“... If anyone acknowledges that J is the Son of G,
G lives in them and they in G.
And so we know and rely on the love G has for us...”
1 Jn 4:15-16a
SPOTLIGHT ON THE PRINCESS
The A-ster turned 4 years old this Sunday (30th) and she is growing and maturing right before our eyes! We had a party for her the night of her birthday and it was insane... but at the end of the night, Aidyn said, "mommy, this was the best birthday party EVER!" :)
She continues to astound us with her smart, sweet little self! All that worrying about her starting school, Dad has been SO good to us! She has only been tearful 4 days out of the 4 weeks since school started and she is learning language at an incredible pace!
Every morning, Andrew takes her to school to drop her off. She walks down the long hallway by herself and doesn't even look back. It's bittersweet... She has already made several friends and was invited to a birthday party on Monday! Joanna was able to share the best news with 2 ladies at the party and they were very receptive! It's amazing how Dad opens doors.
On the way home from the party, Aidyn said, "Mommy, I don't think I want to get any older." I asked her "why??" and after several minutes of prodding, she finally said, "Because I' don't think I'll be good at it... at being a grown up." AHHHHHh, sweet baby. It's amazing to me, the things that worry her sweet, barely 4-year-old mind.
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| 4 year old princess! |
THE NEW "NORMAL"
A new level of culture shock has set in with this new "normal" portion of our journey. Things have really started to settle down with Aidyn in school and G's caregiver (Belle) here every morning so we can study/have class. I think we're beginning to see a glimpse of what our "normal" everyday lives will be like for the next few years. Also, we hit our 6-month anniversary on the 24th of September! Can you believe it's been half a year already since we arrived? (We can!)
Over the last month, we've been struggling and have been feeling very under attack, mainly because we have not been able to get much good sleep. Nearly every night for the last 4 weeks, G has been crying out every 5-10 minutes for hours. One night, he said, "monster", but mostly he just keeps his eyes closed and screams. It's exhausting... we feel so helpless!! But we know we have hope and can trust in the One who is our Helper.... and we have several wonderful friends here who have fast-ed with us and are coming tomorrow evening to ask Dad to protect our sweet boy as he sleeps.
Over the last month, we've been struggling and have been feeling very under attack, mainly because we have not been able to get much good sleep. Nearly every night for the last 4 weeks, G has been crying out every 5-10 minutes for hours. One night, he said, "monster", but mostly he just keeps his eyes closed and screams. It's exhausting... we feel so helpless!! But we know we have hope and can trust in the One who is our Helper.... and we have several wonderful friends here who have fast-ed with us and are coming tomorrow evening to ask Dad to protect our sweet boy as he sleeps.
We began language study again this month after 3 months of vacation from class. So far, we have really enjoyed the change in teachers! We're getting into more difficult lessons with grammar (to the point where it invokes a feeling of nausea at times). We're also having stories from the Book read to us and broken down for us so we can learn sp:r:ritual vocabulary too! We're so thankful for our like-minded teachers!
I (Joanna) hosted a "ladies' night" party at our house during the month of September. There was a mix of about half like-minded and half non-like-minded ladies here. It was SO MUCH FUN!! We ate pizza, ice-cream, went swimming, talked, and I was even able to share my test:mony with 2 ladies: Delia and Nessa. They also came to A's birthday party with their other sister and her 2 children! We have had tea/coffee several times and Delia told me on Sunday, "I'm so thankful that I have a friend like you!" I'm hoping and asking Dad that she will have a friend in Him someday... maybe someday soon??
Andrew has met another friend by the dumpster at our new apartment. His name is Moe. We are so thankful that we are here... and that we can share Dad's Word and tell the people here that they are important, of high value, and loved with unfathomable love of our Father!
I (Joanna) hosted a "ladies' night" party at our house during the month of September. There was a mix of about half like-minded and half non-like-minded ladies here. It was SO MUCH FUN!! We ate pizza, ice-cream, went swimming, talked, and I was even able to share my test:mony with 2 ladies: Delia and Nessa. They also came to A's birthday party with their other sister and her 2 children! We have had tea/coffee several times and Delia told me on Sunday, "I'm so thankful that I have a friend like you!" I'm hoping and asking Dad that she will have a friend in Him someday... maybe someday soon??
Andrew has met another friend by the dumpster at our new apartment. His name is Moe. We are so thankful that we are here... and that we can share Dad's Word and tell the people here that they are important, of high value, and loved with unfathomable love of our Father!
Andrew has had several more d-ship meetings with Joseph and other men who speak Joseph's tribal language. In the most recent meeting, it was made clear that Joseph still has a hard time grasping the basics of our fa:th. Joseph has an obvious desire that is from the L'd to follow his Son, but he has a very heavy burden of his past traditions/beliefs weighing on his heart. However, there is an incredible story from Joseph's grandfather that Andrew will be sharing here in the next few days if you'd like to read! Dad has been calling out to Joseph's family for quite a while!
CELEBRATIONS & REQUESTS:
- Janice's scan showed that she had NO RE-GROWTH of her cancer! Thank you, Dad!! She will have follow up scans every 4 months to ensure she remains cancer-free.
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- The A-ster started school and she is rockin' it out! She is making friends easily and learning language at an amazing pace. We're so thankful for our outgoing, bright, sweet girl!
- We began language study again this month after a summer of break from class and we are so thankful for our like-minded teachers!
- Joanna was able to share the best news with 2 ladies this week at a kids' birthday party!
- We celebrated 6 months in-country on the 24th of September! And we're all still alive!! :)
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- Please remember Joseph- he wants to follow J but is still unsure of the basics of our fa:th. Please ask that Dad would open his eyes completely to what is True and what is not.
- Please ask that Dad would continue to give us opportunities to talk about Him with our new friends, Delia, Nessa and Moe.
- Please remember Andrew's dad, Phil, who had several herniated discs replaced today. Please ask that he would heal quickly and be completely relieved of his pain.
- Please be asking that Dad would protect us from the enemy's attacks. Specifically, that Dad would protect G as he sleeps and that he would be free of his night terrors so we can all rest peacefully.
- We had 2 single ladies join our team on this side of the world this week! Please be lifting them up as they just said goodbye to their lives as they've know them and as they adjust to what Dad has called them to here!
Much love, .
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