We are Thankful

It's hard to be away from family during the holidays, but we're doing our best to give thanks for all the blessings God has given us this past year: the love of family and friends, new ministries here in Ecuador, health and safety in a foreign place, plus so many more.  And all the blessings we have to look forward to: a new baby soon to come, Christmas with my parents here, and God's daily love that we know will sustain us.  I can also see the blessings we receive in just a single day as I watched my children play one day this past week...

 Caleb discovered a suit that we had been given (thank you to the Velasquez family :) before we came, but he hadn't worn yet.  He excitedly put it on and ran over to our next door neighbor, Lilly, and asked her to marry him.  I had to take a few pictures of their wedding.  We are blessed to have a little boy with so much imagination and good friends living next door to share special moments with.

Jael has quite the collection of stuffed animals she needs to go to sleep every night:  Nena, her dolly; Anna, her kitty; a stuffed jaguar that Caleb gave her; a puppy dog; a giraffe that plays music; and her blanket.  It can be quite a time putting her to bed if she discovers one is missing, but we're blessed to have a daughter with such a sweet spirit.  She blesses us with her little voice evey morning when she arrives in our room and says, "I love you!"  (even though it may be a tad early for us).

Though we may be far from many loved ones in the states, we're blessed to have our own family here to share the holidays with and to make new traditions.  The kids made their own Pilgrim and Indian hats to wear to our Thanksgiving potluck this year.  

Thank you for your prayers for our family as we serve in Ecuador; we are blessed because of you!