It’s time for a FAMILY update! So many changes have taken place in our lives this past year – many of them right under our noses in the lives of our kids!! When we really stop and think about how much has changed it is amazing how settled Judah, Gianna, Tiernan and Silas are. God is faithful and compassionate and His grace is so evident in their lives. Thank you for praying specifically for them. They are loving life in PNG!!
Judah is our first born. He is growing and learning more and more about the responsibility that comes with being the first born these days! When Dad was away on the last survey Judah began taking care of his own shower each night. Mom and Dad can send him and his brother, Tiernan, upstairs each night and in short order they both come down squeaky clean. AWESOME!! Judah is also holding down a steady job as the Super Duper Pooper Scooper. He takes care of the “progress” the dogs leave in the yard each day! He gets 20 Toea (cents) per heap of “progress.” We’re so thankful for his incredible cheerfulness and pure love for life. Pray that the Lord would help Judah to keep learning the discipline that is necessary for big responsibility.
Gianna, the fearlessly sweet lady of the bunch, is eating up every opportunity to explore and try new things here in PNG. She is more often up a tree when she is out to play with her friends than on the ground. She loves to speak Tok Pisin as often as she can – the people here love to hear her talking and they simply love it when she wears the traditional ‘meri blaus.’ All of this seems to come easy for Gianna. She has a knack for fitting in with her surroundings and picking things up quickly! We are so thankful for the eagerness and confidence the Lord has given Gigi. Pray that she would keep learning the humility and softness that will allow her confidence to be an encouragement to others.
Tiernan, our little Irish prince, amazes us with his ability to keep up with Judah and Gianna. He is undaunted in the face of so many of the challenges that come with trying to keep up with the big kids. He is always considering things, and very often has little profound insights that surprise us. Tiernan turned 5 in May. We hope this is the year that, in his deep thinking, he comes to an understanding of what Jesus Christ has done for him. We are so thankful for the sharp little mind God has given Tiernan. Pray that he would continue to face his challenges without hesitation.
Silas is our baby – but hardly that, anymore. He certainly doesn’t see himself as the smallest in the house. He is brimming with capability, and is a living demonstration of what it is to be totally secure. His lack of inhibition keeps us all laughing and living more fully ourselves as a result. What impoverished lives we would live if he weren’t a part of our family! We are so thankful for the joy that is Silas! Pray that we would be consistent with him and give him the discipline and love that will continue to allow him to thrive.
Thank you so much for praying for us as a family! We are the recipients of God’s incredible mercy and grace. We know that this is, in part, due to the faithfulness of you who remember us in prayer and we are so thankful. We have enjoyed an incredible season of good health, and have had no emergencies so far! Thank you for all the treats and special ways you have shown your concern for us. It is a privilege to benefit so from your generosity.
We have patched together some random pictures and video of our family that we hope you enjoy. Just click on this link.
It is a privilege to be serving the Lord here in Papua New Guinea.
Thank you for helping to make it all possible.
Benjamin and Missy – Judah, Gianna, Tiernan and Silas