Hello Beloved Friend!
Summer is upon us! I want to give you some quick updates about our family so you stay connected and feel informed when God nudges you to pray for us. We love you!
New Job!
We are excited to share that Melanie has been hired as the new Executive Director of the Kawartha Lakes Pregnancy Center (241 Kent St. W, Lindsay)! The KLPC assists those transitioning to parenthood and resources those wrestling with various issues during the pregnancy journey. Given Melanie's education, fostering experience, fertility journey, and social work background, she is a great fit!
Practically, during the summer months Melanie will work about 15 per week as she observes how the local ministry works. In the Fall, she will assume her full responsibilities at about 30 hours per week. Pray for Melanie to have joy and discernment as she gives leadership to this ministry! Way to go Melanie!
New Graduate!
Jonathan graduated from Jr. Kindergarten this week! Like every other parent and grandparent beaming with pride on social media, we likewise are so proud of him!
I know children idealize their parents for a time, but every once in a while there are those moments when you feel the strong arms of God wrapped around you in love as you witness your child defining their character. For me, Jonathan's moment was when he did his year review of Jr. Kindergarten. When the teacher asked; "If you had super powers, what would they be?" Jonathan replied, "Love and helping people." Jonathan firmly believes love is the most powerful power in the universe! Heaven smiles. When the teacher asked, "What's the greatest thing about being you?" Jonathan replied, "Getting such a great mommy and daddy." I never knew such words could move my heart so deeply. When the teacher asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Jonathan replied, "Somebody that teaches church." That answer carried extra weight for me as Jonathan sang a solo of "Jesus Loves Me" at church on June 23 (last Sunday). Oh, how our hearts long for our boys to graduate in spiritual maturity as well as in school life! Please pray for Jonathan (5) and David (3) to grow more and more in love of God and people! Hmmm, we love them!
More Love!
This is an appeal to remember our church family at Cambridge Street Baptist as we reach into our Lindsay community with love and support! i) We are in the process of discerning a staffing position for "Music and Outreach" as a church. Pray for our discernment. ii) We have a knitting ministry that has already made 6,563 knitted items in 6 months to help children in Ghana (through medical teams) and our local First Nations partnerships! Amazing! Pray for their persevering joy! iii) We are building networks in our community with families and just helped host a Kick-Off to Summer event for our local neighbourhood school! Great connections! Pray for our love of all people to grow deeper please! Why? Because we leaning into 1 Corinthians 14:1 which says, "Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does" (MSG). If you have questions, ask Jonathan! :)
Thanks again for praying and sharing in our journey, Friend! We appreciate it. If you would like us to be praying for you, please don't hesitate to ask! It would be our privilege and honour!
Until we connect again in 2 months,
Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, and David Styles
Lindsay, Ontario, Canada