Hello Beloved Friends and Family!
It's time for our bi-monthly update! We want to stay connected with you and we invite you to whisper a prayer on our behalf. Thank you so much! We love you.
1. Christ: We had a good Christmas. From school concerts, Sunday School songs (picture), buying gifts for children in need, and extended family gatherings, we tried to "unclutter" Christmas and focus on Jesus. As Jonathan and David invited Christ into their lives this Summer and Fall, this was a significant Christmas for them to express their love of God. It is absolutely beautiful to hear them singing love songs to Jesus around the house. Our Christmas day wasn't peaceful, but it was beautiful! Please pray for Jonathan and David to continue to have an authentic and enthusiastic faith!
2. Cruise: Melanie was treated by a very good friend to a cruise in the Bahamas at the end of December! As she graduated last year, started a new job as Executive Director of the Kawartha Lakes Pregnancy Centre in the Fall, and had a miscarriage in November, this was a much needed time of retreat, rest, and relaxation. We are learning as we mature, that balance and rest are very valuable gifts of God! Please pray for Melanie as she continues to minister and find space for resting.
3. Challenges: God has been teaching us that challenges can become blessings! For instance, we had financial limitations in December and we decided to rent some of our rooms to our local Flemming College students. God provided us 6 East Indian students who were coming to Canada (picture of David's 4th birthday with 5 of the students). They have been a blessing to us in many ways! Likewise, Phil's statute of limitations for his Doctor of Ministry degree was approaching. In January 2020 we made a hard work plan and requested from the ADC faculty a 1 year extension with the intention to defend my thesis in June 2021. The faculty granted the extension. Praise God! We continue to learn that challenges can become blessings if we seek, knock, and ask, Pray for me, Phil, that I may role model for my family what it means to trust God in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6). God is faithful.
That's all for now. Thank you for being a part of our lives! You may not fully be aware of it, but you play a valuable part in our lives. We treasure your prayers! If we can pray for you, please do not hesitate to drop us a line and it will be our honour and privilege to pray for/with you. As our next post will be in April, likely after Easter, then from our family to yours, Happy Easter! We love you!
With deep gratitude,
Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, and David Styles