the last ten months...

Some have wondered what has gone on in the Thomas family since last September. While our lives might be considered just as interesting (or uninteresting!) as yours, I will try to indulge the curiosity of some here in this column. (Smiles.)

Hadassah Praise was born November 26th, 2022 following a smooth, peaceful labor. This in itself was a tremendous praise and wonderful answer to prayer. She has been a delight to our family, rewarding our care for her with many smiles and giggles. Her siblings seem to have taken part ownership of her, which is super cute and fun to observe. One thing is certain, she is never lonely!

After a relatively quiet winter of school and being at home (something we all needed, whether we realized it or not), the schedule started kicking up in the spring. Pretty hard to keep big kids quiet for long! They are itching to “do” things! And things to do there are! (Too many to mention here, but take a look at the photos in the "life in pictures" section of this website.)

In late winter, Corrie, Caleb and William were given the opportunity to receive SCUBA training and certification…and they took the opportunity! Braving the frigid waters of Puget Sound, they apparently were excellent students and bold adventurers (according to their cousins who helped train them). They took a second diving opportunity in early spring, securing their opinion that wearing uncomfortable clothing, awkward dry suits and heavy gear is worth it once under the water.

Christiana took her first solo plane ride to Maryland in late May to help by brother’s family unpack boxes in their new house. Away from home almost two weeks by herself, this was a first for her. Of course, she loved the chance to do some of her favorite things: spend time with her little cousins, help with whatever needed doing, and long conversations with her uncle and aunt. They even took her to visit Gettysburg on Memorial Day (a history-lover’s dream) and to Sight and Sound Theater for a showing of “Moses” (wow, was she excited!)

Corrie had the opportunity mid-June to travel with extended family to Uganda on a short term mission trip. Joshua’s sister and brother-in-law have ministered there for almost twenty years and Corrie was very excited to finally visit and share in the ministry she’s heard about all her life. Indeed, she seemed to fit right in with the people and lifestyle of Lingira Island and was thoroughly delighted to meet new friends and enjoy the Ugandan people.

Meanwhile, Caleb and William recently returned from two weeks away near Prineville, Oregon, as they helped our cousins run their annual outdoor family homeschool science camps. With a camp theme of “survival,” they found themselves immersed in some of their favorite outdoor activities—which even included some SCUBA gear (how handy!), and hilarious camp skits!

And what of the rest of us? Sigh. How can one compare with all that?! (Smiles.) Well, someone has to keep things running around here with all those helpers gallivanting everywhere! Of course, there are all the little things that make the days different, interesting, distracting…a blessing.

By God’s grace, we are doing well. There are hard days. There are hard moments. There are good days. There are excellent moments. All are being used by the Lord for our benefit…and to remind us of His daily loving-kindnesses. Thank you to all who continue to pray for us. It’s been a difficult path, but here we are as proof that He is faithful.