Thank You!

We want to say "thank you" to our leadership team at Global Partners. When they heard that Makayla had hurt her leg and Melissa and Dawson were sick, they jumped to action. They collected several items that would make us feel loved from the other side of the world. They packaged colouring books, crayons and markers, and several other items that our kids love. It also included something for dad (costa rican coffee). Makayla and Dawson have wanted to watch the movie every day since they got the package. Thank You mobilization team and GP, you made us feel loved.

Makayla with her bundle of goodies.

Tonight at dinner, we discovered that Dawson knows how to make fishy face. We don't know who taught him this but I have to say, I laughed very hard. Whoever taught him this, thanks for the laugh, we had a great time at dinner tonight.

Update!

Well, this is the week that a lot of thought and planning is going to come together. We are opening a youth hang out centre in our community on Friday night. We have ping pong, air hockey, food, music and we are looking to get a gaming system to have games on our projection screen. We are excited about this new venture in our ministry and hope that it will bring about many seeds being planted for the Kingdom.

Our "HomeBuilders" synergy group starts back up this Thursday night and we look forward to jumping back into things with the group. We have taken two weeks off because we have been on school holiday here. We go 10 weeks on, 2 weeks off for school schedules here in AUS. Our six week study is going to be on getting a grip on our life and being able to live a normal paced life in a fast paced world.

We just finished our sermon series called "Survivor: getting through life's difficult times". As a pastor, I enjoyed preaching this series and loved to see the Spirit move and people make commitments to get rid of fear, guilt and disappointment. We will be doing a two week series on "Holiness: truly being set apart" over the next few weeks and are looking forward to the 40 days of Purpose in September. Thanks to Baldwinsville Wesleyan Church for the materials for the 40 days of Purpose.

Another point of praise and prayer is that the South Australian district is interested in helping our church purchase some property. Since the community hall that we meet in is sufficient for all of our public needs, they are looking into purchasing a parsonage/ church office that will allow our church to have a permanent presence in the community. We are excited about this possibility but are seeking the Lord's leading in the matter. Please pray with us as we seek guidance.

On a personal note, we are finally over the colds. Our noses have stopped running and our throats are not scratchy anymore. Thanks for your prayers. Makayla has not mentioned any pain in her leg for the past two weeks and we are thanking the Lord for healing her hip. She had her dentist appointment on Friday and would not allow the doctors to look at or touch her teeth. They are willing to try with her again but say that it may be easier to have her admitted and do the dental work in surgery. Please pray for the Lord's help in this matter as well as we look at the cost of both options. Dawson is growing up very quickly and continues to amaze us. I am sure that he is the only 18 month old that can hold a footy and punt it off his foot from his hands. (I hear that punters in the NFL can make really good money and not have to do much, unless they play for the Bills, then they have to work a lot). Go Colts! Anyway, we are excited about what is going on here in Perth and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store over the next few months. God bless you and don't hesitate to comment, or e-mail, or call or whatever. By the way, our church web page is http://www.landsdalecommunitywmc.blogspot.com/ so check it out. Sorry about the lack of pictures this week, we have loaned our camera to a friend but will post more later.

Ten Wonderful Years!

Chris and I have been together 10 years!!! It was 10 years ago this week that we met each other on a short term missions trip in Jamaica. That seems almost impossible. We don't seem old enough to have known each other that long. But, every day I am blessed to get to know him more, and love him more! WE have two beautiful children that I will say are CRAZY like their daddy! But, that's what makes me love them even more! I have been blessed! I love you Chris!

Even though our family seems to be facing many health issues right now, God is renewing our strength every day! Dawson is feeling much better, basically all he has left is a cough. Myself and Makayla are now dealing with this virus, but it too shall pass. The last few days Chris has been busy trying to take care of all of us and attend church planting seminars. So, our life has been a bit hectic. However, yesterday he stayed home and took care of me and the kids and it was GREAT! I basically slept ALL DAY on the couch. And, I would say that I feel much better after having much needed sleep. I still can not talk, because I have no voice, but at least I can swallow food now. My throat was so painful it was very hard to even swallow saliva. Yeah, it was growse. But, Daddy came to the rescue and spent a whole day just taking care of us....



Now, about Makayla's paediatric dentist appointment. PRAISE GOD! He says that he is pretty sure the spots the dentist was worried about are staining. I really liked this dentist. He reassured me that the decay on the took is NOT from "bad brushing". He has reasurred us that it was a bad tooth, and that from the shape of the cavity you can tell the tooth caved in and this is the tooth, that needs immediate attention. HE also explains that because the middle of the tooth caved in, that is why one morning when we were brushing her teeth we just all of a sudden noticed it. Becuase I couldn't believe personally that I had NOT seen that cavity when I brush her teeth twice a day. So, we have two options. The Dentist would prefer to clean the tooth and put a filling in it. Hoping that it will be alright until it falls out in the next 2-4 years. However, if Makayla will not let him fix it in the chair in his office. She will have to go to the children's hospital in perth and be put under general anesthesia and have a crown put on the tooth. That is how bad this tooth is... However, we much prefer option number one. So, we are asking EVERYONE to please pray for Makayla to sit in the chair on July27th at 10:00am. (10pm on the 26th for everyone in the US). If they can clean her teeth and she is doing well then the Dentist will fix it quickly while he is cleaning the teeth. He thinks that from Makayla's reactions in his office that he will be able to do it. So, I know we serve a big God and that He could get Makayla to do anything. So, please pray that Makayla will allow the dentist to do the work.

Now, about our Ministry. Chris had 6 guys come to the Men's Outing that was on Saturday. He said it went really well. Sunday night's worship went really well. CHris preached about letting go of our pasts and letting God give create in us clean hearts from Psalm 51. WE had atleast 15 people make commitments to let God have their past. It was awesome. WE had our yearly annual meeting. This is a huge praise and a COMPLETE SURPRISE to Chris and I. The Sr. Pastor of the John Wesley Church suggested to both churches that they pay for Chris and I to get permanent residency in Australia. This was approved at the annual meeting. This is a huge step of faith financially for both churches. But, it was a huge acknowledgement to Chris and I about how gratefull the people here truly are about our ministry here in Perth. WE had all positive remarks it was a great annual meeting.

Well, I have probably written enough for now. I will write more next week.
God bless,
Melissa

On Saturday June 30th, Chris and I went back to the hospital and received the results from Makayla's blood work and xrays. A Doctor had looked at them when we were in the Emergency room. But, a Specialist had picked something up on Makayla's xray. She has a displaced fat pad which is caused from fluid on the hip. So, they were right about the fluid. Now, the interesting thing is that some days she is perfectly fine and walks normal and runs around. But, yesterday was a bad day and she needed Nurofin, a Pain killer just to get out of bed and get dressed. She woke up screaming about her leg at 9:00 in the morning. So, please keep praying that Makayla's hip would heal quickly.