news & updates
November 12th, 2008
It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we announce the birth of our son.
Sara started having contractions on Sunday evening. By the time the sun was up, the contractions stopped. So we went for some walks, got groceries and so on. Monday night the same thing happened. This time, on Tuesday morning we decided to go ahead and go to the hospital. The baby didn’t seem to be moving at all, so we figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him checked out. It turns out that he was sleeping very profoundly,
In fact he slept though several hours of contractions! Sara spent Tuesday night at the hospital, but since she wasn’t hardly having any contractions at that point, I wasn’t
Allowed to stay. We had already resigned to the idea that Sara would go through this routine for several more days. Instead, surprise! At 4 am on Wednesday (which is today, in fact I am rather tired and really need to get to bed, but I just had to share the news!)…Sara called me. She was into active labor with heavy contractions. Nothing like going through those alone, or so I am told. So I rushed to the hospital within the hour she was in the delivery room. And then things slowly moved on. Samuel was born at 11:09, weighing in at 7 pounds and 6 ounces. Both Sara and Samuel are doing great. Rebecca was rather enthused at the idea of having a new doll in the house.She wanted to carry him, and take him for a walk. Unfortunately she is only 1 and a half, so she will not be able to have too much responsibility around the house, not yet anyhow! Thank you all for praying for Sara’s pregnancy. Having children is truly a blessing. So often we forget that it is a wonderful gift from God.
Ps
If you become Facebook friends with us, you will be able to see more photos!
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Ministry Stuff:
The discipleships continue going string with two of the young men (Stefano and Gioele). Our college small group is a very different group this year, compared to last year. That is the nature of College groups I guess. We have started working through Apologetics, and the need to be able to explain the hope that we have!
Though we have not moved to Imola yet, we already have contacts and things going on there. We also have a few more contacts which we will be following up on. Before Christmas we will distribute a couple hundred Gospel calendars at the market. Pray for the people we meet. That we will have wisdom in presenting ourselves, and understand the need of the Imolesi.
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FAMILY STUFF:  |
Thank you all so much for praying and supporting us regularly!
In Christ,
Your partners in ministry in Italy,
Josh, Sara, Rebecca and Samuel Whitman
Praise and prayer:
· We are thankful that the Euro/Dollar exchange has gone down!
· We thank God that Rebecca and Samuel are growing in a healthy manner.
· We thank God for his month to month provision.
· Our home in Grand Rapids has been rented, though the income does not cover the mortgage payment. we do praise God for the renter though!
· For the small groups we lead.
· For wisdom in making contacts in Imola.
Thank you for your prayers. They are much needed!!!
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