Love and Joy... Grandparents... Romance... Celebrations!

Dear Beloved Friend,

My heart is full of love and joy as I prepare to write this update about our family. The love and joy is directed at you! Sometimes the Spirit of God brings you to mind and the special moments we’ve shared. Some of you we’ve connected with when you were once a youth. Others we’ve laughed and served with on mission trips in different countries. Some of you we have known as your pastoral family and others have been treasured friends and confidents. We’ve also humbly invited some of you to pray for us because we look up to you. Regardless, of how we know you, you are important to us. We love you. Thank you for filling our hearts with love and joy!

As far as updates, it’s actually been 3 months since our last update in early December. So much has happened that we will only give you simple highlights.

What can we tell you about Jonathan and David? They love their grandparents! A “new” habit that we’ve started this year is to have a family date night with Phil’s parents who are 85 and 88. We share a meal with Grandma and Papa Styles at their home and the boys love to snuggle them as we enjoy a family movie together. Grandma Styles had a birthday recently and the boys took their own initiative to make her cards filled with hugs and kisses. They know love is the best gift!

The boys also enjoy spending time with Melanie’s parents. Grandpa and Grandma Forster enjoy

playing games with the boys, having sleepovers and spending time together on the farm or at our home. We thank God for family.

We want to instill in our boys a love for family and God’s wisdom to make the most of the time we have! As Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Pray with us that these memories will leave an indelible mark on the boys so they may always remember that they are cherished and valued!

Melanie and I are growing in love. We are serving together in multiple capacities, and I told her the other week, “Honey, I know this may sound strange, but I find it very romantic when we are serving together.” We had just been in a constitution meeting, so she looked at me with surprise, but I felt my heart soaring. I am a very blessed man and constantly thank God in my prayers for my wife. As Proverbs 18:22 says in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) “A man's greatest treasure is his wife—she is a gift from the Lord.” As we are both fully invested in serving together, we are also trying to invest intentional time for rest and rejuvenation. Pray with us that we will make the most of every opportunity while honouring the gift of God’s rest. May the LORD be glorified in our marriage.

In closing, we celebrate that God has given us the honour and privilege to serve at First Baptist Church Fort Erie. They are great people who love Jesus and serve in countless humble ways! I minister alongside people who delight in helping to drive people to Hamilton for doctor appointments (1 hour away). Others are filling up a fridge with food so we can bring meals to the sick, grieving, or those in need. Some seniors come to our Kids Group to just be present for some of the community children. It's amazing. This past week I even witnessed a member who was trying to help a wounded hawk who was at our church doors. This church family lives out Philippians 2:3 which says, "in humility value others above yourselves." Pray with us that through the Name of Jesus the church will make a difference by loving God and loving all people. God who has begun a good work will carry it on to completion! Amen?!

Well, it's time for me to go on a date with my wife. As such, we send you virtual hugs and prayers of blessings over you and your family! If we can be a blessing to you, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Until we meet again, or the LORD returns,

Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, David