The summer is flying by, and we can't believe that in a few short weeks we will be heading back to Albania. We are very eager to return, however it will be a hard goodbye once again to family and friends here. Time sure does fly! We remember when we came back to America not knowing what the future would hold, or even when we would return to our life and ministry in Albania.
Evangeline Sarah Hall was born at 3:29pm on June 25th, weighing in at 6 pounds 13 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She is perfectly healthy and normal, for which we give all the glory and praise to God!! It was an emotionally difficult pregnancy following Gretchen's 20-week ultrasound which revealed the cystic hygroma on the back of Evangeline's neck and the bad prognosis the Albanian doctor gave her. We barely have words for the joy and thankfulness we feel daily toward our God, the Great Physician, who sustained us during so many difficult days and nights and who sustained Evangeline inside Gretchen's womb. Surely, even if there had been a different outcome in Evangeline's life - if she could not have lived outside the womb, or if there were a chromosomal disorder - we would still be praising our Lord and God for his goodness and complete comforting control in our lives. But we are so happy that he chose to heal her little body and sustain her life. Indeed, he sustains us all and gives us breath.
Now, we face a whole new set of challenges as we prepare for our return home to Albania on September 1, 2008. The daily challenge of life with "two under two" is foremost in Gretchen's mind. But she is excited to raise up these two little disciples. So many new and exciting challenges await us in youth ministry as well. We have very dearly missed our students, who fast became our friends and disciples. We also are really excited to be reunited with our American team on the ground there, and of course our church.
Recently, we had a great family photo shoot with a new friend of ours from Grace Church of DuPage - his name is Brian Gee, and he is expanding his portfolio for his new photography business. We spent a couple really fun hours with him as he took lots of candid shots of our growing family. We LOVE the work he did and highly recommend him if you need some pictures! Check out his website at www.geefamilyphotography.com
Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy! (THANK YOU, BRIAN!!)
1 comment:
OK, Gretchen, are you sure that YOU had Evangeline? You look amazing! I can't wait until I get to see your beautiful face and give you a great big hug in only 3 more days!!! I will be happy to see Justin and the kids too. Anyhow, I have missed you so much these past months you have been gone from Albania. God is so faithful to bring you back, with Evangeline. HE IS AWSOME! Chelle
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