Quick update

God has brought our support up to 98%! That means we only need about $120 more a month before we are cleared to go. We are excited and hoping that this means that we can leave by the end of May.

We've had some great time visiting with friends and family!

Samuel once again did well on our travels, except when he got hungry ;)

[There are a few more pictures on facebook in the album April 2012]

The next couple days we are heading to the mountains to spend Monday and Tuesday night just as a family--to get away from packing, internet, etc. [the many distractions of life] and focus on God. We would appreciate prayer for this time as we try to rest and enjoy God's creation as well as hear from the Lord. If you want to pray that Samuel sleeps in till 11AM we would appreciate that too!  ;)

We are so thankful for our precious son!

SO thankful for all of you who have prayed and given! We would not be this far without you!

Support update and some Easter pictures

Our days have been really busy visiting with people and saying our goodbyes. We still don't have an exact departure date, but we are getting ready to go so that when we are at 100% we'll be ready to get on that plane. Currently we are at 95% so we are excited!

Making sugar cookies 

Dyeing Easter eggs

Easter bunny?

Samuel preferred throwing the eggs

Even super cute Easter bunnies get hungry

Sorting and packing

Lining up his animals-what Samuel does while we pack =) 

The last four weeks or so we've been busy sorting through our stuff, and packing up what will stay here with Doug's parents and what will go to Germany. Thankfully, our 'give away' pile has grown too!

We've also done some traveling and saying goodbyes. Cadence is hoping we can get to Germany by April 26th, so that's our target date and that's what we're planning for!

Currently, we still need some one-time gifts and our monthly support is at about 90%. We can't buy tickets until we are 100% but we are packing in faith, knowing God will get us there in HIS time.

19 months old!

A nice long visit from family

Dear friends and family,

I've still been struggling some with my health, but things have been much better then they were. We are so thankful as we continue to work on support raising! Doug is also still working some and we are sorting through belongings, trying to figure out what to take. So many decisions!

The main event in February was Doug's brother, Keith, his wife, Sarah, and their three boys coming for a visit for 10 days. They normally live in Boston, and this was our chance to see each other before we leave for Germany.

Samuel and Aaron playing together

Sarah and I made maultaschen, my favorite German dish

Walking in the woods

The boys watching Sesame Street before bedtime

One of our dear friends from St. Andrews, Amy Hamilton, came and took some family pictures for us. Here is just a couple, we put a few more favorites in our update letter: 

Such a happy boy!

Happy Grandparents
We are so thankful for them and how much they help with Samuel!

Another favorite picture of Samuel

Amy's blog is: http://photographybyajhamilton.blogspot.com/ in case you want to see more of her wonderful pictures!

Surprise!

As of today, I am 14 weeks along with our second baby!!!! 

We were totally shocked and surprised! Unfortunately, I've been pretty sick, as I was with Samuel. The mornings esp. are very difficult for me to function. Thankfully, while Doug is still working, his job has been flexible, so he has been able to take care of Samuel often. We are still working on support raising too, so balancing all this with me being sick is definitely a challenge. 

However, the current youth worker in Baumholder leaves in April, so we are trusting God to get us to Germany by late March. This new little one is due July 22nd, so we are anticipating this one being born in Germany! 

Please pray with us that this 'morning' sickness will not last very much longer so that I would have enough strength and stamina to pack and get us ready for Germany. Please also pray that the remaining amount of our support would come in.

THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE AND PRAYERS!

Pictures from our travels in December

A wonderful couple we stayed with in Sarasota, FL

Visiting a dear friend in Sanford, FL

Heike and a friend went to a manatee park

Visiting with Heike's 9th grade French teacher from RVA in Seminole, FL

Samuel playing with one of his cousins in Boston, MA

Samuel loving being outside

Family picture at a New Years parade in Boston

A few pictures from when we were home in December

Samuel loves being outside regardless of the weather. Pushing the stroller around is his latest fascination.

Doug and Samuel working side by side =)

Samuel on Christmas morning