Less Than a Month to Go...and Updates!!!

We are approaching our departure date, with less than a month to go. Here are some updates:

• David's Back! He returned from Japan last week after being gone for 20 days, having enjoyed a wonderful time of ministry and fellowship with our church's summer mission team. The boys and Ester are now depriving him of sleep that he desperately wants in order to help him recover from jetlag as quickly as possible.
• ZOE Funds: Through the generous donations and monthly commitments of our church, family, and friends, we have reached our financial goals for the initial 2-year commitment at ZOE. We thank God every day for the support and love we have through you guys. His love is abundant to us through you.
• zoe Necklaces/Keychains: We've now given over 85 zoe necklaces/keychains for donations of $10 or more.
• Last Goodbyes: We've been busy enjoying playdates and get-togethers with friends and family to spend our last days as we near our departure date. Saying goodbye will certainly be the hardest part about leaving.
• ZOE means "life." If you know the history of our journey to minister abroad, then you know that we're always preparing ourselves for last-minute changes and "things" coming up right before we're scheduled to leave. While David was in Japan, Ester had to tell him via email that she's pregnant. She is now 7 weeks and due mid-April 2012. While we were open to having another child in the future, the timing isn't what we expected, but we have much peace knowing that God's timing is perfect. This news raises additional considerations, as we consider whether to have the baby in Thailand or in the States, finding the best health care, moving abroad as a family of 5...However, with all the new concerns, we continue to trust in God's goodness and plans for our lives, knowing that He will provide what we need every step of the way, as we entrust ourselves to Him. How fitting that as we begin this new season of our lives with ZOE, its Greek meaning of "life" brings even more significance to us as we enter this new chapter.

Prayer Requests:

• Healthy pregnancy, particularly with the busy-ness of these days. Ester has been struggling through morning sickness (nausea, indigestion, insomnia), but thankfully, having to care for 2 boys and preparing to move help the time pass much more quickly than with the 2 previous pregnancies.
• Housing. Hopefully, we can find something quickly that is in the most convenient location to our needs.
• Plane ride. We are not looking forward to 17-hour, then 1-hour, plane rides to Thailand. Eli is our biggest concern. And now with the pregnancy, it's not going to be fun.
• Packing. Pray for efficiency and that we can find a place for everything in time for our departure.

Here are some photos from the last month...

Making final visits to Disneyland:

Greeting Dad at the airport:

Ian and his cousin Zoe as ringboy and flower girl at Carol & Quang's wedding:

"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name." Psalm 63:3-4