Hello to all our friends and family! So the second semester at The Master's Seminary is now in full swing!
We have just had a week long visit by Nanna. This was a great time. Not only did April do what all grandmothers do best, namely spoil their grand kids, she also spoiled Lisa and I rotten, as they say.
We played tour guide and took Mum to many of the places you'd want to visit when you come to California. First we headed to Hollywood and jumped on a tour bus to see the homes of all of the celebrities. This was a necessary tacky novelty - made enjoyable by a humorous tour guide who had a 'different' take on the seeming "glamour and glitz" of Hollywood. Later that afternoon we settled in at Santa Monica and enjoyed the first of many dinners (re: spoiled rotten) at restaurants around California. From there we then set out for San Diego and spent two days looking around what may be one of my favorite cities. We then returned to LA and the ladies then spent the day checking out the Getty and various other spots around the place. To have Mum here was such a special time. We had a great time and Kyah got to know her "Nanna April" more and more. Needless to say she was very upset when she left for the East coast. We miss you Mum!
Life has been a blessed and busy time.
As you have hopefully heard (via church announcements, GraceVine, etc) by now that we are certified foster/adopt parents. Prior to our departure and upon arrival, Lisa and I have been prayerfully and carefully looking into the possibility of adopting whilst we are here. Unlike in Australia, it is possible to adopt here in the US without cost (through the foster-adoption program). There is a Christian adoption agency here that many seminary families have adopted with, including international students. We are now, after 9 months of intense training, certified. We would covet your prayers regarding this; that the Lord would place the right child(ren) into our home that we are able to adopt and return to Australia with. This is a desire that the Lord has placed on our hearts. Please pray for us!
There is a family from church over here that are also in the process and they are in need of their foster/adopt child to be looked after for a week. So, we will have a 4 week old baby in our home very soon! It should be a good pre-cursor and introduction for us & we are happy to be able to serve a family from church in need of some help.
I have been continuing to intern in the Biblical Counseling department - this is a great time of learning and being challenged. It is something I am grateful to the Lord for. This semester I began helping out in the seminary's admissions department also. This too, is a real joy! It has been great to be able to work along side such godly examples.
SemWives has started up again, so Lisa will meet with many other seminary wives each week. This is a great time fellowship, encouragement and teaching from the Word of God.
Kyah continues, as always, to grow at a rapid rate!
We want to thank you for your loving support of us over here & hope to speak to / hear from you soon! Thank you - we love and miss you so much.
The Johnston's
--the photo above is the 2011 Fall class at The Master's Seminary.
It was taken by Jason Drumm.
It was taken by Jason Drumm.
