Previously on…the Wilsons
We arrived back in the US in late June ~~ Doctor appointments ~~ Visited with family & friends ~~ Helped out at Vacation Bible School ~~ Joshua arrived in August ~~ More doctor appointments ~~ More visiting ~~ Helped at church ~~ Phoebe turned 2 ~~ More doctor appointments…
Retreat!
Paul got a chance to get away with the men of South Potomac Church (SPC) on their annual men’s retreat. Located in the hills of Maryland away from traffic and city, the SPC men were able to focus on God’s design for man. The refreshing outdoors and insight from Genesis 2 was powerful. We looked at how God took Adam from man, to husband, to father. Godly men are few in today’s society. Satan wants to destroy our families and attacking fathers is a priority. Destroy the family and you destroy a society/nation. As men of God we need to ensure we are training up the next generation of godly men.
Then Paul and Andrea got away for their second “Weekend to Remember,” by Family Life. We both agreed we got more out of it this time and we were able to focus on new stuff. No, our marriage is not in trouble, but it is always under attack. Please feel free to pray for a strong godly marriage for us. We believe our marriage is well worth investing in and neither one of us are pro’s at this…yet. :^) It was a wonderful break away from Phoebe and Joshua who had a blast with their babysitters. This was our longest time apart from the kids so it was stretching for us, especially a nursing mommy. :^)
Andrea has been able to get away to a couple of SPC lady’s events. She has loved the chance to catch up with old friends as well as make new ones. These times away have provided the much needed break from the wonderful, but demanding work of early motherhood.
Paul and Andrea are enjoying their choice to spend the majority of this “baby furlough” at SPC, our sending church. This is Andrea’s home church for many years, but being located near Washington D.C. it is a fairly transient congregation of military, contractors and government workers. Thus there are a lot of new faces and familiar ones that disappear as they are reassigned. All this to say, Paul and Andrea very much need this time to get to know our home church and them us.
Family Time
Have no fear; we have spent time with the grandparents. Or more accurately put, we have allowed them to help spoil the grandkids. We had one grandma come and spend a month with us loving on the little ones (okay, Joshua isn’t so little). This helped mom and dad get a few things done too. Free babysitter! Thank you Grammy.
The Wilsons also did a road trip to Parsons, Kansas. Three long days in the car each way, but it was well worth it. If you have ever traveled long distance with kids under two you know the scars, er… memories. :^) We praise God we had no travel difficulties. While in Kansas we had a great time with grandma and grandpa on their 15 acre mini-ranch. They have miniature ponies and a mule. Phoebe had a blast “riding” on various ones, whichever ones daddy could keep up with. No, she was never on her own. Daddy had a firm grip the whole time. Wonderful memories were made for all … well probably not Joshua (2 months old at the time).
Prayer:
• Answers/direction for Paul’s allergy issues.
• Answers/healing for Andrea’s foot spurs.
• Wisdom for when to return to PNG.
• Wisdom to be godly parents.
• Safety in our travels in the D.C. area.
• For more pilots & mechanics for PNG.
Praise:
• For our safe road trip.
• Joshua’s passport & visa are complete.
• For our wonderful kids.
• 2 language groups in PNG recently received their newly translated New Testament!
• For the many blessings God has granted.
• For our great support team.
• For our great home church (SPC).