August Update

By Gilmer, Julie, Nhaya, Caleb and Josiah -

Ok, I know that many of you are very busy and don’t really have a lot of time to read a whole long update. So after talking to many of our friends and supporters I will attempt to do this blog with pictures. Everyone likes pictures and you can just read the captions and find out what’s going on for us. Let me know how you like it!


Our first picture has to be of a historic event! This was Gilmer's first 4th of July as an American Citizen!!! He said he was very proud to be able to celebrate this holiday with a whole new meaning.
Also in July Gilmer flew to San Diego to speak at some Filipino churches and see supporters. He drove over to Bakersfield on Sunday morning to preach at our supporting Filipino church there.

On the 15th of July we left for our long 3 week plus road trip. Our first stop was to see my sister in Colorado Springs and to meet their newest addition to the family, Ellie!
Here is Caleb with Aimee and Sam's son Noah. He's a proud new Big Brother!
After leaving Colorado we drove for a few days to reach Ohio. This is the kids getting out some energy at a rest stop along the way. We forgot to take pictures in Ohio but we were there visiting one of our new supporting churches and great friends the Schwennings.
From Ohio we drove into Canada and Gilmer was so happy to be able to use his US Passport for the first time. Here we are at a Children's Museum in London, Ontario, Canada.
We were visiting my "old" friends from our Bible School days. Amanda Luth, whose house we were staying at and Kate Appleby who flew in from Australia for a visit! It was so great to spend a little time with them!
Nhaya enjoying some time with Kate.

From Canada we went to our SEND International Conference in Holland, Michigan. Here we are with our new boss, Pastor James and his wife Helen. He is the director of PCS (Philipine Sending Council), the branch of SEND that we are going back to the Philippines with.

We were able to see some friends we served in the Philippines with. This is Nancy the old Guest House Manager. I say old only because they are selling the Guest House in Manila, not because of her age!! Just needed to be clear :) Next time I'll use the word previous!
The first night of the conference we had a party celebrating the work in the Philippines for the last 65 years. They have closed the receiving area as of June. This is a picture of some of the missionaries that have served there throughout the years!
While in Holland we were SO very blessed to stay at our friends from Tucson's parents house. Did you get that? It was so nice to not have to be in a hotel during our week there! This is a picture of the kids playing in their front yard.
We can't even begin to tell you how blessed we were by the hospitality of God's people during our trip! Here is a picture if Nhaya with another one of our hosts in Grand Rapids, MI.
The purpose of our trip was not only to see old friends but to also share about our heart to work with the Filipinos and what we will be doing there. Here's a picture of Gilmer sharing for our friends in Grand Rapids.
This is most of the team that came from Grand Rapids to work in Baguio City, Philippines last year. Gilmer worked with them for about two weeks. It was very nice to see them again for a mini reunion.
Before we left Grand Rapids they took us to ride horses. Here's Nhaya riding by herself!
This is Caleb getting a little lesson about how to ride.
After riding horses we were off to Chicago, IL. Some of our friends live there and we were able to meet their new son, Obed. Megan and Oscar were both in our wedding years ago!

It was so nice to see them and spend a good visit catching up. Here we are at the Zoo in Chicago.
Leaving Chicago we went to Indiana to visit some of Gilmer's classmate from his Bible School days, way back in 1988!
We were also able to share with them a short presentation and here's the kids after sitting through that. Ready to play I think!
This is Molly and her husband Joel. Molly was a short term missionary with us in Baguio two years ago. We were able to have lunch with them on our way home.

Jim and Darleen have known Gilmer for years, even longer than me! We stayed with them in Missouri, on our way home. What great friends, sorry we missed you Darleen!
It was great catching up with another friend from TMI (Teen Missions International) and my Bible School days, Genny.
They live in Missouri also. We haven't seen her for more than 10 years and look at all the new additions!
Our last leg of the trip brought us to New Mexico, where another one of our close friends live, Jill and her 3 kids. We were happy to have some "real" Mexican food again.


So that is the summary of last road trip before returning to the Philippines. We hope to be able to update you again soon with the news of the dates we will be returning! Again thank you for your prayers and support during our Home Service. Remember that we now post the Praise and Prayer Requests on the side bar to the right.

Gratefully Serving With You,

Gilmer and Julie Paden


Comments

Amanda said…
Loved the "lotsa pictures post"! Glad to hear you are safe and sound back home again. Joey's enjoying playing with Josiah's Lightning McQueen...we found him after we sent the laundry :-)
August 15, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Bryan and Erin said…
Great job on your blog. We are so thankful that God has blessed us with friends like you! You understand are family so well!!!!
August 16, 2010 at 9:53 PM
Angela said…
Great update! Looks like you had a wonderful trip!
August 17, 2010 at 9:53 AM
Schilinski Clan said…
Love all the photos! Praying for you guys! Hugs from Cameroon XXXXXX
September 12, 2010 at 12:48 PM
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