Monday, January 27, 2014

2014 Just Getting Settled

Jimmy and Christiana
Sorry for the silence. Don't call it a comeback! Here is another blog. Man almost to 6 months in Taiwan. Wow, crazy how time flies. But looking back at the past six months words that pop in my mind are those such as: Difficult, Crazy, Awesome, Hectic, Scary, Exciting, Amazing....pretty much all emotions you can think of. We now partake into the new year, literally, about to celebrate our first Chinese New Years!! Our plan? SLEEP. HAHAHA! But seriously it just now seems that life is getting settled down after six months. For they way my mind works its best to take it one by one.

Jobs: We are both employed full time at great, secure schools. After spending the first 4 months in a crazy CRAM school (after school program that CRAM english into children's brains) I have got a job as a reading teacher at Washington Elementary School. A private school in the same company that Christiana works for. So its very secure, pays well and all I teach is reading which is by far my best and favorite subject. Financially this comes at a great time as the baby approaches. We are both very thankful for God's favor in providing for us.

Friends: We are so beyond blessed with the people that we have met here in Taiwan. Some amazing people. We fill like we have a great support system of those that will offer advice and help when we need it. Christiana has some great co workers that have looked out for her since day one. I have gotten to know them too and they are some great people. I am so amazed still that our paths cross with so many people. Truly blessing.

Church: We have finally landed at a church that we feel comfortable and enjoy. The Community Church of Taichung is a English speaking church that meets on the campus of Morrison Christian Academy. We felt very comfortable the first time we there. We are excited to see what God does while we are at CCT. If you want to check them out feel free www.cct-taiwan.org.

Family: I can't even begin to describe to you how much closer Christiana and I feel after this move. Really you have only each other to lean on here. There is no family near by. I feel like I could not have done this adventure with anyone else. She is amazing. I joke that life is just now settling down and it will all change again in 3 months when Baby Mustion arrives. Giving birth is crazy enough, even more crazy when its in a whole different country. But God has provided a great doctor and great support from other foreigners here on the Island that have given birth here.

The past 18 months. weight loss surgery, move to Taiwan, get pregnant. Unreal. What does the next 18 months hold in store?

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Baby! Baby! Baby! Oh!


COMING SOON!!! In approximately 113 days, Christiana and I will be welcoming our baby girl into this world. We are excited beyond words for this exciting adventure in 2014! Things here progressing smoothly with both the pregnancy and the ministry God has called us to here in Taiwan.

However, none of this would be possible without your friendships, continued prayers, and the support we have received from all of you! Thank you so much for helping us embark on this life changing calling in 2013 and for continuing to follow us into 2013. We appreciate you!


Some of you have asked how you can help with the baby since we are far, far away. Obviously, we won't have the opportunity to have a traditional baby shower. If you could pray for Christiana's spirits to be lifted about this that would be great. We have been waiting so long for God to bless us with a child and we have so looked forward to sharing the baby with all of our friends and family that being far from home and not being able to celebrate the baby in some of the more traditional ways has been hard for Christiana.

So that's what this post is mostly about.

We are so thankful for the overwhelming love we have received from you all. We hope you have been enjoying our baby posts and pictures on Facebook and that you feel like you are a part of Baby Girl's coming. Can't wait for April!

Anyway, if you would like to send actual gifts we have registered at Babies R Us, Walmart, and Amazon. If gifts are ordered online they will be sent to Christiana's mom (Janice) and she will send them in a few large packages. Or if you would like to send items directly to us or Chrisitiana's mom just email or message us for the address you need. Please keep in mind that shipping things here is VERY EXPENSIVE so we do ask that you not order any large items for her mom to ship.

If you would rather send a financial gift there are a couple of options. #1 We have Ikea here and we can use gift cards purchased in the US. #2 We can use prepaid Mastercard or Visa giftcards also. #3 you can send money to Christiana's mom (please email or Facebook us for the address). Or #4 You can send money through Paypal. If you choose to send money it can also be used to help ship other gifts too.

Pic from our 23 Week Ultrasound
Thank you all again for all you have already done for our family. We are excited to welcome Baby Girl in April/May and we are beyond blessed by anything you may choose to do to help us celebrate this pure blessing in our lives. Please check below for direct links to our registries.

Jimmy!

Amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/baby/3GV11PHW8G7GC
Walmart.comhttp://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=26773403111Or find us in-store by name
Babiesrus.comRegistry #: 51175993Or find us in-store by name