The past 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity and have been filled with a mix of emotions.
First, we celebrated Noah’s 10th birthday with some friends. We enjoyed some homemade pizza, cupcakes, a movie, Nerf wars, and fellowship. I’m so thankful for the people God provides in all the places He takes us in this world!
I’m also thankful for Noah. He is one-of-a-kind, always keeping us on our toes, and is becoming quite the young man. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for him this year!
Then, we packed up the van and headed north first thing Saturday morning. We drove about 6 hours and landed in Chillicothe, Ohio. Although this is Aaron’s birthplace, he was 2 years old when he moved to PA, and therefore didn’t have anywhere special he wanted to go. We just checked into a hotel and enjoyed the pool.
Joshua was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing. He wouldn’t stop pointing and saying, “Oooo!” The big boys loved every minute of it!
After a big breakfast at the hotel on Sunday, we travelled the rest of the way up to Marion, Indiana to World Gospel Mission headquarters. It was about lunch time when we arrived, so we found wings for Noah. (Wings was one of his birthday wishes.) Aaron and the birthday boy shared a large order of wings, and Noah made his daddy proud by eating the spicy ones!
Monday was Noah’s actual 10th birthday. I decorated his door and the dining hall at headquarters. He requested sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast and subs for supper. Also at his request, the boys enjoyed a no-school day and played with his new Star Wars Legos as much as possible.
Wednesday was also an exciting day. After the boys finished their school work, lunch, and chores, they were treated to a fun snow experience!
While the boy were busy having fun, Aaron and I were fulfilling the purpose of the visit to WGM headquarters. We were attending meetings and learning so much about being missionaries with WGM. Although it is a completely different world compared to our first missionary term with World Medical Mission, we came away from the week encouraged and excited for this next phase of missionary work. In the next weeks and months, we hope to put our new knowledge to work, so expect to hear about how you can get involved in our ministry.
After leaving headquarters, we ate lunch with some friends and drove the entire way home to Virginia! It took us about 10 hours, but it was well worth the work. When we woke up Friday morning, the snow had already begun to lay on the ground!
Friday, January 22, was Hannah’s birthday. It was a bittersweet day to say the least. All of our plans of celebration were foiled by the weather, so we made an eggless cake (because we had no eggs) with pink icing. We couldn’t release pink balloons or visit her grave, but we did take time to remember her. It’s hard to believe that she’d be 4 years old. We miss her so much. Thank you to those who remembered and sent messages and/or called to express your thoughts. We are blessed to be loved so well by so many.
The boys had a blast playing in the snow and making snow angels. We decided the snow was a gift from Hannah. 🙂
Friday also marked the 20 week milestone of my pregnancy! I can’t believe how quickly it’s going…and how big I am!
Through all the ups and downs of the week, God remained faithful. Just like He always does. As missionaries, we often quote the Great Commission, and we focus on the part about going out in the world to share the Gospel and make disciples. Today, however, I want to draw our attention to the beginning and the end of Jesus’ words: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18,20) Jesus is with us today, right now. He will always be with us. Please remember, no matter what today brings or what crazy thing God might be asking you to do, we are not alone. If God wills it, He will prove a way.
God bless you!
Praises and Prayer Requests:
- Praise God for His abundant blessings!
- Praise God for His Word!
- Praise God for people who willingly walk with us through the ups and downs of life.
- Please pray special blessings on Noah in honor of his birthday.
- Please continue to pray for the selling of our house.
- Please continue to pray for my pregnancy, homeschooling, and our travels.
- Pray for good ministry opportunities here in the States.
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2 Comments
Jodie
Jan, 23, 2016y’all are truly inspirational!!!
Heidi
Jan, 24, 2016Fun to catch up with your family; I would love to meet you sometime! Also, I hadn’t realized you were pregnant again, so congratulations! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 🙂