One year - Many Changes

Steve and I spent some time reflecting last week about our past year here in Orlando.  It seems amazing to me that we have already been here over a year now!  Steve flew back from Denver on July 3 and the following day, July 4, marked the one year anniversary of our arrival into Florida, where we were welcomed by family and friends with sparklers in the rain :)

A lot has happened in this past year and we couldn't be more thankful for how the Lord has worked in our lives. 

Highlights definately include:
  • Our 4th niece, Charlotte Grace Valentine, was born two weeks after we arrived (today is her first birthday).  Steve and I remember waiting anxiously at the hospital with her grandpa and uncle Chris all day and enjoyed meeting her upon arrival into the world!
  • The Lord providing a job for Steven that would be part time and perfect hours and pay for his first year in Seminary.
  • The Lord providing a job for me working in an organziation that aims to magnify the Lord and expand His kingdom through the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
  • Having Steven's parents visit Orlando several times throughout the year.
  • Having Jenny's dad here at Thanksgiving and Jenny's mom here during the month of February.
  • Finding out we were pregnant with our first child and being able to tell our family at Christmas-time!
  • Steve completing his first year in seminary well.
  • The Lord providing for all our needs: financially, emotionally & spiritually.
  • Opportunities to use our gifts and serve our local church community.
  • Steve being offered the opportunity to work with Converge Worldwide as an intern in the International Ministries department, so that he can grow, learn and be mentored on how to care for missionaries. 
  • Meeting and forming new friendships with people we hope will be lifelong friends.
  • Finding out we are having a daughter!
  • Buying our first home.
We truly are amazed at all that the Lord has done in our lives over this past year and look forward to the upcoming months as we await the arrival of Karis.  We hope to tell her of all the stories we have experienced here in our first year of living in Orlando so that she sees how amazing our God is and how faithful He has been to our family. 

Jenny

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