November 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We hope that this finds each of you well and thankful for what God has given each of you. We are so thankful for how God has, not only provided all that we need, but blessed us and answered so many of our prayers. It seems as I read back on our prayer request list that all have been answered above and beyond what we even knew how to ask.
Pregnancy Update
We had a great doctor’s appointment this week! I am now able to be normal again (whatever that means for an 8 month pregnant lady). The baby is growing just fine, and the contractions that I do still have are not affecting anything since I am so far along now. We were even able to get a day for the c-section – December 20th- making it possible for us to be home for Christmas (that is, if there are no complications). Which I’m sure will be so much better for all of us, especially Nhaya and Caleb.
Ministry Update
Bagiuo! That is were we are going to be moving after the baby is born. Praise God for the great trip that Gilmer made to that area. We were able to make a decision, which everyone is happy with, so now we can make plans for moving and ministry opportunities for Gilmer. He is very excited about getting back into full-time ministry after his long Mr. Mom time here during my language school.
This last month he was been able to teach at two Bible Studies for new Christians and had a great time. He was also able to attend a Promise Keepers Philippines conference with the elders of the church that we attend. Then two weeks ago, all of us were able to go to an anniversary service for the church that one of my language teachers is a pastor of. I am happy to report that I understood everything that the missionary sharing had to say in Tagalog! It was a great confirmation for me that I am in fact learning something (of course it helps that he also has an American accent to his Tagalog making it easier for me to understand than native speakers).
Language Update
So speaking of language, I officially have one more week of classes and then I am finished. Of course there is still so much that I don’t know and I will need to continue to practice and improve using the new skills that I have received.
Our first phase of missionary life seems to be coming to an end and we are so excited to start the next and see how God wants to use us in the lives of others.
Family Update
The kids continue to do well here. They have been sick a few times and Caleb had an accident in the pool – jumping on Gilmer’s brothers head- resulting in a broken tooth, which is now missing. Let’s just say that I can really see the difference between boys and girls at this age. All you parents of boys know what I mean when I talk about constantly putting band aides on scratched up knees and telling him to put down the bug that he is playing with (or torturing). He sure is growing up fast and I am glad that I have another baby coming along to hug because Caleb sure has no time in his busy schedule for Mommy to hold him! The Filipinas here love to talk to him and they all call him baby, for example. “Oh, Baby, you’re so cute, how old are you?” To which Caleb will adamantly reply. “I’m not a baby I’m a big boy!”
Nhaya is doing so well in school that she is first in her class for the second time. We are off to another award ceremony on Friday for her to receive it. Which she, and us are very proud of. At home she continues to have trouble with obeying pretty much anything that she doesn’t want to, which on a good day, boils down to at least 5 different talks, time-outs, and sometimes even spankings. Please continue to pray for her and us as we try to teach, train, and have patience with her. It can be very tiring for us at times.
On the other hand she is our social butterfly and loves playing and interacting with anybody. She now understands a lot of Tagalog and is able to answer properly all the simple questions, like how old are you, where do you go to school, do you have siblings, etc. There are about 4 girls in our neighborhood that she can be seen running around with all the time up and down the street. And, I think, the cutest thing to share is that she loves to sing to her little brother still in Mommy’s tummy.
We hope that this finds each of you well and thankful for what God has given each of you. We are so thankful for how God has, not only provided all that we need, but blessed us and answered so many of our prayers. It seems as I read back on our prayer request list that all have been answered above and beyond what we even knew how to ask.
Pregnancy Update
We had a great doctor’s appointment this week! I am now able to be normal again (whatever that means for an 8 month pregnant lady). The baby is growing just fine, and the contractions that I do still have are not affecting anything since I am so far along now. We were even able to get a day for the c-section – December 20th- making it possible for us to be home for Christmas (that is, if there are no complications). Which I’m sure will be so much better for all of us, especially Nhaya and Caleb.
Ministry Update
Bagiuo! That is were we are going to be moving after the baby is born. Praise God for the great trip that Gilmer made to that area. We were able to make a decision, which everyone is happy with, so now we can make plans for moving and ministry opportunities for Gilmer. He is very excited about getting back into full-time ministry after his long Mr. Mom time here during my language school.
This last month he was been able to teach at two Bible Studies for new Christians and had a great time. He was also able to attend a Promise Keepers Philippines conference with the elders of the church that we attend. Then two weeks ago, all of us were able to go to an anniversary service for the church that one of my language teachers is a pastor of. I am happy to report that I understood everything that the missionary sharing had to say in Tagalog! It was a great confirmation for me that I am in fact learning something (of course it helps that he also has an American accent to his Tagalog making it easier for me to understand than native speakers).
Language Update
So speaking of language, I officially have one more week of classes and then I am finished. Of course there is still so much that I don’t know and I will need to continue to practice and improve using the new skills that I have received.
Our first phase of missionary life seems to be coming to an end and we are so excited to start the next and see how God wants to use us in the lives of others.
Family Update
The kids continue to do well here. They have been sick a few times and Caleb had an accident in the pool – jumping on Gilmer’s brothers head- resulting in a broken tooth, which is now missing. Let’s just say that I can really see the difference between boys and girls at this age. All you parents of boys know what I mean when I talk about constantly putting band aides on scratched up knees and telling him to put down the bug that he is playing with (or torturing). He sure is growing up fast and I am glad that I have another baby coming along to hug because Caleb sure has no time in his busy schedule for Mommy to hold him! The Filipinas here love to talk to him and they all call him baby, for example. “Oh, Baby, you’re so cute, how old are you?” To which Caleb will adamantly reply. “I’m not a baby I’m a big boy!”
Nhaya is doing so well in school that she is first in her class for the second time. We are off to another award ceremony on Friday for her to receive it. Which she, and us are very proud of. At home she continues to have trouble with obeying pretty much anything that she doesn’t want to, which on a good day, boils down to at least 5 different talks, time-outs, and sometimes even spankings. Please continue to pray for her and us as we try to teach, train, and have patience with her. It can be very tiring for us at times.
On the other hand she is our social butterfly and loves playing and interacting with anybody. She now understands a lot of Tagalog and is able to answer properly all the simple questions, like how old are you, where do you go to school, do you have siblings, etc. There are about 4 girls in our neighborhood that she can be seen running around with all the time up and down the street. And, I think, the cutest thing to share is that she loves to sing to her little brother still in Mommy’s tummy.
Praises or THANKSGIVING
-Julie and the baby doing so much better! Getting a date for the c-section, and Julie’s Mom being able to come and help.
-Picking a team and having direction on where we are going next.
-Continued provision for our needs and those people that are involved in our ministry through support and/or prayer.
-The successful ending of language school and understanding that Julie now has in the Tagalog language.
Prayer
-Safe delivery with no complications.
-Moving shortly after the baby is born and setting up a new house, school, ministry, etc.
-Our support level has increased and we need to raise more than $800 each month due to a number of things -rising medical costs, the depreciation of the US dollar verses the Philippine Peso, supporters that are unable to fulfill their commitment, and the new baby.
-Julie and the baby doing so much better! Getting a date for the c-section, and Julie’s Mom being able to come and help.
-Picking a team and having direction on where we are going next.
-Continued provision for our needs and those people that are involved in our ministry through support and/or prayer.
-The successful ending of language school and understanding that Julie now has in the Tagalog language.
Prayer
-Safe delivery with no complications.
-Moving shortly after the baby is born and setting up a new house, school, ministry, etc.
-Our support level has increased and we need to raise more than $800 each month due to a number of things -rising medical costs, the depreciation of the US dollar verses the Philippine Peso, supporters that are unable to fulfill their commitment, and the new baby.
Serving Him,
Gilmer, Julie, Nhaya, Caleb, and Baby Paden
Gilmer, Julie, Nhaya, Caleb, and Baby Paden
P.S. Sorry there are no pictures this time, we will put some on next month.
