Sundays at New Beginnings….
“If there is anyone else here who feels led to be baptized, please stand up”, Pastor Lance said after baptizing eleven church members who had previously signed up. Rachel and Colleen looked at one another and began to speak quietly. After a moment they both got up and proceeded to the front to be baptized. David and I followed to offer support and were surprised to see that our daughter, Malia had also joined the line of those waiting to be baptized. It was a great day of celebration! Not only did we have the opportunity to pray for Colleen, Rachel and Malia, but to actually baptize them too. All of us had tears streaming down our cheeks and were thrilled to see the work that God had done in these ladies’ lives.
A few Sundays prior to the baptisms, church service was just getting started when Colleen, Charles and Cianna scooted into our row. I waved hello and focused my attention back on worship. However, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a giddy young lady doing a very familiar “happy dance”. I looked over again and saw Colleen waving her left hand….she was wearing a beautiful engagement ring. “Charles proposed to me this morning!” All of us currently living at New Beginnings were sitting together and began hugging Colleen and offering words of congratulations. I am sure that we made quite a scene in the middle of our congregation!
This past Sunday, after a particularly difficult week in the house we were reminded of God’s faithfulness when 4 of our past residents and their babies came to church. All of us combined took up two full rows. We invited them for an impromptu BBQ after church and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company! We also took the opportunity to celebrate David’s birthday. He was particularly touched by Rachel’s card to him which simply stated, “Happy Birthday, you’re the best dad ever”.
We love our Sundays at New Beginnings. It is a day we set aside to attend church together and partake of God’s word as a family. We are so thankful for all of your prayers and financial support. We love serving these young ladies and without your help would be unable to do so. Your partnership is making a difference. Lives are being healed, renewed and restored every day. Thank you!
All for His glory!
One week in and going strong…
Fort Wardon
Almost a full week has passed since we moved to Discovery Bay. It is hard to believe how easy one can adapt to new situations. We have already gotten into a routine and have managed to survive the small but cozy accommodations. Malia and Makai enjoyed their first week of school and have both made new friends. We joined the C.L.A.N. and spent a good deal of time their yesterday…haha, not the kind of clan that may be crossing your minds! The C.L.A.N. around these parts is an acronym for Cooperative Libraries Automated Network! We are excited at the endless possibilities of entertainment now available for free at our fingertips! Makai spent a good half an hour at the reference desk finding books on the Titanic (he now considers himself an expert on the subject). We have made it to the beach everyday, to Safeway 5 out of 6 days, have found all the “cool” free wi-fi cafes in three neighboring cities and been to Fort Worden three times. I guess these are the kinds of things folks in small towns do for enjoyment. No more fast- paced city life for the Waits. Gone for now are the days of Starbucks on every street corner, several selections of fast food within a mile, and the ability to drive on gas fumes for a bit because you know there is another gas station just up the street! We have slowed down….for now at least….can’t make any promises to stay slow after we return to Puyallup!
Malia and Makai
Malia & Makai
Many people have asked us how the kids are handling all this change…..When our family began this journey we all sat around our dinner table and discussed our thoughts. We prayed about it and we sought out council. From the beginning, Malia and Makai have had more of “charge-on” attitude than we have even had. God has reminded us over and over again that our children are a product of David and me and will reflect our own attitude about this situation. He has also reminded us that His timing is perfect and that He would not have called us to this place in life without also taking care of our children. Still, David and I have both been surprised at their resiliency and their ability to mold to their situations. God has His hand in their lives and it has been a testimony to both David and I to watch them grow. A couple scenarios to share:
1) Not long ago David, Malia and Makai passed by a lottery sign on the side of the road and each discussed what they would do with the money if they won. The responses ranged from buying a house or favorite car to being able to go on the mission field without fund raising! Makai responded differently when he said “I would give half to the church and the other half to missions, God would take care of the rest”.
2) Yesterday, Malia and I chose to help do the dishes for everyone at dinner. Earlier in the day I had been reading Loren Cunningham’s book (founder of YWAM) and wondering at His ability to hear the voice of God in sync with others. That evening (as cheesy as this might sound) I felt the Lord telling me to do the dishes. Malia slid up next to me and eagerly began scrubbing plates. Even as adults were telling her they could wash their own dish she insisted that she would do it. After the dishes were washed Malia and I walked to view Discovery Bay at dusk and she turned and said to me, “You know what mom? I heard the voice of God telling me to do the dishes tonight”.
We marvel at how much closer they are to God than we were at their age. Malia and Makai are doing great. They are learning godly principles and how to be directed by His voice. While this journey has taken sacrifice, it will have all been worth it to see our children’s live be directed by God and to see them love Jesus with their entire being.
