The year has almost ended. We don’t know what happened to
December, but it feels like we missed it. The arrival of Joshua Magezi Lammers (Magezi means wisdom in Luganda) has significantly changed our life and routine.
(We had thoughts of taking a family picture of the 5 of us on Christmas but it didn't happen. For now you will have to enjoy some pictures of Joshua)
In the midst of all the adjustments we quietly celebrated our one year
wedding anniversary. Last year as we were preparing to return to Uganda after
getting married we thought it would be good to take some time to settle into
life together in Uganda. We weren’t planning to do any travelling. But at the
same time we didn’t want to settle into a life of comfort and miss what God was
going to do. As a result, it has been an
interesting year.
We have gone from being engaged to married to a family of 4 to a family of 5. We were invited to a number of weddings this year, a few in Uganda, one in Tanzania, and one in the US. We travelled to the US twice and Tanzania once. Our intention of a quiet year has been anything but quiet
The birth of Joshua has shown us again what a wonderful community we have, both in Uganda and abroad. As we were sitting in the hospital the day Joshua was born, we were feeling overwhelmed. We had this newborn baby and weren't sure what to do with him. As we were praying about what to do, God reminded us that we can't do it ourselves as much as we want to. We need God to give us strength and wisdom. We need community to support and encourage us. Our community has been a great support, from providing meals to bringing gifts to encouraging words to watching our other two boys it has helped us to get through the first month.
Life has been challenging the past month. We have been very tired, especially Ashley. Taking care of a baby is a very new experience, unlike anything we have done before. It has been a huge change of life for Ashley, looking after Joshua has consumed most of her time. Our life is much less flexible, Joshua dictates our schedule. We feel pulled in many different directions and it doesn't feel like we have enough time for everything. It is hard to get time together as a couple. It is a challenge to give attention to 3 very different boys.
But there is also joy in this season of life. There is joy seeing Joshua smile. He is growing quickly. He has been a wonderful baby, who hardly cries. There is joy in seeing the other 2 boys being more helpful. Last night as I was going to bed and Ashley was bathing, I asked one of the boys if he wanted me to take Joshua into the room with me or if he wanted to watch him. He said he would watch him. Ashley came out to him carrying Joshua and walking him around the house showing him different things and then outside to show him the stars. There is joy in our life.
God has been giving us the strength to get through each day. He has been faithful to provide and has used our community to provide for us. We have hardly bought anything for Joshua as we have been given so much. God has been teaching us to lean on him to get through as we can't do it ourselves. So even though this year has been different than we planned, a lot less comfortable than we would have made it, it has been good. Our God is sovereign and as our loving Father he knows what is best for us.
Thank you for loving and supporting us. We cannot go through life alone.
Matt & Ashley
Praises:
-birth of Joshua Magezi. He is healthy and growing.
-God has been working in our lives this year.
-We like each other more than we did this time last year.
Prayers:
-wisdom for each day as we parent 3 different boys.
-patience
-for our marriage to continue to grow and strengthen throughout all the changes
-the boys have gone to visit their families for a week. It is not always easy for them to be there. We will miss them while they are away.
-that Joshua would grow to know God
-We have had a number of significant life events this year (3 kids) that has changed our budget. While we are financially okay right now, our support amount is no longer sustainable. Please prayerfully consider whether to join our support team or to increase your current giving. God is our provider and he is faithful.
