As the new year began, it seemed like there was a sense of anticipation around our Shiloh site…anticipating new families moving in soon. That meant seeing lots of professionals at both new houses working on insulation, flooring, drywalls…. Kirk’s truck always parked at one or the other as he continued to pour himself into these projects…. our families sometimes help by sweeping or clearing out things needing thrown away, etc. As I write this, we are expecting two different work groups to arrive during this cold, snowy month to help fine-tune some projects so the Ellermets can move in very soon. Quite an exciting time!
There has also been anticipation for new children. One of those new children kept us all on “Baby Alert” for several anxious times as we all anticipated the arrival of the Starks 3rd child…I’d catch myself wondering if my phone dinged in the middle of the night…. everyone making sure all bases were covered…” just in case…”, etc.
Well, little Baylor finally made his debut, and he is quite the cutie! Not quite sure who was excited the most… his parents, Ryan and Kimber…. his big brothers, Gibson and Harvey….or his new “Shiloh aunties & uncles/cousins/ grandparents” on site! Think little Baylor will never have to worry about finding someone to hold him around here!
There is also anticipation as we realize with two new sets of homeparents comes the arrival of new children on site. The Fitzgeralds just got their first child with anticipation of more soon to come. The Ellermets are also soon to arrive and begin the process as well, so there will be plenty of children around site…shooting hoops at the ball court…. helping with chores on site…. eating around our big tables…etc. We’re looking forward to getting to know them as we do relief together with the Starks, and as Ken and I work with them in our school on site.
That being said, there is also anticipation for more help at our school. Many of our students coming in need individual tutoring, direction, and time just to get to know them. Our classroom numbers will be growing. As new children arrive, they may begin their time in our home to allow time to adapt and time for all of us to get to know them better, seeing where their needs are. As with our other two school supervisors (teachers), we saw God’s leading and direction in bringing them to us and know He will do the same with this new need. Please be in prayer for wisdom and direction as we take this new step in expanding.
Anticipation can be a good thing…right now, after a couple of months of ice/snow/bitter cold temperatures and winter flu bugs/sickness that go along with that, we are anticipating the first spotting of flower buds popping through the dirt…. longer days of sunshine…. signs of spring! Same thing with our lives when there are struggles, heartache, tough times…we often don’t feel like we’ll get through it…. but anticipation means we KNOW there’s something better around the corner because we KNOW who holds the future!
Thank you for your prayers and support that help us be able to show our children and hurting families just what God can do…. It’s not about us but all about HIM!
In His service, Ken & Beth Penfield