It was this time last year when Franklin and I were in Oshawa, Ontario at our Candidate Orientation. We were in high hopes of becoming a part of the GEM team, and it was on this trip where we were officially appointed to serve alongside them!
Wow, a year sure flies by!
At the time, Franklin and I imagined that we would be headed off to Italy by the end of 2019, but as I said... the year sure flew by! We are still support raising (and appear to have a long road ahead of us still) and we now have a baby on the way, which has definitely altered our goal - which is not a bad thing.
So let's take a look at how this past year has gone...
June 2018 - Candidate Orientation (where we were appointed to serve with GEM.
July 2018 - Our very first support meetings (thanks to those we met with and are still with us a year later!).
August 2018 - Our youngest son Tobias turned 2 years old... still meeting with potential supporters.
September 2018 - Our eldest son Xavi turned 8 years old. Another year of homeschooling begins. Still meeting with potential supporters. About 10% funded.
October 2018 - Our middle son Eliseo turned 6 years old...still meeting with potential supporters.
November 2018 - Encountered our first 'Italy doesn't need missionaries' attitude from someone... We're doing the right thing, right? Yes, yes we are!
December 2018 - Christmas-time! Took a bit of a break from support-raising.
January 2019 - Leanne writes her last entry for her blog, decides to end that chapter while focusing on Italy. We begin the Educational Planning Course offered by GEM. Xavi says he wants this new year to include a new baby - Franklin and Leanne laugh.
February 2019 - We find out we're expecting a baby - God laughs.
March 2019 - The news of a new baby takes all our focus away from support-raising - month off.
April 2019 - Baby is still stealing all our attention. Leanne's skin is starting to wreak havoc (bad eczema on arms, neck and face).
May 2019 - Eczema on Leanne's skin is in full force. Family trip to the mountains to celebrate 11 years of marriage!
June 2019 - We finally find some motivation to get back into support raising and preparing for Italy! Approximately 20% funded.
So what do we see happening this next year?
Within the next couple months we plan to be ordained as part of the Visa requirements for entering Italy with a religious visa.
On September 14, 2019 we will be having out first official Fundraiser! Stay tuned for more information regarding that.
In early November we will be welcoming our new addition!
And finally, our hope is to be fully funded by the summer of 2020!
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