So some of you know that we have
returned to the U.S. recently. We had a family retreat in May and
really felt that God was calling us home for a visit, to have the
baby, to share our stories & miracles about missions and to be
sent back into missions after the baby is born. We kept our return a
secret because we were going to surprise Donovan's sister Tina for
her wedding. I told only a few people (like our parents) and asked
that no one post anything about our return (that way Tina wouldn't
figure it out before we could surprise her). Thankfully she had no
idea and we had such a great time surprising her!
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| Jacob & Tina |
Her wedding was this past Saturday at
our home parish St. Jude in Wichita, KS. A few days before the
wedding Donovan's sister Melissa told Tina and Jacob that “Mom and
Dad have a little wedding present for you and they want you to open
it at their house.” So they came over to the house and we hid in
the garage behind a work bench. Donovan's Dad hid Felicity in a large
tote box and kept the lid open until they were walking up to the
garage. As they preceded to open the tote box I expected to hear
something, but it was quiet. Tina didn't realize it was Felicity in
the box! She was thinking to herself, “Why did they put Maggie
(Felicity's cousin) in this box?” Donovan stood up from behind the
work bench and we all followed. When Tina saw Donovan it finally
clicked and she started screaming. She gave us all huge hugs and was
very happy to have us back for the wedding!
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| At the wedding reception |
Even though we showed up two days
before the wedding Tina invited Felicity and Grace to be flower girls
and Hannah & Catherine to pass out programs. Thankfully I had
left one fancy dress for each of the girls and they fit the wedding
perfectly! And after a few phone calls to friends they all had pretty
shoes too! The wedding was beautiful and you could just see the love
that Jacob & Tina have for each other.
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| Pretty little flower girls |
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| Wedding Programs anyone? |
A few days after the wedding we were
invited to Tony & Monica's House to have a potluck dinner with
six other families involved in missions (long-term, short-term &
support of the missions). It was so cool because the Keihl family was
there on their way back from California. It was a blessing to see
them and share time with all of the families! We were also asked to
do a talk about our experience in the Philippines at the Spiritual
Life Center next Monday (keep us in your prayers). Our family will
represent Full-time missions, some other families will talk about
short-term missions, and Jake Seymour (Diocese of Wichita's Family
Life Office Director) will talk about how to be a missionary in your
own home & community. We are excited about this opportunity to
share our stories and blessings and hope for many more opportunities
while we are back in the States. If you are in the Wichita area we would love to see you Monday night, July 28th, from 6 to 9 pm at the Spiritual Life Center. Please click here for more information and to register yourself or your family (there is no charge). We will also be at the Mid-west Catholic Family Conference from Aug. 1st - 3rd in Wichita, KS. We will have a Family Missions Company table so please come by and say hello! Click here for more information about the Conference.
Thank you to all of you who are praying
for us and for supporting our missions! Thank you to all of you who
made special donations towards our traveling expenses to return to
the U.S. Please continue to pray for our family’s discernment as we
pray about where God wants us to go into missions after the baby. We
are praying about returning to Malaybalay or going to another mission
post. Please know that all of you are in our prayers!
