In October we celebrated Elena's 2nd birthday. We are so amazed to look back at these two years with her and see just how blessed we really are. She is an amazing, caring, crazy, loving, goofy, loud, and kind little girl. She loves to make us laugh, and even more to love us. I don't know how we cold ever be worthy of such a little blessing to cherish and take care of. God You are too good to us! Thank you! Let the years pass slow. We love her.
We got to perform with Hakugaijin and help out at the yearly Harvest Carnival down south with Calvary Chapel Okinawa. It was Elena's first year she could play games, she had a blast (and got a bag full of candy!). Every year it gets bigger, and it's more and more of the kids and families from the neighborhood. Really cool to see, and really awesome to be able to share Jesus and God's love with them so freely.
In November we had our first official (second time, but first with more than just church family) Thanksgiving meal!
We made a turkey and everything! It is always fun to share this holiday with Japanese people, one reason being that most of them have never seen a turkey before. It was a blessed and full (belly wise and building) event.
We also had our Women's bible study, which Amanda got to share something that had been on her heart a lot. When one of the Kings of Israel had trusted in God for his help, he went up against a huge army with very little men and won. But later in life he faced an army again (smaller than before), but trusted in fellow kingdoms to help. He stopped trusting that God could do this.
What we took from the study was that we need to remember what God has done for us.
God doesn't change depending on the situation. If I can trust God with my money and providing food for my family, then I can trust God with the safety of my kids in this dark world, or with our future or with anything that might strike fear into my heart. My God is mighty, and unchanging. He saved me, He can handle my fears.
In December we had a lot of events. We had a Christmas party at the church at the beginning of the month. We shared the Word and played some Christmas songs, and had a dessert potluck.
The following Sunday, we planned to have a movie night with the church and watch the Christmas movie "Elf". When we got there, we were surprised with a surprise-baby shower! Everyone was wearing fake mustaches, it was really fun and we were so blessed!
After that, the next event Pastor Tim and his wife went with the other local churches to share the Word and sing Christmas carols around town. We watched their boys and had a fun time staying warm (it does get cold here!).
The Sunday before Christmas we did a special service and had a cookie decorating competition after. The kids really enjoyed it (Elena just wanted to eat hers, though she did like drawing on it with frosting). The adults got super creative!
Christmas Eve we had a potluck dinner with just the church family. It was really nice and relaxed, we all just enjoyed talking and eating together.
Christmas Day we had Joel over and we made French toast and quiche for a late breakfast, opened gifts, and relaxed watching Christmas movies.
We got a chance to skype with our familes too, it was fun to watch Elena sharing what she received.
After that we were just waiting for our new little kiddo to join us. The due date was New Year's Day, but we ended up meeting him a few days early!
December 29th at 9 pm Philip arrived!
We are SO happy to have him with us, he is already the handsomest little boy!
God really does have the perfect timing, even in the little things. Eder had the whole week off that I was in the hospital, and there weren't any other babies being delivered when we went in (the next day they were busy though!). It was a really good experience for us, Eder was even able to stay in the hospital overnight too as much as he wanted.
So 2014 ended really awesome! And starting the New Year is so exciting and our hearts feel so full.
Here are some things we would like to praise God for and some prayer requests if you would like to pray for them:
-for a healthy pregnancy and fast and safe labor/birth
-Philip :)
-God's provision the whole past year and on (He knows exactly what we need)
-our health (flu is going around)
-trip to the states this summer
-Led by Spirit in future choices/plans
Also, Eder has been asked to start teaching again on Wednesdays twice a month in Japanese. Please pray for guidance and endurance through it (preparing and translating).
