Hard to believe we are REALLY HERE in Australia!

It's hard to believe we left the USA three weeks ago to come back to Australia! God has been doing so many wonderful things.



Makayla was able to participate in two weeks of school. This was a wonderful opportunity for her to reconnect with friends and also to learn the schedule of school as next year she is in grade one and will no longer be in the fenced in Kindy/PrePrimary area of the school. She will now be in the larger area of the school. She had a wonderful time and was like she had never missed a day of school. On our walk to school the first morning we had 10-12 cars drive by and yell out their window. IT's Makayla George!!!!! The children were super excited to see her, and the same for her! She could not wait to see her friends!





The church participated in a bake sale! Melissa spent two days cooked 96 shortbread trees, and 44 mixed spice cutout cookies. They took a bit of work to do the details. But, two ladies in the church made cupcakes and fudge, and another lady made fruit cakes! We sold almost EVERYTHING we had. And, the church made almost $200 from the event. But, it got our name out into the community. It was a lot of fun and a joy talking with people. Here is a picture from the evening. The shirts you see people wearing are what Chris and I gace the chuch people for christmas! We had alot of fun having them made in the USA and brought them back in a suitcase! Everyone really enjoys them! And, now when we do functions or ministries or outreach we can all look the same ane people will know, " We are the church, in Landsdale!"


Dawson had his 4th birthday. We had friends over for pizza and prezzies and ice cream and cake! We let Dawson choose two friends and their families to come over. So, he choose Cian and Callum, and then we had the pastor of the inner city church and his whole family over! We also had the couple living with us from Singapore and then a family from the church stopped in and joined us! So, it was a lovely time! He was spoilt and we are truly blessed to be able to have Dawson as part of our family! His big gift this year was a scooter we brought back in our suitcase with us! He has been riding it every day and asks all the time to go for walks. Dawson woke up and said he was TALLER by 4 feet, and everything does he says he can do better, or faster now because he is 4. He is incredibly cute in his own way. But, He was so cute opening his presents. He was TOTALLY surprised on every one. And, every toy he opened he wanted to play right away. he didn't want to open the next one! It was a wonderful evening with church family and dear friends!

As a side note: I think Dawson has found moving here hard. He asks when we will go home to see his grandma's and grandpas. Dawson loved living with his grandmas and grandpas and every morning he walks around the house asking to go see them... Pray that he will settle in. He has made a very closer relationship with Cian. And, that I think is helping relieve his anxiety of being here!


Brayden's tummy has not handled the big move very well. He has lost three pounds. But, we think he is starting to put his weight back on. He has had a runny tummy ever since we arrived. He goes through 12-15 diapers a day! And, diapers here are expensive. So, please pray that his tummy would settle down. When we first arrived anytime we went outside he cried the entire time we were out there. but, a lovely couple who are our friends who gave us a car seat for Brayden also gave us a sun covering that is upf 50. So, we have been putting that over the stroller and it has made it bearable now for him to go out. But, the 100 degree temperature days... Brayden is not comofortable in and spends most of the day crying.. So, if you could keep him in your prayers that would be great as well!


We have had three wonderful weeks of church! Chris is doing a sermon series on advent! It felt like we were home this Sunday! At first it didn't feel all so real that we were back in Australia, but slowly we are starting to feel like it is real! We are looking forward to the christmas day service. Where we will all get together on christmas and have church. This is very much an Australian thing. We do not have a christmas eve service.. But, we have a christmas day service.


We are still trying to settle our house. You could pray for this to happen. Many of our things were put in storage in a closet in our bedroom. however, we had a bad tenant that stayed here before the pastor had come and they moved all of our belongings to the back yard! So, our crib, high chair, stroller, bikes, dawson's bed.. many items sat outside all winter. Becuase then when the pastor arrived.. He thought we had put them there to stay while we were gone. So, that was a bit dissappointing to return to such a mess. And, my dining room chairs all have holes burnt in them! So, we are quickly trying to put our house back together and find things. We have yet to find the tray to the highchair or the straps. Hopefully we will find that soon, so Brayden can eat more comfortably.


Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us! this move has happened so quickly and everyone is really starting to settle. I believe it is because of your prayers. Thank you.