It's a new week!

We had a pretty good first week of school in the Anzalone house. Teaching 3 children, 2 of them ESL with some learning differences was quiet a challenge. They did pretty well, though and I was thrilled when we took Mateo to the doctor on Tuesday, and she asked him what color a wooden bead was and he said, "Blue"....and he was right! Then he named the other ones too..."green, red, yellow"... Sometimes you think nothing you have said or done has gotten through and then something like that happens and you know it actually did! :-)

We were able to get both Mateo and Carla to our doctor this week, for a general check-up. That was good. We were also able to meet and interview a Physical Therapist, who is going to start working with Mateo tomorrow.

The construction on the auditorium is continuing. Please be praying with us, as we are trusting the Lord to supply the needed funds to finish this work.

We are also planning a Ladies Conference the end of October. Sharon Smith will be here to speak. The ladies are very excited about this.

Tony is teaching a personal evangelism course on Thursday nights. Last week was the first week, he had 19 show up.

We had 112 this morning. That is a little down from the previous weeks, but then we were thinking it is nice to have a "down" Sunday, and still have 112!!!!

I really appreciate your prayers as our family continues to make adjustments for the 2 precious children the Lord has brought to us. We received word this week that the "official assigning" as taken place, so that is a blessing. We are looking at about 30 days for our court date, at which time the adoptions will be finalized. Thank you for your prayers.

God bless you as you serve him this week!
Joy

Some new photos!

Dressed up and ready to go to church.

Mateo and Carla's first trip to the beach. I think they liked it! :-)

Ready to go to church, again. This was their first Sunday here.

Our first day home, a neighbor was having a 1st birthday party for her baby...so we dressed up and went over for a little while.

What's happening now....

The last few weeks have been quiet an adventure for our family! We arrived home in Manta, on Friday evening, the 10th. The first week has been one of adjustments. We have worked on getting ourselves a little more organized.

The kids are doing great! Mateo, is a happy a little boy. He is very loving and usually very cooperative. He wants to do everything his big brother and sister do.

Carla is a sweet little girl. She is usually very happy and plays well with her brothers. She loves playing with our little dog Ellie.

Teddy is filling the role of Big Brother, with very little difficulty. He has his moments, but then every child does. He love having a brother and sister to play with.

Life has changed drastically for Tony and I, but we are loving it! We start our day early, Tony is usually up before 6:00 and I'm up between 6:00 and 6:30. Once we get the last child in bed at night, around 8:00 or 8:30, we are pretty much exhausted. I've been getting in bed at night by 10:00 and fall asleep almost immediately, but wake up bright and early and ready to start the day again. The children fill my day.

This week, we will be starting school. I appreciate your prayers as we get this underway. I have taught school for years, and had classes between 15 and 25, but the idea of homeschooling these 3 is a little overwhelming. Yet I know that nothing is impossible with God and that he will supply what I need.

Pray with us too, that the Lord would complete what he has started in us, and that the adoptions would be finalized quickly and with very little hassle.

God bless you as you serve Him this week!
Joy

On Mission from the Lord to Care for my Home...

Today in the Ladies Sunday School class we were talking about taking care of our home. We looked up many different scripture passages, but our main passage was Proverbs 31. I know, I can hear you now, "oh no, not the passage about the "perfect woman".

I think the thing that impacted me most this week as I studied, was to be reminded, that this is God's plan for my life! He wants me to take care of my home, and watch out for those living in it. When I look at it in this way, it changes everything! If I'm doing all of these things for the Lord, then I won't get "weary in well doing".

The other thing was that I was reminded that God NEVER calls us to something that He doesn't equip up and empower us to do, so if God has called me to this, He will supply what I need, He will equip me and empower me to do! Therefore the description, of the Proverbs 31 woman is not something that is unattainable, or out of reach!

Praying for you this week, as you seek to glorify the Lord and take care of your home and your loved ones!

Joy

Exciting times...

Hi Friends! Things have been very busy and exciting the last few days for the Anzalone family. We have spent the last week in Latacunga, where we have gone through the adaptation time with our son, Mateo. Yesterday we signed papers that make us his legal guardian until the adoption is finalized.

We will leave here tomorrow and go to Quito, where we will start the entire process over with our daughter, Carla.

I really appreciate your prayers for our family at this time!

The church is going well, and they are getting ready to start construction on the auditorium building.

Have great week!
Blessings,
Joy