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

We arrived in the US on Wednesday morning, July20th. We had an uneventful trip, which is ALWAYS nice.

Tony and I both had doctors check-ups on Friday, the 23rd. That all went well. I have a couple appointments at the end of August, right before we head back to Ecuador.

Saturday we drove over to Knoxville, and enjoyed spending the night and visiting with good friends, Pete and Sonya Wright. It was fun to catch up with them. Teddy really enjoyed having time to play with Megan, who is also 8. Sunday morning we were at West Park Baptist Church. It was great to be in one of the Adult Bible Fellowships for the 9:30 service and in the 11:00 Worship service. It was good to see old friends! We had a WONDERFUL lunch at the Chop House, with Mark and Carol Weaver. What's not to love about giant sweet potatoes and Prime Rib?! :-)

Yesterday, we made the trip from Crossville to Springfield. We left really early in the morning, and made great time. It was so fun to get here and be able to see and hold the babies! We are sooo very blessed.

I pray that each of you enjoys the blessings of the Lord this week!

God Bless,
Joy