Happy 5th Birthday, Joel!


While we were in Palau, Joel became quite the song leader. He really enjoyed being up front and helping with the motions to the songs our group sang. Amelia too. Now it's time for us to sing to Joel: "Happy Birthday to you."

Joel shares his birthday with his Grandma, Marilyn Farnsworth. Last year. when we were in Pennsylvania, he gave her a special card and gift in person. This year it will have to be by telephone and mail.
Last year he also celebrated his birthday with his cousins Erin, Abby, Lauren, Luke and Emily (left to right) and Cole, Spencer and Mason (not pictured). This year it's just we four in Guam, but we have our PIBC family to share it with.

It's hard for me to believe that my "little boy" will be five. He will start kindergarten in September. Look at him ride the Gospel Kindergarten bus in Palau.

One of our first assignments was handing our invitations to the Gospel Days in the different villages. Joel helped without the fear factor that we "older" people had. Perhaps I see a future missionary in the making. Let me rephrase that: he's already a missionary in the present.
Whatever we did, Joel wanted to help, even to paint the benches in the Koror Evangelical Church. Later when I saw the newly painted benches I was very pleased to remember that Joel and I helped to finish them.
Joel loved the children's program during the Gospel Days celebration (June 26-29): the games, the crafts, the Bible verse, everything. Two days before, on June 24, Joel had a different birthday of sorts when he prayed to ask Jesus to be his Savior. As a new Christian those really were "Gospel Days" for him. As parents we were thrilled and pray that he will continue to grow in his knowledge and understanding of God.
Our visit to Dolphins Pacific gave Joel another exciting day. He got to shake the dolphin's fins.
Joel was so pleased that he could be part of the PIBC team. Palau will always have a special place is his, and our, heart.

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