Good-bye 2013 and Welcome 2014!

So much has happened over the last month!  

Last month as part of our Molineaux S.D.A. church's 50th anniversary celebration week, Mike participated in a dental outreach program.  What a blessing it is to serve!  He was able to move the old dental chair to the church building out in the country to do some dental screenings and cleanings.  We are hoping to continue to do this outreach more often as possible to provide service as well as to educate the people on dental hygiene. 

Holidays are still hard to be so far away from family.  So we were very excited to have Mike's brother come out and visit us for two weeks!  

During his stay, Mike and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary on the 23rd.  As part of our anniversary celebration, we went paddle boarding with friends for the first time!  We weren't sure how Megumi would do, but she LOVED it! We had a wonderful time paddling surrounded by the beautiful scenery. On our anniversary evening, we enjoyed going out to frozen yogurt and watched "Frozen" just the two of us.  What a cute movie and it was a perfect way to conclude our day.  Thanks uncle J for babysitting! 

It's crazy to think that it's been 7 years since we had said "I do".  What a great opportunity to reflect and recommit to each other.  We pray that God will continue to be the source of our love and will help us grow in love each and every day!          

Our 7th ornament to add to the collection!

Christmas day consisted of Skyping with families, opening presents, going to the beach and getting together with friends for some Christmas/birthday dinner!  Although we were miles away from families, we are so thankful for technology that helps us be "together" on Christmas day.  Of course, we especially feel the absence of family during the holiday season.  But at the same time, it helps us be all the more thankful for friends that God has placed in our lives.  

Our little Christmas tree!

"Santa scary!!!!!" 

Three days after Christmas, we welcomed two more visitors!  Who would've thought when I taught them back in 6th and 7th grade that we would meet up in St. Kitts 7 years later?! We had such an incredible week showing them around the island.  They were so sweet playing with Megumi all the time.  She loved spending time with them and she kept on saying "I love the boys!"  It's so wonderful to see your former students growing up to be such amazing men.  I pray that God will continue to guide and bless them!  

  

Rainforest hike 

Black rocks

We love soursop!

Sofa stone

Meg loves her Uncle J!

New Year's eve church service

Starting 2014 with paddle boarding!

Carnival celebration

We also had some unexpected visitors!  We knew B when we lived in Loma Linda, California and he was here during the holiday season vacationing with his family.  We were able to spend a wonderful evening together hanging out by the beach and enjoyed a yummy dinner together with his family.   

That was not the only surprise.  God had more fun surprise in store for us.  He has blessed us with a fellow Southern Adventist graduate!  H moved here to study at the vet school.  She and her mother came over for dinner on Friday evening.  Despite the power outage right as we sat down to eat, we had a great time visiting.  The next day, we enjoyed going to church together and they spoiled us with some amazing home made Sabbath lunch afterwards.  We are so excited to have H here on the island with us and we are looking forward to hanging out more!   

It's also a bittersweet time since we had to say goodbye to some of our dear friends.  We are sad that they are leaving but we are also excited to see how God will continue to use them to touch the lives of those around them.  Our prayers are with them as they provide Children's ministry on the island of Turks and Caicos!

As we welcome 2014, my heart is filled with gratitude.  I am thankful for the incredible holiday season we shared with visitors and friends filled with unforgettable memories.  I am thankful for the Christmas cards that still slowly make it over to our island, that reminds us of the love of friends and family all over the world.  I am thankful for the fact that I can say without a doubt in my mind, "This is where we are suppose to be."  I am truly content and what a blessing that is!  God is good and I am looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2014.         

"As you pray, put into words your desire to be available to God.  

You will discover that His willingness to use you is even greater than your desire to be used." 

-Life Application Study Bible