been a special gift from God to us.  It was bittersweet saying goodbye because we enjoyed our time in the military.  We also, at the same time, realized the incredible gift ahead of us: being mission interns at our church while we raise support to launch to Brussels, Belgium within the next year to plant churches.

            We have now been interning at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk for 3 months and have continued to watch God give us the gift of the body of Christ coming alongside us in our journey to another land.  People have given gifts of time such as babysitting our girls, gifts of prayer for us as we have struggled to find our way in this big transition, and gifts of money by supporting us financially not only for our internship, but also towards our final goal of being funded 100% for Brussels by July of 2008.  We’ve been surprised over and over as God has used people to meet our practical needs for fundraising events.  We could tell you many stories about how God laid on someone’s heart to give the exact thing, and amount we were lacking.  These gifts have built our faith and caused us to be humbled and acknowledge that it is only through us working in community that we will accomplish the task ahead of us.

            We have been given the gift to grow in areas of our lives that we are sure we will use in Brussels.  David has been doing a lot of teaching at the church and both of us are mentoring others while being mentored as well, along with helping plan strategic outreaches and being involved in the international ministry at Tab.  It has grown us to learn how to communicate our needs to others and to allow people to come alongside us in our endeavors.  David is also trying to finish his seminary work while Joanna stays busy as a mom and a supporter in the ministry.  The most difficult challenge for us this past year has been learning how to work together in a new way.  Discovering who can do what best has helped us lighten the load we both were carrying.

            Our family of four has been a constant gift from the Lord.  We’ve been learning in a new way what family looks like in the middle of full time ministry.  The girls have a way of reminding us of our priorities, and it’s amazing the joy and perspective they bring to both of us.  Eleri is 3 and Adley is approaching 2 this coming May.  They both are the best of friends…most days, and are growing not only physically but also spiritually as we see them respond to God working in their hearts.  Eleri especially is recognizing the truths that God wants to help her make right choices and she often says to us “God keeps her safe”.  It’s a blessing to watch Adley, who is not far behind, follow in her sister’s footsteps.

            As we wrap up 2007 we see the gift of friends, family, and ministry.  Just by getting this card we want you to know that we consider you a special gift in our lives from God.  Our prayer for you this season is that you will not miss the most perfect gift of all, the arrival of our King and Savior!  His presence is gift enough for us all.

 

Christmas 2007!

I had hoped to do a better job of keeping everyone up to date on our holiday adventures.  However,  because I got sick, everything kind of got tossed aside.  I did get to bake at least one batch of cookies even if it was done on Christmas Eve.  My mom was the most amazing cookie baker ever.  I remember most Christmas seasons making at least 15 different kinds of cookies!  It was so much fun.  Someday I’ll be there but we’re taking tiny steps:)  Some of the highlights of the past 2 weeks was  visiting the live manger scene at a church up the rode from us.  It had to of been the most frigid night of the year and even the camel was complaining!  It was a special way to explain to the girls the meaning of Christmas though (even if we suffered frost bite afterwards).  I think Eleri was more into the camel then anything else.  She wanted to know where they live and why they can go long times without water.  It was pretty cool giving my child her first geography/zoology lesson.   
Eleri performed in her first choir concert ever.  It was so exciting for us since we are both musicians by degree and also because we have directed children choirs before.  Eleri had a hard time in front of all the people so she did what kids do best…sit down and suck your fingers!  Of course we were only slightly embarrassed seeing all the other kids were able to sing, but God sweetly reminded us that he loves Eleri just as she is even when she’s timid about trying something new.  (I never thought I struggled with pride until I became a mom and then I’m constantly being humbled by my kids!) This was our second Christmas ever being away from our extended families in OH.  The other time was when we visited Brussels in 2005 to see if God was calling us to  Europe.  We missed family this year but we also felt a peace that God is forming our little family here in Norfolk.  The celebrations were simple, but also very significant for us.  Eleri and Adley came to the Christmas Eve concert and were able to participate with us.  It was so beautiful at the end when they turned out all the lights and we held our candles singing Silent Night to signify that Christ coming into the world has become our light in the darkness.  We were able to take communion and it was touching to watch Eleri and David as he explained to her the meaning of the bread and juice.  It’s our prayer that this is just a foreshadowing of the relationship our girls will have someday with Jesus.  We pray that all of you had a very special holiday as well.  Our thoughts and prayers have been directed to many of you during this special season.  If you sent us a card we so appreciate it and have it on our mantel in the living room.  Thank you for traveling 2007 with us and we look forward with anticipation and joy to 2008! 

Training Days

“Mommy I’m sweating.” Are you hot Eleri? “No Mom, I’m cold.” You know it’s going to be a strange day when it begins like that:) Actually it was a hard day not because the kids didn’t know if they were hot or cold but because they couldn’t share anything, wanted exactly what the other had (nearly EVERYTIME), and tried to dictate what they would eat and when!!! Somedays the word “training” excites me. Other days (like today) I wanted to run away. Then the pharmacy wouldn’t let us take home Adley’s allergy medicine because they couldn’t get the insurance to go through right on the computer. So, another day of an angry girl because she doesn’t feel well. It’s hard to believe that between David and I we spent almost 2 hours in the drugstore waiting today. Oh well, another hour and it will be tomorrow. I’m just praying that it doesn’t hold any biting of your older sister’s finger because she wouldn’t share her banana!

Change of plans

Well tonight was supposed to be our family christmas photo shoot. We had friends coming over who have a nice camera to have dinner and then capture the special moment. Just when you think you have it all planned things surprise you….ever feel like that? Adley started to have a runny nose this afternoon, and by the time our friends showed up she had a full blown fever and looked about the most miserable I’ve seen her. I feel so bad for her! I must admit that I struggled being ok with the situation. After all we had to forego the shoot—-she was in no mood for a picture, and it feels like we’ve been struggling with SO MUCH SICKNESSS! I reminded myself that 18 months is the time for lots of immunity building, but it was only until I exchanged my will for God’s that I began to have some peace tonight. We’ll keep you posted. God is using sickness to really grow us this year. Can’t wait to see the outcome….

Favorite time of year!

Wow! We love this season. It becomes even more special when you have little children to share it with. Eleri is in her heaven with the advent house that has doors you open each morning. We’ve been filling the calendar with activities or special events to do around the house. Today’s activity was making a gingerbread house. It seems easy in theory especially when you have the kit to do it, but when your 1 1/2 year old tosses the gingerbread cookie shapes on the ground and they break, well then the challenge to build begins! Dad and a friend managed to put one together out of the rest of the gingerbread and graham crackers. It actually held together for about…5 minutes! Lesson learned, don’t try to build a house out of crackers and icing:)
The first day of advent we have begun a tradition of having a meal of fondue with our friends. It is a special night to welcome in the season. We wanted you to feel like you celebrated with us by posting some pictures. We’re looking forward to sharing with you our family’s journey through the holidays. We’ll try to keep you involved with lots of stories and pictures. Keep coming back!

Please Pray

Our dear little Adley has really been struggling for the past 6 weeks with lots of health problems. It all started out with teething that turned into the croup, that became an ear infection, that lead to a yeast infection from the antibiotics, followed by another bad cold, and then hives that have been occurring all over her body for the past week. We have her on some medicine that has stopped the hives, however, this morning she woke up with a really high fever, lots of congestion and quite lethargic. She also just threw up and I’m not sure if it was from her coughing, or if her stomach is upset too.

As you can imagine, we are quite overwhelmed at the moment. Work is very busy for us now with the holidays approaching and the outreaches and services we are helping plan. I feel as a mom that I can’t keep up with anything, and I especially feel discouraged about not knowing what to do to help Adley. Please pray for wisdom to know how to get help for Adley if she needs it, for peace to get through this time, and for strength and courage. For those of you who were praying about the mouse situation, there is praise because it has been caught! Thanks for journeying this road with us….

When it rains it pours…

We’ve been seeing lately how much God blesses us and how often He showers His love and grace upon us. This past week was no exception. On Halloween we had the privilege of running the snack shack at the Harvest Festival at church and making money for our internship. It was so beautiful being able to serve alongside our friends and supporters. We even had Steve Adams from Christian Associates staying with us and he was able to come and connect with the people we knew who came to the festival. As most of you know, we needed lots of food donated, and just like God came through for us with our big breakfast event, by the day of, we had nearly every food item donated….including the money for pizza! It is truly amazing to see how faithful our God is and how the body of Christ makes such a difference in the lives around them.

The day after Halloween, Steve gave a talk at TAB church and shared Christian Associates vision for Europe. He also talked a lot about how he desires to see churches and the mission agency connected in an even tighter bond where we can share our resources not only to Europe, but that the church plants in Europe could share their resources with us here in America as well. The idea of a Belgium Summit happening at TAB and connecting all the consortium churches here in Hampton Roads really excites us both. Please pray with us as the vision unfolds.

For those of you who have been praying for Adley who’s had all sorts of random things such as the croup, ear infection, yeast infection, cold, teething etc…..she is finally doing better and sleeping again. That has been a huge answer to prayer for us with how rough this past month has been. My asthma is much better on the new medication, so thank you for praying for me as well. We are learning to trust God about our rental home in Virginia Beach. It isn’t rented yet, so please pray with us that God would bring the right renters our way and that we would trust Him with His timing.

I love rainy days because for me they are such a visual picture of God raining His love and blessings down on my life. We experienced His “rain” in a new way this past week and we once again feel blessed!

3 year old prayers

Today, I (Joanna) was pretty sick again with asthma. I wasn’t able to be that exuberant self and Eleri picked up on it right away this morning. I told her that I hoped I’d feel better after my shower. When she saw I wasn’t better she said that she wanted to give me a hug. After the hug came the sweetest thing ever. She proceeded to grab my big hand and hold it tight while she said:

“Dear God, I’m praying for Mommy. Mommy’s really sick today. Help Mommy to feel better. Amen.”

I truly believe that God used her prayer to encourage and strengthen me. Will you pray for me as I visit the Dr. to see if they can control my asthma attacks better? Love all of you!!