The Wonders of Love ❤️
- Phil Styles
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
Hello Dear Friends!
Our last family update was November 1, 2024. It has been a while since then! We are providing you updates that reflect our hearts, faith and experiences so that we stay connected and keep you informed if God stirs you to pray for us.
Perhaps Psalm 9:1 will bring life to this update; “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
David: David had his birthday in January. He turned 9. We were elated to celebrate his birthday by going to our church prayer breakfast and in part asking God to help David score a goal at his afternoon U10 travel soccer game. This time, my Spirit knew God would answer our prayer. At the game, the opposing soccer team was dominating David’s team. Humanly, it seemed impossible that our team would score. But that perfect moment came, a divine moment, when the ball came to David in mid-field, and he kicked it over the taller defense players and goalie. As the net embraced the soccer ball, the sound barrier was shattered by our family cheers! I thought I could hear Heaven cheering too. David was given the “Player of the Game” honour. David’s team lost the game but we praised God for His wonderful deeds!
As David’s birthday gift, Melanie and I are taking David to a Forge FC game vs Mexico’s Monterrey tomorrow in Hamilton (Feb 5). It will be outdoors at -10 starting at 8 PM! I suspect we will cheer for Canada until we lose our voices! David is super excited! Pray for our safety and the joy of the LORD to be our strength!
Jonathan: Jonathan won a robotics competition for our region with his school team. They went to the district competition, and we were so proud of him! His team dominated the first robotic challenge, and it was wonderful to behold! The challenges involved creating and coding a robot to do specific tasks. Of the 4 challenges, one challenge did not go well so they did not win but my eyes dilated several inches seeing Jonathan and his team create robots to pick up multiple items, plant “trees”, align solar panels with the sun, and turn on windmills. For Christmas we bought Jonathan two robotics kits, and he comes alive designing and coding his homemade robots. Oh, how God has made us so wonderfully complex (Psalm 139:14 NLT)! The wonders of the human mind are marvelous!
Melanie: As I shared in November, we have a full-school year student from Spain staying with us. Benjamin is doing well, and his love of soccer makes David very happy. Melanie recently welcomed two more students from Peru to our family who are with us for 3 weeks to learn English and experience the wonders of God’s creation in Canada! The excitement of snow and many new experiences makes every day an adventure for them!
Due to our 2015 car accident, Melanie is now getting weekly Brain Injury support for some of life’s tasks that tend to overwhelm her. We are very grateful for the support systems in Canada that help people work through various forms of disabilities and trauma. Thank you for your prayers over the years as Melanie’s jaw has mostly realigned and she is getting support for intense migraines and such. We cherish Matthew 12:20 which says, “A bruised reed [God]will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” God is so gracious to us all! His lovingkindness knows no end!
Phil: Life is filled with the wonders of watching my kids grow, holding Melanie’s hand as we share stories of lives transformed, and in the daily privilege of sharing the majestic promises of God in our church community! My personal highlights are times where I commune in God’s presence. As Psalm 31:21 says, “Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love.”
A tender moment was at our Styles’ siblings Christmas gathering. My mother wrote us a message that my sister Christine had put on cutting boards. Mom’s post-mortem message was “Season everything with LOVE! Love Mom xxxxxxxooooooo” The precious gift reflects how my mom and our family desires to live our lives! Thank you Jesus and thank you Mom!
I close with Psalm 65:8 which proclaims, “The whole earth is filled with awe at [God’s] wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” You are part of those wonders, dear Friend! Your friendship fills us with awe and a deep spirit of gratitude. Thank you for staying connected with us! May the God of wonders fill your home and hearts with peace, joy, and love as we fill our mouths with songs of joy and praise! We love you.
Until we embrace or connect again,
Phil, Melanie, Jonathan, David Styles
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