Recounting our final days in the US
We closed out our time in the US with a 2 weeks Colorado stay, and then almost another 2 in back in Ohio.
In Colorado we stayed with our dear friends Vern and Gloria Elijah, and got to see many others as well. Our support partners and friends at two area churches helped us to organize 2 piano concerts for Toshe to get the chance to perform, and for us to have an outlet through which to share about our ministry. We enjoyed a good turn out to both concerts. Speaking of piano playing...Toshe is at this moment seated at our "new" piano. We shared the happy news with many, but some of you still may not have heard that we purchased a used piano this June from an American family working through the Embassy here. They were leaving the country, and sold it in great condition to us for a very reasonable price! We're so thankful to now have a REAL piano for Toshe to practice on! It brings much life...and a VERY full sound to our modest sized living room area! Bennett doesn't seem to mind the intensity with which Toshe is known to play! We express a heartfelt thanks especially for those who have given specifically to "the piano fund" over the years,...but also to all of our supporters who have made this joy possible.
Besides the concerts we enjoyed mostly getting to share some quality time with those who faithfully come alongside of us in our ministry. It was meaningful for us to get to introduce Bennett to them as well. We had many lovely meals prepared and purchased for us - and the conversation over them was delightful.
One afternoon we were able to get up into Estes Park ( the little tourist town at the entrance to Rocky Mt. National Park). We didn't go into the park,...but we enjoyed exploring a trail we had not been on before. It took us winding through the town along the river, and then in-between the river and a lake. Luckily for us Bennett had just begun being a happy stroller rider, so as he rode along content, we got to enjoy the great views of the mountains up above and the water to our sides. This was one of my favorites times of our whole trip. And of course being so close to the place where Toshe proposed flooded us with sweet memories...and present reminders of our romance.
I must say that our hosts in Colorado treated us as their own kin, and as new grandparents of a little baby boy...were happy to generously dote on Bennett as well.
Back in Ohio we sought to soak in the time we had left with my family. We also had a visit from one of my bridesmaids Laura,...who following her weekend stay got engaged!! She had brought him along on the trip from Pennsylvania. Just the fact that he was willing to travel the 6+ hours to come and meet us scored points in our book. We're very happy for their coming marriage.
We had Bennett in the pool twice during that period! By the time August rolls around, there has been plenty of sunny days to heat the pool up even to a baby friendly temperature. We will for sure post those pictures. Bennett is so chill and cool in the pool clad in his swimming trunks, sunglasses and sun hat! SO CUTE! He went in for the first time with my mom...and lily dog swam with him too. A couple days later he went in with mom and dad. Those are good first memories...as we're such water lovers.
In the last days we got to enjoy time with extended family, and my from forever best friend Julie too. Saying goodbye doesn't really ever get easier. And this time I for sure didn't expect it to, as it now includes precious Bennett. I did feel God's grace comforting me and calming me on the actual day of our departure. Naturally there were tears...just dealing with the fact that we wont see each other for nearly a year (my parents are planning to come here in June), though I was also overwhelmed with thankfulness over the 2 months that we got to spend as a family...and with friends. I am so pleased that we got to introduce so many to Bennett while he's yet a baby!
That time was invaluable!
And my parents, well, they are great grandparents. I loved watching them interact with Bennett. Swaying him, singing to him, making him laugh...mom and I giving him baths, reading to him, pushing him in the stroller...calling someone to "save" us when he couldn't make it the rest of the walk for his crying, baby-sitting him, and just showing him as much love as I believe grandparents can have for their grandchildren. It surely was a beautiful time.
Toshe continued to work diligently on reaching our new support goal up until the end. Though short of our goal, we are so thankful for not only for the amount that we did raise...but especially for the new people who have joined our team! We have more laborers seeking to help fulfill the Great Commission, specifically here in Macedonia now! What a blessing!
Now that we've caught you up on our time in the States....it's time to fill you in on what's happening upon our return to Skopje!! The short answer if you're asking is...LOTS! Look for that update SOON!
Now it's time to gingerly move that baby to bed, and to head that way ourselves!!
In Colorado we stayed with our dear friends Vern and Gloria Elijah, and got to see many others as well. Our support partners and friends at two area churches helped us to organize 2 piano concerts for Toshe to get the chance to perform, and for us to have an outlet through which to share about our ministry. We enjoyed a good turn out to both concerts. Speaking of piano playing...Toshe is at this moment seated at our "new" piano. We shared the happy news with many, but some of you still may not have heard that we purchased a used piano this June from an American family working through the Embassy here. They were leaving the country, and sold it in great condition to us for a very reasonable price! We're so thankful to now have a REAL piano for Toshe to practice on! It brings much life...and a VERY full sound to our modest sized living room area! Bennett doesn't seem to mind the intensity with which Toshe is known to play! We express a heartfelt thanks especially for those who have given specifically to "the piano fund" over the years,...but also to all of our supporters who have made this joy possible.
Besides the concerts we enjoyed mostly getting to share some quality time with those who faithfully come alongside of us in our ministry. It was meaningful for us to get to introduce Bennett to them as well. We had many lovely meals prepared and purchased for us - and the conversation over them was delightful.
One afternoon we were able to get up into Estes Park ( the little tourist town at the entrance to Rocky Mt. National Park). We didn't go into the park,...but we enjoyed exploring a trail we had not been on before. It took us winding through the town along the river, and then in-between the river and a lake. Luckily for us Bennett had just begun being a happy stroller rider, so as he rode along content, we got to enjoy the great views of the mountains up above and the water to our sides. This was one of my favorites times of our whole trip. And of course being so close to the place where Toshe proposed flooded us with sweet memories...and present reminders of our romance.
I must say that our hosts in Colorado treated us as their own kin, and as new grandparents of a little baby boy...were happy to generously dote on Bennett as well.
Back in Ohio we sought to soak in the time we had left with my family. We also had a visit from one of my bridesmaids Laura,...who following her weekend stay got engaged!! She had brought him along on the trip from Pennsylvania. Just the fact that he was willing to travel the 6+ hours to come and meet us scored points in our book. We're very happy for their coming marriage.
We had Bennett in the pool twice during that period! By the time August rolls around, there has been plenty of sunny days to heat the pool up even to a baby friendly temperature. We will for sure post those pictures. Bennett is so chill and cool in the pool clad in his swimming trunks, sunglasses and sun hat! SO CUTE! He went in for the first time with my mom...and lily dog swam with him too. A couple days later he went in with mom and dad. Those are good first memories...as we're such water lovers.
In the last days we got to enjoy time with extended family, and my from forever best friend Julie too. Saying goodbye doesn't really ever get easier. And this time I for sure didn't expect it to, as it now includes precious Bennett. I did feel God's grace comforting me and calming me on the actual day of our departure. Naturally there were tears...just dealing with the fact that we wont see each other for nearly a year (my parents are planning to come here in June), though I was also overwhelmed with thankfulness over the 2 months that we got to spend as a family...and with friends. I am so pleased that we got to introduce so many to Bennett while he's yet a baby!
That time was invaluable!
And my parents, well, they are great grandparents. I loved watching them interact with Bennett. Swaying him, singing to him, making him laugh...mom and I giving him baths, reading to him, pushing him in the stroller...calling someone to "save" us when he couldn't make it the rest of the walk for his crying, baby-sitting him, and just showing him as much love as I believe grandparents can have for their grandchildren. It surely was a beautiful time.
Toshe continued to work diligently on reaching our new support goal up until the end. Though short of our goal, we are so thankful for not only for the amount that we did raise...but especially for the new people who have joined our team! We have more laborers seeking to help fulfill the Great Commission, specifically here in Macedonia now! What a blessing!
Now that we've caught you up on our time in the States....it's time to fill you in on what's happening upon our return to Skopje!! The short answer if you're asking is...LOTS! Look for that update SOON!
Now it's time to gingerly move that baby to bed, and to head that way ourselves!!
posted by Toshe&Jessie | 2:45 PM
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