2024 Recap

Hello! Praying everyone had a lovely holiday season with those you love. As 2024 comes to a close, I thought it would be fun to recap through pictures. 

In January last year we drove to Newark, NJ to apply for our 2 year visa. The first trip we made, we did not have the correct paperwork. We decided to stay in the city & have the paperwork emailed to us. We tracked down a notary that knew Spanish and English the sign all our documents, spent hours at a library to translate documents from English to Spanish and then print said papers. We returned to the Ecuadorian consulate that same week to be turned away again. We made the 6 hour drive back home. Two weeks later we drove back to apply again in early February, we were successful that trip. 

We announced we were pregnant at the beginning of the year, we had found out last December but waited to share the news once I was in the second trimester. 

Josie became the biggest helper this year. She helps mama & daddy both in the kitchen, she helps fold laundry, wash dishes, clean up, & she gets herself dressed. She is growing from toddlerhood to little kid, it's so fun to watch her grow, learn, and prove herself capable. 

In March, we packed our bags, said our goodbyes, and flew back to Ecuador. 

A few weeks after we arrived a team came, so we were busy right away with preparations getting the campus ready. 

In May, Gideon spear headed the comedor roof project. If you remember the old roof became a bat cave. The men took the original roofing off and put new roofing on. It was a large task, much needed, and we are all happy to not relive the experience, or the smells! 

While there, we made minor repairs on our home, many repairs and new projects around campus, had ministry days in the community, hosted students and staff in our home, taught many devotionals, lead worship, preached, taught a class, and cultivated relationships. 

In June, the second team of the season came to visit. We also decided that month we would return back to Pennsylvania to give birth. We left Ninawachi the last week of June. 

We found out we were having another girl three weeks before she arrived!

Winnie joined the party August 1st, I had a successful VBAC, which was an answer to prayer. She was born at 8:44PM 6lbs 11oz, 19in long. 

As you can see from the smile, Josie was obsessed (and still is) and Winnie also loves Josie. Winnie didn't appreciate anyone but mama holding her the first few months, however, she liked Josie being close. 

The postpartum season of life is exhausting, sweet, sacred, hard, joyful, so many emotions in such a short season. I was thankful to be with family & friends and to have the time to recover physically as we navigated becoming a family of four. 

As you may remember, Winnie was not always named "Winnie", after leaving the hospital we decided to change her name. So we had to jump through a few government documents. Winnie was born in Maryland, apparently you don’t get your birth certificate mailed to you, you must to request it at a government office. We had to drive to Baltimore, Maryland for her birth certificate & to change her name legally, thankfully both were able to be done the same day. Baltimore is near the east coast beaches. We have all been wanting to get to a beach, so decided to go for one night. Josie was thrilled, dreams came true. I wish we could have stayed longer, the sound of waves crashing is good for the soul. Gideon and Josie found a bunch of seashells that she loves greatly. 

In October we celebrated our girl turning 3!! She had specific requests for this party, she wanted a chocolate flower cake, of course we made that happen. 

We’ve got to experience the cold before returning to the jungle, which we are all thrilled about! When we came back to the states, it was 80 degrees all summer, which is not normal for Pennsylvania summers. After living constant summer in the jungle, we were looking forward to a cool Pennsylvania. The cold eventually came & we have been soaking it in. We bundle the girls up & go for walks in our neighborhood 

These girls have quickly became best friends, it’s so sweet to watch them grow and interact. Josie is a good big sister, always eager to help, she’s practicing her mama skills. Winnie has the sweetest personality. 

For Christmas, we received Winnie's passport. We will be returning to Ecuador soon, after we arrive, we will begin Winnie's visa application. Please pray for our family this next month if you think of us. Transitions can be difficult, travel is exhausting, & saying goodbye doesn't get easier. Pray for us as we rejoin the staff at Ninawachi. Lastly, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us and came along with us this past year. We are grateful for you choosing to partner with our family, for remaining with us as we navigate life changes, and for encouraging/praying for us as we go back. We love you all and wish you a happy new year!