Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy Birthday, Karlyn!!

Our big girl is 3!

Look at that frog cake! What a great cake, and delicious too. Thank you, Aunt Alice!

Here's the crowd who helped us celebrate!


We've been remembering her last birthday, which was celebrated in Hawaii on our way back here from Papua New Guinea! Kind of a fun place for a 2nd birthday!

At that time, we were facing so many unknowns--uncertainty about Ian's health, if and when we would be able to return to Papua New Guinea, how we, especially our kids, would adjust to this sudden and big change in their lives. And now here we are a year later. We've been richly blessed during our time here. We've even become a family of 5! And the Lord has blessed Ian's health enough that we are making plans to return to Papua New Guinea shortly. Big changes are upon us again, and the only thing that seemingly remains the same is the many unknowns we are facing once again. We don't know if Ian's health will continue to improve or if it will decline again in the tropical climate, and it will be quite a transition for our family, especially our kids, to adjust back to life in Papua New Guinea. It is easy to worry and to feel anxious, but we have to remember that in the midst of unknowns, there is One whom we do know, Who never changes, our Lord and Saviour. He is faithful, He is good and He loves us so much. And while we don't know His plans for us, we do know we're in His hands.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Caleb

We've been home from the hospital since Sunday, but here are still a couple more photos from there. If you look closely at this one, you'll see that Caleb and his cousin Jayden are learning to count already...Jayden's holding up one finger and Caleb two (or is that the peace sign?!)

Uncle Peter and cousin Liam.

Here's our little man, looking so mature and wise already as he sits in his chair (which is actually way too big for him still).

Proud big brother!

With cousin Jayden before he returned to Holland.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Welcome to the World, Caleb

We can hardly believe it was just yesterday that our little man Caleb entered our lives. We praise God for His faithfulness and this gift to our family. Here are just a few of the people he's met so far in his short little life!

After talking about and to "baby Caleb" for months, Jonathan and Karlyn finally meet him for the first time!

A cuddle with Grandma.

Meeting Aunt Kathelien, who with Uncle Jonathan and cousin Jayden leave us to return to Holland tomorrow :(. But what a blessing that he did arrive while they were still here--an answer to prayer for us. God is good.

With friend Allie Buist.

With cousins Noah and Lucas.