3.23.2012

3/22

Hello,

 We're doing pretty good and getting ready to move. We've been setting things aside that we'll either pack or give away. Its getting busy here! Many brothers and sisters have come over to pick up clothes, shoes or furniture. We are selling and donating everything! Even our cars. I know Jehovah will bless these efforts. A lot is going on. Only 5 weeks left! 
 Last night we had Teen Nite and we held it at the DLM's home. I no longer have a sofa, so theres not enough room to sit. We had 22 kids!!!!! Thats the maximum we've ever had. It was great and we studied Chapter 22. Funny number. Well, we took pictures afterwards and I had several sign their name on my copy of the book. Im glad that this little thing I came up with has been able to go on for so long and I hope it continues to happen. I will try to start it up in Ecuador once we settle.  I might begin with Volume 2 instead.
 My gramps and aunt arrived yesterday and they will stay until Saturday morning. Since Ziv is having his FIRST EVER number 3 talk, they came for support. Im excited! He's explaining what the Memorial emblems symbolize. I know he's been practicing and Im sure he'll do great.
 Tomorrow we have a going away party for the Cash Family. They will be moving to Mexico City and help teach English through a Bethel class. They were invited by Bethel to teach, using their curriculum. What a privilege!! The dad, son and two other friends drive off this Sunday, while the ladies fly out next week. We'll stay with them for 10 days before flying off to Ecuador. Im looking forward to it. :)
 Last weekend we had our SAD. It was excellent information and I appreciated the last talk very much. You'd never think of how important encouraging one another can be. I plan to continue doing so. I will add several pictures of the Assembly here. I saw many friends but really wish I had spent more time with them. I also knew about 8 of those who got baptized. It was wonderful seeing so many brothers and sisters Ive come to know, still serving Jehovah and enduring.
 Well, on another note...Things just seem to continue falling in place!! My grandparents weren't sure what to do regarding the car they had. Its been For Sale for about 2 months and they were just hoping it would sell before they left. Today it did! In our personal case, weve also had several green lights go on. We had to renew our Ecuadorian passports, but something had complicated the process. Anyways, we would have had to wait until we arrived in ECUADOR to fix that. My mom called them and really tried to somehow work it out, and they fianlly called and gave us an exception. It was awesome. So, now I have my Ecuadorian passport ready and just this Tuesday I got my US passport as well. Im amazed, but also letting this all sink in. Its crazy, or wonderful to see how things settle and how its all working out. Thanks Jah!
 Any those of you who wish to visit us are more than welcome. If you know people in Ecuador, we'd love to get in contact with them. Please, email me their info or msg me. We will be in the coastal town of Santa Elena or nearby area.

Yes, so things here have been busy, getting things ready and mentally preparing ourselves for the move. I can already envision myself seeing my friends, seeing family and being out and about in town. Makes me smile.


Hope you all are busy and also having plenty to do in Jahs service!!! 1 Cor 15:58


Much Christian Love,


 Izmir - Janai

3.10.2012

Hi!

Hello Hello!!

 I just wanted to write something brief in my blog since I haven't had much opportunity to do so for the past 4 weeks.
Four weeks ago I had just come back from a week stay in California. I saw my aunt and spent time with my grandparents who had just arrived from Ecuador, their missionary assignment. I had meals with various friends, went bowling and enjoyed a makeover. It was an enjoyable week. Well, the day after coming back home I spent the night with a very close friend, Bradleigh Cash. She and I have known each other for 3 years approximately. I love her very dearly. Anyways, I spent the day with her and later in the evening I was involved in a car accident with her family and another friend. Nothing serious ensued just the shock and initial fright. I got whiplash and a few bruises. The other passengers also had minor injuries and bruises. I'm glad nothing worse happened...and the details aren't necessary to mention. We are all recuperating well. So that event happened and it didnt allow me to write much or do much. I had to rest and see a few doctors. My mom brought me back to California and we spent another 5 days with my aunt.  After that week I returned home. That was last week. Some friends invited me to go to some Thermal Waters on Wendsday and Im glad I went. That helped relax my back and loosen the muscle tension. I went back out in service that Thursday. I visited a few calls and studies and explained why I hadnt been able to visit them.

Earlier that week my parents announced a move. A move that we had set as a goal for several years. I believe that having been in Mexico has been a great help for our new life in Ecuador. We will be able to use the various service techniques learned here and also use our experience for service in a new English group. I feel bitter-sweet but am excited to see how Jehovah is blessing several efforts we've been making. I can apply the Watchtower study of this week to our situation right now. Well, we will be officially leaving the country of Mexico to move to Ecuador April 29th. May 1st we will fly out to our new destination. 2 months!!!!!! Actually, less. :)

Since that new change in my life, I have had to now go through my clothes, check my shoes, my books, my everything! I have happily gave much of it to the girls in surrounding halls and I know they appreciate it.

Anyhow, I will return to the Saturday of that week. That Saturday we went to a garage we have and took all our old boxes and old stuff we had laying around. People showed up and we allowed them to take anything they wanted for free. We did set things aside to sell, but that was saved for a future yard sale. I told a few friends already about the move and they wanted to hang out with me and invited me to the movies. My family came along and we watched, 'Extremly Loud and Incredibly Close'. A marvelous, thought provoking film. I loved it and cried. Im glad I wasnt the only one. It was very motivating. Sunday we had a sale at our home and we visited some family and went to a small gathering.

This week we had to the Cash kids staying with us from Monday until Thursday. Their parents were in Mexico City looking for a home since they will be moving there by the end of this month. Im excited for them and also appeased that they are leaving to a new area,  just like we are. Well, we had Brad, Zane and two other friends over on Sunday night and Monday we headed to TJ. I had my brace appt, we had snacks and we just walked around a bit. The next days it was just the two Cash kids. They joined us in service almost every day and we did our daily activities with them. Tuesday, I passed on a few of my men calls to Gus DLM, a young aux pioneer who is a dear friend of mine. Thursday I had TN and a brother from the LSM cong, who speaks great English came and conducted. I appreciate that he did so without previous knowledge. That same evening we headed to my aunts home again. The next day we had to go to the Ecuadorian consulate as a last minute thing. We arrived at my aunts around 2 am and had to head out the next morning rather early to LA. I love that city! Ok, so I got my passports renewed and Im satisfied at how the pictures came out. We drove back to Rosarito the same day and stopped at BestBuy on our way. I got a new camera and I hope its durable for several years. Today we had another yardsale and it was more succesful today than last weekend. Tomorrow we will have another yardsale and I will read a lot. Next weekend I am thrilled because we will have our  Special Day Assembly!!!!!!!!! I know for SURE that I will be emotional since it will be the last time I see many friends. I cant even think ahead to that moment, because I get teary eyed. Ive actually been feeling that way almost everyday, but I know its ok and right now I am fine. I will share pictures of next week here, and tell you how it goes. Im also feeling much better but still wear my neckbrace. I will take it off next week, I hope.

Well, that is it for now and I hope this finds you well. Oh and those who are near are cordially invited to my Assembly. If you want to come, email! Or send me a message.

Much Agape Love,

Izmir

PS: I realize this isnt as brief as I thought it would be....