For I know the plans I have for you…

Once again, too much time has passed since I wrote and lots has happened. My Dad and Mom were here for a week and we had a wonderful time together! Memorial Day evening us and Myron’s family went way back in the boonies to a lake where the men fished, the boys caught huge frogs and the women talked. It was a relaxing evening. The rest of the time Dad was busy being a fix-it man while Mom helped us get caught up on some cleaning jobs and things that just weren’t getting done. Mom also helped can 64 qt. of tomato juice from some donated tomatoes that needed to be used. Then there were games to be played and food to be made and it all made wonderful memories!

On Thurs. June 2 a youth group of 22 people from South Carolina came to help us for a few days. The men did some exterior painting, some cement work, enclosed the generator room and did some odd and end projects outside. The ladies did sewing and some extra cleaning for us. We were very blessed with the help and the fellowship that they gave us!

Friday morning, June 3, we received the tragic news that Roland and Marilu’s brother Natan was killed in an accident in Costa Rica. They began preparing to leave right away as their tickets were being found for them to go home. Greivin got them across the border and then they just waited at his house until evening when they could finally go. Heidy is also from Costa Rica and these are dear friends of hers so she also wanted to go to the funeral. The necessary arrangements were made and she also left that same afternoon. We all knew that these were God directed plans but in one day we had 19 children who’s caregivers had left unexpectedly. For a few hours I struggled not to panic but moved ahead with one detail at a time and God provided for every one!  Regina and Brittany, who’s regular jobs were cooking, took over 2 of the rooms while Tony took the boys. Regina moved into Marilu’s room and Brittany into Heidy’s. The remaining staff did a wonderful job pulling together and covering the needs!

Sara Enns returned on June 4th as a fulltime childcare worker. Sherri Shirk was here to take her place for the months that she was gone so Sherri was then able to help in the kitchen this last week that she was here. Two of Sherri’s siblings came last weekend to travel home with her when she left on Mon.

Regina, Brittany & Deborah had planned to be gone in June for weddings and so there were 2 girls, Natalie Martin & Mary Esh from PA, arriving on June 7th to cook for them. God obviously had this all in His plans and Natalie became the caregiver for Heidy’s room of children and then on the 11th Sharon Kisling arrived to cook. We still don’t know what the plan is for the room of children that Regina has while she travels but will trust that it’ll be clear when the time comes, which is next week. Talk about faith testing!

Nevin went with Phil’s to Lebec, CA on Sunday and helped Phil with a double-wide trailer moving job on Mon. and Tues. They came home again on Wed. afternoon.

Wednesday we had a fun day celebrating Tania’s third birthday. She loves to sing happy birthday so that was repeated a number of times. She’s really growing up and is such a joy to our family. Regina had a babysitter and came home for the afternoon and evening so it was fun to all be together again.

The garden continues to do very well. Right now we don’t need to buy any cilantro, lettuce, or potatoes because of harvesting it fresh here and soon there will be onions and green beans as well. It’s such a blessing and so good!

Continue to pray for the needs here, which includes the need for house parents, and also for Tania’s adoption process. The judge is being difficult and the lawyers are a bit frustrated so just pray with us that it could be completed in God’s time.