Padens in the Philippines

Dear Everyone, We have some really exciting news! Thank you all for your prayers for us concerning Gilmer's papers to get back to the States. We said in the last email that we hoped somehow God would be glorified by our situation and we believe that He was today. Let me try and recap what happened at the Embassy this morning... We went early and waited in line at the Homeland Security window, after talking to the man there he referred us to the US Border Safety (or something like that) since they are the ones that control the transportation Letter we were told to get. The security guard there said to wait outside, and when they came into office they would call us by who came first (there was a big stack of papers). Since we also needed to get Josiah's SSS number (Social Security) we did that while we waited. After that was taken care of, we were waiting outside and I went to check to see if there were seeing people yet, which they weren't. Gilmer, by then, had made friend...

Dear Praying Friends, We have a urgent prayer request that we would like to share with you. If you have been reading our updates you know of the problems that we have been having with Gilmer's paperwork to get back to the States. Things right now continue to look grim. We spoke to an Immigration Officer last Friday and, according to her, there is no hope that the re-entry permit will be reissued. This comes as a shock to us considering we have spoken to 3 other Immigration Officers that said to just wait. They did not say that there was no chance. She also told us that the only thing we could do is ask the Embassy to give us a Transportation Letter. We had not heard about this letter before even though we asked them repeatedly to let us know if there was anything else we could do. So feeling like we need to exhaust all our options, and at least find out if there is anything the Embassy can do, we are headed for Manila in the morning. We could not send this out earlier due to a t...

Baguio - our new city! As you can see Baguio City has a lot of people. It is always very crowed here. We dressed up in traditional dress with friends when we went sight seeing one day. In A New City “There is no way!” said Gilmer when one of the church members at our new church told him he would be wearing the tribal dress called a “bahag.” Traditionally this clothing is worn by the mountain peoples. One group being the Ifugao. It is just a small piece clothing worn around the waist, almost like a loin cloth, and is to be worn with nothing else underneath! We had a great time last month as our new church named Cordillera Bible Christian Fellowship welcomed us - complete with a tribal dance, (see pictures below)also when they asked Gilmer to wear the bahag. They made us get up and try the dance too! Even though we looked rather silly, it was fun. The church members show us part of their culture. We are glad to be here at our assignment and are excited to see how God will use us to re...

Dear Prayer Partners , These last couple months have been overwhelming for us. Well… as I think about it, this last year and a half while we have been here in language school has been overwhelming. We want to thank you for your part in helping us get through with your prayers. We are only here because we know that this is where God wants us, not because it’s easy. Sometime we have to keep reminding ourselves of this on a particularly hard day. So much has happened this last month or so that it is hard to recap for you. We had Josiah, got a different car, had our second Christmas away from home, my Mom came to help for a month, we traveled to Baguio looking for a house, Gilmer’s brother left, we started packing to move, went to a team planning retreat, and so many little things I can’t even say. Needless to say, you get the picture – we have been busy! That is also why we have not been able to update more like we wanted to. We do want to make sure that we say thank you to all who respon...

Announcing the long awaited arrival of Josiah Seth Paden! He was born by c-section on December 20th at 9:35am and was 6 pounds and 18.9 inches long. Everything went well and we were able to go home on the 23rd to spend Christmas at home. Thank you all for your prayers, we know many of you were concerned. I am up and able to get around just fine (despite a little pain). The kids did well with my Mom (Nana) at our SEND guest house in Manila while we were in the hospital. They are very excited to have a baby brother. Caleb asked yesterday if we get to keep him forever! We have a busy month ahead of getting ready to move, finding a house, and getting well and rested. We would apriciate your continued prayers for this and will write another prayer update soon. Blessings, Gilmer, Julie, Nhaya, Caleb, and Josiah Paden

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 ...

Dear Prayer Partners, We wanted to send a quick update and tell you how we are doing. Thanks so much for your prayers! We are doing a lot better this month and have felt very supported in prayer for all the things that we are going through as a family. Pregnancy Update As of now, after a new doctor and some new medication- I am doing much better! Praise the Lord. I am still having contractions on and off but the new medication is much stronger and has helped so much with making it possible for me to be mobile. I am able to go downstairs a couple times a day and even make dinner most of the time. After being on bed rest for so long even cooking dinner is something to look forward to. Don’t all you busy Mom’s wish you could feel that way! We were also able to have a very in depth ultra sound, and after being almost positive that we were having a girl, we were so surprised to find out that it’s a BOY! So now all you curious ones can be at rest. So far no names picked out but if you have s...